THE DC PRO 4-3 DEFENSE

BY CLARK WILKINS

BASED ON THE DEFENSE OF VINCE LOMBARDI.

“You never lose a game if your opponent doesn't score.“

THE DC PRO 4-3 DEFENSE

Vince Lombardi‟s Pro 4-3 defense was a major factor in his

championship career with the Green Bay Packers. The Pro 4-3

was a simple, stop everything defense at the professional

football level. In adapting this defense to the youth

level, there are certain modifications that need to be

accounted for it to become an effective youth football

defense. If a youth football coach is to customize a

defense for youth level football a proven defense such as

the Pro 4-3 is the basis to which one must begin. The

following document is going to explain this defense as

designed for youth football. To learn about Coach

Lombardi‟s version of the Pro 4-3 Defense the book

entitled, Vince Lombardi on Football explains this defense.

The idea behind this adaptation is to organize a scheme in

which it can be utilized with average defensive talent. It

does require two above average talented positions, four

average talented positions and two positions for the

minimum play or low talent player. The Youth Pro 4-3

defense tries to improve upon the techniques and strategy

of John Reed‟s Gap-Air-Mirror defense with the same player

talent and similar simplicity in its design. The major

improvement is the ability of the Youth Pro 4-3 defense is

able to get an extra player to the offense‟s point of

attack.

I originally ran this defense with an expansion team of 10

year olds. It was a lifesaver to me because I had all new

players who had never played before (While my opponents

averaged 3 years playing time) and I only had “two and one

half” studs (the “half” being 88 pounds.). So I didn‟t have

very good players. I ran this defense mostly with a

collection of rejects.

In the last game I ran it, we were up against the league‟s

undefeated team. They had not lost a game in nearly three

years. That game, my 10-year old goofballs turned the ball

over on our own 10-yard line for four consecutive

possessions. So, for four straight possessions, the

powerhouse team of the league had the ball, 1st and 10, on

my 10-yard line and yet never scored. The other coach went

ballistic. After the game was over he made his entire team

run 5 laps around the field for not scoring. The referees

filed a complaint against him for this.

I have since updated and modified it.

ALIGNMENT

Shown above is the basic DC 4-3 Pro alignment. The Youth

Pro 4-3 defense has the ability to adjust to offensive

formations and add strength to its alignments when the

offense is set-up to certain strengths. For example when

the offense is in the I-Formation its line of strength for

attacking is vertical or up the middle. The Youth 4-3

brings up the weak safety from his deeper position to play

alongside the Middle Linebacker with one over each “A” gap

which creates a “6-2” look shown below (You can also do

this against wishbone teams.).

One of the focal points of the Youth Pro 4-3 defense is to

negate the charge and intent of the offensive tight end. He

is simply taken out of the play. This is accomplished by a

double team charge by the defensive end and either the

corner back or a safety depending on pre-snap alignment.

They will aggressively attack the tight end and attempt to

drive him backwards into the offensive backfield to disrupt

the play of the offense. Called a “Stone”, in essence the

defense uses the offensive tight end as an extra defender.

You can also “play games” with the TE where one defender of

the two stoners blitzes instead of stones and let the TE

guess who he has. “Stoning” a TE pretty much renders him

useless as a receiver and a blocker both. Faking the

“stone” will usually catch him blocking no one.

The defensive positions are listed below in order of

importance or talent from least to most.

1. Defensive Tackles

2. Defensive Ends (big/slow or small/fast)

3. Corner Backs (small/fast but with skill)

4. Strong Side Linebacker

5. Weak Side Linebacker

6) Strong safety

7. Middle Linebacker

8. Weak Safety

DEFENSIVE LINE

Defensive Tackles

MINIMUM PLAY PLAYERS: Defensive tackles line up in the “B”

gap, on either side of the offensive center (We define this

as being the outside shoulder of the third man from the

“end man on lines of scrimmage” (EMLOS)). They are in 4-

point stances and are tilted slightly towards the QB. Their

role is to first make contact with the guard by charging in

low and aiming for his neck, striking with the inside

shoulder pad before penetrating. If he is double teamed by

the guard and tackle, he can bear crawl through the gap

towards the QB. We usually have them “bear crawl” with

hands in fists to keep their fingers from getting stepped

on. If the player has difficulty working from a four point

stance versus a three, have him start on hands and knees

and bear crawl from the snap as fast as possible (He must

still hit the guard. If he doesn‟t, the guard will “sit on

him”.). We want our inferior DT‟s to prevent the offensive

guards from blocking the defense‟s middle linebacker. This

position can be held by a player of any level of talent,

typically the weakest, and including small players. By

heading at the QB and making contact with the guards they

are not only defending their gap but also reducing the over

all size of the center/guard gap for traps as well.

Coaching: Set up a guard/center/guard and two DT‟s. Give a

football for the center to hike and place another football

on the ground two yards in front of the center. Standing

five yards in front of the center, signal the snap count to

the offense and then call it. Both guards try and get to

the ball in front of the center and both DT‟s try and stop

them from getting to it in 2.5 seconds or before you can

say, “One monkey! Two monkeys! Three monkeys!” The DT‟s

should have their helmets over the backside of the guard

when making contact in order to see into the backfield for

a ball carrier hitting their gap. This should give our

middle linebacker time to find and chase his man without

being blocked.

Better players: The DT‟s play 18 inches off the ball in an

even toed three point stance and keyed to the guard‟s feet,

responding to the first step. If the guard‟s first step is

with the outside foot (away from center), the DT meets him,

staying on his outside shoulder, driving him towards the

center and keeping outside arm free. This allows him to

defend “B” gap as well as keep the guard off our middle

linebacker. If the guard‟s fist step is with his inside

(center side) foot, the DT dives across the guard‟s knees,

helmet as close to the center as possible. Stay on hands

and knees with hands in fists. This keeps the guard off

the linebacker, defends wedge, and positions the DT to stop

QB sneak. If the guard‟s first step is flat and towards the

QB; it indicates he‟s pulling. The DT fights over the top

of the block of the center who will try and fill for the

pulling guard. The center must hike the ball plus make this

block. By being 18 inches off the ball and moving sideways

to follow the pulling guard, the center should miss this

block. The other DT will help keep our middle linebacker

from being blocked, which plugs up the trap play while the

pulling guard leads our pulling DT right to the play. If

the guard steps with his outside foot flat, he‟s pulling

outside, possibly for a cross block. Again, the DT pulls

with him. By being 18 inches off the ball, the offensive

tackle may miss his down block. If not, our DT will have

at least squeezed the hole down and have a better chance of

fighting past the block. The key to playing 18 inches off

the line is to allow our lineman following the pulling

guard.

