3-3 Defense: Understanding the Basics

1
3-3 Defense Understanding the Basics
JOHN RICE HEAD COACH EISENHOWER HIGH
SCHOOL RIALTO, CA [phone] zacoach102_at_aol.co
m
2
Half of one, half dozen of the other

• 3-3 Defense
• 3-5 Defense
• 30 Stack
• 3-3 Stack
• Odd Stack

3
Theres more that one way to skin a Cat
Combination of philosophy execution from a
partial list of the following sources West
Virginia, Tulsa, BYU, New Mexico, South Carolina,
Air Force, Wake Forest

• Purpose- To inform clinic attendees of the
  following
• Characteristics of a Sound Defense
• A Philosophical Framework for the running the 3-3
• Personnel designations
• Gap assignments, key reads, techniques (drills
  as well)
• Run fits (Inside and Outside)
• Calling the defense
• Cover 3 drops
• Installation, Practice Organization, Game Calls

4
Our Defensive Mode

• We are not a traditional gap control, read
  defense (although it can be played in that mode
  if desired).
• We are a stunting, blitzing, attacking defense,
  taking advantage of our speed and giving our
  undersized defense a chance to be successful
• We will begin our installation/teaching process
  with the base defense, a 3-3 Stack playing cover
  3
• We feel it is necessary to teach this base before
  we progress to slants, stunts, and blitzes

5
We are playing the 3-3 with the following
defensive philosophy

• 1. TAKE AWAY WHAT THE OFFENSE DOES BEST MAKE
  THEM BEAT YOU WITH SOMETHING ELSE. (More than 1
  adjustment for a particular offensive formation)
• Examples

Defending an Offense using spread formations to
run the ball more effectively
Defending an Offense using spread formations to
pass the ball more effectively
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TAKE AWAY WHAT THE OFFENSE DOES BEST
Ex Defending an Offense using spread formations
to pass the ball more effectively
Back
Free Safety man on Back
One strategy vs. spread offense that sends back
into pass routes often, protecting with 5
Pressure with cover zero.
7
TAKE AWAY WHAT THE OFFENSE DOES BEST
Defending an Offense using spread formations to
run the ball more effectively
7 man box vs. 6 blockers
One strategy vs. spread offense that gets into a
trips formation to run the ball more
effectively Keep 6 in the box and align the Free
Safety over inside receiver. With Spur within 5
yards, its an 7 man box.
8
We are playing the 3-3 with the following
defensive philosophy

• 2. Whatever scheme you use, NEVER let the offense
  gain an advantage by formation, shifts, or
  motion. ALWAYS have base defensive checks built
  into the scheme to handle these things.

Example- Formation Check Pull Call
9
3.Characteristics of a sound defense
there is a primary run force player and a
secondary force player (outside-in defenders), a
defender responsible for halfback pass, cutback
defenders (inside out defenders), a nd a defender
responsible for boot/reverse.
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3.Characteristics of a sound defense
E
E
N
S
L
R
B
M
PRIMARY FORCE
C
C
SECONDARY FORCE/HALFBACK PASS
B. There is a primary run force player and a
secondary force player (outside-in defenders)
cutback defenders (inside out defenders), a nd
a defender responsible for boot/reverse.
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3.Characteristics of a sound defense
Boot/Reverse
E
E
N
S
L
R
B
M
INSIDE OUT DEFENDERS
C
C
C. Cutback defenders (inside out defenders), and
a defender responsible for boot/reverse.

12
We are playing the 3-3 with the following
defensive philosophy

• 5. Offenses operate on rhythm, that rhythm MUST
  be disrupted. Effective ways to disrupt offensive
  rhythm are stemming fronts, line stunts,
  blitzes, and disguising pass coverage.
• 6. Make the QB read the pass coverage POST SNAP
  dont let him settle in before the snap and know
  where his primary read is.
• 7. Multiple fronts and/or coverages MAY better
  serve to defend particular offensive schemes.

13
We are playing the 3-3 with the following
defensive philosophy

• 8. Pursuit drill must be run every day
• 9. Tackling drills must be run every day.
• 10. Whatever defenses you run, the kids MUST
  BELIEVE in it. They must understand what its
  strengths and weaknesses are, and what you are
  trying to accomplish with a particular front,
  blitz, or coverage.

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Option Responsibilities
Option to left
Option to right
E
E
N
S
B
QB
QB
Pitch
Pitch
C
C
Dive
Dive
Dive
Pitch-Pass
Pitch-Pass
F
QB to pitch

• 11. Option assignments must be built in

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WHY THE 3-3-5 DEFENSE?

