INSTALLING THE 335 DEFENSE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL

1
INSTALLING THE 3-3-5 DEFENSE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL
LEVEL

• DAVID BROWN
• HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
• NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
• EASTON, PA
• [phone]
• ballcoach1_at_netzero.net

2
WHY THE 3-3-5 DEFENSE?

• Gives Maximum numbers to stop the running game

• Able to give a Variety of looks with Minimal
  Teaching

• Pre-snap movement creates Confusion (Organized
  Chaos)

• Physical, Aggressive, Attacking style of play

• Allows smaller, faster athletes to be Successful

• Fun for the players!

• Attacks the Pass Protection weaknesses

• Creates Negative Yardage plays and Turnovers

• Makes the offense become Protection Oriented

3
NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL AT A GLANCE
(2-8) (0-11)
(1-9) (2-8) (4-6)
(9-1)
Record of 9 WINS and 42 LOSSES prior to
installation of 3-3-5 Defense
4
POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME
5
2003 DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
6
PERSONNELL
N
E
E
L
R
S
S
M
C
C
F

• NOSEGUARD Wrestler type player must force
  double teams

ENDS Agile and fast substitute size for
quickness
MIKE Strong and tough
LOU LB Best LB (plays against right side of
offense)
ROB LB Next best available
FIELD SPUR Best LB/DB combination player
physical must be able to play man coverage
BOUNDARY SPUR Less physical than Field Spur
must be able to play man coverage
CORNERBACKS - Cover!
FREE SAFETY Best player must Quarterback
the defense
7
BASE TECHNIQUE/KEYS AND READS
8
BASE ALIGNMENT VS. PRO
9
VS. TWINS
10
VS. TRIPS
11
DEFENSIVE LINE AND LINEBACKERSBASE COVER 3
E N E
L M R
12
NOSEGUARD PLAYBASE STUFF TECHNIQUE

• Alignment 0 technique, nose-to-nose on
  Center. Play as tight as possible and still
  be able to key and react.
• KEY Movement of the Centers hand.
• Responsibility Attack Center and STUFF him
  into backfield and find the football.
• Coaching Points
• Hold ground on double team.
• If reached, play cutback.
• Rush passer in proper lane.
• On pass rush, bull rush and look for draw or
  QB to step up.
• Stay flat on pursuit.

13
NOSEGUARD STIMULUS/RESPONSEVs. BASE BLOCK
STUFF CENTER. Attack Center. Keep feet moving
and stay square. DO NOT PICK A SIDE.
N
14
NOSEGUARD STIMULUS/RESPONSEVs. REACH BLOCK
STUFF Center. Let his head hook you. Keep
shoulders square and squeeze through his
back-side looking for cutback. Pursue flat down
the L.O.S.
N
15
NOSE GUARD RIP TECHNIQUE

• Alignment 0 technique, nose-on-nose on
  Center. Play as tight as possible and
• still be able to key and react.
• KEY Guard that you are ripping to. Be aware
  of feeling pressure from Center.
• Responsibility A Gap that you are ripping to.
  
• Coaching Points
• Back off the ball slightly.
• Step with foot to side you are ripping to.
• Turn shoulders on first step, then square
  back up on second step.
• The Guard will then tell you how to react.

16
NOSEGUARD RIP TECH.Vs. BASE BLOCK
Vs. Base Block With backside arm, rip quickly
to direction you are going. With Guard
firing out, you should beat the Centers block on
your initial step. FIND Find the football!
N
17
NOSEGUARD RIP TECH Vs. REACH BLOCK
As Guard moves away from you, you will feel the
Center trying to hook you. Run flat down the
L.O.S. in the direction he is going.
N
18
NOSEGUARD RIP TECH Vs. SCOOP BLOCK
See Guard coming at you and feel Center go away.
Get flat down L.O.S. and chase.
N
19
NOSEGUARD RIP TECH Vs. DOUBLE TEAM
Explode low. See Guard coming and feel pressure
by Center. Drive hard into Guard and penetrate
seam. Create a pile.
N
20
NOSEGUARD RIP TECH Vs. DOWN BLOCK
Explode low. See Guard coming and stuff him back
and find the ball.
N
21
DEFENSIVE END 5 TECHNIQUE

• Alignment 4 Technique (head up on OT).
  Align tight to the L.O.S.
• KEY Movement of OTs helmet.
• Responsibility C Gap. Contain pass rush and
  trail on play away.
• Coaching Points
• Step flat with outside foot.
• Keep shoulders square.
• Attack outside number of OT.
• Punch with hands and react to OTs first
  step.