Defensive End

If no TE, the defensive ends line up on the outside

shoulder of the offensive tackle position or the # EMLOS.

This position requires more strength than the defensive

tackle position. There are two roles for the defensive end.

First, he lines up with his inside hand down, outside hand

up. If there is a tight end, the defensive end‟s outside

foot is splitting the stance of the feet of the tight end

(On the other side, the corner back‟s inside foot is also

splitting the tight end‟s stance so that both the corner‟s

and the defensive end‟s feet are touching or nearly

touching. The corner‟s foot may be slightly further back

and angled). The corner is also in a 3 point stance but

with outside hand down and inside hand up. On snap, both

players drive their “up” hand into the tight end‟s chest

(to near jersey numeral) while the down hand goes to the

tight end‟s near shoulder to keep him from sliding left or

right (but with fingers pointed up or it‟s defensive

holding). The two defenders drive the tight end back and

the DE looks inside to see “who‟s coming”. He turns inside

if any blocker is coming at him or if he fails to make

solid contact with the TE because the TE outside released.

When he turns inside and meets a blocker, he steps towards

the blocker and engages his near or outside shoulder. If

the QB has dropped back to pass, he continues to go around

the outside of his blocker (up field). If the blocker is a

pulling guard, he fights towards the guard (His job is to

stop any runs between himself and the DT.). If he sees no

blocker coming at him and makes solid contact with the TE,

he continues to drive the TE back and continues to look

inside for a reverse. If the tight end is moving backwards

he will not be a receiver and he becomes an extra obstacle

for the offense. He should go backwards 2-3 yards on every

play if both defenders stay on him.

On a sweep run, the corner back will shed the double team

on the tight end and pursue the running back. The defensive

end will continue to push the tight end backwards.

On a pass play the tight end will be held up at the line of

scrimmage until the defensive end recognizes pass, sheds,

and rushes the passer leaving the cornerback to remain on

the tight end.

When there is not a tight end, the defensive end (DE)

aligns outside the offensive tackle just far enough out

that if he tilts at the nearest back, he will also be

looking through the offensive tackle‟s backside. Then he

charges that same line. If the tackle blocks the defensive

tackle and not the defensive end, the defensive end has a

straight, uninterrupted, path into the offensive backfield.

If not, and the offensive tackle blocks the defensive

tackle, he slides away outside and plays sweep.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Cornerbacks

When a tight end is present on the cornerback‟s side of the

defense and there are no other wide outs, the cornerback

would align on the outside shoulder of the offense‟s tight

end. The corner back and defensive end‟s feet are touching

(or nearly touching) right in front of the tight end‟s

face. The corner is tilted at the tight end‟s neck. On

snap, the tight end is driven backwards. Both players (The

corner and the defensive end) drive their “up” hand into

the tight end‟s chest (to near jersey numeral) while

outside hand goes to tight end‟s near shoulder to keep him

from sliding left or right. The corner back and defensive

end drive together and then look into the backfield to see

which one of them has to come off the double team. If tight

end is moving backwards he is not a pass receiver and he

becomes an extra obstacle the offense. He should go back-

wards 2-3 yards on every play if both defenders stay on

him.

When the offense attempts to run a sweep the corner back

comes off his double team with the defensive end and either

makes the tackle or forces the running back deeper and to

the outside. The DE stays on the TE.

On a pass play the tight end will be held up at the line of

scrimmage until the defensive end recognizes pass and

rushes the passer leaving the cornerback to remain on the

tight end. The corner will continue to push until the tight

end breaks free, at which time the corner will chase him

using bump and run technique and force an inside release

into the middle LBer‟s coverage.

Here is what John Carbon, who ran the defense in 2004,

added for corner play:

"If the corner is covering the tight-end (TE) - well, his

alignment is inside foot in crotch of TE. If TE tries to

release our first responsibility is to not allow him to

release and "catch" him. We say catch because we do not

want our corner to lunge and miss. We want our corner to be

an obstacle or a hurdle that the TE has to go through to

get off the line. Remember that you have a "c" gap

penetrate player on the inside of the TE so usually this

"c" gap player knocks the piss out of the TE as well. After

running this technique it is very easy to tell if the TE is

blocking or trying to run a route."

When there is a wide receiver and no tight end present on

his side, the corner back will become responsible for this

receiver. In wide receiver coverage the question is whether

to have the cornerback line up on the outside or inside of

a wide receiver. Outside shade coverage on a wide receiver

is probably unnecessary at the youth level, so an inside

shade will be in order. He will conduct a bump and run

technique on his assigned receiver and attempt to impede

being blocked and/or the receiver‟s release from the line

of scrimmage into pass route. It is important to remember

if the wide receiver is off the line of scrimmage then the

corner back sets up off the line of scrimmage an equal

distance as the receiver.

Strong Safety

The strong safety position is responsible for recognizing

and aligning on the strong side of the offense‟s formation.

He must find where the offense has an extra player,

creating an unbalanced or unsymmetrical strength. To the

unbalanced side, he lines up 7 deep steps off the second

eligible receiver and shades 2-3 steps inside him. If there

the offense is in a balanced formation, the strong safety

will be in line with the offensive tackle (second)

offensive player from the outside) and at his normal safety

depth of 7 steps. If #2 eligible is a tight end, he will

come up and line up on the tight end the same as a corner

does.

How does the strong safety recognize the strong side of the

offense? He counts the number of offensive players left of

the center position. He counts the guard, tackle, tight

end, and flanker or wingback. If this sum is four or

greater, the strong safety stays on this side, aligning off

the second eligible player from the outside. Otherwise, he

rotates to the other side of the formation and aligns on

the second eligible offensive player on that side (Shading

towards the center), or directly on the tight end if the

tight end is uncovered.

In a situation where there is a tight end and a wide

receiver on the same side, the Youth Pro 4-3 defense wants

to match talent versus talent. If the wide receiver is of

lesser talent than the defense‟s strong safety, the

defense‟s corner back will take the wide receiver while the

strong safety will come up and double-team the tight end

with the defensive end.

If an offense has a tight end and a wing back then the

Youth Pro 4-3 defense needs the strong safety to cover the

wingback. Generally a wingback is a more important position

than a wide receiver in a youth offense because of the

reverse threat. Therefore, the corner will remain on the

tight end. The strong safety needs to mirror the action the

wingback makes. If the offense runs a reverse to the

wingback from the defense‟s left to right, the strong

safety mirrors the path of the wingback. If the wing runs

out for pass, the strong safety covers him. Even though he

is keying the wing, the strong safety remains aligned on

the tight end).

