The 3-4 defense is so named because of the three down linemen on the line of scrimmage and the four linebackers behind the defensive line. The formation also includes four defensive backs. Most teams since the 1990's have been using a 4-3 defense (so named because of the four linemen and three linebackers) because of the "run first" mentality in the game of football today.
The 3-4 Defense's Origins
The defensive scheme originated in Oklahoma in the 1940's thanks to Bud Wilkinson. Chuck Fairbanks learned the defensive set from Wilkinson and is credited with bringing the formation into the National Football League. The 1972 Miami Dolphins were the first team to successfully use the 3-4 defense to win a championship.
Advantages of the 3-4 Defense
The 3-4 Defense works best against a team that enjoys sweeping their running back to the outside or having their wide recievers run slant routes through the middle. It is easy to confuse the offense with the 3-4 defense by showing different blitz packages with the linebackers who may blitz or fall back into coverage.
The linebacking positions are made up of two outside linebackers and two inside linebackers. With speedy outside linebacker and powerful inside linebackers the 3-4 Defense is the most advantageous. Outside linebackers can track down passes across the middle or running backs sweeping to the outside while the inside linebackers can stop the run up the middle (though running up the middle is the best way to take advantage of the 3-4 Defense).
Disadvantages of the 3-4 Defense
The disadvantages of the 3-4 Defense lie inside its advantages. With four linebackers stacked in the middle of the field the offense can opt to put more wide receivers on the line of scrimmage (i.e. in a spread offensive scheme) leaving one or both of the outside linebackers to cover a speedier wide receiver in the slot, an obvious mismatch for the defense.
Another disadvantage is in the offensive running game. If the offense opts to run the ball up the middle while the defense opts to have its linebackers drop back in coverage then the running back can only be stopped at the line by the three linemen, who will be taking on a host of big offensive linemen.
Defensive Responsibilties of the 3-4 Defense
Linemen: As with any defense the three down linemen in the 3-4 Defense are responsible for getting to the quarterback if the offense opts to pass or getting to the running back if the offense opts to run.
Linebackers: The four linebackers in the 3-4 Defense have varying responsibilities depending on the play called. They inside linebackers are often responsible for stopping the run up the middle, while the outside linebackers are often responsible for stopping the outside run or sometimes the pass if the defense opts to have them fall back into a zone.
Secondary: The 3-4 Defense is made up of four defensive backs. Two cornerbacks and two safetys (one free safety and the other strong safety). The two cornerbacks are responsible for jamming the recievers they cover within five yards of the reciever's route, disrupting the offensive play. The free safety roams free (hence the name) in the backfield looking to stop the deep pass while the strong safety is responsible for locking on the running back.
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