• It is an 8 man front vs an I pro set

• It is considered unorthodox by offensive coaches

• Easy to align to spread formations

• Ability to get into multiple looks easily

• Allows smaller, faster athletes to be successful

• Easy to overload perimeter of offensive
  formations

• Teams have less time to prepare for
  non-conventional defensive alignment

• Physical, aggressive, attacking style of play
  creates negative yardage plays and turnovers

• Easy to attack the pass protection weaknesses

• Fun for the players!

16
30 Stack Personnel
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30 Stack Personnel

• Defensive Linemen
• The line will consist of two five technique Ends
  and a zero technique Nose.
• The Ends play left and right. If desired they can
  flip strong and weak.
• The Nose plays a zero shade (head up on the
  center).

18
General Coaching Points for Defensive Linemen

• Crowd the Ball Play fast get into the backfield
  and wreak havoc with blocking schemes
• Read on the run
• Dont stay tied up with O-Linemen
• Find the ball after initial technique is executed
  and redirect to the football
• Beat half a man (slant technique)

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30 Stack Personnel

• Inside Linebackers
• At the heart of the 3-3 stack defense are three
  inside linebackers.
• Against a 2 x 2 set
• The Lion linebacker will align in a stack
  position behind the left End.
• The Mike linebacker will align stacked position
  over the nose, playing a zero technique
• The Ram linebacker will align in a stack position
  behind the right End.

20
General Coaching Points for Linebackers

• Read Slow, React Fast
• Primary Keys are guards they will take you to
  the ball
• Its not a crime to get blocked, its a crime to
  stay blocked. (Dont walk away from a block)
• Play fast -sideline to sideline

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30 Stack Personnel

• Outside Linebacker-Strong Safety Hybrids
• The Spur will align to the formation strength (to
  a TE in a pro set). When the offense employers a
  spread 2x2 set, the Spur aligns over the 2.
  Exact depth and leverage will depend on down,
  distance, coverage call, and game plan.
• The Bandit will align to the open side of an
  offensive formation (away from a TE in a pro
  set). When the offense employers a spread 2x2
  set, the Bandit aligns over the 2 opposite the
  Spur. Exact depth and leverage will depend on
  down, distance, coverage call, and game plan.

22
General Coaching Pointsfor Spur Bandit

• In Cover 3, execute your run force
  responsibilities with aggressive confidence-NO
  ONE GETS OUTSIDE!
• Maintain outside leverage vs. run
• Your kingdom is the flats-control what happens
  there
• In blitzing situations, attack with a frenzy

23
30 Stack Personnel

• Secondary
• Left Corner will align over 1 wide receiver to
  defensive left. Standard cover three alignment
  will be seven yards deep and one yard inside.
  Play by play alignment may vary greatly,
  depending on down, distance, coverage call, and
  game plan.
• Right Corner will align over 1 wide receiver to
  defensive right. Standard cover three alignment
  will be seven yards deep and one yard inside.
  Play by play alignment may vary greatly,
  depending on down, distance, coverage call, and
  game plan.

24
General Coaching Points for Corners

• In Cover 3, smash, curl-wheel, all verticals
  are first in your thought process on a pass read
• As long as 2 to your side is vertical, you stay
  vertical we play the hitch/stop late.

25
30 Stack Personnel

• Free Safety
• Free Safety will align midpoint between wide
  receivers. Standard cover three alignment will be
  12 yards deep and one yard inside. Play by play
  alignment may vary greatly, depending on down,
  distance, coverage call, and game plan.

26
General Coaching Points

• You are the playmaker of our secondary Make
  Plays!
• Vs. Cover 3, receivers must pay a price for
  running routes over the deep middle
• We will trade a headache for a first down on
  occasion
• Vs. Run attack with reckless abandon

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BASE TECHNIQUE/KEYS AND READS
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DEFENSIVE LINE LINEBACKERS 3 JACKS
N
E
E
M
R
L
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NOSEGUARD PLAYBASE JACKS TECHNIQUE

• Alignment 0 technique, nose-to-nose on
  Center. Play as tight as possible and still be
  able to key and react.
• KEY Crosshairs on front tip of the ball.
• Responsibility Attack center with butt of
  palms inside the frame drive him into backfield,
  redirect to football.
• Coaching Points
• Hold ground or turn and drop on butt
  vs.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.