If there is no wingback, pass receiver responsibilities

require the strong safety to cover the second receiver from

the outside on the offense‟s side of strength. An example

might have a wide receiver and a tight end on the strong

side of the offense. The corner back would pick up the wide

receiver. The strong safety will be responsible for the

tight end since he is the second receiver eligible on that

side of the formation. If the #2 eligible is not up on the

line of scrimmage (He‟s a back), the strong safety will

remain at normal safety depth in line with the second

offensive player from the outside and key him for run or

pass. The strong safety‟s rule is; “If my man is on the

line (TE), I‟m on the line. If my man isn‟t on the line

(running back), I‟m not on the line.”

Weak Safety

The weak safety position is really a misnamed defensive

position. There is nothing “weak” about the player required

to handle this role. He is the most crucial player in the

Youth 4-3 defense. This is our “universal stud” who will be

omnipresent to our defensive scheme and football

intelligence is essential.

For example, when the offense aligns in I-formation or a

full house “T” where the strength on the offense will be

right up the middle, the weak safety will move up into the

box (The “A” gap next to the middle linebacker and move him

over to the other “A” gap versus “I“. However, the weak

safety plays two steps deeper than Mike. He reads the

tailback. Against “T” he stacks behind the right DT and

keys near HB.

In a balanced line, two tight end offensive formation the

Weak Safety will be lined up on the #2 eligible receiver

and shaded towards the OT on his side and at the same depth

as the #2 eligible receiver, plus one step.

T TB

B BC C

FS SS

Here the weak safety (FS)is aligned over the left offensive

tackle and covering the #2 eligible (C has #1). He is in

man coverage.

How does the weak safety know which side to line up on? He

stays over on the right side of the field and counts the

number of offensive players on the right side of the

center. If he counts three, he‟s on the correct side of the

field. If he counts four he looks to see if the strong

safety is coming over to switch with him. If the strong

safety doesn‟t come over (formation is balanced), he stays

and takes #2. If the strong safety does come over, he goes

over to the left side of the formation, lines up over the

offensive tackle, and keys the nearest back/receiver,

shading at least one yard towards him. Notice that neither

of the safeties aligns directly over the man they are

assigned to cover unless he‟s directly behind an offensive

tackle (“T” or “wishbone” formation).

If the weak safety stays over on the right with four

offensive players, he covers the eligible receiver to his

side the corner doesn‟t take (normally a back or a tight

end as #2 eligible).

In typical run pursuit the weak safety has clean up duties

since he will be pursuing along the back side of the

formation, so he will need to have speed to maneuver

everywhere on the field.

Run coverage responsibilities require the weak safety to

cover the running back to his side of the offensive

formation (tailback in “I” formation). This matches up our

best player against the most likely offensive player to get

the ball.

If the play is a pass, the weak safety has any receiver

that enters his area of the field. He can read the QB‟s

eyes to see who he is throwing to.

LINEBACKERS

Middle Linebacker

The second crucial position in the Youth 4-3 defense is the

middle linebacker. In Coach Lombardi‟s Pro 4-3 defense the

middle linebacker was his star defender, Ray Nitschke, who

could both tackle and intercept passes (25). The goal was

to keep blockers off him where he would be able to be

involved in stopping plays. The Youth Pro 4-3 is not

dissimilar. We want the middle linebacker and weak safety

to be our premier defensive players. The middle linebacker

is the biggest and toughest player.

The Youth Pro 4-3 defense places the middle linebacker in

the center of the defense at least one yard deep. He must

be able to cover the field left to right equally. He

pursues the play along the backside of the defensive line

to tackle the running back. The middle linebacker reads the

back nearest the center (the QB in “T” or the BB in Single

Wing). If he‟s reading a QB, he keys him only until the QB

turns or backs up and then keys any back directly behind

the QB as his alternate key (He watches the QB for “sneak”

first and then the fullback (FB).). On snap, if his read is

the FB, he follows FB‟s direction and reads the offensive

line‟s butts. The linemen‟s butts points where the middle

linebacker wants to be. We call this “following farts”. If

the offensive tackle (OT) is facing outwards (i.e. blocking

our DE), then his butt is facing inwards and the middle

linebacker follows the “fart” and crashes the OT‟s “fart

area” to the side FB moved to. If he is met by a guard, he

fights to the outside of the guard, keeping his outside arm

free. If the offensive tackle is facing inwards (i.e.

blocking the DT), his butt is now facing to the outside.

Again, Mike follows the “farts”, flowing outside and

looking for plays in “C” or “D” gap. The linemen‟s butts

always point to the runner!

When the offense in I-formation, the middle linebacker will

line up in the strong side “A” gap at just over one yard

and take the fullback.

In pass coverage the middle linebacker can either blitz the

QB or drop back and follow the eyes of the passer, going

where the quarterback is looking.

We play the Mike backer one yard off the center to threaten

blitz and to discourage teams from trying to run QB sneaks.

T TB

B BC C

FS SS

Mike keys the back closest to the center, in this case the

QB. He‟s defending the QB against “sneak. Once the QB

hands off, he is free to chase the ball, FB first. He does

not follow any back in motion. His coverage is zone.

T T

BB B

CC

FS

SS

Here Mike has shaded over in order to cover the FB. Since

Mike is not in a very good position to cover QB sneak to

the left of center, he should call “Over” to the DTin front

of him and tap him. This cause the DT to realign as

follows:

T T

BB B

CC

FS

SS

The center will now block the “Over” DT instead of Mike on

sneak, allowing Mike to tackle the QB as he tries to go

around the center‟s left. Notice how Mike checks for sneak

first, fullback second.

TRAPS: Vince Lombardi successfully defended the trap with

this front by having the flexed DT‟s follow the pulling

guard while Mike, like all other 4-3 Mikes at the time, shot straight ahead between the filling center and the pulling

guard the instant he read trap. This part should not be

necessary as the pulling DT should stop the trap and Mike

is normally keyed to the fullback getting the handoff, who

runs most of the traps anyway.

Defending Trap is shown on the next page.

T T

BB B

C C

FS SS

The right side DT is keeping the RG off Mike on the trap

and center is finding it difficult to block back on the

flexed left DT who is following the pulling LG who has no

one to block. All three blocks are missed, allowing Mike

or the left DT to make the tackle. Notice how Mike

“Doesn‟t move until the ball moves”. He watches the QB

first and the FB second.

Strong and Weak Outside Linebackers

The strong linebacker position aligns on the left side of

the offense‟s formation (to quarterback‟s right). The weak

side linebacker aligns on the right side.

