GigaNation
10-02-2002, 12:48 PM
The 3-4 Defense is not run in the pro game as much as it once was. A lot of teams don't
have the personnel to fit the 3-4 defense. The 3-4 is a defense that has three down
linemen, four linebackers, and 4 defensive backs. The 3-4 is good to use if you have a
better set of linebackers than you have defensive line personnel. Having four linebackers
will allow you to have more speed on defense. The three down linemen do not have to be
fast, but they need to be big and have strength. They keep the offensive linemen off the
linebackers. This allows the linebackers to make the plays and get all the glory.
Three Down Linemen (DL)
Right End (RE): Lines up on the weak side of the defense straight across from the LT. In
the 3-4 Defense the RE should be a better run stopper than pass rusher.
Nose Tackle (NT): Lines up a straight across from the C. The NT is the heart of the 3-4.
You will want a big NT to stop the inside run and keep blockers off your linebackers.
Left End (LE): Lines up on the strong side of the defense straight across from the RT. In
the 3-4 Defense the LE should be a better run stopper than pass rusher.
Four Linebackers (LB)
Weak Outside Linebacker (WOLB): Lines up outside of the RE on the weak side of defense.
He normally is the fastest and best pass rusher of the linebackers, though he is more than
capable of stopping the run or dropping back into pass coverage.
Weak Inside Linebacker (WILB): Lines up over the LG on the weak side of the defense. He
is normally the 4th LB on the depth chart. He should be good at stopping the run.
Strong Inside Linebacker (SILB): Lines up over the RG on the strong side of defense. He is
normally the leader of the defense and calls the plays in the defensive huddle. He should
be the best LB at stopping the run on defense.
Strong Outside Linebacker (SOLB): Lines up outside of the LE on the strong side of the
defense. He normally is assigned to cover the TE. He should be stronger than the WOLB
and be able to stop the run.
Four Defensive Backs (DB)
Right/LeftCornerback(RCB/LCB): Normally the LCB is your top pass coverage defensive
back. The LCB has speed, great hands and awareness. He is the one you want to put on
the offense's top WR which InMadden 2003 normally is the FL. The RCB covers the SE.
CBs are normally not very good at run defense, but there are times when you may want
to call a CB blitz to surprise the offense.
Free Safety (FS): Is the centerfielder on defense. Generally the FS is faster than the SS
and is better in pass coverage, but is not as good in run support. The FS sometimes will
blitz.
Strong Safety (SS): Is normally not as good in pass coverage as the FS. He does not have
as much speed, but is good at stopping the run. Many times, you will hear the term "8 in
a Box." This term comes from having the SS playing closer to the line of scrimmage. The
idea of this is to stop the run and force the offense to beat the defense with the pass. The
SS will blitz more often than the FS does.
3-4 Defense breakdowns
Man Lock: WOLB and WILB both blitz from the weak side. The SS is playing the deep
middle. Both corners are locked in man coverage on the outside receivers. FS, SILB and
SOLB play man coverage. The coverage type is Cover 1.
Drop Zone: The secondary plays deep zone four across. The linebackers play zone
underneath. The coverage type is Cover 4
OLB Blitz: WOLB and SOLB both blitz from the outside. The FS plays the deep right middle
and the SS plays the deep left middle. Both corners are locked in man coverage. The RILB
and SILB are in man coverage. The coverage type is Cover 2.
Man-QB Spy: RILB spies the QB. The FS plays the deep right middle and the SS plays the
deep left middle. The rest of the defense is in man coverage. The coverage type is Cover
2.
2 Deep: The WOLB will blitz from the weak side. The FS plays the deep right middle and
the SS plays the deep left middle. The RCB and LCB cover the short to flat zone area. The
WILB, SILB (spies QB), and SOLB play man coverage. The coverage type is Cover 2.
ILB Blitz: WILB and SILB both blitz up the middle. The FS plays the deep right middle and
the SS plays the deep left middle. WOLB and SOLB are in man coverage. Both corners are
locked in man coverage on outside receivers. The coverage type is Cover 2.