22
DE STIMULUS/RESPONSEVs. BASE BLOCK
Step flat and attack OTs outside number and
knock him back while keeping your shoulders
square.
E
23
DE STIMULUS/RESPONSEVs. REACH BLOCK
Step flat to the outside as normal. As OT tries
to reach you, stab him with your hands while
keeping feet moving and shoulders square. Use an
escape technique and find the ball.
E
24
DE STIMULUS/RESPONSEVs. DOWN BLOCK
Step flat as normal while getting your inside
hand on OT pushing him inside. Get your eyes up
attack trapper with your inside arm and compress
him. Do not spill.
E
25
DE STIMULUS/RESPONSEVs. DOUBLE TEAM
Step flat. As OT stays on you and you fell
pressure by TE, drop to a knee and use up both
blockers.
E
26
DE STIMULUS/RESPONSEVs. Y BLOCK
Step flat. As OT pulls outside, the TE will
block down on you. Squeeze him back out or punch
and cross face.
E
27
ROB/LOU LINEBACKER STIMULUS/RESPONSE
ALIGNMENT DEPTH 4 yards
28
KEY DRILL FOR ROB/LOU
C
29
MIKE LB TECHNIQUE

• Depth 5 yards
• Alignment Stack
• Key Track of Fullback to OG
• Coaching Point Stay FLAT, tempo the ball
• (over the top player)

30
MIKE LINEBACKER STIMULUS/RESPONSE TRAP TRACK
31
MIKE LB VS. ISO TRACK
32
MIKE LB VS. POWER/BELLY TRACK
COACHING POINT STAY FLAT, TEMPO THE BALL
33
MIKE LB VS. COUNTER
COACHING POINT STAY FLAT, TEMPO THE BALL
34
SPUR ALIGMENTS
A L I G N M E N T S
4
3
E E
S S
3
4
Inside
2
4
S
S
2
35
SPUR STIMULUS/RESPONSE
Key BALL (On or Off the L.O.S./Run-Pass)
Bounce 3 times at snap to get read
36
INSIDE RUN
C STACK
C STACK, FOLD/CUTBACK
37
OUTSIDE RUN
FORCE
FOLD/CUTBACK
38
NOTRE DAME CRUSADER FOOTBALL

• DAVID BROWN
• HEAD COACH
• NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
• EASTON, PA
• [phone]
• ballcoach1_at_netzero.net

39
INSIDE/OUTSIDE PRESSUREWITH COVERAGE IN THE
3-3-5 DEFENSE

• DAVID BROWN
• HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
• NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
• EASTON, PA
• [phone]
• ballcoach1_at_netzero.net

40
COVERAGES

• RED (Man Free) Used when sending 1 or 2 LBs
• WHITE Used when sending all 3 LBs
• WHITE BANJO Used on combinations blitzes
  (inside and outside pressure)
• 3 (Zone)
• 0 (GATOR PACKAGE)

ALL COLORS ARE A FORM OF MAN COVERAGE
41
RED COVERAGE RULES
E
N E S
L M R
S C

C
F
E
N E S
L M R
S C

C
F
2 BACKS CORNERBACKS.MAN 1 LEFT
SPUR..MAN 2 RIGHT SPURMAN
2 LOU LB..BLITZ or COMBO 3 MIKE
LBBLITZ or COMBO 3 ROB LB.BLITZ or
COMBO 3 FREE SAFETY.FREE
1 BACK CORNERBACKS.MAN 1 LEFT
SPUR..MAN 2 RIGHT SPURMAN
2 LOU LB..BLITZ or COMBO 3 MIKE
LBBLITZ or COMBO 3 ROB LB.BLITZ or
COMBO 3 FREE SAFETY.FREE or COVER 3 vs
TRIPS
42
RED COVERAGE RULES CONT.
E N
E S L M
R S
F
C
C

