3 - 4 defense vs. 4 -3 defense

cabse5

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What advantages does a 4-3 defense (4 lineman and 3 linebackers) have over a 3 - 4 defense (3 lineman and 4 linebackers)? Disadvantages?
 




It tends to be easier to find personnel to "fit" the 4-3.

4-3 tends to provide advantages when it comes to matching up and/or counting "hats" on the LOS. This can sometimes allow for the LBs to play a bit "faster."

3-4 provides more of a advantage when it comes to "unpredictability" by disguising coverages and where pressure is coming from.

3-4 has to deal with the disadvantage that LBs have to play off of O-linemen more.
 


Based on the personnel Iowa gets and the type of personnel it takes to run a 3-4 well....IMO, Iowa should stick with the 4-3.
 
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Based on the personnel Iowa gets and the type of personnel it takes to run a 3-4 well....IMO, Iowa should stick with the 4-3.

could you imagine iowa playing a 3-4 this year with the depleted corp. Another freshman would have been starting!
 


could you imagine iowa playing a 3-4 this year with the depleted corp. Another freshman would have been starting!

Given our lack of experienced depth at LB in 2011 ... I'd hate to see us opt for a 3-4 in 2011 (as a base scheme).

However, that said, we still like to use the 3-4 look against passing teams.
 


in my NON Expert opinion, a 3-4 only works if you BLITZ.. and seeing that IOWA didn't Blitz one time all season i dont see how this switch would work... but i could totally be wrong cause i dont know sh*t
 


in my NON Expert opinion, a 3-4 only works if you BLITZ.. and seeing that IOWA didn't Blitz one time all season i dont see how this switch would work... but i could totally be wrong cause i dont know sh*t

Iowa blitzed multiple times against Northwestern alone ... even with a TR FR LB.

It's true that Iowa doesn't blitz much ... but it's a complete mischaracterization to claim that Iowa does blitz at all.
 




ahh, and x's and o's thread. real football talk. okay, here's my bit, being i played D, FWIW, but i'm no expert.

the real advantage with the 3-4 is that you don't know where that 4th guy is coming from, as most 3-4 college teams always bring one of the LBs. it can be the inside guy, or the outside, and the o-line has to be always on their toes. the problem is that you have to have a monster of a DT who can plug up the middle, and i can't recall iowa ever having that guy? anyone? you also have to have OLBs who can cover the flat really well but also can rush the QB.

you don't have to blitz off the 3-4, but don't expect to get much pressure.
 


ahh, and x's and o's thread. real football talk. okay, here's my bit, being i played D, FWIW, but i'm no expert.

the real advantage with the 3-4 is that you don't know where that 4th guy is coming from, as most 3-4 college teams always bring one of the LBs. it can be the inside guy, or the outside, and the o-line has to be always on their toes. the problem is that you have to have a monster of a DT who can plug up the middle, and i can't recall iowa ever having that guy? anyone? you also have to have OLBs who can cover the flat really well but also can rush the QB.

you don't have to blitz off the 3-4, but don't expect to get much pressure.

I would think Daniels or Davis could do this next year.
 


In today's 3-4, the OLB's are more safety-type players than anything. 3-4 can be played very well without blitzing, but usually isn't as gap sound because instead of lining up in gaps or in shades on OL, the DL generally line up head up on tackles and Center and move to their gap at snap. Can creat confusion with an OL, but if OL catches the DL in that movement, it leaves that gap open.
What I love most about the 3-4 is the ablity to use the OLBs in both the run and pass game without moving them around a whole lot. Essentially, D-ends that play off the ball so they can defend bubble screens and short passes as well. It takes a very disciplined Offensive line to block a 3-4 or the old 5-3/New 3-3.
 




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