The 4-3 Defense is a scheme used in all levels of football today. The basic defensive scheme is cited as the most commonly used formation for defense in the sport and especially in the National Football League. The formation consists of four down linemen (two defensive ends and two defensive tackles) as well as three linebackers (two outside linebackers and one middle linebacker).
Origins of the 4-3 Defense
The 4-3 Defense originated with New York Giants coach Tom Landry in the 1950s. Given the fact the formation is used primarily to stop the run the defensive formation was a way for the Giants to stop Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown.
The formation has also been credited to Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Garrard Ramsey in the Lions' heyday, the 1950s. While who created the scheme is up to debate what isn't is that the formation originated in the 1950s.
Defensive Assignments
The different position players in the 4-3 Defense play different roles in the scheme. Arguably the most important position in the 4-3 defense are the two defensive ends. The lack of linebackers in the scheme give the defensive ends more pressure to not only stop the run up the middle, create pressure on the quarterback, but to also stop the run to the outside.
Defensive Ends
The defensive ends in the 4-3 Defense line up to the outside of the four down linemen. Both players are responsible for a variety of different things, the most important being to stop the run if the offense runs the ball up the middle, or to put pressure on the quarterback if the offense decides to throw.
If the defense decides to play a zone (that is two or all of the linebackers fall back into coverage instead of plug the line) then the defensive ends is responsible for getting to the ball, whether that be the quarterback, the running back up the middle, or the running back to the outside.
To run the 4-3 Defense to its' utmost ability the defensive ends must be not only strong, but uncommonly fast to stop the sweep.
Defensive Tackles
The defensive tackles assignments are to stop the run up the middle or put pressure on the quarterback during a passing play. The defensive tackles assignments differ little by formation. In extreme circumstances one of the tackles may fall back into coverage to confuse the offense during a zone blitz or zone defense.
Linebackers
The linebacker's assignment in the 4-3 defense vary defending on the play call. In most circumstances the outside linebackers fill the gaps in the offensive line to stop the run while the middle linebacker stays in a zone coverage. In a blitz package all three may rush the quarterback, or in a zone coverage two may fall back into coverage with one filling a gap in the line.
The outside linebackers are primarily used to either fall back into coverage or stop the sweep by a running back. The middle linebacker will rush the quarterback more often than not.
Secondary Assignments
In the 4-3 Defense the cornerbacks are responsible for man coverage on the wide recievers while the free safety is responsible to stop the deep pass and the strong safety is responsible to pick up a wide reciever in a three wideout set or stop the run.
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