E
N E
L M R
S C
F
C
S

ROCK ROLL
ROCK ROLL
RED COVERAGE Vs. TRIPS
RED COVERAGE Vs. TRIPS OPEN
43
WHITE COVERAGE RULES
E
N E S
L M R
S C

C F

E
N E S
L M R
S C

C
F
2 BACKS CORNERBACKS.MAN 1 LEFT
SPUR..MAN 2 RIGHT SPURMAN 2 LOU
LB.BLITZ MIKE LBBLITZ ROB
LB.BLITZ FREE SAFETY..3 Strong
1 BACK CORNERBACKS.MAN 1 LEFT
SPUR..MAN 2 RIGHT SPURMAN 2 LOU
LB.BLITZ MIKE LBBLITZ ROB
LB.BLITZ FREE SAFETY...3
44
WHITE COVERAGE RULES CONT.
E N
E S L M
R S
C F
C


E
N E
L M R
S C
S F
C


ROCK ROLL
ROCK ROLL
WHITE COVERAGE Vs. TRIPS
WHITE COVERAGE Vs. TRIPS OPEN
45
WHITE BANJO COVERAGE RULES
E
N E S
L M R
S C

C
F
E
N E S
L M R
S C

C
F
2 BACKS CORNERBACKSMAN 1 LEFT
SPUR....BLITZ or MAN 2 RIGHT
SPUR..BLITZ or MAN 2 LOU
LB.BLITZ or COMBO 3 MIKE
LBBLITZ or COMBO 3 ROB
LB.BLITZ or COMBO 3 FREE
SAFETY..COVER for BLITZING SPUR
1 BACK CORNERBACKSMAN 1 LEFT
SPUR....BLITZ or MAN 2 RIGHT
SPUR..BLITZ or MAN 2 LOU
LB.BLITZ or COMBO 3 MIKE
LBBLITZ or COMBO 3 ROB
LB.BLITZ or COMBO 3 FREE
SAFETY..COVER for BLITZING SPUR
46
BASE DEFENSE
COVER 3
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
s
HASH HOLE
HASH s
DROP DROP
DROP DROP
DROP DEEP


DEEP 1/3

DEEP 1/3

1/3

47
LINE MOVEMENTS
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
RIGHT
OPEN
48
LINE MOVEMENTS CONT.
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
LEFT
TIGHT
49
LINE MOVEMENTS CONT.
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
PINCH
50
4 MAN RUSH

• X (Cover 3 or RED)
• BUCK (Cover 3 or RED)
• BOB (Cover 3 or RED)
• STREAK SWAP (Cover 3 or WHITE BANJO)

51
X
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
X
X Mike Strong NG Weak
52
BUCK
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
RIGHT BUCK OPEN BUCK
Buck Backer in C Gap
53
BUCK (CONT.)
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
LEFT BUCK TIGHT BUCK
54
BOB/LION
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
BOB STRONG
Bob Backer in B Gap
LION
Lion Left Backer
55
BOB/RHINO
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
BOB WEAK
Bob Backer in B
RHINO
Rhino Right Backer
56
STREAK SWAP
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
STREAK SWAP
Streak Weakside Spur
TIGHT STREAK SWAP OPEN STREAK SWAP
Swap Spur DE Stunt
57
4 MAN OUTSIDE RUSH

• LINDA (Cover 3 or WHITE BANJO)
• SPUR (Cover 3 or WHITE BANJO)
• RITA (Cover 3 or WHITE BANJO)
• STREAK (Cover 3 or WHITE BANJO)

58
LINDA/SPUR
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
LINDA
Linda Left Spur
SPUR
Spur Strong Spur
59
RITA/STREAK
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
LEFT RITA
Rita Right Spur
TIGHT STREAK
Streak Weak Spur
60
5 MAN RUSH