The strong and weak linebacker line up 2 yards off the line

of scrimmage and approximately 2-3 yards outside the tight

end or offensive tackle if there is no offensive player

outside of them. If there are two receivers outside them,

they play halfway out to the nearest receiver or, if there

are three or more receivers outside them, they play over

the top of the nearest receiver and slightly inside him.).

They play in zone, backpedaling 3 short six inch steps,

reading the center and near guard first (near TE second),

and mirroring them (Doing as they do). If the near guard

goes forward or pulls towards him, the reading linebacker

goes forward. If the near guard pulls away, he chases

through Mike. If neither the center nor the guard moves (no

one blocks Mike by their third step back), he plays pass in

his flats. If both the guard or the center comes out, he

goes forward and plays contain for run or screen.

Sometimes the center or guard simply won‟t come out and

give a run or pass read in which case he keys the near TE.

If the TE blocks high, it is run to his side. If the TE

blocks low (“shoe shines”), the play is away. If the TE

pass releases, it‟s pass. Some defenses, like a 4-4, will

have the OLBer key the TE all the time. Here‟s an example:

T T

BB B

C C

FS SS

In the above, the OLBer on the left saw the TE block low

(shoe shine) the DE (to cover for the pulling LT and LG)

allowing the OLBer to be free to chase the play over the

other side of the field. Meanwhile, the OLBer on the right

saw the TE block down on the DE, a signal for him to come

forward.

Notice, the left DT is following the pulling LG, Mike if

following the FB, and the safeties are covering the

wingbacks. The defense will bring nine defenders playside.

If the offense tries to fake this play and run a counter

back left, here is what happens:

T T

BB B

C C

FS SS

This time the OLBer on the left saw the TE down block and

has come forward. The OLBer on the right saw a low

“shoeshine” and is therefore pursuing left. The defense is

pulling three players from the right to the left (SS, Sam

OLBer, and the DT, the same number of players the offense

is pulling left (RG, RT, and wingback ball carrier on

reverse.).

Notice how both safeties, although in man coverage, have

shaded towards the offensive tackle to their side.

If the outside linebackers get a run read, they will

instantly rush HARD in a circular motion and while keeping

an eye on the ball. They will keep outside leverage (The

ark has a 2 yard radius. We simply place three cones in an

ark to teach them to follow.). They then engage the lead

blocking back (which can be a wing back) and fight around

him, keeping outside arm free. This forces the runner

following the lead blocking back into a change of

direction. If the running back cuts outside his lead

blocking back, he will cut into the strong or weak

linebacker who is fighting outside the blocking back. If he

cuts inside, he enters the area of the cornerback who sheds

the tight end for the tackle. So the running back will

either get tackled for a loss or make an exceptional move

and escape both the outside linebacker and/or the corner

back. This is not impossible since the outside linebackers

and corner backs are not as talented as a typical running

back. However, it is insignificant because if the running

back manages to elude the corner back and outside

linebacker to either the inside or outside of his

fullback‟s lead block, the Youth Pro 4-3 defense‟s three

major studs will now arrive. The middle linebacker will

fill for a tackle missed by the corner and the strong

safety will fill for any tackle missed by the outside

linebacker. Further, both the strong safety and middle

linebacker are backed up by the weak safety. This is hard

to get by. The running back‟s best asset, his speed, is

being countered by the two safeties best assets, their

speed (both should arrive unblocked). If he tries to go

around the outside linebacker, he will need to loop

approximately 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage to do

so. Now the running back needs to regain that additional 10

yards that he lost before our three studs arrive. Even if

he‟s faster than our two studs, this can‟t be done. But,

just to be safe, this is why the Youth Pro 4-3 defense has

their two most talented players at the safety positions

chasing down the running back.

When the running play is running away from the outside

linebacker and his key took him mistakenly forwards, the

non-play side linebacker needs to follow into the offense‟s

backfield and trails behind in search of a reverse back

towards his side of the field.

BLITZ

The Youth Pro 4-3 defense is versatile enough to cause

further headaches for youth offenses with the ability to

conduct blitzes. This defense may not be a true “blitzing

defense” but it capable nonetheless. Depending on local

league rules blitzes can be executed in various methods.

The double team techniques conducted by the corner back and

defensive end is a critical element to the defense‟s

success. After awhile, the defensive end and corner back

can start playing “games” with the tight end. One will

blitz and the other stands up the tight end. A DE blitz

becomes very effective if the offensive guard and tackle

are both double team blocking the defense‟s bear-crawling

defensive tackle, which happens when the defensive tackle

is having success penetrating into the gap.

Similarly, when the corner back is outside in man-to-man on

a receiver, the strong safety will come up and align in the

double team spot with the defensive end. They may switch

positions where the strong safety will line up on the

inside and the defense end on the outside. The strong

safety may blitz immediately without performing the double

team. You now have an unblocked “stud” in the opposing

backfield if the DT is being double teamed.

Another example of blitzing is bring the weak safety up

into the “A” gap on the line of scrimmage and have the weak

safety and middle linebacker blitz each “A” gap. This will

discourage QB sneaks. The WS and Mike tap the buttocks of

the DT‟s when blitzing to tell them to pull their guard

with them to the outside to open the blitz gap.

The outside linebackers may also be involved in blitz

maneuver as well. The outside linebacker who has no

offensive player outside him is free to blitz. He would

stack behind the corner on the tight end and, as the DE and

CB drive the TE back, he would rush “C” gap or the “B” gap,

whichever the OT‟s buttocks point to on snap. The corner

has contain. He does not bother with a three step drop on

Blitz.

BUMP AND RUN FOR COVERING WIDE RECEIVERS

Researching for bump and run information, getting

information from coaches like Doug Clarke and professional

coach Tom Bass, the conclusion reached is that at the youth

level, a coach must ignore what the experts say. Their

intentions are sound and their advice is good at the high

school, college, and pro level, but it simply does not work

at the youth level. These coaches will consistently tell

you not to have the defender step into the receiver or the

receiver can put a move on him. “So what?” If the defender

steps into the receiver when playing out of a two-point

stance, the receiver can block him. Since most youth plays

are runs, your defender will be getting blocked most of the

time if he just stands there and makes a target of himself.

The Youth Pro 4-3 defense calls for the corner covering a

split end to step with the outside foot at a 45-degree

angle on the end‟s movement. If he is already tilted at a

45-degree angle, his first step will be parallel to the

line of scrimmage. Generally youth receivers can‟t put a

move on a defender who steps sideways into them.

