The document provides an overview of defensive strategies and coverages for a 3-4 defensive alignment presented by Mike Pettine of the Baltimore Ravens. It discusses objectives of preventing points, scoring, forcing turnovers, and forcing the ball back to the offense. It then details various fronts, coverages, and techniques for pressuring the offense within the 3-4 system.
3. WWHHYY TTHHEE 33--44??
B E N E B
B B
‘3-4’
as a
PERSONNEL
GROUP
NEARLY 100%
on BASE DOWNS
vs. BASE OFF. PERSONNEL
‘3-4’
as an
ALIGNMENT
(ODD FRONT)
APPOX. 10-15%
on BASE DOWNS
vs. BASE OFF. PERSONNEL
OOppppoorrttuunniittyy ttoo ppuutt yyoouurr bbeesstt ppllaayyeerrss oonn tthhee ffiieelldd ((DDLL vvss.. LLBB))
FFlleexxiibbiilliittyy // DDiissgguuiissee –– ssllaanntt ttoo // sstteemm ttoo ootthheerr ffrroonnttss
DDoommiinnaanntt NNoossee ccaann ccoonnttrrooll aa ggaammee –– iinnccrreeaasseedd pprreessssuurree oonn CCeenntteerr
OOLL mmuusstt ffaaccee DDLL tthhaatt wwiillll 22 ggaapp,, SShhaaddee,, oorr SSllaanntt
UUnnffaammiilliiaarriittyy wwiitthh tthhee sscchheemmee ccaann lleeaadd ttoo ooffffeennssiivvee ccoonnffuussiioonn
IInnccrreeaassee ooffffeennssiivvee pprreeppaarraattiioonn ttiimmee
CCrreeaattee ppaassss rruusshh mmiissmmaattcchheess ((OOLLBB’’ss oonn BBaacckkss,, GGuuaarrddss,, oorr TTaacckklleess))
OOffffeennssee hhaass ttoo aaccccoouunntt ffoorr 77 ppootteennttiiaall iimmmmeeddiiaattee rruusshheerrss ((55 oonn LLOOSS))
EEaassiieerr ttoo bblliittzz ddeeffeennssiivvee bbaacckkss -- ddrrooppss rreeppllaacceedd bbyy LLBB iinnsstteeaadd ooff DDLL
EEaassiieerr ttoo mmaakkee ccoovveerraaggee aaddjjuussttmmeennttss vvss.. EEMMPPTTYY
4. BBAASSEE AALLIIGGNNMMEENNTT
OODDDD BBAASSEE CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS::
W E N
E S
WILL END NOSE END SAM
M T
C C
WS
SS
MIKE TED
CORNER CORNER
WEAK SAFETY STRONG SAFETY
2,3,4,6
5. FFRROONNTT:: OODDDD
AALLIIGGNNMMEENNTT
LE – 4 TECH
N – 0 TECH
RE – 4 TECH
BBAASSEE TTEECCHHNNIIQQUUEE:: 22 GGAAPP ((aalliiggnn sslliigghhttllyy ooffff tthhee bbaallll))
Beat the offensive lineman to the punch!
Explode with hands and elbows underneath you (thumbs up)
Try to get “knock em back”
Don’t cross your feet – step, shuffle, shuffle
Be in a position to play both gaps
Fight the double team front-side
Attack the post man (the man in front of you)
Press your hips into the drive man -- Do not let go of the post man!!!
Anchor, separate off the block
Recognize Back-Back, Wham (Nose)
Recognize Blocking patterns – TAG, FAN (Ends)
“Elephants on parade” = boot / reverse
Do not allow jump thru (scoop block)
7. FFRROONNTT:: OOVVEERR EEDD
AALLIIGGNNMMEENNTT
CLOSED END – 3 TECH
N – SHADE (OPEN)
OPEN END – ‘ED’ (5 TECH)
BBAASSEE TTEECCHHNNIIQQUUEE:: SSHHAADDEE
You can not get reached!
