The 353 Defense by Shane Sams CoachXO Dot Com

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The 3-5-3 Defense

COMPLETE

Playbook

www.3-5-3Defense.com

Copyright 2006-2013

http://www.3-5-3defense.com/













www.3-5-3defense.com

The 3-5-3 Defense: A Playbook for High School Football.

Copyright, 2006. Updated 2013.

3-5-3defense.com, 2013 Edition.

Copyright © 2006 published by 3-5-3defense.com

Text Copyright © 2006 by S.E.S.

Formatting, pictures, logos, illustrations and Layout © 2006 by

S.E.S.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopy, re-

cording, or any other — except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior

permission of the author / publisher.

This publication is Protected by US Copyright. May NOT be sold without permission. Vio-

lators will be prosecuted.







http://3-5-3defense.com/







Table of Contents

I. Introduction 3

II. Huddle No Huddle 6

III. Gaps & Techniques 7

IV. Symbols 8

V. Fronts 9

VI. Alignment Rules 11

VII. Strength Call Procedure 16

VIII. Line Stunts 17

IX. Linebacker Blitzes 21

X. Coverages 25

XI. Cover-3 27

XII. Cover-1 33

XIII. Play Calling 36

XIV. Formation Guide 38

XV, Appendix A: Unbalanced Formations 50

XVI. Appendix B: Overloads 51

XVII. Appendix C: Trips Adjustments 52











Introduction

This playbook will teach you how to run the 3-5-3 defense for High

School Football. This document contains all of the fronts, stunts,

blitzes and coverages you will need to be successful running the 3-5-3 on Friday nights. At the end of this playbook is a detailed for-

mation guide covering the most common football formations used by

today’s offenses.

Middle School and Youth editions of the 3-5-3 defense can be found

at 3-5-3defense.com. The website also contains installation guides,

spring ball workbooks, summer schedules, position manuals, 3-5-3

specific drills, practice scripts, film breakdown instructions, goalline playbooks, play-calling guides, personnel suggestions, articles

and more.

Why should you choose the 3-5-3 Defense?

The 3-5-3 defense has a number of strengths that make it a perfect

defense for high school football, especially for teams without a lotof talent or resources.

First, the 3-5-3 can be ran with a wide variety of personnel. Got a

bunch of little fast players? Perfect. Got a ton of linemen? Ro-

tate them out in waves of three at the offense. Whatever personnel

you have available, you can run the 3-5-3 defense.

Second, the 3-5-3 is extremely easy to teach and learn. Each player

is only required to know a few calls specific to his position. The

Defensive Line learns directions, each linebacker learns his blitz-

es, the secondary learns its coverage. Then the calls are combined

to make a defensive stunt or play. This simple structure makes

things easy for the players, and gives a coach the complexity he

needs to attack the offense!














Strengths of the 3-5-3 Defense

Third, it gives a creative coach a nearly infinite arsenal of weap-

ons to attack the offense. With so many linebackers on the field,

you can send a blitz from any angle. Combine that with slantinglinemen and you create a serious problem for the offensive line.

When you are running the 3-5-3 defense, you will always have an an-

swer for what the offense is doing!

Fourth, it is an incredibly fun defense both for coaches and play-

ers! By design the defense is structured to let the players have

freedom...freedom to attack...freedom to run...freedom to just play

football! For the coach, there is no other defense that puts asmany tools at your disposal as the 3-5-3. Your imagination can run

wild drawing up blitzes and schemes for your opponent to deal with!

Finally, this is the only defense that can literally line up to any

formation, provide an answer for any threat and allow a coach to

find a home for almost any player on the roster. As you know, a high

school coach faces massive roster turnover every year coupled with

seeing very different offenses each week of the season (wishbone,

option, spread, etc.) No scheme provides more flexibility from year

-to-year and week-to-week than the 3-5-3 Defense!

Weaknesses of the 3-5-3 Defense

Every defense has weaknesses. This playbook will show you how to

deal with the weaknesses of the 3-5-3 including:

How to align to two Tight End run-heavy formations.

How to adjust to Trips formations.

How to line up to Unbalanced and Overload Formations.











