Football Defenses Explained (4-3, 3-4, 4-2-5 & More)

[@vIQtorySports]

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[@IceColdProfessional]

This channel has upped my football IQ from 29 to 98 easily! Now I can play Madden with confidence and watch football with a different lens and critique coaching decisions with depth!

[@vIQtorySports]

Love to hear that! 💯

[@mrendon6181]

Cant believe im watching this to play ncaaf 25 😂😂😂

[@vIQtorySports]

😂Dedicated to the game! Love it !!

[@chaundadon2612]

Me too 😂😂😂😂 been playing madden since 04’ but I’m always open to learning new things 😂

[@IceColdProfessional]

Don't be ashamed of it. If it gives you an "edge" (and this channel surely will) use it. I often sit with a notepad and just draw out fields with lines, x's, and o's to solidify the information in my mind.

[@Ericheek]

@@IceColdProfessional doesn’t give you an edge. This is elementary football. He’s explaining basic details stuff. Don’t be fooled. Does a great job of explaining it.

[@Beenwiththevibe]

Lmaooooo same but for Madden

[@Spawn0783-gz1ns]

I like the 43 base And the 425 used to be called the nickel I’m not an fan of the 34 but we play in high school but I fell in love with the 43 hybrid with the 52 and Nickel played a lot of Tampa 2 I’m an old school guy I played CB/FS in high school 98/02 no matter what formation you used the trenches matter on both sides of the ball.. keep up the great work man

[@vIQtorySports]

Thank you!

[@LNT379]

34 needs the personnel. You can easily run on it compared to a 4-3.

[@michaelphillis5381]

As a new fan coming into the game this is by far the best teachings of the game I could find online. Thank you for making it easy to understand for a new fan of the game. Def subscribed after this !

[@vIQtorySports]

Appreciate you! Thank you!

[@bless_6]

0 = head up to center Shade = either side of the center 1 = inside shade of guards 2 = head up to guards 3 = outside shade of guards 4 = inside shade of tackles 5 = head up to tackles 6 = outside shad of tackles 7 = inside shad of te 8 = head up to te 9 = outside shade of te

[@IceColdProfessional]

Screenshotted and written down for memorization!

[@Mick-88-Jr]

I have been following this channel for a while and you have earned a subbed. 👍

[@vIQtorySports]

Thank you!

[@sarahhurley5823]

This was a very helpful explanation of the different defenses. Thank you so much!!

[@BIGGMONEYYKD]

If you’re sharpening your football knowledge I salute 🫡

[@sharekajohnson2786]

Thx I didn’t understand all fully but I did gain a better understanding

[@dalemiller2160]

awesome explanations! Thank you! BTW , My beloved Bengals play the 4-2-5, and here are some things I observed one point the Bengals had out the Starting NG-BJ Hill, Starting DT-Sheldon Rankins, and starting SLCB Mike Hilton-Needlesss to say teams ran all over the Bengals even with 2 stellar linebackers. Also, the Nickel must!!! be a good tackler or long runs and quick slant featuring RAC are a huge problem. It's amazing how much better the Bengals defense " improved" after the starters returned....

[@1515renegade]

Wow, been watching football all my life, had heard of these terms, BUT thanks to your explaining, subscribed!

[@vIQtorySports]

Thank you! Glad to have you on board!

[@louisianian318]

Hello brother,You do a very great job explaining things.And your edits are smooth as well.🎉

[@focusedwillis1245]

Much respect for the breakdown 💯💯💯. Great help coach

[@vIQtorySports]

Appreciate you! Thank you!

[@ethanmckuhen2599]

Great video! Definitely informative!

[@chrisshergie1030]

Biggest Problem with 3-4 is the DE’s. Traditionally they are big and unathletic run stoppers who are limited in pass rush. U rely on your olb’s getting to the qb. Note: jj watt wrecked this theory and changed the position. But later in his career he became strictly a pass rusher who gave up gaping plays in the run game

[@flysimgator]

I learn a lot from you. Thank you very much!

[@A_Minus007]

Dam dude. Great channel 🚀

[@vIQtorySports]

Thank you! Appreciate your support!

[@mjciavola]

The 4-2-5 defense is "starting" to make it's way into the NFL?? It's probably been the most common defense in the League over the last few years.

