A drawback of the 3–4 is that without a fourth lineman to take on the offensive blockers and close the running lanes, both the defensive linemen and the linebackers can be overwhelmed by blocking schemes in the running game.
Defensive linemen and the linebackers can be overwhelmed by blocking schemes in the running game.
The 3–4 linebackers must be athletic and strong enough to shed blocks by fullbacks, tight ends, and offensive linemen to get to the running back.
Reasons and Strengths of the 3-4
Reason sand Strengths of the 3–4 should be your Inside Linebackers (Mike, Will)
A drawback of the 3–4 is that without a fourth lineman to take on the offensive blockers and close the running lanes, both the defensive linemen and the linebackers can be overwhelmed by blocking schemes in the running game.
Can use a safety to blitz and confuse the coverage, giving more defensive options in the same 3–4 look.
Outside Linebackers (Sam, Bandit, and Rover) in pursuit vs the running game and flexibility to use multiple rushers to confuse the quarterback during passing plays. In a 3–4, the fourth rusher is usually a linebacker.
Can drop 8 defenders into coverage.
Possible Weaknesses of the 3-4
3-4 Strength Drop 8 into Coverages
3-4 is an Easy Conversion into the 3.5.3
The 3-4 can easily be converted into the 3.5.3 which can change your pressure packages up
The corners are always responsible in zone coverages for the number one receive on their side. Sam and Rover both in the 30 and Stack Defensive schemes have the number 2 receiver on their side. Tight Safety has the number 3 receiver.
About the Author of this post:
Jerry Campbell has over 30 years of high school and college coaching experience. He has experience as a head coach, offensive coordinator, and various position coaches. He has written numerous football coaching articles in various publications, is the author of over 30 books on coaching football, and has produced 12 coaching video series. Additionally, he is a nationally sought after speaker on the coaching clinic circuit.