Accordingly, the expert‟s advice is summarized as follows:

Quoting Tom Bass:

“The stance our defensive back‟s used gave the receiver

only one way to release and was the following: inside of

receiver, at 45-degree angle feet the width of his

shoulders, outside foot splitting the center of the

receiver. Knees bent almost quarter-squat, back straight

head up. Elbows close to body at waist, hands at chest

level with palms up. Eyes should be focused on the center

of the receiver's chest.

When teaching man-to-man coverage to our defensive backs we

focused on the following:

1. Understanding offensive pattern recognition. 2. Knowing the interception point for all patterns.

3. Understanding the proper alignment and technique for bump and run coverage.

4. Knowing when to look for the ball and how to play each pattern for the incompletion.

5. In our teaching of man-to-man technique we never

introduced the ball to the drill. Having the ball in

the drill caused our corner backs to lose their

concentration and focus on the receiver and turned

the entire drill into an interception drill,

something that is separate drill in itself.

Additions to Coach Bass are as follows. The “interception

point” for all patterns is to catch the ball either 1) at

its highest point or 2) by cutting in front of the

receiver. The second choice is a very risky choice. The

defender needs to know that if he cuts in front of the

receiver and does not make the interception he is likely to

give up a touchdown. Still, once they know this, leave it

up to the defender to decide whether or not to cut in front

of the receiver. The coach cannot question the decision

afterwards. If a coach needs to question the defenders‟

decisions then the coach is playing the wrong player at

defender. The emphasis on the bump is that the inside hand

(center side) will always make contact on movement with

end‟s near shoulder whether play is run or pass. If the

receiver tries to block the defender, then jamming the palm

of the outside hand into the sternum of the receiver is

added. The inside hand is used to physically be a barrier

to stop the receiver from coming to the inside and to push

the receiver away from our body on a run block.

Two facts that need to be impressed on young players are

that the closer you are to a receiver the more you must

concentrate and that if you peek back for the ball before

you get ten yards downfield you will lose the receiver.

One thing found in studying game films is that, against

running teams, corner back‟s had a tendency to drop their

coverage and play the run. This becomes apparent when the

other team would finally pass and there would be a receiver

running wide open down the field with our corner back three

yards behind trying to catch up with the receiver. It was

concluded that they were playing the run first because we

were giving out helmet awards for tackles. Now our

defensive back is rewarded when he gets his inside hand on

his receiver at the start of every play or if the offense

never throws to his man.

QB SNEAK

The question was asked, what happens when the fullback goes

one way and the QB “sneaks” the other? Or what happens if

the center takes Mike, and the guards block out (fan block)

on our DT and the QB sneaks?

The answer, of course, is “bad things”. The DC Pro 4-3 is

first rate until that happens. We play Mike up close to the

center to discourage them from even thinking of this. Every

“D” has a weakness though and, I‟m sorry to say, that‟s the

weakness of the DC Pro 4-3. Here‟s how Vince Lombardi

handled the problem of QB sneaks. Mike keys the QB first.

So if the FB goes one way and the QB the other, he‟s going

to take the QB. Also, if Mike gets formation away from the

center, he calls for an “Over” call. You can also call an

“Inside” call versus wedge teams or an “Outside” call for a

weak side DT slant. These are shown below:

All three of these calls involve having at least one DT

penetrate “A” gap with Mike able to cover the area he

vacated. The “Inside” call is a “blitz” call with Mike

hitting the „B” gap to the side the #3 back moves to. The

DT‟s are flexed 18 inches to making hitting “A” gap easier

and, if they are blocked, to leave Mike an open hole to

blitz. I would change the name of this call to “Inside

Blitz” which tells both DT‟s to take the inside rush.

On the “Outside” call, one DT is flexed and hits “A” gap.

I would change the name of this call to “Inside” (The

terminology above is Vince Lombardi‟s) and only the DT on

the right would make this stunt (The other DT stunting

inside only on “Inside Blitz”.). The “Over” tells the

right side DT to line up one gap “over” and cross the

center‟s face to opposite “A” gap. Mike shades back to his

side to cover his vacated area. Since most youth teams run

right 70% of the time, I‟m putting the “stunt” on the other

side to pick up the QB sneak. That way, if we stunt and

they don‟t “sneak”, there‟s a 70% chance that the defense

is still intact.

Lombardi also had an “Under” call. I only recently

discovered this. In an “under” call one of the DT‟s goes

from on the outside shoulder of the guard to the outside

shoulder of the center. Mike moves over the uncovered “A”

gap. Now both “A” gaps are covered against the sneak.

Lombardi used his terminology as follows. The weak side of

the line was always to the wide side of the field. The DT

on the wide side was known as the “outside” DT. The other

DT was known as “inside”. In “Over” the weak side DT moves

over. Lombardi‟s “Over” call can also be used against traps

or unbalanced lines or teams that use an SE but always run

towards the TE side.

FLEX

A “FLEX” call is borrowed from my “DC Dallas Flex”. Used

in passing situations or against “shotgun” teams or just to

see what happens, with the DT‟s flexed 18 inches the DE‟s

slant hard to “B” gap while the DT‟s loop to “C” gap. As

the tackles pick up the DE they open up a gap behind them

for the looping DT. The slanting DE fills “B” gap and

keeps the OG from blocking the looping DT. This is not used

with a blitz by Mike.

DRILLS

I‟m only inserting one other drill for now. It‟s how we use

the “stone” call to disrupt pulling blockers. To use it,

the DE reads inside as he stones the TE, looking for a

pulling blocker coming towards him. If he sees a puller

coming towards him, he drops and bear crawls sideways (crab

walks) into the blocker, cutting him and then grabbing

ankles of anyone coming by.

If he sees a puller going away from him, he comes off his

stone again and chases the puller.

To get faster pursuit of the puller, you can play the

corner on the inside of the TE and the DE on the outside of

the TE. Now when a blocker pulls away, you‟ll have a faster

man chasing him to the run hole. Of course, when a blocker

pulls towards a stone call, you‟ll have a smaller player

crabbing into the blocker. I have shown it below with the

DE‟s on the inside of the TE and the corner on the outside.

Stone Drill:

Align the defenders being trained on two blockers (B). In

the example below, the coach (C) is aligned at the QB

position and the two Clydes (C), and the DE‟s (E) are being

trained. Three to four yards behind each blocker (B) is a

tackling dummy (xxx) with hand shields (H) on the ground

behind it.

The coach has a football and has assumed the QB position

with ball in front of him in the snap position. The

blocker‟s eyes are allowed to look down the line at the

coach. On the coach moving the ball, the blockers fire out.