Do not allow jump thru (scoop block)
If the blocker gets off on LB - you have to make play using “BIG BALL” technique
Play the double team the same as the Reach block
All other blocking patterns are REACTIONARY BLOCKS
TAG block = OT down, OG pull out, Down block, “Elephants on Parade,”
Counters and Jokers, High Hats
BBAASSEE TTEECCHHNNIIQQUUEE:: EEDD
You are a C gap defender
Vs. Turnout – Squeeze blocker to reduce B gap
Vs. Down Block = SPILL (don’t trade 1 for 1) – pry upfield through puller – force bounceout
Vs. Bim (Draw set) = Bim the Bimmer
Vs. Flow Away = Windback run, QB, Reverse
Vs. Pull or “Elephants on Parade” – Get Upfield for Boot / Reverse
10. FFRROONNTT:: UUNNDDEERR
AALLIIGGNNMMEENNTT
CLOSED END – 4 TECH
N – SHADE (CLOSED)
OPEN END – 3 TECH
BBAASSEE TTEECCHHNNIIQQUUEE FFOORR NNOOSSEE && OOPPEENN EENNDD:: SSHHAADDEE
SAME FUNDAMENTALS AS OVER ED
BBAASSEE TTEECCHHNNIIQQUUEE FFOORR CCLLOOSSEEDD EENNDD:: 22 GGAAPP
SAME FUNDAMENTALS AS ODD
14. W E N
E S
M T
C C
WS SS
CURL-FLAT
HOOK
1/3
CURL-FLAT
1/3
HOOK
1/3
OODDDD CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
COVER 3
15. W E N
E S
M T
C C
WS SS
CURL-FLAT
HOOK
1/3
CURL-FLAT
1/3
HOOK
1/3
OODDDD CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
COVER 3 WEAK
16. W E N
E S
M T
C C
HOOK
WS SS
1/4 1/4
CURL-FLAT
1/4
1/4
CURL-FLAT
OODDDD CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
COVER 4
17. W E N
E S
M T
C C
CURL
WS SS
1/2
HOOK
SQUAT
1/4
1/4
CURL-FLAT
OODDDD CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
COVER 6
18. OOVVEERR CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
OODDDD ttoo OOVVEERR
W E N
E S
M T
C C
WS SS
CURL-FLAT
HOOK
1/3
CURL-FLAT
1/3
HOOK
1/3
CCOOVVEERR 33 vvss.. PPRROO
COVER 36
19. OOVVEERR CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
OODDDD ttoo OOVVEERR
W
E N
E S
M T
C
C
SS WS
SQUAT
HOOK
CURL-FLAT
1/2
CURL
1/4
CCOOVVEERR 66 vvss.. SSLLOOTT
1/4
COVER 36
20. E E S
W
M T
N
OODDDD ttoo OOVVEERR EEDD
C C
CURL
CURL
WS SS
1/2 1/2
SQUAT
HOOK
SQUAT
OOVVEERR EEDD CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
COVER 2
21. OOVVEERR EEDD CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
E E S
W
M T
N
OODDDD ttoo OOVVEERR EEDD
COVER 4
C C
WS SS
CURL - FLAT
1/4
1/4
HOOK
CURL-FLAT
1/4 1/4
22. E E S
W
M T
N
OODDDD ttoo OOVVEERR EEDD
C C
WS SS
1/4
HOOK
1/4
CURL-FLAT
CURL
1/2
SQUAT
OOVVEERR EEDD CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
COVER 6
23. OODDDD ttoo RREEDDUUCCEE
E N E S T
W M C C
WS SS
CURL-FLAT
HOOK
1/3
CURL-FLAT
1/3
HOOK
1/3
RREEDDUUCCEE CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
COVER 3 WEAK
24. OODDDD ttoo UUNNDDEERR
CCOOVVEERR 66 vvss.. PPRROO
W E N E S
C M T C
CURL
WS SS
1/2
HOOK
SQUAT
1/4
1/4
CURL-FLAT
UUNNDDEERR CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
COVER 63
25. M T
OODDDD ttoo UUNNDDEERR
CCOOVVEERR 33 vvss.. SSLLOOTT
W E N E S
C C
SS WS
CURL
HOOK
1/3
CURL-FLAT
1/3
HOOK
1/3
UUNNDDEERR CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
COVER 63
26. W E E S
M
N T
C C
WS
SS
OODDDD ttoo SSIINNKK ((4466))
CURL-FLAT
HOOK
1/3
CURL-FLAT
1/3
HOOK
1/3
SSIINNKK CCOOVVEERRAAGGEESS
COVER 3
28. CCOOVVEERR 00 PPRREESSSSUURREESS
ODD LIGHTNING 0 ODD MAX 0
S E N
E W
T M
C C
S S WS
S E N
E W
T M
C C
S S WS
CCOOAACCHHIINNGG PPOOIINNTTSS
Have sound Match Up rules -- Corners Over, 11’’ss -- 22 SSttrroonngg –– 33 SSttrroonngg//22 WWeeaakk, Jersey #
Don’t show too early – but be in a position to do your work
Have the ability to “Hands Out” versus obvious audible
Coverage defenders can not get beat inside!