30
NOSEGUARD KEY READSVs. BASE BLOCK
STUFF CENTER. Attack Center, maintain inside
hand position on Cs frame. Keep feet moving
and stay square. DO NOT PICK A SIDE UNTIL YOU
LOCATE THE BALL DISENGAGE AND PURSUE!
Other schemes to be drilled Trap Double
Team Reach
C
N

• Progression
• With Center only (Mirror Step Drill)
• With Center Guards, add back
• Inside Drill
• Team

• Drill Modes
• Walk-through (teaching)
• Half-Speed (independent practice)
• Full-Speed (testing for understanding)

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NOSE GUARD SLANT TECHNIQUE

• Alignment 0 technique, nose-on-nose on
  Center.
• KEY BALL.
• Focal point during move V of the neck of guard
  callside
• Responsibility A Gap TO CALL SIDE
• Coaching Points
• Back off the ball slightly.
• Step with foot to call side, ripping with
  uppercut using opposite arm
• Square up on second step, staying low!
• Redirect to the ball

32
DEFENSIVE END 5 TECHNIQUE

• Alignment 5 Technique (Nose on outside eye
  of OT). Align tight to the L.O.S.
• KEY Ball to OT
• 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.

33
Drill Key Read for 5 Technique
We will adapt this drill to any blocking scheme
we will see that week. We will duplicate this
drill vs. a slant technique as well.
Step with gapside foot, striking OTs outside
number with your inside hand . Use leverage
technique (push and pull) to maintain outside
leverage, keeping outside arm and leg free. Keep
T off LBs until you disengage to make a tackle.
Vs. double team on TE, step down into (squeeze)
hole Keep your shoulders square. Run to
disengage and redirect to the ball. Ball Away
Check Boot/Reverse.
G
C

• Drill Modes
• Walk-through (teaching)
• Half-Speed (independent practice)
• Full-Speed (testing for understanding)

E

• Progression
• With Tackle only (Mirror Step Drill)
• With Tackle Guard, add back
• Inside Drill
• Team

Coach stands behind Line And signals blocking
scheme for guards.
34
Line Directional Calls
Lion becomes C gap Player and contain on QB
rollout his side.
Ram becomes C gap Player and contain on QB
rollout his side.
35
DEFENSIVE END SLANT TECHNIQUE

• Alignment 5 Technique Strongside
• KEY Ball to TE
• Responsibility Attack and control the C Gap.
  You are looping from a 5 to
  a 7 Technique.
• Execution When the TE takes his first step,
  you step with callside foot , using a rip
  technique if needed vs. a base or reach block.
  Vs. a down block, square up, look immediately
  inside to G-R-G triangle for kick-out blocks. Do
  not wrong-arm. Keeping inside shoulder
  perpendicular to LOS, sink to a hitting position
  and attack the kick-out blocker at his upfield
  number, bracing yourself with your gapside leg
  extended. Vs. Reach scheme, use rip tech. to get
  into backfield. vs. Flow away, stop, stay low,
  check for counter, bootleg, and reverse. Vs. read
  option, keep shoulders square and respect
  quarterbacks keep option.
• Coaching Points
• Key the TE to get a good read
• All other 5 Tech Coaching Points (except
  keeping OT off LB)

36
RAM/LION LINEBACKER KEY READSKey Guard to Near
Back
ALIGNMENT DEPTH 4-5 yards
37
KEY DRILL FOR RAM/LION
We will adapt this drill to any blocking
scheme we will see that week
C
Bag

• Drill Modes
• Walk-through (teaching)
• Half-Speed (independent practice)
• Full-Speed (testing for understanding)

R
L

• Progression
• With guards/without back
• With guards and back
• Inside Drill
• Team

• Progression
• With guards/without back
• With guards and back
• Inside Drill
• Team

Coach stands behind backers And signals blocking
scheme for guards.
38
KEY DRILL FOR RAM/LION

• Drill Modes
• Walk-through (teaching)
• Half-Speed (independent practice)
• Full-Speed (testing for understanding)

Other schemes drilled Trap Double Team Reach
C
Shuffle to fit
R
L
Bag

• Progression
• With guards/without back
• With guards and back
• Inside Drill
• Team

Coach stands behind backers And signals blocking
scheme for guards.
39
MIKE LB TECHNIQUE

• Depth 5 yards
• Alignment Stack Behind Center in 2 by 2 Set
• Key Center Guard Fullback triangle
• Coaching Point Stay FLAT, (over the top player)

40
Drill MIKE LINEBACKER KEY READ TRAP TRACK

• Drill Modes
• Walk-through (teaching)
• Half-Speed (independent practice)
• Full-Speed (testing for understanding)