No Huddle Defense

The 3-5-3 Defense is a no huddle defense. All players will be re-

sponsible for getting the call from sideline between plays. We do

this for a number of reasons:

The players do not have to learn every signal, only their

own. Calls are made up of three to five signals, and each

signal only speaks to one position group at a time. This

makes it much easier to quickly get our kids the call from

the sideline.

Modern offenses are often up-tempo or even no huddle. When

we encounter an offense like this, it does not phase us. Weare always no huddle, we are ready.

Players can line up presnap. Since we do not flip our per-

sonnel, the players can already be near their alignment be-

fore the offense breaks the huddle. This makes it much easi-

er to line up correctly. Getting lined up quickly and confi-

dently is half the battle to successful defensive play.

No huddle means one less thing to practice. We don’t have to

work on huddling up or calling plays in a huddle at practice.We signal every play at practice. This helps us move faster

and get in more reps. More reps leads to more wins.

If we do choose to flip your personnel to the offense’s

strength, this allows us to make a call faster and get our

personnel lined up quicker when the offense breaks the hud-

dle.

It is a much more fun, free and aggressive way to call plays.

Note: Signals are not included in this manual. Creating your

own signals makes it much easier to call plays for your team

on Friday night. It also maintains secrecy and security that

other teams will not be able to steal your calls during the

game.











Gaps & Alignment

When teaching defensive alignment, everyone on your staff and team

must use the same terminology to discuss positioning and points of

attack. We do this by naming the gaps between offensive players andpositions on their bodies: the inside shoulder, head-up and the out-

side shoulder. We call these “techniques.” Below are the gaps and

alignment techniques used in the 3-5-3 defense.

A Gap Space between the Guard and Center

B Gap Space between the Guard and Tackle

C Gap Space between the Guard and Tight End

D Gap Space between the Tight End and the Sideline

0,00,N N Head-up on Center. 0 On Center’s shoulder. 00 for LB.

1 (10) Inside shoulder of the Guard (1 for Line, 10 for LB)

2 (20) Head-up on the Guard (2 for Line, 20 for LB)

3 (30) Outside shoulder of the Guard (3 for Line, 30 for LB)

4 (40) Inside shoulder of the Tackle (4 for Line, 40 for LB)

5 (50) Head-up on the Tackle(5 for Line, 50 for LB)

6 (60) Outside shoulder of the Tackle (6 for Line, 60 for LB)

7 (70) Inside shoulder of the Tackle (7 for Line, 70 for LB)

8 (80) Head-up on Tight End (8 for Line, 80 for LB)

9 (90) Outside shoulder of Tight End (9 for Line, 90 for LB)











Positions & Playbook Symbols

Defense Symbols

Other Symbols

Position (aka) Symbol(s) Position Group

Noseguard (Nose) N Defensive Line

Defensive Tackles T Defensive Line

Middle Backer (Mike) M Inside Linebackers

Inside Backer

(Rob, Lou)

B, R, L Inside Linebackers

Outside Linebackers(Studs)

S, $ Outside Linebackers

Cornerbacks C, ¢ Defensive Backs

Free Safety F, F/S Defensive Backs

Offensive Player O Quarterback Q

Movement Man Coverage X- - - - - - - - -O

Blocking O X Center Or

Running Back R Fullback, #3 F

Split End X Flanker Z

Slot Receiver A Halfback, Slot H

Motion Tight End Y, TE

Head-Up Eye Alignment

Shoulder / Shade Defense Player X, V













Fronts











Fronts

Defensive Fronts

The 3-5-3 defense uses three primary fronts. A front is where the

defenders will stand at the beginning of the play, before executing

their blitz or stunt. The three fronts used by the 3-5-3 defense

are:

1) Stack

2) Shift

3) Lock

Stack - Our base alignment is called Stack: three defensive

linemen, five linebackers and three defensive backs.

Stack vs. 2x2 Pro Spread











Fronts

Stack Base Alignment Rules

Note: See Appendix for rules and adjustments against trips, quads,

overload, strange formations, etc.

Position Alignment Rules

Noseguard

(Nose)

N-Technique.

Head-up on the Offensive Center.

1/2 to 1 yard off the ball (depending on stunt).

Defensive

Tackles

(Rex, Lex)

5-Technique.

Head-up on the Offensive Tackles.

1/2 to 1 yard off the ball (depending on stunt).

Middle

Linebacker

(Mike)

NN-Technique.

Stacked directly behind the Noseguard.

