3 defense advantages 4-3

The 4-3 Defense is arguably the most popular defense in soccer in recent years. Most NFL and college football teams use the 4-3 Defense. A good number of high schools also use it.

The proliferation of Defense 4-3 is due to 3 reasons. It can be adapted to defend all modern offenses. Using a 7 person front makes your choice of coverage very flexible. The 4-3 Defense is also known as a run-stop defense.

Adapt to the other boys

The 4-3 Defense was originally built to stop the Wishbone offense’s downhill running game. Because of this, it is a favorite scheme to stop Option and other 2 and 3 rear offenses. Lining up your players in Defense 4-3 puts you in the best position to stop the I, Wing-T, Split Back Veer, and of course the Wishbone.

Seeing so many teams using Spread offenses today, this would seem to be a disadvantage. But Defense 4-3 is easy to adjust. We know he has a 7-man front (4 defensive linemen and 3 linebackers), so he has an extra player in his secondary compared to most defenses that are 8-man fronts.

In addition to being able to line up in man coverage on 4 receivers, you can line up one or both of your outside linebackers to strengthen coverage. The fender design allows you to use only one true Linebacker, the middle backer. Outside linebackers can be great athletes who are smaller.

Execution of multiple coverages

All coaches must wear men’s coverage. Most defenses have to use Cover 3 coverage. With the 4-3 defense, you can do both and more.

The initial 4-3 Defense ran Cover 2, but I’m more inclined to run Quarters. It’s tough to run Quarters in an 8-man frontal defense. It is not natural. But Cover 2 and Quarters are natural matches for the 7-man front of the 4-3 Defense.

There is no problem in rolling a safety to the flats and playing Cover 3 when this defense is also executed. He can also use one of his talented linebackers to block one-on-one with a slot catcher and use Cover 1 cover.

Stop the race

Like I said, the 4-3 Defense is an excellent run stopping in front. You only need two defensive linemen, your tackles, and a legitimate linebacker in the middle to stop the run.

Your Defensive Endings should be great athletes. They play outside the line and are not subject to double teams. The wingers must use their skills and always be running.

Outside linebackers are protected by tackles. The Mike Linebacker is reading the back closest to him (the fullback, usually) and attacking whichever side he reads the run to. He is a 2-space player. Because of this, his outside linebackers have to deal with a tough downhill run in moderation like a dive play.

Linebacker Mike handles the return dive on option, allowing wingers and outside linebackers to be responsible for the quarterback and safeties rush to the pitch.