Double Man: The RCB and FS double up the SE. The LCB and SS double the FL. Depending
on the offensive formation, either the WILB or SILB will spy the QB. The WOLB will blitz.
Everyone else is in man coverage. The coverage type is man.
Cover 4: The secondary plays deep zone four across. The WILB will blitz up the middle.
The WOLB, SILB and SOLB play zone underneath. The coverage type is Cover 4.
Double TE: SOLB and SS double up the TE. FS plays the deep middle. The WOLB will blitz
from weak side. The WILB, SILB and SOLB are in man coverage. The coverage type is
man.
Safe: The secondary plays deep zone four across. The WILB spies the QB. The rest of the
linebackers play zone underneath. The coverage type is Cover 4
Zone Blitz: The RE and LE drop back in short zone coverage. The FS plays the deep right
middle and the SS plays the deep left middle. The WILB and SILB both blitz. WOLB and
SOLB both are in man coverage. RCB and LCB are in man coverage. The coverage type is
Cover 2.
Double X: RCB is locked in man coverage on the FL. The LCB and FS double up the SE.
The WOLB blitzes from the weak side. The SS plays the deep middle. The WILB, SILB and
SOLB are in man coverage. The coverage type is man.
Weak 3: RCB plays the short to flat zone area. The FS, SS and LCB play a 3 deep zone.
The WOLB is blitzing from weak side. The WILB, SILB and SOLB play zone underneath
coverage. The coverage type is Cover 3.
Storm: The RCB plays short to mid zone flat area. The WOLB, WILB and SILB blitz. The
SOLB plays zone. The FS, SS and LCB play a 3 deep zone. The coverage type is Cover 3.
Double Z: LCB locked in man coverage on the SE. The RCB and SS double up the FL. The
WOLB blitzes from the weak side. The FS is in Cover 1. Everyone else is in man coverage.
The WILB, SILB and SOLB are in man coverage. The coverage type is man.
Exchange: The LE is in man coverage on the TE. The SOLB will blitz from the strong side.
Both the SILB and WILB play zone defense. The FS plays the deep middle. The SS plays
the mid flat strong zone area. The RCB, LCB and WOLB play man coverage. The coverage
type is Cover 1.
Fox: The WILB and SILB both blitz and stunt to the inside. The FS plays the deep right
middle and the SS plays the deep left middle. Both the WOLB and SOLB are in man
coverage. The RCB and LCB in man coverage. The coverage type is Cover 2.
Stud: The WOLB and SOLB both blitz from the outside. The RCB and LCB are locked in
man coverage. Everyone else is in man coverage. The coverage type is man.
Man Zone: The SOLB will blitz from the strong side. The LCB plays the left short to flat
zone area. The WOLB and RCB are in man coverage. The safeties play a 2 deep zone. The
WILB and SILB both play zone coverage underneath. The coverage type is Cover 2.
CB Blitz: The RCB and LCB both blitz from the corner. The WOLB and SOLB both cover the
short to flat zone area. WILB and SILB both play man defense. FS plays the deep right
middle and the SS plays the deep left middle. The coverage type is Cover 2
.
Pinch: The WOLB, WILB and SOLB blitz. The FS, SS and SILB are in man coverage. The
RCB and LCB are in man coverage. The coverage type is man.
Man Under: The RCB, FS, and LCB play a 3 deep zone. The WILB, SILB, and SS are in
man coverage. The WOLB and SOLB both play zone coverage. The coverage type is Cover
3.
SS Blitz: The SS, WILB and SILB will blitz. The FS plays the deep middle. The WOLB and
SOLB are in man coverage. The RCB and LCB are in man coverage. The coverage type is
Cover 1.
Weak Blitz: The WOLB and WILB both blitz from the weak side. The SS plays the deep
middle. The FS, SILB, and SOLB are in man coverage. The RCB and LCB are in man
coverage. The coverage type is Cover 1.
FS Blitz: The FS and SILB will blitz. The RCB, SS and LCB play a 3 deep zone. The WOLB,
WILB, and SOLB are in man coverage. The coverage type is Cover 3.