4-1/2 yards off the ball.

Note: Can shade to a 00, if needed, to read keys.

Inside

Linebackers

(Rob, Lou)

50-Technique.

Stacked directly behind the Defensive Tackles.

4-1/2 yards off the ball.

If the Outside Linebacker leaves to cover a slot, and there is a

Tight End, “bump” down to a 2x2 alignment off the Tight End.

Outside

Linebackers

(Studs)

4x4 off the Offensive Tackle.

2x2 off a Tight End.

If there is a #2 slot receiver to his side, the Stud will align on

the slot’s outside eye.

Note: We usually designate a field Stud and a boundary Stud.

Cornerbacks

(Corners)

One Wide Receiver, 2x7 from receiver, inside leverage.

Two or more Wide Receivers, 2x7 from receiver, outside leverage.

Free

Safety

(Free)

Split the #2 eligible receivers (including backs).

12-17 yards deep depending on the formation.

More receivers, get deeper. Less, get closer.











Fronts

Defensive Fronts

Shift - Defensive Linemen align one man over toward the of-

fensive strength (Tight End side). So the strong side Defen-

sive Tackle will start head-up on the Tight End, the Nose-

guard will start head-up on the strong Offensive Guard and

the weak side Defensive Tackle will start head-up on the weak

side Offensive Guard.

Note: Must slant/rip & blitz weak Stud

The shift call is used when we are confident that the offense is go-

ing to attack the Tight End side of the formation. It also serves

as a great change-up for confusing the Offensive Guards (who are not

used to having defenders head-up on them). Shift also makes it very

difficult for a Tight End to release on a pass route.

Call: SHIFT, Slant Weak, Sword Weak











Fronts

Defensive Line Fronts

Lock - Defensive Linemen align on the shoulder of the offen-

sive player they are lined up on instead of our base head up

alignment. Linebackers fill in the gaps.

We use this as a change-up; when we really want to get some good gap

penetration or command double teams. Penetration works great with

smaller personnel. Commanding double teams works better with bigger

personnel. We also use this to gain a numbers advantage on the weak

side of the offensive formation. Works extremely well vs. weak side

play-action passes(waggles, boots, etc.) and counters.

Lock tells our defensive line to shoot gaps instead of attacking of-

fensive linemen. We tell them to use a rip technique on the near

offensive lineman, low and hard, and be ready to split a double

team. Their job is to create a new line of scrimmage with penetra-

tion and hit the first eligible number they see in the backfield.

LOCK Weak, Sword Strong











Terminology:

Stunts & Blitzes











Terminology

These are the terms you will use to build calls in the 3-5-3 de-

fense. By teaching your staff and players these terms, along with

basic alignment rules, you will be able to build calls that can han-

dle any offensive formation and play.

Directions

Directions are used to tell players where to attack. For example,

we may have the defensive line “slant right” if we think the point

of attack is going to develop to our right. All calls will be tagged

with a direction:

In - Defensive Tackles move toward the ball.

Out - Defensive Tackles move away from the ball.

For Out and In, add another direction for Noseguard.

Examples: “Out Strong” or “In Right”

Right - To the Defense’s right.

Left - To the Defense’s left.

Field - To the wide side of the field (when on a hash).

Boundary - Toward the sideline (when on a hash).

Strong - Toward the Tight End (Strength).

Weak - Away from the Tight End (Strength).

Us - Toward our sideline.

Them - Toward the opponent’s sideline.

Directions also help us to communicate offensive tendencies to our

players with-in the call, in real time. If it is 4th and three and

we think the offense is going to run toward the Tight End, we can

call “Slant Strong” and blitz a linebacker to the Tight End (strong)

side. This “clue” lets us quickly communicate to our players what

we are thinking and help them anticipate the point of attack.











Terminology

Calling the Strength of the Offensive Formation

The strong side of an offensive formation is where the offense has more

players to one side in relation to the center. If the formation is bal-anced, the strength is where the offense is generally more likely to at-

tack. If the strength is to the right we say “Ringo.” If the strength is

to the left we say “Lucky.”

The 3-5-3 defense uses the following sequence to determine the strength of

the offensive formation:

The single Tight End side. No matter how many players are on the

other side, in a single Tight End formation, the Tight End side

trumps every other trigger for a strength call.

