Need tips for using the 3-4 defense

[RockCh4lk]

I sometimes like to run the 3-4 but am not too sure how to run it well and I have a few questions to ask. This team will be mainly Defense focused with 6-8 legends players on D.

1. What Legends should I use and in what positions?
2. Should I get 3 or 4 to fill my whole LB core or should I also put some on the line as well?
3. As far as play calling goes should I blitz almost every play with at least one LB since I will be loosing one rusher up front?

[hibachiii]

I've had success with 3 LB's and a DT.

I suggest:
Otis Wilson - Blitzing OLB
Brian Bosworth - ILB
Generic ILB Run Coverage
Dave Wilcox - Good in Run and Pass Coverage

As for the DT, Butz is my favorite Bronze. Jerome Brown is also good if you want to use a Silver.

[nyknicks33]

6 Man 3-4


Defense:

SS: Ronnie Lott
FS: Fred Marion
DT: Jerome Brown
LB: Lamar Lathon
LB:Robert Braizle
LB: Brad Van Pelt/DE: Clyde Simmons

IF you go with the 3 LBs, have Lamar Lathon play the "Rush LB" spot, and sub Van Pelt and Braizle at the ILB Spots. I prefer Braizle at the weakside ILB since he is bigger and can handle himself in traffic better, with Van Pelt on the strong side to deal with the TE and to play off Jerome Brown.

-Sub Lamar LAthon at DE in the base nickle and dime sets.

If you go with 2 LBs. Sub Lathon and Braizle at the ILB spots, and clyde simmons at 2nd string DE.

Switch Ronnie Lott to SS for stronger run coverage.

Fred Marion, to me, is the best bronze FS. He's tall, and although he has no attribute to show it, he's a REALLY good tackler.

dont be concerned with the generic corners. With Lotts leadership you'll be fine as long as you have them properly positioned.

IF you dont feel comfortable without the legend CBs out there

CB: Rod Woodson
CB: Albert Lewis
SS: Joey Browner
DT: Dan Saliamua
LB: Lamar Lathon/Bryce Paup/Carl Banks/Otis Wilson (sub at DE in base dime)
LB: Robert Braizle/Van Pelt/John Anderson



You can mix up your player tiers to your preference and what not--gold LB's silver LBs, gold DT/DE..whatever, but the these 2 basic setups work pretty well. When you get comfy you can have all kinds of fun, like putting Reggie White in there at DT, or using 2 De's, and such.

Before you play a game: PRACTICE THE BLITZES.

They work, but you must understand the plays and how the line stunts + Blitzes work, and the weakness that you need to manually cover. IF you dont, you'll get yourself killed, frustrated and you'll be hollering up and down about how the 3-4 is broken.

Some basics: Gap Right-Blitz Right. Gap Left-Blitz Left. Manually account for the backside

Twist stunt right/left. Same thing

All in, or pinch stunt: Blitz the edges..manually account for the middle

base stunt: do anything you want

Fan or contain stunt: blitz up the middle

Razor left/right: blitz to the left/right

middle zone blitzes..manually cover the Middle of the field with a LB, nickle back, or if you are feeling daring, your FS.

[ImBACKK,killah5]

Damn Kia thanks for the help.

[Kdrontle]

I enjoy my 3-4 defenses with the strength at the LB and safety positions.

I suggest at LEAST 1 silver or 1 gold LB along with 1 other legend minimum, preferably 3 LB's total. 2 Pass rush capable LB's and 1 strong run stuffer/run coverage guy.

1 silver safety and 1 bronze CB/S is what I roll with in the DB's.

I get 1 bronze DT sometimes. If you are putting 6 legends on defense this is where I'd place them:

3 LB's
2 DB;s
1 DL

This is a preferable team make-up:

OLB: Derrick Thomas
OLB: Greg Lloyd
ILB: Chris Spielman

S: Leroy Butler
CB: Terry McDaniel

DT: Leon Lett

Offense/Special Teams: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze

You'd have 2 big impact athletes in Butler and Thomas with ball strip. You'd have a Leader/Pass Rusher/Run Stuffer/Strongside OLB/Everything in Greg Lloyd. Spielman is the best bronze ILB in my opinion. Lett has run coverage and a deadly swim move. He can control the A gap and take away inside runs with proper playcalling.

With this team, don't be afraid to zone blitz on 3rd and long/long passing plays. Thomas can be a great impact player against the pass AND run. Thomas gets blocked easily, Lloyd doesn't... so be weary if players run at Thomas and be prepared for that. If people run away from him they are fresh meat.