[@learn2xpand862]

Yeah idk why he said that

[@AntCastillo]

I think he meant as a base and not as a sub package. Most teams still base out of 4-3 or 3-4. It’s most common because 11P is king in the NFL but you’re starting to see more teams playing 4-2-5 vs bigger personnel groups.

[@learn2xpand862]

@@AntCastillo I agree with that, I think the way he said it made it seem like it is a completely new thing

[@CMCFLYYY]

​@@AntCastilloYep he should've done then separately. 4-2-5 can be a nickel defense or a base defense. As a nickel defense you see it run with a nickel corner vs the pass, very common already in the NFL. But 4-2-5 as a base defense typically doesn't have a nickel corner, it's a * position and usually manned by a safety type. And because it's used vs 2 TEs that * player needs to be able to both play the run like a LB in the box and also know all the match zone rules in case it's a pass. The 4-2-5 base is the one used more in college but is starting to seep into the NFL.

[@vIQtorySports]

@@AntCastillo Correct! My apologies on the mix up!

[@tarrerdome]

Outstanding Presentation!!

[@sirthugbert5654]

Thank you for this video! It has helped me understand why the Ravens are struggling right now.

[@gns4838]

Odd means 3 or 5 guys on the line. Even is 4 or 6. 34 has variations. NT 2 DE's or 2 DT's. There used to be a 34 technique called TNT. Tackle Nose Guard Tackel. They lined up over both Guards and Center. It doesnt necessarily mean what gap they are in.

[@beengoated7647]

Awesome channel! Sharpening my knowledge! Subscribed.

[@vIQtorySports]

Thank you! 🏈

[@davidmorrison5186]

4-2-5 Ucla had a top 2 run defense last season. Also had one of top pass rushes with Latu and the twins on the edge.

[@machineunit]

Because they don't run the ball out west lmao

[@davidmorrison5186]

@@machineunit they produce the top QB's year in and year out.

[@machineunit]

@@davidmorrison5186 and? That style doesn't work when teams drag you into a phone booth and shorten the game by pounding the rock and wearing out your defense.

[@davidmorrison5186]

@@machineunit don't confuse a higher level of QB skill for a lack of running. Look at what happened to "all we can do is run Mich" vs Texas. You can't ever play catch up if you can't throw. That level of poor QB play simply didn't exist in the pac-12. Most of the teams are still running first in the west they just have better balance.

[@machineunit]

@davidmorrison5186 that was an awful example lmaoooo. Michigan's identity this season is nit the same as last season. Last 3 seasons, Michigan proved my point. All of those prolific passing teams were bogged down and negated by Michigan's elite run game. Michigan doesn't have an elite run game this season so you aren't making the point you thought you were making lmao

[@marcoeckhoff9920]

I play 4-3 in german football. You kann roll into Cover 3 with either the F or $ rolling down, or Cover 3 Cloud with one CB high, the other low, or bring one Safety down into the Box and the other in the deep middle. or 2 Read. I think it is versatile.

[@jackkaczmarski715]

TL;DR/NOTES (because I forget things) - Techs, 0 - C, 2 - OG, 4 - OT; 2i/4i correlate to inside shoulder. ODD numbers go to OUTside shoulders. - The center has "two outside shoulders" - Gaps, A gap b/w C/OG, B gap b/w OG/OT, C gap b/w OT/whomever else.

[@BloopTheNoop]

I’m thinking of coaching a team of kids and I think the 4-3 will be the easiest to implement and explain. I think it’s the most versatile with less movement to explain outside of the main task like holding the edge and how to play the strong side not to mention relying on a dominant nose tackle doesn’t seem too sound at this level

[@OldVet67]