NOTE: A Tight End is defined as the third man on the line

from the center to one side (i.e. Guard, Tackle, Tight End),

eligible or not.

2. If there is no Tight End, or there are Two Tight Ends, the side

with more players is the strength.

3. If the formation is balanced with the same amount of players on

either side of the Center (example: a 2x2 pistol formation with two

wide receivers to either side and a Quarterback with a Running Back

directly behind them) then the strength will be to our left. Other

options will be determined by game plan and could include:

To the wide side of the field (when on a hash).

To the opponent’s sideline.

Toward some other direction determined by opponent tenden-

cies.

NOTE: The Middle Linebacker makes the strength call every play! He will

use the word “Ringo” for right and “Lucky” for left. The Middle Lineback-

er must make a strength call every play, and all other players must use

what he says to execute their attack.











Terminology

Defensive Line Stunts

The defensive line calls tell the linemen which way to attack, the

technique to use against the offensive linemen and/or the line stunt

we are running.

Slant (+direction) - The defensive lineman aims for the hip

of the next man over. The lineman tries to hit him to protect

the linebackers. Do not penetrate more than 1-yard-deep.

Used to control the line of scrimmage and prevent over-

penetration.

Rip (+ direction) - The defensive lineman aims for the shoul-

der of the man he is lined up on, uses a “Rip” technique to

get through the line. Attack and penetrate. Disrupt the

play.

Rip

Slant











Terminology


NuT - “Nose under Tackle.” The Noseguard will slant out and

hit the Guard, then cross his face and defend C gap. The De-

fensive Tackle to the call side will then move over the Nose-

guard as he “blocks” the Offensive Guard. The Defensive Tack-

le must then attack aggressively through A gap. Backside De-

fensive Tackle rips.

TuN - “Tackle under Noseguard.” Opposite of NuT. The Defen-

sive Tackle will slant in and hit the Offensive Guard, then

cross his face to defend A gap. The Noseguard will move over

the Defensive Tackle and attack C gap. The Noseguard is not

penetrating, he is moving to C cap to defend off-tackle

plays. This is not as aggressive as NuT. TuN is used to get

an extra defender to the off-tackle area.

NuT

TuN











Terminology


Nut and TuN will allow one lineman to occupy multiple blockers while

freeing up other defenders at the point of attack. TuN is one ofour best calls vs. off-tackle plays. On film we have seen our 5-

technique hit the Guard and drive him through the Center. At the

same time the Offensive Tackle and Tight End chased the 5-technique

all the way down to the midline (trying to double team him). That’s

a four for one trade leaving the Noseguard, the Stud, the Middle

Backer and the Inside Backer all free at the point of attack. The

same principal works for NuT on inside plays (We often use NuT as a

pass rush stunt when we drop eight into coverage).

NuT

TuN











Terminology

Defensive Line Stunts (continued)

Bull (+direction) - Defensive linemen bull rush the man di-

rectly in front of them, punch, separate and then rip in the

direction of the call.

Bear - Defensive linemen thrust forward into the legs of the

linemen directly in front of them, drop to all fours and bear

crawl forward. The goal is to drive the offensive linemen

back and disrupt blocking schemes low and hard. We use this a

lot in the first quarter. We let the offensive line know

early that at any time they may get hit in the legs. This

opens up our slants, rips and locks into the backfield.

Defensive linemen have two jobs in the 3-5-3 defense. First, our

three linemen will attempt to cause confusion for the offensive

line. Take the Center for example. One play the Noseguard slants

right, the next left, the play after that the Noseguard bears into

the Center’s legs and then the next pulls to the off-tackle gap on a

TuN call. Look at the Offensive Guard on the same sequence. One

play he gets hit by the Noseguard, the next the Defensive Tackle,

the third nobody touches him and the fourth the Defensive Tackle

crosses his face. With this much confusion, it is possible for

three of our linemen to occupy five of our opponent’s linemen.

Second, the Defensive Line must make plays. They are not simply

pawns we are sacrificing to the Offensive Line. After they disrupt

and occupy the linemen, they must get free and pursue the football.

We expect every Linemen to make tackles every game. We work hard on

escape techniques and defeating double teams to make sure our play-

ers are equipped with the tools they need to meet these expecta-

tions.











