Mastering the 3-4 Defense in Football: A Complete Guide
There are 11 defensive positions in football and the coach’s job is to put players in certain spots on the field to try to stop the offense. When the players are grouped a certain way, it’s called a formation. Every team uses a formation or scheme on defense.
One of the most common defensive formations that the NFL runs is the 3-4 defense. The 3-4 uses 3 defensive linemen, 4 linebackers, and 5 defensive backs. Generally, the linemen try to stop a team from running the football and they rush the quarterback on pass plays and sack them. The linebackers cover pass and runs plays, and the defensive backs cover only pass plays.
In this article, we’ll explain the 3-4 defense and in what situations it might be advantageous for football teams to use.
History of the 3-4 Defense
The history of the 3-4 goes back more than 75 years. Because teams tended to run the football more than pass it then, many coaches used more defensive linemen and fewer linebackers. That was more effective at stopping running plays.
In 1949, Oklahoma coach Bud Wilkinson first used what is now called the 3-4 defense.
Wilkinson’s defense wasn’t called the 3-4, though. It was called a 5-2 defense. Defensive schemes are usually denoted by numbers. The first number is how many linemen a team uses, and the second one is the number of linebackers. For instance, a 4-3 defense is 4 defensive linemen and 3 linebackers.
Wilkinson’s Oklahoma 5-2 defense differed from the traditional 5-2 defense. In the 1940s, the 5-2 defense used 5 defensive linemen stacked closely together on the line. The 5-2 was considered a good run-stopping defense because there were 7 people close to the line of scrimmage that could clog the middle. Wilkinson, however, wanted to create a defense where his front 7 could be more versatile and stop the middle and the outside lanes effectively. To do this, Wilkinson spread out the 3 defensive linemen, putting one lineman in the middle, and 2 defensive ends on either side. Oklahoma had 2 linebackers slightly off the defensive line in the gaps between the 3 linemen. The 5-2 Oklahoma is identical to the modern 3-4 defense. Today, most NFL teams use the 3-4 or the 4-3 as their defense.
What is the 3-4 Defense?
In the 3-4, a defensive lineman called the nose tackle lines up opposite the center. The other 2 linemen, called the defensive ends, are positioned on the corners of the line of scrimmage. Because they are so spread apart, this creates a large gap on both sides of the nose guard. A standard lineup for the 3-4 has the linebackers standing a yard or 2 behind the line of scrimmage in those gaps. The job of the linebackers is to fill the holes. For instance, if a team runs through one of the gaps on the defensive line, it’s the linebacker’s job to get to the opening and tackle the running backs. Generally, the defensive linemen in a 3-4 are supposed to occupy the blockers on running plays so the linebackers can make the tackles. In a 4-3 defense, there’s less space between the players on the defensive line. A 4-3 doesn’t have a noseguard. Instead, it has 2 defensive ends and 2 defensive tackles. It’s important to understand the roles that the 7 players upfront have in the 3-4. Below are the descriptions:
Nose Guard: A nose guard’s job is to ensure the center doesn’t drive forward on running plays so the running back can’t get past the line of scrimmage. They need to hold the offensive lineman that’s blocking them up so a linebacker can make a play. There are 2 types of nose guards. A 2-gap nose guard must occupy 2 offensive linemen. That means the noseguard will be blocked by 2 players -- a center and a guard, who is next to the center. A 1-gap noseguard only occupies the center.
Defense Ends: The defensive ends are responsible for pushing the running plays to the middle of the field. They must guard the outside lanes. They’ll typically make more tackles than the nose guard. They also must pressure the quarterback on passing plays and try to sack them. A weakside defensive end lines up on the opposite side of the tight end. The tight end lines up on the right side of the offensive line. The defensive end’s job is to pressure the quarterback and try to sack them and to stop outside runs. They sometimes stand up and are often called hybrid players because they’re a mix between a linebacker and an end. Sometimes, they will drop into pass coverage. The strongside defensive end lines up on the same side as the tight end. Their main job is to occupy blockers and stop the running plays. They also rush the quarterback.
Linebackers: The names of the 4 linebackers are often called Mike, Will, Jack, and Sam. Mike and Will are the 2 inside linebackers. Mike is often the largest linebacker. Their job is stopping the inside runs and occupying blockers so the Will linebacker can make plays. The Will linebacker is more versatile. They blitz, drop back into pass coverage, and defend against the run. Jack can sometimes line up as a 4th lineman. Their biggest responsibility is to rush the quarterback on pass plays. Sam lines up on the tight end side. Their responsibilities are split between rushing the passer and stopping the run.
Strengths & Weaknesses of the 3-4 Defense
To play a 3-4 defense requires big, skilled linemen and versatile linebackers, who have the freedom to make game-changing plays. The advantage of the 3-4 defense is you have multiple ways to rush the quarterback. Often, coaches will change the positions of their linebackers in the games to give them a better chance to make big plays. This can make it difficult for the offensive line to get comfortable with their blocking schemes. A 3-4 defense can be effective against the run, but there’s a drawback. There are 7 offensive linemen and only 3 true defensive linemen. That mismatch can make it hard sometimes to stop the run. One other challenge with the 3-4 is it can be harder to find the right personnel. Often, coaches design their defenses around the strengths of their players.
How to Counter the 3-4 Defense
Offenses with big, skilled linemen and quality backs can succeed at running the ball against the 3-4 because it’s more spread out. Teams that are good at disguising their offensive play calls can consistently move the ball against a 3-4. Often, the quarterback can call the play they want to run when they line up for the snap. They can “read” the defense and find out where the openings are and take advantage of them.
The 3-4 base defense is something that can be adjusted during games. For instance, you can slant your linebackers toward one side or another depending on what you think the offense is going to run. It’s important to make sure you have the right players to use it. Perhaps the most pivotal player is the nose guard. The nose guard is a unique position. It requires someone with the right body type who wants to sacrifice for the good of the team. They must do work inside that is often unrecognized but important for the team’s success. With the right players, the 3-4 is an effective defense.