4-3 Defense

Here is the base 4-3 against a Pro I Offensive Set.

 
Responsibilities:
Strong End: Outside shade of TE. Wants to make sure the TE does not get a free
release on to Sam but must still play outside gap. If anything comes at him, wants to
bounce it outside toward the sideline. The basic philosophy is to make everything go
toward the sideline. Do not let the Ball Carrier get running north to south!

Strong Tackle: Responsible for the B gap strong side. Playing outside shade of the
Guard

Weak End: Responsible for the C gap weak side. Has to be more of the physical of the
Defensive Ends. Also should be one of your better pass rushers.

Weak Tackle: Responsible for the A gap weak side. Playing inside shade of the Guard

Sam Linebacker: Sam will align 5 yards deep with his nose on the outside shade of the
Offensive Tackle to the Strong Side. Sam is responsible for the C gap on run and also
will be responsible for helping bounce everything outside toward the sideline. On
pass, Sam is responsible for the Curl on the # 1 receiver. If there are more than 2
receivers outside, Sam is to wall the # 2 receiver using a "trail technique" and pushing
him outside the hash. The Sam will always square up at 15 yards and not chase any
vertical routes. (This is in cover 2)
Mike Linebacker: Mike will align 5 yards deep with his nose on the strong shoulder of
the center. He is responsible for the Strong A gap on run and responsible for pursuing
inside out on anything else. On pass, Mike is responsible for walling the TE using a
"trail technique" and not allowing him to get the "hot" pass or setting up in the hook
zone. If the TE disappears within 5 yards from the L.O.S. Mike will open up to the
middle of the field looking for anybody crossing his zone. Mike will always square up
at 15 yards and never chase any vertical routes (This is in cover 2)

Will Linebacker: Will will align 5 yards deep with his nose on the strong shoulder of
the Offensive Tackle.Will is responsible for the "B" gap on the run and also will be
responsible for helping bounce everything outside toward the sideline. On pass, Will
is responsible for the Curl on the # 1 receiver. If there are more than 2 receivers
outside,Will is to wall the # 2 receiver using a "trail technique" and pushing him
outside the hash. The Will will always square up at 15 yards and not chase any
vertical routes. (This is in cover 2)

SS: 10 - 12 yards deep over the TE. on run, SS will play run support on top of the Sam
Linebacker, again helping bounce everything to the sideline and cornerback. On pass,
SS is playing 2 deep. He wants to work to the hash and keep everything in front of
him and break on the ball once it is IN THE AIR, not any sooner.

FS: 10 - 12 yards deep between the #1 receiver and Offensive Tackle. The FS will
have same responsibilities as SS. Normally your SS is the better tackler and the FS is
your better pass defender.

Corners: 5 yards off the #1 receiver outside shade. On the snap, they want to jam the
receivers toward the inside, denying them the sidelines and forcing them toward the
Safety. The Corners do not backpedal, they will wait for the receiver to come to them
maintaining that outside leverage. They are also looking inside finding the ball. On
run, they are the containment. They are to force everything back inside where he has
support pursuing the play. On pass, if the ball is not in the air after the 3rd step, they
are to open to the inside and sprint to 15 yards depth to help squeeze the deep out
route pass and allow the safety time to come from over the top to make the play.
  

General Information
The 4-3 defense is named for the four down linemen in the formation and the three
linebackers.  There are also four defensive backs present on the field.  The various positions are
named as follows: right defensive end, left defensive end, right defensive tackle, left defensive
tackle, strong-side linebacker (SAM), weak-side linebacker (WILL), middle linebacker (MIKE), left
cornerback, right cornerback, strong safety, and weak safety.  Currently, the 4-3 defense is the
most popular base defensive scheme in use in the NFL.  The particular strength of this defensive
package is that it is well balanced to stop the run as well as the pass.

Responsibilities at the Snap

Strong Defensive End – The LDE lines up either over the tight end or just on the outside
shoulder of the tight end.  Their first responsibility at the snap of the ball is to jam the tight end
so he doesn’t get a clean release against the SAM.  From there he needs to immediately
diagnose the play.  Whether it’s a pass or run, his primary responsibility is to rush the outside
gap.  If it’s a pass, the LDE turns into a pass rusher whose prime target is the quarterback.  On
rushing plays, the LDE’s goal is to either tackle the running back at the line, or at least force the
running back to run east and west rather than north and south.

Strong Defensive Tackle – The LDT can use a number of techniques at the line, but their
primary responsibility is to the B gap to either stop the run or to penetrate the offensive line
and pursue the quarterback.

Weak Defensive Tackle – The WDT can use a number of techniques at the line, but their
primary responsibility is to the A gap to either stop the run or to penetrate the offensive line
and pursue the quarterback.

Weak Defensive End – The WDE is responsible for the C gap.  He has a similar role to the LDE
without the tight end interference.  Ideally, the RDE is the most accomplished pass rusher of
the defensive linemen.
Strong-side Linebacker (SAM) – The SAM lines up about five yards off the line of scrimmage. 
On a running play, the SAM is responsible for the C gap on the strong side of the formation.  On
a passing play with one receiver on his side, the SAM covers the Curl route.  If there is an
additional receiver on his side of the formation, the SAM ensures that the slot receiver stays
outside the hash marks to be picked up by the strong safety.  The SAM will always cut his route
coverage at 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage and won’t cover vertical routes.

Middle Linebacker (MIKE) – The MIKE lines up about five yards off the line of scrimmage.  On a
running play, the MIKE is responsible for the A gap.  During a passing play, the MIKE trails the TE
for five yards, not allowing a hot read or a hook.  If the TE goes beyond five yards, the MIKE
releases him and becomes a rover in the center of the field taking responsibility for anyone who
enters his zone.  The MIKE will also not pursue vertical routes.

Weak-side Linebacker (WILL) – The WILL lines up about five yards off the line of scrimmage. 
On a running play, the WILL is responsible for the B gap.  On a passing play with one receiver on
his side, the WILL covers the Curl route.  If there is an additional receiver on his side of the
formation, the WILL ensures that the slot receiver stays outside the hash marks to be picked up
by the free safety.  The WILL will always cut his route coverage at 15 yards beyond the line of
scrimmage and won’t cover vertical routes.

Strong Safety – The SS lines up about twelve yards off the line of scrimmage.  On a running
play, the SS acts in run support with the SAM.  On a passing play, the SS is responsible for
picking up a vertical TE and will also push everything outside of the hash marks. 

Free Safety - The FS lines up in a similar fashion to the SS and has similar responsibilities. 
Usually the FS has better coverage skills.

Cornerbacks – Both the LCB and RCB have the same responsibility.  They will line up across
from the primary receiver on their side of the field.  At the snap, their goal is to force the WR to
the inside, and not allow them access to the sideline.  As soon as the receiver commits to the
inside, the CB looks for the ball to be delivered.  On a running play, the CBs are outside
containment and turn the play back toward the middle of the field.  If the pass play develops to
the point that the CB takes more than three steps, their responsibility becomes covering the
deep out and allowing the safety above them to take the role of deep coverage .