Playbooks

Base 4-3

1 Set1 Formation

Defensive Front

EDGE3 DTSAMMIKEWILL2 CBFSSS

Overview

Base 4-3 puts four down linemen (two defensive ends and two defensive tackles), three linebackers (MLB plus Sam and Will), two cornerbacks, and two safeties on the field, a run-first defensive identity built to match heavy offensive packages like 21, 12, and 22 personnel. In the Even 6-1 set, the outside linebackers walk up onto the line to create a six-man front with a lone Mike behind it, which kills inside zone, power, and QB sneaks in short yardage and goal line situations. Because it keeps only four defensive backs on the field, offenses that break the huddle in 11 or spread personnel can force a substitution or attack the linebackers in coverage.

Strengths

  • Even 6-1 alignment fills every interior gap pre-snap, making dives, inside zone, and QB sneaks nearly impossible to run on short yardage and goal line downs
  • Three linebackers give you a spare user-controlled defender to shoot a gap or spy the QB without sacrificing run fits on the edges
  • Six-man front generates immediate interior pressure and quick edge contain, so mobile QBs struggle to escape on play-action rollouts and bootlegs
  • Both safeties can sit in the box or roll down late, letting you disguise Cover 1 versus Cover 3 and punish tight end leaks and flat routes near the goal line
  • Matches up physically against 21, 12, and 22 personnel, so your linebackers take on fullbacks and inline tight ends instead of your corners

Weaknesses

  • Only four defensive backs means spread or 11 personnel can create speed mismatches by isolating a linebacker on a slot receiver or running back in man coverage
  • Even 6-1 leaves a single linebacker at second level depth, so quick slants, drags, and RPO glance routes find open windows behind the line
  • With OLBs committed to the line, flat and curl zones are thin, making smash, flood, and stick concepts easy completions against any zone call
  • Offenses that key on this front in heavy personnel will audible to play-action shots or outside stretch runs, attacking the one-on-one corners with no deep help on the boundary
  • The look is highly predictable in short yardage, so savvy opponents hot route a fade or corner route to the X receiver knowing the corners have minimal safety support

Sets (1)

Set· 4-3

Even 6-1

9 Plays
NT