Strong Blitz: The SOLB and SILB blitz. The FS plays the deep the middle. The WOLB and
WILB play man coverage. The RCB and LCB are in man coverage. The coverage type is
Cover 1.
have the personnel to fit the 3-4 defense. The 3-4 is a defense that has three down
linemen, four linebackers, and 4 defensive backs. The 3-4 is good to use if you have a
better set of linebackers than you have defensive line personnel. Having four linebackers
will allow you to have more speed on defense. The three down linemen do not have to be
fast, but they need to be big and have strength. They keep the offensive linemen off the
linebackers. This allows the linebackers to make the plays and get all the glory.
Three Down Linemen (DL)
Right End (RE): Lines up on the weak side of the defense straight across from the LT. In
the 3-4 Defense the RE should be a better run stopper than pass rusher.
Nose Tackle (NT): Lines up a straight across from the C. The NT is the heart of the 3-4.
You will want a big NT to stop the inside run and keep blockers off your linebackers.
Left End (LE): Lines up on the strong side of the defense straight across from the RT. In
the 3-4 Defense the LE should be a better run stopper than pass rusher.
Four Linebackers (LB)
Weak Outside Linebacker (WOLB): Lines up outside of the RE on the weak side of defense.
He normally is the fastest and best pass rusher of the linebackers, though he is more than
capable of stopping the run or dropping back into pass coverage.
Weak Inside Linebacker (WILB): Lines up over the LG on the weak side of the defense. He
is normally the 4th LB on the depth chart. He should be good at stopping the run.
Strong Inside Linebacker (SILB): Lines up over the RG on the strong side of defense. He is
normally the leader of the defense and calls the plays in the defensive huddle. He should
be the best LB at stopping the run on defense.
Strong Outside Linebacker (SOLB): Lines up outside of the LE on the strong side of the
defense. He normally is assigned to cover the TE. He should be stronger than the WOLB
and be able to stop the run.
Four Defensive Backs (DB)
Right/LeftCornerback(RCB/LCB): Normally the LCB is your top pass coverage defensive
back. The LCB has speed, great hands and awareness. He is the one you want to put on
the offense's top WR which InMadden 2003 normally is the FL. The RCB covers the SE.
CBs are normally not very good at run defense, but there are times when you may want
to call a CB blitz to surprise the offense.
Free Safety (FS): Is the centerfielder on defense. Generally the FS is faster than the SS
and is better in pass coverage, but is not as good in run support. The FS sometimes will
blitz.
Strong Safety (SS): Is normally not as good in pass coverage as the FS. He does not have
as much speed, but is good at stopping the run. Many times, you will hear the term "8 in
a Box." This term comes from having the SS playing closer to the line of scrimmage. The
idea of this is to stop the run and force the offense to beat the defense with the pass. The
SS will blitz more often than the FS does.
3-4 Defense breakdowns
Man Lock: WOLB and WILB both blitz from the weak side. The SS is playing the deep
middle. Both corners are locked in man coverage on the outside receivers. FS, SILB and
SOLB play man coverage. The coverage type is Cover 1.
Drop Zone: The secondary plays deep zone four across. The linebackers play zone
underneath. The coverage type is Cover 4
OLB Blitz: WOLB and SOLB both blitz from the outside. The FS plays the deep right middle
and the SS plays the deep left middle. Both corners are locked in man coverage. The RILB
and SILB are in man coverage. The coverage type is Cover 2.
Man-QB Spy: RILB spies the QB. The FS plays the deep right middle and the SS plays the
deep left middle. The rest of the defense is in man coverage. The coverage type is Cover
2.
2 Deep: The WOLB will blitz from the weak side. The FS plays the deep right middle and
the SS plays the deep left middle. The RCB and LCB cover the short to flat zone area. The
WILB, SILB (spies QB), and SOLB play man coverage. The coverage type is Cover 2.
ILB Blitz: WILB and SILB both blitz up the middle. The FS plays the deep right middle and
the SS plays the deep left middle. WOLB and SOLB are in man coverage. Both corners are
locked in man coverage on outside receivers. The coverage type is Cover 2.
Double Man: The RCB and FS double up the SE. The LCB and SS double the FL. Depending
on the offensive formation, either the WILB or SILB will spy the QB. The WOLB will blitz.