Terminology

Linebacker Blitzes

Linebackers will receive a call when they are to blitz (ignore their

keys and attack a specified gap, penetrate, pursue the ball). As a

general rule, the Inside Linebackers will always attack the opposite

gap of the Defensive Linemen he is stacked behind. Example: If the

Noseguard slants toward the right A Gap, the Middle Linebacker would

attack the Left A gap on a called blitz.

Single Blitz (With line stunt, creates 4-man pressure)

Note: Weapons are single blitzes.

Ax - Middle Linebacker blitz.

Bullet (+direction) - Inside Linebacker blitz.

Sword (+direction) - Outside Linebacker blitz.

NOTE: Any blitz into the backfield attacks the NEAR BACK first,

Quarterback or Running Back. Take out the back to your side 1st!

If he’s blocking, THEN go to the Quarterback!

Slant Right,

Ax

Slant Right,

Bullet Left

Slant Strong,

Sword Right

Single Blitzes











Terminology

Double Linebacker Blitz (With line stunt, creates 5-man pressure)

NOTE: Animals are two man blitzes

Dog (+direction) - Middle Linebacker and Inside Backer to di-

rection.

Bats (+direction) - Inside Backer and the Stud to direction.

Wasp - Right and Left Inside Linebackers.

Snakes - Right and Left Outside Linebackers.

Out Strong, Dog Weak Slant Strong, Bats Strong

Out Strong, Wasp Slant Strong, Snakes

Note: Remember, every time the line call is changed, the look of the

blitz changes for the offense. “Out Strong, Dog Weak” is completely

different than “In Weak, Dog Weak” or “Rip Strong, Dog Weak.” The

3-5-3 defense has a modular feel, where a few line calls and a few

blitzes can be combined like building blocks to make an amazing ar-

ray of pressure packages to throw at the offensive line! Simple for

the defense to learn, difficult for the offense to block!











Terminology

Linebacker Blitzes (continued)

Triple Linebacker blitzes (With line, creates 6-man pressures)

When blitzing three Linebackers, combine a single blitz with

a double blitz.

For example: Slant Strong, Ax, Bats Strong.

Four Linebacker Blitzes (With line, creates 7 man pressures)

When blitzing four Linebackers, combine double blitzes

For example: Slant Strong, Dog Weak, Bats Strong

Note: When combining blitzes, always work the call inside-out.











Terminology

Five Linebacker Blitz (With line, creates 8-man pressure)

Storm - “Storm the Gates.” All five Linebackers blitz.

NOTE: By combining line stunts with blitzes, a coach can literally

create hundreds of different blitzes with the 3-5-3 Defense. For

example, take the most basic blitz in the defense: Ax. This simple

blitz can be combined with various line stunts to create many dif-

ferent pressures:

Slant Strong, Ax

Slant Weak, Ax

TuN Strong, Ax

TuN Weak, Ax

Rip Strong, Ax

Rip Weak, Ax

Etc.

Each combination of a line stunt and a blitz creates an entirely new

problem for the Offense to block. The 3-5-3 also has the ability to

add even more complexity into the blitz package with more advanced-

line stunts, crossing our linebackers into different gaps and even

blitzing our defensive backs.

There is simply no way an Offense can prepare for 3-5-3 defense in a

single week.

Additional line stunts, blitzes, pressures and defensive plays can

be found at 3-5-3defense.com.














Coverages











Coverages

The 3-5-3 defense will use three basic coverages:

Cover 3 (Zone) Codeword “GREEN”

Cover 1 (Man) Codeword “BROWN”

Prevent Codeword “WHITE”

Cover 3 is our every down defense. The bread-and-butter. We will

run this coverage 85% of the time.

Cover 1 is a change-up we use about 15% of the time when we blitzing

or in the Red Zone.

Prevent is used in end-of-half situations when we are protecting the

goal line from a hail mary / game winning pass attempt.

Coverage Philosophy:

Perfect a few coverages, don’t be halfway good at many.

Zone coverage as much as possible (better vs. the run).

Don’t give up long touchdowns.

Keep the ball in front of us, trap the ball with pursuit.

Blitz the passer! “The best pass defense is the Quarterback

on his back!”











Coverages

Cover-3

The 3-5-3 Defense primarily relies on a zone pass coverage. This pass coverage is called "Cover-3." Cover-3 simply means that we will

have three Defensive Backs backpedaling away from the line of scrim-

mage and protecting us against deep passes or to save touchdowns

verses long runs.