Defender‟s react on ball movement, watching it out of the

corner of their eye, and drive inside hand to near jersey

number and outside hand to near shoulder and drive the

blocker backwards over the bag while looking inside.

The coach has four options:

1) Coach does nothing: Both blockers get driven over the

bags.

2) Coach drops back to show pass. Both DE‟s come off

their “stone” and pass rush around the bag. The

corners shift from ”stone” to “post” coverage (same

technique).

3) The coach DROPS THE BALL and runs left: The left DE comes off his stone, drops, and “crab walks” on fists

(to keep fingers from being stepped on) into the

coach. The right DE comes off his “stone” and chases

the coach at full speed, passing by his outside

shoulder, and stops. Corners remain on “stone”.

4) The coach DROPS THE BALL and runs right: The left DE comes off his stone and chases coach at full sprint,

passing by his outside shoulder, and stops. The right

DE comes off his stone and “crab walks” on fists into

the coach. Corners remain on stone.

Coaching points: When the coach runs left or right, he

always leaves the football behind. He represents a pulling

blocker, not a ball carrier. Carrying the football causes

the defenders to think they are attacking a ball carrier.

They‟re not. Carrying the football creates distraction and

confusion. Also, the blockers should be TE size and not

offensive tackle size. The blockers do not initially try

and pass release until the defense become proficient at

stoning them. Once the defenders have this down, the coach

can yell “Go!” as he pass drops and the blockers can try

and pass release for the coach to throw to them.

When a corner feels he‟s left alone on the blocker, he will

change to “stalk” technique and move the hand on the TE‟s

chest to his far shoulder pad. He will now have a hand on

each shoulder pad, fingers pointed up. He now stays in

front of the TE and shoves him in whichever direction tries

to go, while staying in front of him.

FORMATION ALIGNMENTS

Please note the “Quads” and “Trips” formations are not quite correct. The WS has

correctly aligned over the offensive tackle to his side but bas failed to shade towards his

receiver.

We haven’t covered “Knock down”. This is against an unbalanced formation as shown

below:

SS

WS

B M B

CE T T E C

O O 0 O O O O

O O

O O

The weak side has moved down to the center and lined up on his outside shoulder. This is

because the center is now the #3 man on his side. Technically, the DT on the strong side

is on #4 man, but he’s unlikely to “knock down” because 1) The DE is already there and

2) He’ll mistake the split end as a flanker anyway. This is fine because we don’t want

him to move. We have allowed Mike to move behind the DT to the unbalanced side. The

simple rule is, “If Mike can tell which side they’re going to run to, line up behind the DT

to that side.”

Here is the “Over” call against the Wing T:

SS

WS

B M B

C E T T EC

O O O 0 O O O

O O

O O

The play shown is the belly option. Notice Mike is stacked behind the weak side DT who

is fighting his way around the center. The DT does not miss the center. We want contact

as he fights his way across. This allows the LG to get on his block on the DT. If our DT

simply looped around the center, the LG would miss him and go up to M. We don’t want

that.

Notice the WS comes right up and meets his man (the HB), going from inside shade to

outside shade. This interferes with the HB going out for a pass to the outside and forces

the FB to run inside of the HB’s block where M is waiting for him.

The outside linebacker on the left is getting a pass read. Neither the LG or C came out. So

he’ll check to make sure the HB doesn’t try and release to the flats. If the QB were to

keep the ball, it would be the DE’s responsibility to tackle him. He has to beat the LT’s

block. The outside backer would only come up if the QB commits to the run. If the LG

goes to Mike, then the outside backer would have a run read and come up.

On the backside, our right side linebacker is getting a run read and is coming up to play

the reverse. If the RG doubled up with RT, he would have a pass read.

OTHER CALLS

Full House call: Used in short yardage situations, and with real fast safeties that can

chase down a back from behind. It moves both safeties right behind the DT's and has

them decide which gap to blitz.

Outside call: Used when a team is hammering off tackle with two lead blockers. It’s the

same call as above only now the safety blitzes to the outside of the DT.

DEFENDING SPECIFIC OFFENSES

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RG RT Y

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

Shown above is a standard Double Wing offense running “power” to the right. The

formation is recognized by the heavily recessed (one yard) offensive line and the FB up

so close to the QB, he’d know if the QB farted. A Double Wing play will almost always

include certain features. They include backside pulling linemen, TE’s blocking down,

center blocking back, the FB kicking out DE, and short motion by a wing back. The

blocking rules are generally SAB, TKO, or GOD and the QB may lead block for the

runner or boot back the other way.

Some defensive explanations: FS is actually WS, N is Mike, and the solid black players

are the DE’s.

If we understand what the offense is trying to do, we can understand how to prevent them

from doing it. First, the TE’s: The TE’s on both sides of the line are moving towards the

center. The backside TE (X) is assigned to keep anyone from following the pulling

backside tackle. He will cut either our DT or our DE. The play-side TE (Y) will angle

across the front of the offensive tackle in front of him. If he’s small, he’s blocking GOD

and is going to help the RT above with our DT. If he’s big, he’s blocking SAB or TKO

and he’s aiming for Mike (N).

We defend both TE’s the same way. Tilt your DE’s at the LT and RT. They will be at

the same tilt as your DT’s. Due to the zero offensive line splits, tilting the DE makes it

easier for him to line up in the limited space. The corner lines up normally with his

inside foot splitting both feet of the TE. On snap, the DE heads right at the LT or RT

where he will intercept the TE. Two things will now happen. On the backside (left side

above), the TE will cut our DE. But, on the play side, our DE should knock the TE

sideways. If the DE isn’t cut, he is to drive the TE as deep into the backfield as possible

while looking for the runner to come around the outside of the TE. This shown on the

next page:

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RG RT Y

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

X will put our DE on the ground but Y will find himself being driven sideways and X

will not be able to block our DT, forcing the center to block back to pick him up. Shown

below are the offensive tackles and TE’s positions on their first step:

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RGRT

Y

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

Notice that, if we can push Y deep enough into the backfield, he’ll get in the way of the

pulling LG and LT. Notice also, with X cutting our DE, the center must block the

backside DT or he’ll chase the runner down from behind from tilt. This is very important

because it allows Mike to know the play direction every time. All he has to do is watch

the center and go the opposite way he goes. Above, the center went left and so Mike

goes to the right. He’ll never be wrong (If the center comes straight out, the play is

wedge.). So, if the center goes right, Mike goes left.