I'd like to consider the Jacksonville Jaguars defense because they were created differently than other NFL defenses. The coaches decided to build up a deep number of very good Defensive Linemen. They really only have one Nose Tackle and he is not a dominant entity (Hamilton). They drafted 2 Defensive Ends that are more suited for the 4-3 style (270ish lbs), a Defensive End/Edge development player. They signed Amik Armstead as a DE/Edge rusher and have Josh Allen and Travon Walker. then depth players. The defense also has two really good linebackers, but lack depth and the outside linebackers are used more as permanent defensive linemen. Defensive backs lack talent and speed. Veterans are older and slower and rookies make up this group with very few in the middle of these groups. With the top corner out with injury, these backs have been gashed regardless of how many are in coverage. Putting myself in the DC's position, I would try to use a 5-2 scheme with the linemen inside focused on run before pass rush. My outside linemen will be constantly hitting the back in pass rushing mode. This makes double teaming linemen difficult and it is the one group where I have depth. My linebackers would cover zone and look for the slants. Corners will cover man. My thought is that with a 5 man rush, we have a better chance of stopping the quarterback before the receivers can break away from coverage. Currently our 3 and 4 man rush isn't reaching and offenses have been able to double team (the rotation of Allen, Walker, and Armstead) with little impact from the inside. Placing 5 on that line will force more one on one matchups against good edge rushers. Am I making a good argument for a 5-2 or what am I missing?

[@nforrest6508]

great job breaking down those def.

[@nightryder16]

I like the 3-4 because being a steelers fan they have ran it for a long time going back to Bill Cowher who had Dick Lebeau as his DC and he was a monster at disguising out of that scheme.

[@realJonSpringer]

This is an excellent breakdown, brother. Keep up the great work! - Jon

[@vIQtorySports]

Appreciate you Jon!

[@STELLARMIGHTY]

This helped me a lot

[@Dlevin817]

Wow! That was great. Thank you. Very informative!

[@vIQtorySports]

Thank you!

[@rawdikulus1]

You play a 3-4 because the personnel is easier to acquire at all levels. 3 techs are rare, good weakside/rush ends are also rare. NT’s don’t have to be good in that D just hard to move/big.

[@coopdog6089]

What are you using to explain all of this? seems like a cool resource to breakdown a defense

[@elemental7726]

They need to make the 5-2/5-3 defense more common, true smash mouth trench football.

[@dgblac0]

Great video.

[@dimitriosdesmos4699]

great stuff subscribed

[@Ericheek]

So can you explain to 2 gap? Did a great job of explaining everything else.

[@AngryCowboysFan]

Great video!!!!!

[@christopherking4932]

Awesome video. Just subscribed immediately.

[@vIQtorySports]

Thank you!

[@Passused]

I'm a fan of the 4-3 especially as a de/lb. Also in 4-3 you can play cover 3 either cb will have deep 3rd

[@BrutusJrThe3rd]

Funny enough, 3-4 & 4-3 have become so interchangeable that you can essentially run both. Pete Carroll ran a 43 scheme with 34 personnel & produced one of the best defenses of all time running hybrid fronts.

[@vIQtorySports]

Yup! Becoming more and more common.

[@ernestwalker2225]

Great video

[@JoseRomero-rq3is]

Zone Blocking schemes kill the 3-3 stack, especially wing-t.

[@brandblue8980]

I appreci8 this video very much. your delivery was superb, as well as super clear. great brandname & design as well.

[@vIQtorySports]

Thank you! Very much appreciated! 🏈

[@musicalambassador]

If you play a three down front, do you have to have a great NT, who draw a double team.

[@AntonioHernandez-s7p]

If we purchase the package, do we get the software? Are you guys are using to develop the schemes?

[@leeschuetz]

What are your thoughts on this new "eat the captain" defense? I'd love to see you do a video on it

[@vIQtorySports]

Will have to get coach to do a video on our coaching channel!

[@thehhiccckzombie2085]

Im going to be a linebacker/DE next season for JUCO, I used to be a TE so this is a big transition for me. Do you have any tips?

[@vIQtorySports]

Handwork and footwork should be your off-season focused. How hard/fast can you throw your hands, extend and shed blocks. Holding edges and understanding leverage is also another skill you'll need. Hope that helps!

[@lifewitrhys1116]

What website or app are using to draw up the formations

[@shanercoats]

following

[@kevinrice1085]

He had the strong safety on the wrong side. The strong is usually to the side of the sam lb. It's the strong side. In the 425 you can use the strong safety in coverage.

[@RageBaiter445]

In my hs 4-3 defense we have a different front so I say that’s a pro you can customize the front for example 2 twos or 2 and 3 or a 5,3,2,4 etc etc

[@pd9971]

Awesome break down but why no love for one of my favorite defenses the 4-4?