• BEAR (RED)
• LAM (RED)
• OX (RED)
• SWITCH (RED)
• RAM (RED)
• FOX (RED)
• PINCH DOUBLE BUCK (RED)
• SMACK (Cover 3)

61
BEAR
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
BEAR
Bear Left Right Backer
62
BEAR (CONT.)
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
LEFT BEAR
TIGHT BEAR
63
BEAR (CONT.)
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
RIGHT BEAR
OPEN BEAR
64
LAM/OX
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
LAM
LAM Lou And Mike
OX
OX Strongside Blitz
65
LAM SWITCH/OX SWITCH
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
LAM SWITCH
Switch Exchange Gaps Mike ALWAYS goes last
OX SWITCH
66
RAM/FOX
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
RAM
RAM Rob And Mike
FOX
FOX Weakside Blitz
67
RAM SWITCH/FOX SWITCH
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
RAM SWITCH
Switch Exchange Gaps with Lou or Rob going
first and Mike going last
FOX SWITCH
68
PINCH DOUBLE BUCK
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
PINCH DOUBLE BUCK
BUCK Backer in C gap
69
SMACK COVER 3
E N
E S L
M R S C

C
F
LEFT SMACK
Rob will now be s dropper (flats)
SMACK Spur Mike
70
6 MAN RUSH

• ZOO (WHITE)
• SIMBA (WHITE BANJO)
• BASH (WHITE BANJO)
• GATOR (Cover 0)
• GATOR OUT (Cover 0)

71
ZOO
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
ZOO
ZOO ALL THREE LBs Blitz NOSE - WEAK
RIGHT, LEFT, TIGHT, OPEN
72
SIMBA
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
TIGHT/LEFT SIMBA
SIMBA Spur, Mike, Backer (DE in A gap)
73
SIMBA (CONT.)
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
OPEN/RIGHT SIMBA
SIMBA Spur, Mike, Backer (DE in A gap)
74
BASH
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
TIGHT/LEFT BASH
BASH Backer And Spurs
75
BASH (CONT.)
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
OPEN/RIGHT BASH
BASH Backer and Spurs
76
BASH STILL PHOTO
77
COVER 0 RULES
S L E
N E R
M
C F
S
C
S L E
N E R
M
C F
S
C
STRONG LEFT
2 BACKS CORNERBACKS.MATCH STRONG
SPUR...CONTAIN BLITZ WEAK SPUR..TAILBA
CK STRONG LB.....SLANT MIKE
LB.FULLBACK WEAK LB.....CONTAIN
BLITZ FREE SAFETY.2 STRONG Secondary
ALWAYS runs with motion in Cover 0
1 BACK CORNERBACKS.MATCH STRONG
SPUR..CONTAIN BLITZ WEAK SPUR.ADJUSTER
STRONG LB....SLANT MIKE
LB.FULLBACK WEAK LB....CONTAIN
BLITZ FREE SAFETY....2 STRONG Secondary
ALWAYS runs with motion in Cover 0
78
GATOR STILL PHOTO
79
GATOR
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
80
GATOR OUT
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
81
7 MAN RUSH

• SPECIAL (WHITE BANJO)

82
SPECIAL
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
SPECIAL
SPECIAL Spurs and Backers
83
SPECIAL STILL PHOTO
84
8 MAN RUSH

• SLAMMER (WHITE BANJO)

85
SLAMMER
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
OPEN/RIGHT SLAMMER
SLAMMER Spurs, Lou, Mike, Rob
86
SLAMMER (CONT.)
E N
E S
L M R S C

C
F
TIGHT/LEFT SLAMMER
SLAMMER Spurs, Lou, Mike, Rob
87
INSIDE/OUTSIDE PRESSUREWITH COVERAGE IN THE
3-3-5 DEFENSE

• DAVID BROWN
• DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
• NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
• EASTON, PA
• [phone]
• ballcoach1_at_netzero.net

88
DEFENDING TWO BACK OFFENSESWITH THE 3-3-5 DEFENSE
89
GATOR
E N E S
L M R S

C

C


F
STRONG LEFT
90
GATOR STILL PHOTO
91
GATOR OUT
E N E S
L M R S

C

C F
STRONG LEFT
92
WING-T SCHEME

• Base
• Tight
• Bash
• X
• Bear
• Special
• DE to TE side plays loop scheme in Base
  Eyes on TE while in stance and attack him (TE)
  with eyes in C gap. This will keep TE from
  getting to LB and allows the DE to play a big
  factor in stopping off tackle plays (belly-g,
  buck sweep and trap (if it bounces).