The remaining eight players will read the play and determine if the

offense is trying to run or pass. If it is a pass, three to five

other defenders will drop into underneath zones to stop short to me-

dium distance pass attempts.

The Zones we recognize in our Cover-3 shell are:

The Hole: 1-12 yards from the line of scrimmage, in between

the Offensive Tackles / Hashes.

The Hook/Curl: 1-12 yards from the line of scrimmage, outside

the Tackles, halfway to the near sideline. Hashes.

The Flats: 1-12 yards from the line of scrimmage, from the

hook/curl to the sideline. Hash to sideline.

The Deep 1/3rds: 12 yards form the line of scrimmage to the

back of the Endzone. Dividing the field into three parts.

Anything behind the line of scrimmage is a screen or check-

down route and is not honored until the ball is thrown.

Cover-3 Zones











Coverages

Cover-3 Pass Defense - Procedure:

The three Defensive Backs will backpedal at the snap and defend the

deep 1/3rds first. The five Linebackers will step forward and check

for a run. If they read run they will advance, close windows and

stop the run. If it is a fake run / play-action pass the Lineback-

ers who made it to the line of scrimmage will continue forward and

stop the pass with pressure.

If the five Linebackers get a pass read before reaching the line of

scrimmage, they will drop into specific zones according to the blitz

that was called. At least one Linebacker will blitz 95% of the time

in the 3-5-3 defense.

If there is no blitz, the Linebackers are responsible for the fol-

lowing zones. The two Outside Linebackers are responsible for the

Flats. The two Inside Linebackers are responsible for the Hook /

Curls. The Middle Linebacker is responsible for the Hole. This ar-

ea is also protected by the linemen (the Quarterback cannot easily

throw short routes in the Hole because he must throw over the Offen-

sive and Defensive Linemen).

Zone Responsibilies











Coverages

Cover-3 Zone Replacement When Blitzing

Zone Replacement Rules:

1. Nearest Linebacker(s) replaces blitzer(s)

2. Remaining Linebackers cover the field equally.

4 linebackers: Flats, Hook, Hook, Flats.

3 Linebackers: Hash, Hole (Between the Hashes), Hash.

2 Linebackers: Hash, Hash.

1 Linebackers: Hole.

When a single Linebacker blitzes, we simply replace him in coverage

with the nearest Linebacker, working inside out. This can create a

chain reaction down to the Middle Linebacker for replacing under-

neath zones.

For example, If the outside linebacker to the right blitzes, the

near inside linebacker will replace him in the flats on a pass read.

Then, the Middle Linebacker will replace the Inside Linebacker’s

pass drop in the Hook/Curl (we usually do not replace past the mid-

dle of the formation).

Example: Single blitz zone replacement











Coverages

Cover-3 Zone Replacement When Blitzing

By replacing our blitzing zones, the Quarterback is not only con-

fused where the blitz is coming from, but who is dropping into cov-

erage and where they are going to drop! This confusion can cause

the Quarterback to make mistakes and disrupt the offense’s hot readsdesigned to beat our blitz.

Inside Linebacker is replaced by Middle Linebacker











Coverages

Cover-3 Zone Replacement for Two Linebacker Blitzes

When two Linebackers blitz, the remaining three Linebackers will

drop to landmarks, regardless of the initial position of the ball.

The two Linebackers left closest to the sideline will drop just out-

side the Hashes (defending the Flats and the Hook/Curl). The Line-

backer in the middle will drop to the center of the field in the

middle of the Hashes (defending the Hole).

NOTE: A great advantage of using zone replacement instead of simply

voiding zones is that Linebackers will often drop into areas where

the Quarterback is not used to seeing defenders in the Cover-3. For

example, when we blitz two Linebackers, we drop into the Hole wherewe normally do not have a defender (in our normal four man pres-

sures).

The goal with any zone replacement strategy should be to put the re-

maining Linebackers in a position to cover as much of the field as

possible, to divide the field up equally and break on the ball.

Dog Left, Cover-3 Zone Replacement











Coverages

Cover-3 Zone Replacement for Three Linebacker blitzes

Cover-3 Zone Replacement for Four Linebacker Blitzes

Ax, Wasp, Cover 3 Zone Replacement.

