Defensive Schemes

High school defensive schemes are a lot more set in stone than offensive schemes.  For example one defense may run all of their plays out of one formation for an entire game.  But two teams may run out of the exact same formation but run an entirely different scheme depending on how aggressive the defense is about blitzing and coverage.  In the paragraphs below I will describe four different scheme types and discuss the positives and negatives of each.

The first scheme I will discuss is the basic 4-4 defense.  First of all, 4-4 means there will be four defensive lineman on the line of scrimmage, and 4 linebackers generally 4 yards off of the line of scrimmage.  This defense also has three defensive backs, consisting of two corners and one safety.  This is probably the most basic high school defense because of the flexibility.  I say flexibility because there are essentially 7 players that drop in coverage on each play, and eight that play the run.  Also, these players can move around the field pending on where the offensive players are.  The four linebackers have a tough job in this defense, because these players need to make reads right at the snap to determine if it is run or a pass.  If pass generally the outside backers cover the flats and the middle backers cover the middle.  If it's a run, outside backers job is to make runners stay inside and middle backers need to read guards, fill lanes, and make tackles.

The second scheme  I will discuss is also the 4-4 defense, but I will call it an attacking 4-4.  The 11 players on defense are still in the same spots as the basic 4-4 defense, the only difference is the types of plays run out of it.  An attacking 4-4 sends at least 2 linebackers on a blitz just about every down.  Then the defense will do more man to man instead of zone.  If your corners are relatively good this scheme can be very effective.  You can stuff many runs because your linebackers attack all game and get up field.  This makes it very hard on the lineman to block them.  Also, passing can be difficult if the corners are in good position and the safety plays the field well.  The downside to this is you give up more big plays as a defense as it is easier for runners to get to the secondary.  You are predictable, meaning the offensive coordinator knows a blitz is coming.  Also, if you are unable to pressure a quarterback you will get scorched in the passing game.  But, all in all with good corners this is a pretty effective defense.

The third scheme I want to talk about is the 5-3.  This defense still uses three defensive backs in the same positions they were in before, but includes five d-linemen and three linebackers.  In this scheme it is the defensive ends job to contain the outsides, where as in the 4-4 it was the outside linebackers job.  The three linebackers in the 5-3 all have gaps they cover and must be aggressive and attacking.  There is less flexibility with this defense, but it is much more effective against the run than the basic 4-4.  This defense can be utilized when you have more good defensive linemen then linebackers, which is generally not the case. 

The final defensive scheme I will discuss is the 4-3 defense.  Of all the defenses I have discussed this one is the hardest to pull off in small town football, but can be very effective with the right players.  This defense has four defensive lineman, three linebackers and four defensive backs (like the image below).  As you can see you only have seven defensive players in the box, where as in the other 3 schemes you have eight.  These players need to be good at what they do, especially the three linebackers.  But if they can be coached well and are talented, then this defense has more flexibility then all others.  Because their are four defensive backs and two safeties, these players can move all over to cover various formations, and they can be much more aggressive against the pass and run because there are more of them.  Which, in the end makes the defense basically a 4-4, when the safety comes up field hard on run plays.  This defense also takes away a lot of down-field passes because of the four defensive backs.  The obvious downside, though is there is only seven guys in the box, so if able, you can run all over this defense.

In this blog I have discussed four defensive schemes, all of which have been used very effectively in football with the right players and coaching.  Depending on how much flexibility you want with your players, and how many players you want to devote to the run, will affect the scheme you employ for your defense.