This is all your DE’s have to do for the entire game. Just tilt and intercept the TE and, if

he’s still on his feet; drive, Drive, DRIVE him back while looking outside for the runner

(See red line above.). The Double Wing has no one assigned to block the DE on the play-

side and the runner will pass by his outside shoulder.

In theory, our DE can blow up Y on his blocking assignment, disrupt the pullers, and

make the tackle all on the same play.

Let’s now move the corners who have the job of stoning the TE’s. They should look like

this:

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RGRT

Y

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

Both corners are adjacent with the DE’s. Our corner on the left (backside) is obviously

not going to get in on the play. And the TE (X) he’s supposed to cover is now on the

ground and obviously not going out for a pass. So what does the corner on the backside

do?

He steps on the TE. The TE will always be on his knees when cutting or shoe shining the

DE. The corner targets the calves, neck, and hands. In the above situation, the left side

corner steps with his left foot on X’s left calf, then his right foot on the right calf. If the

TE is on the ground, the next step is with the left foot to the back of the TE’s neck and

the final step is with the right foot to the TE’s right hand. This allows the corner to step

on the TE four times while moving in the direction of the play. And, if the TE is on his

hands and knees, the third step is to his left hand instead of his neck.

This may sound like a brutal instruction but it’s not. We didn’t tell the corner to kick him

if he’s down or knee him in the ribs if he’s on his hands and knees. I do not hurt the

other team’s players. Our corner is not wearing metal cleats and he’s not jumping up and

down on the TE. All he’s doing is making the TE uncomfortably aware that the corner is

deliberately stepping on him and for no apparent reason at all except meanness. The

psychological response to being stepped on is to fight back. To fight back, the TE must

cease cutting the DE and hit the corner. After a few trampling, the corner should taunt

the TE, saying, “Why don’t you block me? Or are you just going to let me step on you

all day?”

This is a dare and the object isn’t to step on and hurt the TE. The objective is to get the

backside TE to block the corner. As soon as the TE fights back and blocks the corner,

our backside DE is free to follow the pulling tackle and guard (LT and LG above) right to

the ball carrier.

On the play-side, the corner will look like a DE. After all, he’s on the outside shoulder of

the TE (Y) and he’s the end man on the line of scrimmage (EMLOS). The FB should

identify the corner as his man to kick out. If he does, it means the offense is trying to run

between the corner and the DE, an almost impossible hole to hit.

Like the backside corner, the play-side corner heads at the TE (Y) and gets as deep as the

TE. He should not step up field past the TE. If he does, two things will happen:

1) The FB will kick block him outside.

2) The TE is now uncovered.

So he wants to help the DE shove that TE back into the path of the pullers (LT and LG).

The TE is now covered and our corner is not being blocked. Like the DE, he watches for

the runner to pass on his outside shoulder. If the pullers don’t run into their own TE (as

we want), they should run right by our corner and DE.

What happens next depends upon their blocking rules. The play side wing back (Z) will

either go around the corner to block Mike (GOD) or track block on his SAB/TKO angle

as shown below:

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RGRT

Y

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

Z will either crack our DE or our corner, most probably the DE as he should think the

corner . If that happens, the corner pushes on Z instead of Y.

What you see is that we’re getting what one Double Wing coach called “a big pile of

bodies”. Just to complete to the mess/pile, I’ll move the play side DT on the right to his

assigned position, hitting the RG as he comes out:

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RGRTY

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

If we study the above, we see that there are no downfield blockers play side. No one is

preventing our WS (FS above) or Mike (N above) from getting to the runner who

represent our two best players.

This is both good and bad. It’s good because we have created a “train wreck” for the

offense to get around and totally defeated the purpose of their play side blocking. It’s

bad because our OLBers are both getting PASS READS. Neither the guards or the center

are going downfield. That’s what happens on PASS PLAYS. So, against a Double

Wing team, we must change the OLBer’s read.

The OLBer would key the TE for pass release. If the TE steps inside, the play is RUN.

If he tries to go outside, it’s PASS.

You can’t key the WB because, if he blocking GOD, he’ll go around the corner as shown

below in order to block Mike:

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RGRTY

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

To our OLBer, that looks like a pass release when the play is actually run. So the OLBer

keys the near TE for run or pass where stepping inside is RUN and stepping outside is

PASS.

Thus, against this play the OLBer gets a RUN read and arcs forward:

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RGRTY

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

But we can improve on this. If the OLBer sees his TE key shoeshine or cut a defensive

lineman, the play is GUARANTEED to be going to the other side. Our OLBer is free to

pursue plays to the other side if his TE key goes to his knees.

Thus, against this play, we would get this:

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RGRTY

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

The OLBer would pursue the play at a depth of 5+ yards. If the runner does get lucky

enough to get by the other defenders, he has a good chance at the tackle. The OLBer is in

“back pedal” on snap anyway so “getting over” happens as fast as it takes the TE he’s

keying to go to his knees.

This may seem like an excessive amount of detail but, if you play in a Pop Warner

league, you are guaranteed to eventually face a Double Wing team. If you want a chance

to play in Florida, you need to pay attention to detail.

Okay! So what is SS doing?

SS is interchangeable with the corner. That is you could put your corners on TB and Z

and your safeties on the TE’s. And, in fact, against most offenses you would do exactly

like (The corners would cover the #1 outside receiver and the safeties the #2.). I think the

safeties are better suited to covering the Double Wing’s backs than the corners but that’s

just my personal preference. I could be wrong.

But, if you put SS on Z, on this play Z will do one of two things:

1) He’ll run into the train wreck (TKO/SAB).

2) He’ll go around the corner to Mike (GOD)

The assignment of SS (or WS) is to “mirror” his man (Do as he does.). If his man goes in

short motion, so does he. If his man goes left so does he. If he man goes right, so does

he. If his man goes forward, so does he. In short, SS does whatever Z does.

In this play, Z has two choices.

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RGRTY

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

Here, Z is GOD blocking. He’s going around the corner to block Mike. Because he had

to go forward to do this, SS has gone forward too (“mirroring” him). SS meets him on

the OUTSIDE shoulder with a good, hard hit. He hits Z on the outside shoulder because

the DE and corner (plus Mike) have any run inside him stopped. So he is prepared for

the runner to “bounce it outside” when there is no hole and to be able to chase him

outside.

On the next page, Z is TKO/SAB blocking:

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RGRTY

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

Again, SS has headed at the outside shoulder of Z. This places him right inside the FB’s

kick block on the OLBer which is exactly where the runner (TB) has been trained to run.

It’s also exactly where Mike is trained to go by “sniffing farts” (see butt cut on the FB).