Anticipate the “Hot” or quick throw (Catch Technique / Flat Foot)
29. CCOOVVEERR 11 PPRREESSSSUURREESS
ODD SAW 1 (UNDER) OVER SWILL 1
S E N
E W
T M
C C
S S WS
FREE
S E N
E W
T M
C C
S S WS
FREE
CCOOAACCHHIINNGG PPOOIINNTTSS
Have sound Match Up rules -- Corners Over, 11’’ss -- 22 SSttrroonngg –– 33 SSttrroonngg//22 WWeeaakk, Jersey #
Don’t show too early – but be in a position to do your work
Have the ability to “Hands Out” versus obvious audible
Anticipate the “Hot” or quick throw
Coverage defenders know where your help is!
With Centerfield help, can overplay outside routes
Can use WS to double / bracket dominant receiver – 1X, 1Z, 1Y, 1H
30. CCOOVVEERR 22 PPRREESSSSUURREESS
ODD STING 2 ODD EAGLE 2
S E N
E W
SQUAT SQUAT
T M
#3
C HOOK HOOK
C
S S WS
1/2 1/2
S E E W
SQUAT
BUZZ
C C
HOOK HOOK
S S WS
1/2
CCOOAACCHHIINNGG PPOOIINNTTSS
N
T M
1/2
Don’t show too early – but be in a position to do your work
Anticipate the “Hot” or quick throw
Eagle 2 is designated to passing strength – can also go to Wide Field (FALCON 2)
31. FFIIRREE ZZOONNEE CCOONNCCEEPPTT
5 MAN RUSH -- ZONE COVERAGE
3 UNDERNEATH ZONE DEFENDERS, 3 DEEP ZONE DEFENDERS
55 RRUUSSHHEERRSS 66 DDRROOPPPPEERRSS
W E N
E S
M T
C C
ANY COMBINATION OOFF 55 RRUUSSHHEERRSS
WS SS
32. FFIIRREE ZZOONNEE CCOONNCCEEPPTT
5 MAN RUSH -- ZONE COVERAGE
3 UNDERNEATH ZONE DEFENDERS, 3 DEEP ZONE DEFENDERS
66 DDRROOPPPPEERRSS
W S
CCUURRLL//FFLLAATT CCUURRLL//FFLLAATT
HHOOOOKK ((##33))
C C
WS DDEEEEPP 11//33
SS
DDEEEEPP 11//33 DDEEEEPP 11//33
33. EEXXAAMMPPLLEE
OODDDD BBEEAARR FFIIRREE ZZOONNEE
55 RRUUSSHHEERRSS 66 DDRROOPPPPEERRSS
S E N
E W
T M
C
C
11sstt 22nndd
S S WS
34. FFIIRREE ZZOONNEE PPRREESSSSUURREESS
ODD FIELD FZ ODD BACKS FZ
““LLIIZZ”” ““RRIIPP””
““BBAANNGG”” ““BBAANNGG””
S E N
E W
T M
CURL
FLAT
C C
S S WS
CURL
FLAT
CCOOAACCHHIINNGG PPOOIINNTTSS
1/3
N
CURL
FLAT
Don’t show too early – but be in a position to do your work
Anticipate the “Hot” or quick throw (“HOT” side vs. “COLD” side)
Designate to FIELD, BACKS, PASS STRENGTH, TIGHT END, INDIVIDUAL, R/L etc.
Set up based on scouting report -- tendencies
Vs. Slot – OLB blitzes outside / ILB blitzes inside (“SCRAPE”)
Blitzing LB can “read out” vs. full flow away or near G pull
1/3
HOOK
1/3
S E E W
T M
C C
S S WS
1/3
CURL
FLAT
1/3
HOOK
1/3
WIDE FIELD
B
B
E
““SSCCRRAAPPEE””
35. ADDITIONAL NNOOTTEESS oonn DDEEFFEENNSSEE
1. DO NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE FUNDAMENTALS! – If your players can not RUN, are not
TRAINED TO DEFEAT BLOCKS and TACKLE, the best schemes in the world are worthless!!