93
WING T COVERAGEPURPLE
E N E S

S L
M R

C C
F


2x2 on 1
2x2 on 2
Inside Loose Man Tech on SE
1x8 on 2
Man Free _at_ 8 yards

• MAN FREE COVERAGE (or Cover 3) WITHOUT A
  PREDETERMINED HALFBACK
• COVERAGE WILL ROLL ONCE A HALFBACK HAS BEEN
  DETERMINED
• A HALFBACK CAN BE DETERMINED BY 1.) Normal HB
  alignment in backfield
• 2.) A slotback or wingback going into
  jet or tail motion
• All 2nd 3rd level players should have eyes up
  to see motion for next key/read

94
PURPLE COVERAGEwith a Halfback
S E N
E S
L
M R F

C


C



0x2 FORCE

• If HB goes away,
• check TE/WB area
• for double handoff
• (fold)
• If HB is vertical (Iso) -
• C Gap stack
• If Waggle, check FB
• then rob crosser

1x6 on 2
Inside Loose Man Tech on SE
1x8 on 1
95
PURPLE COVERAGEwith motion
E N
E S S

L M R

F C


C



0x2 FORCE

• 2x2
• Check opposite SB area for counter
• If Waggle, check FB then rob crosser

Inside Loose Man Tech on SE
1x6 on 2
1x8 on 2
96
BASE PURPLEvs. Buck Sweep
S E N
E
S
L M R
F
C
C




97
vs. TRAP
S E N
E
S
L M R
F
C
C




98
vs. WAGGLE
S E N
E
S
L M R
F
C
C




99
vs BELLY-G
S E N
E
S
L M R
F
C
C




100
BEARwith Purple Coverage
S E N
E S
L
M R F

C


C



BEAR
101
X
S E N
E S
L
M R F

C


C



X
102
ZOO
S E N
E S
L
M R F

C


C



ZOO
103
BASH
S E N
E S
L
M R F

C


C



Corner and FS will catch the spill
OPEN BASH (Backer And Spur)
104
BASH
S E N
E S
L
M R F

C


C



TIGHT BASH
105
SPECIAL
S E N
E S
L
M R F

C


C



SPECIAL
106
PURPLE CHOKE COVERAGE
C E N E S

S L
M R

C
F


2x2 on 1
2x2 on 2
Inside Loose Man Tech on SE
Man Free _at_ 8 yards

• MAN FREE COVERAGE WITHOUT A PREDETERMINED
  HALFBACK
• COVERAGE WILL ROLL ONCE A HALFBACK HAS BEEN
  DETERMINED
• A HALFBACK CAN BE DETERMINED BY 1.) Normal HB
  alignment in backfield
• 2.) A slotback or wingback going into
  jet or tail motion
• All 2nd 3rd level players should have eyes up
  to see motion for next key/read

107
PURPLE CHOKE COVERAGEwith a Halfback
S C E N
E S
L
M R F

C






0x2 FORCE

• If HB goes away,
• check TE/WB area
• for double handoff
• (fold)
• If HB is vertical (Iso) -
• C Gap stack
• If Waggle, check FB
• then rob crosser

Inside Loose Man Tech on SE
1x6 on 1
108
PURPLE CHOKE COVERAGEwith motion
C E N
E S S

L M R

F C






0x2 FORCE (3)

• 2x2
• Check opposite SB area for counter
• If Waggle, check FB then rob crosser

Inside Loose Man Tech 1
1x6 on 2
109
NOTRE DAME CRUSADER FOOTBALL

• DAVID BROWN
• DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
• NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
• EASTON, PA
• [phone]
• ballcoach1_at_netzero.net