Bag

• Progression
• With guards/without back
• With guards and back
• Inside Drill
• Team

M
Coach stands behind backers And signals blocking
scheme for guards.
41
Drill MIKE LB KEY READ VS. ISO SCHEME

• Drill Modes
• Walk-through (teaching)
• Half-Speed (independent practice)
• Full-Speed (testing for understanding)

Bag
Bag

• Progression
• With guards/without back
• With guards and back
• Inside Drill
• Team

M
Coach stands behind backers And signals blocking
scheme for guards.
42
Drill MIKE LB KEY READ VS. POWER SCHEME

• Drill Modes
• Walk-through (teaching)
• Half-Speed (independent practice)
• Full-Speed (testing for understanding)

R
T
C
T
E
Bag
Bag
Bag

• Progression
• W/All Linemen
• With guards and back
• Inside Drill
• Team

M
Coach stands behind backers And signals blocking
scheme for guards.
43
Drill MIKE LB VS. COUNTER SCHEME

• Drill Modes
• Walk-through (teaching)
• Half-Speed (independent practice)
• Full-Speed (testing for understanding)

Bag

• Progression
• With guards/without back
• With guards and back
• Inside Drill
• Team

M
Coach stands behind backers And signals blocking
scheme for guards.
44
SPUR/BANDIT ALIGMENTS
4
3
4
E E S
B
3
1
2
4
S
B
2
45
SPUR BANDIT KEY READS
Key End man on the line of scrimmage to near
back, then Ball on/off the LOS
Backpedal/shuffle at snap to get read
46
Ex of Spur Read Drill
Ex of Bandit Read Drill

• Some Drill Schemes
• G T down, Guard pull to (Counter)
• Reach scheme for Stretch
• Base/Flow away Im here call to Ram

• Some Drill Schemes
• TE Tackle Down, Guard Pull to
• Reach scheme for Stretch
• Base/Flow away

B
Bag
Bag
S

• Progression
• W/Guard T no back
• Add the back offside Guard
• Inside Drill
• Team

• Progression
• W/TE T no back
• Add the back onside Guard
• Inside Drill
• Team

47
Calling the Defense

• Coverage-Tag
• Examples
• 3 Jacks (base 3-3 stack with cover 3)
• 3 Right (line slants right)
• 3 Left (line slants left)
• 3 Field (line slants field)
• 3 Strong (line slants to formation strength)

48
INSIDE RUN FITS
E
E
N
fit
S
L
R
B
M
FOLD/CUTBACK
C
C
FS
49
OUTSIDE RUN FITS
E
E
N
fit
S
L
R
B
M
FOLD/CUTBACK
FORCE
C
C
FS
50
Cover 3 Drops
Cover 3 Drops
Spur and Bandit buzz to the flats NOW, playing
stop, hitch, the out cut by 1, and the arrow
and bubble by 2. Lion Ram (as soon as they
make a pass read) must get to the hashes to play
vertical routes by 2s.
51
Cover 3 Jam Pass Drops
Spur and Bandit jam reroute 2s, then buzz the
flat. On other than a vertical release By 2,
they take their normal drops to the top of the
number once they make their pass read
52
BASE ALIGNMENT VS. PRO
Vs. All 2 by 1 sets, linebackers align HALF a man
over towards 2 cut side
53
ALIGNMENT VS. TWINS
Vs. All 2 by 1 sets, linebackers align HALF a man
over towards 2 cut side
54
Alignment vs. Doubles
55
Pull ALIGNMENT VS. TRIPS
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Stack ALIGNMENT VS. (TE) TRIPS
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Appendix

• Weekly Practice Overview
• Sample Defensive Practice Plan
• Sample Inside Drill Practice Script
• Sample 7 on 7 Period Practice Script
• Sample Team Period
• Sample Defensive Game Call Sheet
• Defensive Implementation Schedule
• 3-3 Resources for Coaches

58
WEEKLY OVERVIEW
WEEKLY OVERVIEW (USED TO PLAN DAILY PRACTICE)
59
SAMPLE DEFENSIVE PRACTICE PLAN
60
SAMPLE INSIDE DRILL PRACTICE SCRIPT
61
SAMPLE 7 ON 7 PRACTICE SCRIPT
62
SAMPLE TEAM PERIOD PRACTICE SCRIPT
63
SAMPLE DEFENSIVE GAME CALL SHEET
64
Implementation Schedule
IKE FOOTBALL
65
(No Transcript)
66
3-3 Coaching Resources