[@chrisshergie1030]

Cuz it’s a video game and hig school defense. Or goalline. But no one runs it as a base defense (except some jr. Highs)

[@adamrandolph4003]

Better have some really athletic LBs

[@josiahokyere-kuykendall3821]

which one does fangio use?

[@KALICOE]

4-2-5 just 4-3 until you get a fast safety who can tackle or fast lb with great coverage it's mostly used out of tampa two

[@terry7907]

Kelce is the least blocking Tight End ever? Do you watch the Chiefs? And Belichek played the 4-2-5 for years in New England. Did you ever watch the Patriots?

[@estebantalledo3942]

Hi. what is the app you are using for make the explanations??

[@nightryder16]

I think " Tite" is spelled that way because it may stand for tackle inside tight end. Not sure but that's a guess.

[@Ironmonk036]

What happen to the 6-1 or 6-2defense?

[@SplashProds]

What’s the app you’re using called?

[@A_Name_]

Someone has to have mentioned this bit 7 and 9 are not the same. Its called wide 9 for a reason. You are practically a nickle at that point. You are outside a second extra guy on that side regardless of they are actually there.

[@Rs18-o1k]

You think you can breakdown the patriots 6man walk up amoeba defense from 2019? On passing downs they had 2 guys in the dirt and a total of 6 and sometimes 7 guys walked up.

[@vIQtorySports]

For sure! Those are called "Simulated Pressures", I can add it to the list!

What is the software you in video to designer the plays?

[@simon.a.deportes]

Yo what software do you use to design these plays? Thanks

[@Capitalist89]

Should you avoid the 3-3-5 if you don’t have a dominant DT like the 3-4 or since you only have 6 in the box it’s more of a passing defense and therefore dominant DT less important to success?

[@vIQtorySports]

Some college and high school teams will base out of it. You will use your nickel back to compress the C gap. Similar to how teams play the 4-2-5. Make the football spill and get your safeties and overhangs involved in the run fit.

[@ayoray86]

what about a 3-5-3 defense?

[@CorImmobile]

Personally, I could only see something like that working if you are facing a run-heavy or option style offense. You are really leaving yourself vulnerable on the back end with only 3 DBs. Linebackers would have to be incredibly versatile and you would need like 6 or 7 backers on your roster to execute that.

[@ayoray86]

@@CorImmobile 3 interior linemen 2 outside pass rushers 3 lb’s for coverage & 2 corners & 1 deep safety. 💯

[@bmaikels81]

What program are you using for these plays?

[@jaden_shah]

What software are you using as a tactics board?

[@vIQtorySports]

Hudl

[@1percen1]

In a 4-2-5 defense I’m not sending my DE to shoot the A gap unless he just that damn good

[@Fiu_Panthers]

The best defense is honestly either a 4 2 or a 4 3

[@ate_shroom]

Ain’t no way you called this a masterclass

[@isaacava920]

Your problem in the 4-2-5 is the same problem in the 4-3. Any 4 down 2 high structure has the same gap exchange issue.

[@chrisshergie1030]

But do you know what a Nosebacker is? Run with 2 bandits?

[@chrisshergie1030]

Travis kelce is a blocking TE that loves to get physical? And every defense can be manipulated, it is not specific to the 4-3

[@Hybridknfgrowchannel]

No real such thing as the best its about personal wich side of the hash down and distance these are how i judge what to call and what to add into the call offenses are flying past defenses so much can be done on offense compared to defense this is why i really believe in running from the gun as soon as chip got rid of shady and that Oline and couldn't run from the gun his offense died wich is unfortunate the patriots ran the pace of it but didn't understand the nuts and bolts quite frankly neither did chip IMO run from gun throw from undercenter and see how many defenders get the flu before game day 😂

[@chrisshergie1030]

Personnel

[@CoachGibbyPodcast]

33 stack is such a basic defense in HS and allows kids to play fast

[@918kickinwing]

You should probably explain with high school footage. NFL players know subtle movements like feet gathering shuffles and twists. Those will be hard for someone who is just understanding the game to learn from. You want basic formations and basic movements. You have an ego and it’s common for coaches. But this sort of education needs to be controlled. You’re teaching basic of football, not installing schemes with top 5% athletes

[@STREAMSONLY-vt6gx]

You sound fun at parties

[@nabhannbn]

What is the maximum number of defensive players allowed on the line of scrimmage during regular downs? Is 6 players limit only apply while on field goal and try kick formation

[@Ig_keviin]

What app do you use to create boards like this

[@noahlopez51]

Same question as well

[@justincase5583]

1-5-5 defense #BaltimoreRavens

[@JoshuaHemming-c3k]

3-3-5 and 3-3-5 tite is the laziest shit ever go back to 3-4 and play your assignments. 3-2-6 has the highest potential for long term use.

