1. Defending the power runs, run fits and option responsibilities.
3-5-3 Defense
Defending the power runs, run fits and option responsibilities.
Thomas Cousins

2. DEFENDING POWER FORMATIONS AND RUNS
CANNOT GET OUTFLANKED BY FORMATION.
ALWAYS CHECK FOR PLAYACTION.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS BOUNCE EVERYTHING TO THE OUTSIDE
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS FORCE EVERYTHING INSIDE.

3. Power formations
We consider any type of double tight or double slot formation to be a power formation. Examples include:
Double tight end
Double wing
Double tight L backs
Unbalanced
Overload

4. Defending Double Tight BLAST
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C
VS. DOUBLE TIGHT WE WANT OUR STUD AND WHIP TO TIGHTEN UP TO 1x4

5. Defending Double Tight TOSS SWEEP
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C
VS. DOUBLE TIGHT WE WANT OUR STUD AND WHIP TO TIGHTEN UP TO 1x4

6. Defending Double Tight wing BLAST
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C
VS. DOUBLE TIGHT WE WANT OUR STUD AND WHIP TO TIGHTEN UP TO 1x4

7. Defending Double Tight wing WINGBACK LEAD
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C
VS. DOUBLE TIGHT WE WANT OUR STUD AND WHIP TO TIGHTEN UP TO 1x4
STUD MUST GET UPFIELD AND FORCE THE PLAY INSIDE

8. Defending Double wing WINGBACK COUNTER
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C
VS. DOUBLE TIGHT WING WE WANT OUR STUD AND WHIP TO TIGHTEN UP TO 1x4 OUTSIDE OF WINGBACK
STUD MUST GET UPFIELD AND FORCE THE PLAY INSIDE

9. Defending Double Tight overload
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C

10. Defending Double slot T N T WP W M S ST C FS C
CAN STAY COVER 3 OR CHECK TO COVER
1 (MAN FREE)

11. Other options vs. power formations
TUFF
GOALLINE

12. TUFF
T N T ST
WP W M S
C FS C

13. Goal line vs. double tight
WP T N T ST
W M S
C FS C
GOALLINE IS AN AUTOMATIC IN- MIKE GO
WE CAN, AND WILL, GET INTO GOALLINE ANYWHERE ON THE FIELD

14. Goal line vs. Double Tight Wing
WP T N T ST
W M S C FS C

15. Defending the option

16. Because we always slant our front either right or left, our option rules may change depending on the direction of the slant and the type of option being run. We do have a base set of option responsibilities in place. But as stated earlier they can and will change.

17. Base option rules Tackles- slant in dive, slant out Qb Nose- dive
Mike- dive
Sam and Will- opposite of tackle- if the tackle slants out you have dive. If he slants in you have QB
Stud and Whip- straight to pitch.
Free safety- QB to pitch
Corners- Pitch (late)

18. inside veer vs. slant weak
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C

19. inside veer vs. slant strong
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C

20. midline vs. slant weak
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C

21. Speed option vs. slant weak
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C

22. Blitzes we like to use vs. the option
In- fire- sam go
Pinch- dog strong
Slant weak- mike go

23. In fire sam go vs. inside veer
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C

24. Pinch dog strong vs. inside veer
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C

25. Slant weak mike go vs. midline
T N T
WP W M S ST
C FS C

26. Closing
All year we kept expecting someone to line up in a power formation and be able to line up and just mash us.
It never happened. If you can get good penetration with your DL and your linebackers fit correctly, we feel as if we can line up and play with anyone.