The 4-4

Swarm

Presented by
Tim Murphy
Head Football Coach
Clovis East High School
www.coachtimmurphy.com
 Goals

• No plays over 15 yards

• Give up 7 points or less
• Give up less than 100 yards rushing
• Create 3 or more turnovers
• Minimum of 3 tacklers on the ball
 4-4 Swarm – Alignment vs. Pro

E T N E
Head Up B gap A gap Head Up
L R
4x4 4x4
S W
5 off G 5 off G
C 7-10 x 1-2 7-10 x 1-2C
F
10-12 x split
4-4 Swarm – Alignment vs. TE Quads

E T N E
Head Up B gap A gap Head Up
L
4x4 R 5 x 0-2 or split
S W
5 off G 5 off G
C 7-10 x 1-2 7-10 x 1-2C
F
10-12 x split
4-4 Swarm – Alignment vs. Trips

E T N E
Head Up B gap A gap Head Up
5 x 0-2 or split L R 5 x 0-2 or split

S W
7x4 5 off G
C 5 off G C 7-10 x 1-2

F
10-12 x split
 4-4 Swarm – Alignment vs. Quads

E T N E
Head Up Head Up Head Up Head Up
or 7 or 3 or 3 or 7
5 x 0-2 or split L
R 5 x 0-2 or split
S W
5 off G 5 off G
C 7-10 x 1-2 7-10 x 1-2C
F
10-12 x split
Swarm4-4 – Alignment vs. Wing T

E T N E
2x2 L Head Up B gap A gap Head Up
R
4x4
S W
C 5 off G 5 off G
7-10 x 1-2
F 7-10 x 1-2C
8x10 #2 Eligable
 Philosophy against the run
“Bounce and Attack”

Overview
• D-line will bounce
• Outside backers will contain
• Corner will ensure contain
• Inside backers will fill
• Free safety will fill
 Philosophy against the run

Reasons for Bounce

• Slows down ball carrier
• Forces him to go horizontal
• Takes him away from assigned hole
• Buys time for gang tackling (“Swarm”) to
develop
• Breaks up offense working as a team
• Frustrates ball carrier
 Philosophy against the run

Reasons for Contain

• Takes the width of the field down from 54
yards to around 5 yards
• Significantly reduces chances of big play
• Forces ball carrier back to the teeth of the
defense
• Enables fill players to come aggressively
 Philosophy against the run

Reasons for Fillers

• Inside-out tackles are easier than outside-in
• Balances the talent differential
• Promotes big hits
• Enables us to be position specific
• Causes turnovers
 Run Defense – Direct Attack

Toss

Stretch Trap
Power

E T N E

L
R
S W

C C
F
 Run Defense – Counter Attack

Counter

Inside
Zone

E T N E

L
R
S W

C C
F
 Philosophy against the pass
“Disrupt and Attack”

Overview
• D-line will disrupt quarterbacks/tight ends
• Backers will disrupt routes of receivers and
vision of quarterback
• Defensive backs will disrupt all phases of
the vertical game
 Pass Defense - Straight Drop Back
18 18

No Cover Zone No Cover Zone

E T N E

L
R
Rally Zone Rally Zone
S W

C C
F
L S W R
4 9 14 19 24 19 14 9 4
24

No Cover No Cover
Zone Zone
7 12C 16 20 F 20 16 C12 7
27
 Disrupt and Attack
Defensive Line
• Will get into throwing lanes (especially
against the 3-step drop game)
• Will collapse pocket forcing quarterback to
throw off back foot and not follow thru
• Will not allow the quarterback to roll out
• Will jam tight ends on any release
• Will relentlessly attack down field after ball
is released
 Pass Defense - Straight Drop Back
18 18

No Cover Zone No Cover Zone

E T N E

L
R
Rally Zone Rally Zone
S W

C C
F
L S W R
4 9 14 19 24 19 14 9 4
24

No Cover No Cover
Zone Zone
7 12C 16 20 F 20 16 C12 7
27
 Disrupt and Attack

Linebackers
• Will drop into throwing lanes
• Will re-route receivers
• Will break on quarterbacks near shoulder
• Will blitz from all areas
• Will relentlessly attack when ball is
released
 Pass Defense - Straight Drop Back
18 18

No Cover Zone No Cover Zone

E T N E

L
R
Rally Zone Rally Zone
S W

C C
F
L S W R
4 9 14 19 24 19 14 9 4
24

No Cover No Cover
Zone Zone
7 12C 16 20 F 20 16 C12 7
27
 Disturb and Attack

Defensive backs
• Will take away all deep routes
• Will break on deep intermediate routes
(routes 15 yards or more)
• On vertical seam routes will make big hits,
knock down or intercept any ball thrown in
that area
 Pass Defense - Straight Drop Back
18 18

No Cover Zone No Cover Zone

E T N E

L
R
Rally Zone Rally Zone
S W

C C
F
L S W R
4 9 14 19 24 19 14 9 4
24

No Cover No Cover
Zone Zone
7 12C 16 20 F 20 16 C12 7
27
 Pass Defense - Roll Out
18 18

No Cover Zone No Cover Zone

E T N E

L
R
Rally Zone Rally Zone
S W

C C
F
L W R
4 9 14 19 24 19 14 9 4
24

No Cover No Cover
Zone Zone
7 C 12 16 20 F 20 16 C 12 7
27
 Pass Defense - Roll Out Robber
18 18

No Cover Zone No Cover Zone

E T N E

L
R
Rally Zone Rally Zone
S W

C C
F
L F W R
4 9 14 19 24 19 14 9 4
24

No Cover No Cover
Zone Zone
7 C 12 16 20 20 16 12 7
27 C
VIDEO