If we add up the blockers play side we find that NONE of the play side blockers are

blocking ANYBODY, meaning the offense is entirely dependent upon the pulling LG,

LT, and possibly the QB to take out backside pursuing B, WS (FS), SS, DE (or corner),

and Mike. It’s mighty hard for three to block five.

The Double Wing is not a one play offense (Although it comes close.). It has a play

called “Cross Toss” that fakes this play and goes the other way with a counter reverse to

Z. Here it is:

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RG RT Y

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

Notice, that only ONE defensive player fell for the fake, WS (FS). All the other

defenders are headed right to the play hole. Their reads were:

Left OLBer: The TE he was keying blocked, causing him to come forward on contain.

Left Corner: Hit the TE while not entering the backfield (The pulling RG might go right

past him.). He has “outside arm free” for a tackle on the Z back trying to go around the

“train wreck”.

Left DE: Crushed X and drove him into the pullers way.

Left DT: Kept LG off Mike.

Mike (N): Went the opposite way the center blocked.

SS: Mirrored Z.

Right OLBer: Saw the TE cut/shoeshine and went the other way.

Note that the defense did not have to know the play. They just went where their key told

them.

One famous youth Double Wing coach, Jack Gregory, watches the backside OLBer on

every power play to see if he follows. And, sure enough, ours does. That’s a sign to him

to run the counter (”Cross Toss”). Only guess what? As soon as he runs the counter, our

OLBer reads the TE cut/shoeshine and doesn’t follow. A Double Wing coach using this

key will be wrong 100% of the time. Jack developed this key because back side LBer’s

were making tackles, an indication that our backside OLBer should make tackles to the

other side as well.

The only other Double Wing play we’re worried about is wedge. It looks like this:

X

T

LT

N

LG

T

C

B

RG RT Y

B

QB

C

FB

C

TB

FS

Z

SS

If you allow the LG, C, and RG to reach Mike (N), you’re SCREWED and the game is

OVER. Therefore, it’s very important that your DT’s take out both guards. Many

Double Wing coaches, based on their experience with Jack Reed’s GAM defense, believe

that a wedge can only be stopped by “A” gapers and, therefore, our DT’s must slant to

the “A” gap versus hit the guard. This is not true. The difference is in how high you hit

the guard. Hit him low on wedge. Hit him high otherwise. Because the Double Wing

uses linemen recessed a full yard off the ball, your DT’s should be able to read wedge on

the first step and cut those guards down.

There is also debate on how Mike should defend wedge. Many coaches believe that

Mike must blitz an “A” gap when he sees wedge. No doubt they have a reason for that

belief. Unfortunately, Mike cannot blitz both “A” gaps. So I have him “cross body

block” the center’s knees. If the DT’s have cut the guards and Mike has cut the center,

there is no wedge. The OT’s are falling over the DT’s and the TE’s have been creamed

by the DE’s and corners. So who is left to block for the FB?

But the only way to know for certain what will happen is to set up a wedge and let your

defense practice against it.

I apologize if this first scenario seems like a difficult one to defend. I selected it because

Pop Warner coaches will face it and because it was a current topic on the DC Pro 4-3

forum.

However, the instructions to the individual players are very simple even if the “bigger

picture” is not. Also, anytime you’re in the same defense every down you become

predictable. Fortunately, the reverse is also true. Anytime you line up in the same

offense every down, you also become predictable. Most Double Wing coaches run a

predictable system.

And that’s how you beat them.

TESTIMONIALS

DC, I ran the DC-43 Pro Sat. I have toyed with it since you

sent it to me but never used it in a game. WOW! This

defense is freaking awesome. We gave up one first down on

sat. My Two MLB's or MLB/ WS had a freaking field day.

Thank you so much for the D. I am hooked.

… The reason I was reluctant to run it from the beginning

was I had so many good players. I initially thought that

the 43 pro would limit some of my studs. Wrong. This

defense may work well with just a few studs but it is

absolutely awesome when you have 11 good players.

DC: This defense does not need any tweaking. Just need to

work on pass coverage a little. Like you said I had the

entire package installed in three days. It completely shuts

down the inside and outside game. I do believe against a

very good passing team they may find some holes but it will

be tough.

Bvaughn

Coach Clark,

Amazing. I learn so much from the documents you put together and their free, truly

amazing. Can't thank you enough. We started last night with instituting the DC Pro 43

and it really worked out even in just one practice. Can't wait for the season to start.

Thanks and have a great day!

Coach Chris

Thank you, DC:

Oddly enough, my 6-2 was developing into a very similar defense. Every addition I

made, and every one I was considering is included here, and then some!

(Of course I was at least two more seasons away from getting it this clean.)

I had a few differences. I played my SS the way you play the WS, And my DT's were

both big slow bruisers instead of the MPP's.

I hid the MPPs in different spots every time. Generally the WS position and where you

have the weak side DE. (my DT position)

I like it. Once again you make me feel like a fool for not seeing some of the items you

cover sooner.

Thank you once again for sharing.

I can't tell you how much I learned from your writings.

Enjoy

-Coach Will

Coach Clark, Hope you had a safe and happy holiday season! Well, of

course another season is in the books and I'm not sure if you saw my posts on the infosports forum after the season but using your DC Pro

43 and your DC Wing-T theories we went undefeated, absolutely destroyed people. I owe in large part this great season to you and

guys like Calande and coach wade and coach reed etc.

Last year was all about fun and squeezing as much knowledge out of your manuals you sent me to relay to the players and the smiles on

there faces when they would get a new concept throughout the year was enough but, as it was we well, like I said, won every game by a

large margin.

In fact our defense was so good that 3rd game of the season they

would not let any teams put there 12 yrd olds on the field anymore because we were destroying people with our 8-10 yr olds as it was.

Anyway, here’s my official request hope you can help. Bang that head that doesn't bang....

Chris Franco

Coach, we did pretty darn good with your 4-3, never made any adjustments and ran it as

you suggested nearly the entire season. We went 10-1 with the one lost coming in the

championship game. The game itself was a tight one with about the same amount of studs

on each roster but the edge had to go to Springfield which fielded a full squad of coaches

that have been working with one another for about 10 years and running. We also only

fumbled only a handful of time throughout the season and in this one game we match that

amount. We averaged 30 pts a game and allowed only 4 teams to score just once apiece.

Coach Fournier

Hi again Clark, I love that you take the time to answer questions. You make this forum so valuable because of that. I will not bombard you and overuse it. I am LOVING your DC 43. I am sending this to you by U2U because there are a couple of other coaches in my Division that also post and read the forums here. 10 Yr. old Non select, Denver area.