• A partial list of coaches who either run the 3-3
  now or have experience running it
• Joe Lee Dunn, Def. Coor. U of Memphis Contact
  901-678-2341
• Charlie Strong, Asst Head Coach, Florida Contact
  352-375-4683 x4100
• Todd Graham, Head Coach, Rice University Contact
  713 348-6900
• Bronco Mendenhall, Head Coach, BYU Contact
  801-422-2916
• Dean Campbell, DB Coach, Air Force Contact
  Dean.Campbell.ctr_at_usafa.af.mil
• Rocky Long, Head Coach, New Mexico Contact
  505-925-5700
• Vic Shealy, Defensive Coordinator, UNLV Contact
  vic.shealy_at_unlv.edu
• Jeff Casteel, Defensive Coordinator, WVU Contact
   [phone]
• Dave Doeren, Defensive Coordinator, Kansas
  Contact ddoeren_at_ku.edu
• Taylor Burks, Def. Coor, Georgia Military
  Contact [phone]
• Richard Bell, Def.Coor., Air Force Academy
  Contact Richard.Bell.ctr_at_usafa.af.mil
• Brad Lambert, Linebacker Coach, Wake Forest
  Contact lamberbl_at_wfu.edu
• Ron Roberts, Def. Coor., Delta State U (MS)
  Contact rroberts_at_deltastate.edu
• Paul Golla, Head Coach, Bakersfield HS,
  Bakersfield, CA Contact [phone]
• John Rice Head Coach, Eisenhower HS, Rialto, CA
  Contact zacoach102_at_aol.com
• Jerry Campbell, HC, Victoria Memorial HS,
  Victoria, Texas jerry.campbell_at_visd.com.
• George Contreras, Def Coor, Rio Mesa HS, Oxnard,
  CA gcontre_at_ouhsd.k12.ca.us

67
3-3 Media Resources
Video by Buck Roggeman (Pacific Grove High School
(CA) coacheschoice.com
DVDs by Vic Shealy, formerly of Air Force
Academy http//www.championshipproductions.com/
DVD by Jeff Casteel, WVU http//www.championshippr
oductions.com/
Series of eight videos By Georgia Military
staff http//www.championship productions.com/
All seven John Rice 3-3 defense video programs on
one DVD. Includes 3-3 Defense Understanding the
Basics, 3-3 Defense Applying Pressure, 3-3
Defense vs. The I formation, 3-3 Defense vs.
Spread Formations, 3-3 Defense vs. Empty
Formation 3-3 Defense vs. Two-tight End
Formations, and 3-3 Defense vs. Defending Special
Formations and Plays. Also available
individually on VHS www.coacheschoice.com  
30-Stack videos by Todd Graham, Head Coach, Rice
University (formerly of Tulsa). Call (918)
595-7945 ASK FOR PENNY GRAHAM.
68
Websites books, articles about or with content
dealing with the 3-3 defense
Coaching Nickel Dime Defenses Defending the
Spread Offense Both have sections on the 3-3
defense Books by John Rice http//www.coacheschoi
ce.com
Coaching Footballs 3-3-5 Defense By Leo Hand and
Rick Molina 101 3-5 Stunts By Leo
Hand http//www.coacheschoice.com
Manual by Jerry Campbell http//www.jcfb.com/
30 Stack Forum (Coach Jerry Campbell
Website) www.jcfb.com MULTIPLE 3-3-5
DEFENSE...HARDING UNIVERSITY STYLE By Ronnie
Huckeba, Defensive Coordinator/Defensive line,
Harding University http//americanfootballmonthly
.com/Subaccess/Magazine/2004/feb/multiple_335_defe
nse.html
Articles online Georgia Military Colleges
Devastating 3-5 Defense By Bert Williams, Head
Football Coach http//www.americanfootballmonthly.
com/Arena/NS_Magazine/Current/GMC.html SHARKS IN
THE WATERCOACHING LINEBACKERS TO ATTACK IN THE
3-3 DEFENSE By Ron Robertshttp//americanfootbal
lmonthly.com/Subaccess/Magazine/2005/mar/delta.htm
l Command of the LineGeorgia Military Colleges
Applications of the 3-5-3 Defense By Taylor
Burks Defensive Coordinator, Georgia Military
College http//americanfootballmonthly.com
69
VIDEO CUTS-DVD
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION AVAILABLE FOR 5 ON CD
DVD CUTS AVAILABLE FOR 10
JOHN RICE HEAD COACH EISENHOWER HIGH
SCHOOL RIALTO, CA [phone] zacoach102_at_aol.co
m