Two remaining Linebackers drop to Hashes, regardless of

where the ball was at the beginning of the play.

Wasp, Snakes, Cover 3 Zone Replacement

Remaining Linebacker drops to the middle of the field.











Coverages

Cover-1

Cover-1 is our man-to-man defense with one Safety playing over the

top. This is used for three and four Linebacker blitzes when we are

expecting a sack from the pressure. We do not play Cover-0 (nosafety). Our Cover-1 rules are:

Corners take the first receiver from the sideline to his

side (#1). Inside leverage is always preferred.

Studs take the second receiver from the sideline to his

side (#2). Inside leverage is always preferred.

Inside Linebackers take the third receiver from the side-

line to his side or the first man out of the backfield;

whichever threat shows first (#3). Inside leverage is

always preferred. If Stud is on line, Mike helps with #3.

Exceptions:

If the Stud was supposed to blitz but has to align on a

#2 receiver, he will pass his blitz to the Inside Line-backer and cover his man. He alerts the Inside Lineback-

er by saying “Buck, Buck, Buck” as in “Pass the Buck.”

We can leave a man uncovered and blitz the Stud anyway by

tagging “Stay” at the end of the call meaning “Stay with

the call no matter what.”

When a Stud or Inside Linebacker must bump down to 2x2 on

a Tight End, he will rush the passer. He must alert the

next player inside to take his responsibility using the“Buck” alert (#2/3).

The Inside Linebackers can do the same thing with the

Mike if he needs to walk out on a #3.

NOTE: COMMUNICATE! Players must TELL EACH OTHER who they have.











Coverages

Cover-1

Cover-1 vs. 2x2 Spread Pro

Cover-1 vs. Wishbone

Note: Studs are both on the line 2x2 from the Tight Ends. They are rushing

the passer. Studs both “Buck.” The inside backer now has #2 or the first

man out and Mike will help with #3. Players must communicate when they are

exchanging responsibilities in Cover-1.











Coverages

Prevent

Our Prevent coverage is used at the end of a half when we are pro-

tecting the lead and no longer care about yardage or 1st downs. An-ything but a touchdown is acceptable. All eyes on the QB/ball!

One Defensive Tackle comes out for an additional Safety.

The remaining linemen align over the Guards and rip.

NuT, TuN, and other stunts are still available.

Mike lines up at nine yards and Spies Quarterback. Mikedrops under the post and forces the throw high at the snap.Stop Quarterback on scramble.

Inside Backers line up seven yards just inside the hash and

backpedal on the snap, eyes on the Quarterback. Studs expand to just inside the numbers and prevent short

throws from getting out of bounds.

The four Defensive Backs backpedal until the ball crosses theline of scrimmage. Never come up on a scramble, protect theGoalline at all costs.

We can still blitz the inside linebackers for pressure.











Calling Plays











Calling Plays

Using the terminology in this playbook, we can build calls that attack any

play the offense can run. Plays are called in the following order: Front,

Line Stunt, Linebacker Blitz, Coverage.

For example: Let’s say we are confident the offense is going to run an

outside / off-tackle play to the strong side Tight End.

We would call the following to overload the point of attack:

Front: SHIFT Defensive Line Stunt: RIP IN STRONG

Linebacker Blitz: SNAKES

Coverage: GREEN (Cover-3)

So the Entire Call would be: “Shift, Rip-In-Strong, Snakes, Green”

In the example above, we have aggressively attacked the point of attack

and the surrounding gaps. We have also forced the offense to deal with

three of our players around the point of attack (N, T & S) and protected

our linebackers; leaving at least two unblocked defenders at the point of

attack (M & B).

We can combine our fronts, line stunts, blitzes and coverages like build-

ing blocks to create any weapon we need to dominate any play or point of

attack. This flexibility gives us an answer for any offensive play,

scheme, down, distance or situation. That’s the power of the 3-5-3.