2. Use 2-a-days to master physical techniques – majority of the playbook should already be
installed before you put on the pads
3. Create a fast practice tempo – No wasted time!
Shortens practices, increases functional conditioning, maximize reps
4. Conduct more “walk-thru” type meetings versus on the board
Review tougher looks – Empty, Unbalanced, Bunches, etc.
5. Quiz your players on alignment / assignment – oral & written -- see how good a teacher you are!
6. Use a Coach as the Scout Team Quarterback – critical position on the staff!
7. Coach effort! Never accept anything less than great effort! Reward hustle / Punish loafing!
8. Emphasize importance of individual roles within framework of defense
DO YOUR JOB AND GOOD THINGS WILL HAPPEN!
SSTTRREESSSS TTEEMMPPOO –– PPLLAAYYIINNGG FFAASSTT
PPLLAAYY OONN OOUURR TTEERRMMSS!!
37. SSUUBB FFRROONNTT:: FFLLEEXX
AALLIIGGNNMMEENNTT
CLOSED END – 7 TECH
CLOSED DT – 3 TECH
OPEN DT – 1 (G) TECH
OPEN END – 5 TECH
FFOORR PPOOTTEENNTTIIAALL RRUUNN SSIITTUUAATTIIOONNSS
PPRRIIMMAARRIILLYY UUSSEEDD TTOO:: SSTTRROONNGG AAGGAAIINNSSTT RRUUNN
CCOONNVVEERRTT TTOO PPAASSSS RRUUSSHH
38. SSUUBB FFRROONNTT:: RRUUSSHH
AALLIIGGNNMMEENNTT
CLOSED END – 9 TECH
LT – 3 or 4i TECH
RT – 3 OR 4i TECH
OPEN END – WIDE 5 TECH
FFOORR OOBBVVIIOOUUSS PPAASSSS SSIITTUUAATTIIOONNSS
PPRRIIMMAARRIILLYY UUSSEEDD TTOO:: 44 MMAANN PPAASSSS RRUUSSHH
EEXXEECCUUTTEE PPAASSSS RRUUSSHH GGAAMMEESS
39. SSUUBB FFRROONNTT:: 33--22
AALLIIGGNNMMEENNTT
LEFT END – 5 TECH
N – 0 TECH
RIGHT END – 5 TECH
FFOORR RRUUNN oorr PPAASSSS SSIITTUUAATTIIOONNSS
PPRRIIMMAARRIILLYY UUSSEEDD TTOO:: DDIISSGGUUIISSEE BBLLIITTZZ
CCAAUUSSEE PPRROOTTEECCTTIIOONN IISSSSUUEESS
RRUUSSHH 33
PPUUTT PPRREESSSSUURREE OONN SSNNAAPP
40. BBAASSEE IINNVVEERRTT AALLIIGGNNMMEENNTT
SET FRONT TO BACK
E T E
N
B D
T
C C
3-4 YDS DEEP 3-4 YDS DEEP
WS
((vvss.. BBAACCKK OOFFFFSSEETT))
SS
3-4 YDS DEEP
5-6 YDS DEEP 5-6 YDS DEEP
7-8 YDS DEEP 7-8 YDS DEEP
41. BBAASSEE IINNVVEERRTT AALLIIGGNNMMEENNTT
TACKLES IN “20’s”
E T E
N
B D
T
C C
3-4 YDS DEEP 3-4 YDS DEEP
WS
((vvss.. BBAACCKK aatt HHOOMMEE))
SS
3-4 YDS DEEP
5-6 YDS DEEP 5-6 YDS DEEP
7-8 YDS DEEP 7-8 YDS DEEP
42. E T E
N
B D
T
C C
SQUAT CURL SQUAT
WS
IINNVVEERRTT 22
SS
1/2
1/2
CURL
3 REC
HOOK
43. E T E
N
B D
T
C C
WS
IINNVVEERRTT 33
CURL-FLAT
SS
HOOK-CURL
1/3
CURL-FLAT
HOOK-CURL
1/3 1/3
44. E T E
N
B D
T
C CURL-FLAT
C
WS
IINNVVEERRTT 44
CURL-FLAT
SS
3 REC
HOOK
1/4 1/4
1/4 1/4
45. E T E
N
B D
T
C C
WS
IINNVVEERRTT MMIIXX
SS
MAN ON
BACK
3 OVER 2
MIX
3 OVER 2
MIX
46. RRUUNN SSTTUUNNTTSS
Must have ways to force bounce-out to perimeter defenders vs. SPREAD run game