KIA's Blitz strategy can work very well, taking away the weakness of the defense. Kind of opposite to him, I enjoy harnessing the strength of the play, which is usually the manual blitzer, or the "robber" zone coverage where I anticipate the play. Wherever my control comes in contact with the ball, I intend to be. if I think I can reach the QB, I'm taking Thomas and trying to force a fumble.

The reason for this is the fact that many pass rushers don't finish their rushes well. Strafing in front of the QB and taking horrible paths can kill a high-pressure defense. I mitigate this to the best of my ability with manual rushing. Be aware you will still have to be capable of making plays in the secondary by switching to your coverage defenders. You can still force interceptions through hitting the QB amidst your vacancy in the secondary at the onset of the play.

Change up your looks, and through similar looks on defense, make different calls. If you get him guessing and fearing your blitzes, more interceptions forced should follow.

Be aware of being burned by run plays when blitzing also... you'll probably be creating holes in your run defense when designing blitzes and just be aware of that on possible run downs. Nothing hurts more than a 50 yard RUSHING TD against your zone blitz.

[RockCh4lk]

Thanks for all the tips guys!

[twosilk]

bumpppppp!!!!!!! Looking for more input on this. Also with the manual blitzing, do you catch a lot of complaints about that? personally I don't mind, even in league play, just curious to the overall opinion on this.

[nflhitman]

bumpppppp!!!!!!! Looking for more input on this. Also with the manual blitzing, do you catch a lot of complaints about that? personally I don't mind, even in league play, just curious to the overall opinion on this.

The one thing you got to understand about Manually blitzing and running a 3-4 defense twosilk is that sometimes you are not meant to make a play on the ball. Many people stop playing it because they think they should have LB's just creating havoc play after play. When I use the LB Manually I know that to stop the run at times I have to blow up the lead blocker and let the others help. It is kind of like the way I hate playing people who run counters all the time but after practice I see that if I shoot through the hole where the counter is to be ran I will make the RB have to go wider, or get tackled. The best thing you can do as a manually used LB is to have your LB charged up so when you do get blocked you can use a move with your triggers to shed the block and do a reach tackle.

[twosilk]

The one thing you got to understand about Manually blitzing and running a 3-4 defense twosilk is that sometimes you are not meant to make a play on the ball. Many people stop playing it because they think they should have LB's just creating havoc play after play. When I use the LB Manually I know that to stop the run at times I have to blow up the lead blocker and let the others help. It is kind of like the way I hate playing people who run counters all the time but after practice I see that if I shoot through the hole where the counter is to be ran I will make the RB have to go wider, or get tackled. The best thing you can do as a manually used LB is to have your LB charged up so when you do get blocked you can use a move with your triggers to shed the block and do a reach tackle.

I never blitz unless the play calls for it, but I want the blitz to be on your mind, so that you know that we are bringing somebody, blitzing is 65% mental and 35% execution. but have been experimenting with it, and with good d-tackles, and the right schemes, it can be pretty good.

[nflhitman]

I never blitz unless the play calls for it, but I want the blitz to be on your mind, so that you know that we are bringing somebody, blitzing is 65% mental and 35% execution. but have been experimenting with it, and with good d-tackles, and the right schemes, it can be pretty good.

Yea you see my NFLP team? I have a full front 4 on D. I will be manually using Lofa and I have my NFLP Rookie at SS. I am thinking of taking Jordan Kent off the team and adding another LB or CB who can play FS but I need to see how it will work. I believe with a Silver WR and TE and a Bronze RB that should be enough on Offense.

[zhaoyun707]

3-4 if a fun defense and its about your D-line. If you have a crappy D-line, it won't work. Say you get a gold DT and 1 silver DE, and 1 Bronze DE. Your line will take on double teams all day on the run freeing up your TED and MIKE backer. The most important D-lineman is the NT(DT) He has too have Strength Bonus or Stamina Bonus since he is required to take on double team on every play. Players like Vince Wilfork, Casey Hampton, and Jamal Williams are demanded to have a motor and strength. It is important for 3-4 NT to be short like 6-1 to 6-3 since they need all the leverage they can get so they can't get pushed back that easily. Some players make a exception like Albert Haynesworth who is a beast running in a 4-3 DT. He takes double team which makes his whole team better.

[badasp83]

Peeps will tell ya 9 different ideas with 9 different players.
I prefer (altho I've tried other things) to have balance on D.
I usually have 2 stars on every level (2 DBs/2 LBs/2 linemen.
It all comes down to playcalling & execution. I'd definitely make yer own playbook & add all the good 3-4, 3-3 nickle & 3-2 dime plays you can get yer hands on.