Req EDU: strategies in football

[blue_fox]

I get most of the rules I think but don't know things like:
when to blitz
why use a sweep play
advantages of 4-3 versus 3-4
when to use zone defense versus man to man
best times to run versus throw (more than just running is safer but gets you shorter yardage)
choosing weak side versus strong side offensive plays

thanks. I'm sure anyone who's really into football could easily answer these questions/more about strategies in football :)

[meanbeans]

I get most of the rules I think but don't know things like:
when to blitz
why use a sweep play
advantages of 4-3 versus 3-4
when to use zone defense versus man to man
best times to run versus throw (more than just running is safer but gets you shorter yardage)
choosing weak side versus strong side offensive plays

thanks. I'm sure anyone who's really into football could easily answer these questions/more about strategies in football :)

you want to blitz when you expect your opponent to be passing and you want to rush the pass to force the QB to make a mistake, or just to stop them when they aren't expecting the blitz. the downside is you leave wide receivers in single coverage, and if you're blitzing linebackers in the middle, the rb can run to the outside

a sweep stretches the defense and a good mix of plays keeps the opponent guessing enabling you to win the mental game

the difference between 4-3 and 3-4 is simple. if you have the extra good linebacker, sometimes its good to add speed at the cost of power

zone and man are really dependent on so many things like how good your defensive backs are, the capability of opposing QB, tendency of play selection by the offense. just think of it like zone allows you to surprise the offense, but man coverage is usually tigher

run/pass and weak/strong are to keep the opponent guessing and set up future plays

[blue_fox]

thanks!

[real2man]

he pretty much got everything but also on when to rush vs. throw

you want to keep a d on their feet so you mix it up during the game but most of the time you either need to run to set up the pass or vice versa in the beginning drives

obviously depending on whether you have lead or not towards the end of the game you'll either run or pass

being able to get a 50/50 mix of both is usually pretty good and means you have a balanced attack

[smoof]

I agree with above posts, but the 4-3/3-4 and 5-2, and 6-2 defensive packages are all changes in order to confuse the offense. The offensive linemen usually have rules they follow, which direct them to who they should block, and it keeps them on their toes a bit, having to think about who they are going to block, especially true if the defense shifts! but yeah 4-3 for run 3-4 for pass/outside play like toss or sweep, or even a bootleg pass!

[blue_fox]

Thanks, your answers have been helpful. Another one: When should options be used?

[real2man]

Thanks, your answers have been helpful. Another one: When should options be used?

thats an iffy, more of a high school/college play really


could be mixed in with the number of run plays you run, can be used in any time just basically all on the quarterback to make the right decision with it based on the defense

[blue_fox]

nice av ;)

[parollout]

When to blitz- always
sweep- spread the defense out make them tackle in space
4-3 gives more pressure up front, 3-4 better for containment and pass plays.
zone- when not blitzing or short underneath routes
run- whenver on first downs usually to put pressure on the defense and take the advantage
strong v weak- strong gets a better block but use weak to switch it up and take pressure off strong side tackle


Just like that, youre a better coach than Charlie Weis

[rb26dett]

Agree with mostly everything that was said. I just want to add:
the advantages of a 4-3 over a 3-4 and vice-versa rely a lot on the skill and talent of the players you have at your disposal. A large responsibility as a defensive linemen is to keep the offensive linemen and fullback away from the linebackers. Like most NFL teams who use a 3-4 defense, if you have a dominant nose tackle or end that all but requires a double team every play, then you have more linebackers that are able to make the play.

Its not the only benefit to a 3-4, but yeah. Usually if the o-linemen get up to the nezt level, its bad news for the defense.

[Apollo]

he pretty much got everything but also on when to rush vs. throw

you want to keep a d on their feet so you mix it up during the game but most of the time you either need to run to set up the pass or vice versa in the beginning drives

obviously depending on whether you have lead or not towards the end of the game you'll either run or pass

being able to get a 50/50 mix of both is usually pretty good and means you have a balanced attack

You don't need 50/50 at all to be successful. We run about 78% of the time at GT.

[lancer]

dont get hit when you're the ball carrier. hit the shit out of the ball carrier.