E T T E
B D
SSTTIIRR
BBootthh EEnnddss –– JJAAMM tteecchhnniiqquuee
BBootthh TTaacckklleess –– ssqquueeeezzee AA,, rreeaadd oouutt
vvss.. FFllooww TToo
TTaacckklleess uussee EEnnddss aass nnaattuurraall ppiicckk
LLBB’’ss aannttiicciippaattee bbaallll ssppiilllliinngg oouutt
E T T E
B D
KKNNIIFFEE
CClloosseedd EEnndd && DDTT –– JJAAMM
tteecchhnniiqquuee
OOppeenn DDTT –– ssqquueeeezzee AA,, rreeaadd oouutt
cclloosseedd ssiiddee
OOppeenn DDEE –– EEDD ((BBaassee 55)) tteecchhnniiqquuee
LLBB’’ss aannttiicciippaattee bbaallll ssppiilllliinngg oouutt
cclloosseedd
47. PPAASSSS RRUUSSHH GGAAMMEESS
E-T T-E
E T T E
B D
TT--EE oorr EE--TT
EE--TT == EEnndd 11sstt,, DDTT 22nndd
TT--EE == DDTT 11sstt,, EEnndd 22nndd
vvss.. GGUUNN,, EE ccaann sseellll uuppffiieelldd
vvss.. QQBB uunnddeerr CC –– ggoo rriigghhtt nnooww
T T
B D
TTOOMM
BBootthh DDTT’’ss rreeaadd tthhee CC
DDTT aawwaayy ffrroomm sslliiddiinngg CC wwiillll ppiicckk,,
tthheenn wwoorrkk uuppffiieelldd
DDTT ttoo tthhee sslliiddiinngg CC wwiillll wwrraapp aarroouunndd
IIff CC ssttrraaiigghhtt bbaacckk,, ffuurrtthheesstt DDTT uupp tthhee
ffiieelldd ppeenneettrraatteess aanndd tthhee DDTT wwrraappss
aarroouunndd
1st 2nd 1st 2nd
E E
48. SSUUBB CCOOVVEERR 00 PPRREESSSSUURREESS
SCHOOLYARD 0
N E T E D
B
T
C S S WS C
ALL OUT 0
D E BT E N
C C
S S WS
CCOOAACCHHIINNGG PPOOIINNTTSS
T
Have sound Match Up rules (Corners Over)
Don’t show too early – but be in a position to do your work
Anticipate the “Hot” or quick throw
Play off in Cover 0 (Flat foot technique) – ball is coming out quick!
49. SSUUBB CCOOVVEERR 11 PPRREESSSSUURREESS
3-2 KINGS 1
N E T
E X
B D
C C
S S WS
FREE
3-2 KINGS OPEN 1
N X E E
CCOOAACCHHIINNGG PPOOIINNTTSS
Have sound Match Up rules (Corners Over)
Don’t show too early – but be in a position to do your work
Anticipate the “Hot” or quick throw
Coverage defenders know where your help is!
With Centerfield help, can overplay outside routes
Can use WS to double / bracket dominant receiver – 1X, 1Z, 1Y, 1H
T
B D
C C
S S WS
FREE
50. SUB FFIIRREE ZZOONNEE PPRREESSSSUURREESS
FOX FZ (FIELD) BULL FZ (BACKS)
WIDE FIELD ““LLIIZZ””
N E T E
B D
T
C C
3 REC
HOOK
S S WS
TIGHT
1/3
SEAM
FLAT
E T E N
D B
C C
WS
CCOOAACCHHIINNGG PPOOIINNTTSS
1/3
SEAM
FLAT
TIGHT
1/3
T
1/3
SEAM
FLAT
Don’t show too early – but be in a position to do your work
Anticipate the “Hot” or quick throw
Designate to FIELD, BACKS (TO & AWAY), PASS STRENGTH, INDIVIDUAL, R/L, etc.
Set up based on scouting report -- tendencies
TIGHT
1/3
3 REC
HOOK
TIGHT
1/3
SEAM
FLAT
““RRIIPP””
S S
CCHHEECCKK ““MMAABBLLEE”” vvss..
22 DDEETTAACCHHEEDD WWEEAAKK