[@chrisshergie1030]

No one is ever going to run 6 db’s as their base defense. Unless they want the opposing team to hand the ball off 40 times for 200yds

[@JoshuaHemming-c3k]

@@chrisshergie1030 key word potential. "POTENTIAL"

[@chrisshergie1030]

@@JoshuaHemming-c3k but it has none.

[@JoshuaHemming-c3k]

@@chrisshergie1030 okay.

[@CedricFigaro-f8o]

Your Defensive chart is wrong. inside the TE is not 6i , its 7 tech.

[@Praying_Mantis3]

What’s outside the TE called?

[@daark845]

@@Praying_Mantis39

[@AlphanumericCharacters]

You are explaining very basic stuff like Sam, Mike, and Will that people know just from watching announcers explain it but then expecting us to know what a “5 technique is without explanation.

[@vIQtorySports]

The first 2 minutes of the video explains what a "5 technique" is

[@AlphanumericCharacters]

Wow, guess I had my head square up my ass for that first couple of minutes because you sure did tell us.

[@carlousmagus5387]

The 4-3 #DaBears

[@kingaxl1100]

Maybe this content will indeed be factual - but don't call yourself a masterclass. That title is given out not inwards

[@chrisshergie1030]

Stop saying the coverages. You have no idea based on the defense what coverage they are going to run. Well, I guess you are talking about base defenses so…I take it back lol

[@raiders0223]

if offense is in a 2x2 formation: cover 2 man underneath: 2 safety shell (safeties are evenly split on hashes) and corners are playing on the ball cover 4: corners are playing 5-8 yards off and safeties are in a 2 high shell mimicking cover 2 cover 1: safeties are in a 1 high shell with 1 safety rolled into box, corners are playing on the ball. cover 3: safeties are in 1 high shell middle of the field or shading to the field side. boundary side safety rolls into box corners play 5-8 yards off mimicking cover 4.

[@raiders0223]

it’s extremely easy to read defenses pre snap. post snap disguises are harder to read in the college and nfl level but base coverages in college and highschool level are usually easy

[@chrisshergie1030]

@@raiders0223 what is your point? That has nothing to do with what im saying

[@chrisshergie1030]

@@raiders0223 bruh…i played ball all of my childhood and half of my adult life…I wasn’t asking for lessons I was dictating you can run different coverages out of different sets. A cover 4 can be run out of the damn 46 defense if u want to

[@SkyrimChicken]

Everyone with half a brain knows the best football defence 3-5-2

[@FanOfDaUnderAppreciated]

Rather poor job of explaining the cons for a 4-3, totally sidetracked yourself.

[@Ericheek]

This is elementary football for lazy people let me guess he’s gonna talk about 3-4 and 4-3 defenses also gonna talk about three techniques 2 I tech. Probably gonna teach you what an under front is and an over front.

[@AlphanumericCharacters]

Why is it for lazy people? What would not lazy people do to learn this?

[@MoreSmartter]

Lost me real quick lol

[@MoreSmartter]

Oh, found my way back lol

[@prophetx8482]

Lot of nuance you don't know,especially with this being a front focused video.

[@Kyle899]

It’s a 28 minute video… it could easily be 2+ hours. Doesn’t mean he “don’t know” 🤦‍♂️

[@TheGreenking04]

Where have you been all my life with this beautiful defense scheme breakdown 🥹

[@vIQtorySports]

Haha glad you enjoyed it! 💯🏈

[@codyhealy4316]

Its funny that most people think these elite edge rushers are ends... nah most of them linebackers that play on the line yes still a d end but he can drop back (most likely wont)

[@boutwhatever7520]

I would like to see the 4-6 and 3-3-5 comeback to NFL

[@BIGGMONEYYKD]

Great video

[@vIQtorySports]

Thank you!!