Everyone else is in man coverage. The coverage type is man.
Cover 4: The secondary plays deep zone four across. The WILB will blitz up the middle.
The WOLB, SILB and SOLB play zone underneath. The coverage type is Cover 4.
Double TE: SOLB and SS double up the TE. FS plays the deep middle. The WOLB will blitz
from weak side. The WILB, SILB and SOLB are in man coverage. The coverage type is
man.
Safe: The secondary plays deep zone four across. The WILB spies the QB. The rest of the
linebackers play zone underneath. The coverage type is Cover 4
Zone Blitz: The RE and LE drop back in short zone coverage. The FS plays the deep right
middle and the SS plays the deep left middle. The WILB and SILB both blitz. WOLB and
SOLB both are in man coverage. RCB and LCB are in man coverage. The coverage type is
Cover 2.
Double X: RCB is locked in man coverage on the FL. The LCB and FS double up the SE.
The WOLB blitzes from the weak side. The SS plays the deep middle. The WILB, SILB and
SOLB are in man coverage. The coverage type is man.
Weak 3: RCB plays the short to flat zone area. The FS, SS and LCB play a 3 deep zone.
The WOLB is blitzing from weak side. The WILB, SILB and SOLB play zone underneath
coverage. The coverage type is Cover 3.
Storm: The RCB plays short to mid zone flat area. The WOLB, WILB and SILB blitz. The
SOLB plays zone. The FS, SS and LCB play a 3 deep zone. The coverage type is Cover 3.
Double Z: LCB locked in man coverage on the SE. The RCB and SS double up the FL. The
WOLB blitzes from the weak side. The FS is in Cover 1. Everyone else is in man coverage.
The WILB, SILB and SOLB are in man coverage. The coverage type is man.
Exchange: The LE is in man coverage on the TE. The SOLB will blitz from the strong side.
Both the SILB and WILB play zone defense. The FS plays the deep middle. The SS plays
the mid flat strong zone area. The RCB, LCB and WOLB play man coverage. The coverage
type is Cover 1.
Fox: The WILB and SILB both blitz and stunt to the inside. The FS plays the deep right
middle and the SS plays the deep left middle. Both the WOLB and SOLB are in man
coverage. The RCB and LCB in man coverage. The coverage type is Cover 2.
Stud: The WOLB and SOLB both blitz from the outside. The RCB and LCB are locked in
man coverage. Everyone else is in man coverage. The coverage type is man.
Man Zone: The SOLB will blitz from the strong side. The LCB plays the left short to flat
zone area. The WOLB and RCB are in man coverage. The safeties play a 2 deep zone. The
WILB and SILB both play zone coverage underneath. The coverage type is Cover 2.
CB Blitz: The RCB and LCB both blitz from the corner. The WOLB and SOLB both cover the
short to flat zone area. WILB and SILB both play man defense. FS plays the deep right
middle and the SS plays the deep left middle. The coverage type is Cover 2
.
Pinch: The WOLB, WILB and SOLB blitz. The FS, SS and SILB are in man coverage. The
RCB and LCB are in man coverage. The coverage type is man.
Man Under: The RCB, FS, and LCB play a 3 deep zone. The WILB, SILB, and SS are in
man coverage. The WOLB and SOLB both play zone coverage. The coverage type is Cover
3.
SS Blitz: The SS, WILB and SILB will blitz. The FS plays the deep middle. The WOLB and
SOLB are in man coverage. The RCB and LCB are in man coverage. The coverage type is
Cover 1.
Weak Blitz: The WOLB and WILB both blitz from the weak side. The SS plays the deep
middle. The FS, SILB, and SOLB are in man coverage. The RCB and LCB are in man
coverage. The coverage type is Cover 1.
FS Blitz: The FS and SILB will blitz. The RCB, SS and LCB play a 3 deep zone. The WOLB,
WILB, and SOLB are in man coverage. The coverage type is Cover 3.
Strong Blitz: The SOLB and SILB blitz. The FS plays the deep the middle. The WOLB and
WILB play man coverage. The RCB and LCB are in man coverage. The coverage type is
Cover 1.