Formation Guide:

3-5-3 Alignment











Formation Guide: 0 Tight Ends

O Tight Ends, 1 Running Back

O Tight Ends, 1 Running Back












O Tight Ends, 2 Running Backs

O Tight Ends, 3 Running Backs











Formation Guide: 1 Tight End

1 Tight End, 1 Running Back

1 Tight Ends, 1 Running Back (Tight End Trips)












1 Tight End, 1 Running Back

1 Tight Ends, 2 Running Back












1 Tight End, 2 Running Backs

1 Tight Ends, 3 Running Backs












2 Tight Ends, 1 Running Back

2 Tight Ends, 1 Running Back (Tight End Trips)











Formation Guide: Empty


1 Tight End, 0 Running Backs











Formation Guide: Empty












Appendix











Appendix A: Unbalanced Formations

One of the best things about running the 3-5-3 defense is how easily it

lines up to a wide variety formations. One of the most difficult situa-

tions an offense can present to a defense is an unbalanced set.

Unbalanced formations are rule breakers. They put a lot of power on one

side of the formation, and create eligible receivers where there should

not be any. This can pose serious alignment problems for young football

players and can allow a good Offensive Coordinator to free up a receiver

where the secondary did not expect him to be!

To create an unbalanced formation, the offense will usually move an Offen-

sive Tackle from one side of the formation to the other and the Tight End

will slide down and stand where the Tackle was. The side with the Tackle

is the unbalanced side. We call it unbalanced because more linemen are to

one side of the Center than the other.

The Receiver to the unbalanced side is ON the line, the receiver to the

Tight End side is OFF the line. This creates a situation where the Tight

End is eligible, even though he is lined up in a spot that is normally an

Offensive Lineman.

The Free Safety must find the eligible receivers and account for them!











Appendix A: Unbalanced Formations

Our alignment to an unbalanced set does not change. We treat the extra

Tackle on strong side as a Tight End for alignment purposes (even though

he is not eligible for a pass). The Stud on that side will simply reduce

to a 2x2 alignment off of the unbalanced Offensive Tackle as he normallywould on a Tight End. The Tackle to the unbalanced side will align head-

up on the true Offensive Tackle.

On the weak side, since the eligible Tight End is lined up where the Tack-

le normally would, the Defensive Tackle treats him as such and takes his

normal head-up alignment.

The only player truly affected is the Free Safety. He must follow his

"split the 2's" rule and recognize where the eligible receiver is lined

up. This may put him on the weak side of the formation, where normally he

his on the strong side. However, that is where he is needed if the Tight

End releases for a pass.

The Free Safety must also be aware that if the offense runs off-tackle to

the unbalanced side, he must be there to support the run through the al-

ley. The left Inside Linebacker is vulnerable to a down-block from the

Unbalanced Tackle. If the Linebacker gets washed down or fails to cross-face the down-block, the Free Safety must replace the Linebacker's run

fit.

For more information about defending unbalanced formations, go to:

http://3-5-3defense.com/defending-unbalanced-offensive-formations/














Appendix B: Overload Formations

On overload formation has four players on one side of the Center. This

formation creates an extra gap (E gap) and outflanks most defenses.

Many defenses must shift their entire front to properly align to an over-

load set. Not the 3-5-3 defense.

The 3-5-3 uses the inside linebackers to line up to overload formations.

We will treat the overload set much like a Tight End trips formation. The

Stud Linebacker will align outside the fourth man (the end man on the

line) like he normally would on a Tight End (2x2) and protect E gap. The

Inside Linebacker to the overload side will now line up on the line of

scrimmage in the D gap and blitz it. The Middle Linebacker and the weakside Inside Linebacker will now bump toward the overload lining up over

the Offensive Guards. Our linemen and secondary use their normal rules.

The Free Safety will cheat toward the overload to help vs. the run. This

is one of the few instances where the Free will not “split the #2’s.”

We now have total gap control over the overload formation, with minimal

adjustments to our alignment rules.











Appendix C: Trips Adjustments

Whenever we encounter a trips formation (three eligible receivers to one

side) we “Box it.”

The Stud will align in the middle of the Trips, usually head up on

#2. In the event of a pass, the stud will drop to the flats and

take any receiver that comes low and outside.

In the event of a pass, the Inside Linebacker to the side of the

Trips will drop Hook / Curl and take any receiver that comes low

and inside.

The Free Safety and corner will align in such a way that they can

surround the trips.

In the event of a pass, the Free Safety will take anything that

comes high and inside.

In the event of a pas, the Cornerback takes any receiver that

comes high and outside.

The side away from the Trips will usually play man coverage.











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The 353 Defense by Shane Sams CoachXO Dot Com

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