4-4 Defense

Question
Hi coach,

I am running the 4-4 Defense for the first time this year and I was wondering if you could give me some tips and responsibilities of each position in the 4-4.

Thanks for your help.

Answer
Ernie,

In the 4-4 there are several important areas. First of all the defensive tackles play a 3 technique on the outside eye of the offensive guards. They need to force double teams so that the OT cant block down on the inside backers.

In the outside unit I normally play the OB to the TE side head up and have the DE to that side play right off the outside shoulder of the TE. To the split side the DE plays 1 yard outside the OT and the backer normally stacks him.

You will have a 3 deep secondary that can play thirds against the pass and rotate to sweep and option.

Look on line for details. Lots of good info on the 4-4 on the web.

Good luck with you season.

Mark