1. 3-3 Defense: Defending Special Formations & Plays
JOHN RICE
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
CANYON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
MORENO VALLEY, CA
(951)

2. First, we will cover the following Trips Formations:
“Trips Open”
“Trey”
“Tight End Trips”
“Trio”

3. Next we will cover the following Quads Formations:
“Quads Open”
“Tight End opposite Quads”
“Tight End Quads”

4. Next, we will cover the following Formations:
“Unbalanced”
“Bunches”
“Stacks”

5. Finally, we will cover the following Formations:
“Stack I”
“Power I”
“Double Wing”
“Wing T”

6. Review of Gap ResponsibilitesM A B C E N E S B B L R

7. Review of base alignment rules
“2 by 2 formations”
“2 by 1 formations
LBs slide ½ man over”
“PULL Call; 3 by 1
Formations-LBs slide 1
man over” E S R L C M B F N E S C R L M B F N
LB to side of trips split difference between #3 and OT S C B F R L M E N E N S L M R B C C F

8. Aligning to Trips Formations:
3 Shell
2 Shell
Trips Open
Box intact; FS adjusts
“Pull” Call
2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts
“Pull” Call E N E B E N E S B S L M R L M R C C C C F F E N E E N E S S C C C C L M R L M R F B F B
Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

9. Quarters to trips side; Soft 2 to single side
Strategy vs. Trips Formations:
Quarters to trips side; Soft 2 to single side
Quarters to trips side
Soft Cover 2
Soft 2 to single cut side E N E S C C L M R F B
Deep 1/4
Deep 1/4
Deep ½;
Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

10. Man #1 Trips side; Soft 2 everywhere else
Strategy vs. Trips Formations:
Man #1 Trips side; Soft 2 everywhere else
Soft Cover 2
Corner man #1 E N E S C C L M R F B
Deep 1/4
Deep ½;

11. Aligning to Trey (TE Trips):
3 Shell
2 Shell
“Trey” “Pull” Call
Box intact; FS adjusts
“Pull” Call
2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts S E N E N R L E C F M B S B L M R C C F E N E S B C L M R E N E S C B L M R F C F C
Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

12. Aligning to TE Trips “Trey” Box intact; FS adjusts
“Pull” Call
2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts
3 Shell
2 Shell E N E E N E B S B S L M R L M R C C C C F F E N E S C L M R C E N E S C L M R C B F F B
Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

13. Aligning to Empty Formations
3 Shell
2 Shell
“Pull” Call
Box intact;
FS adjusts
2 by 2 rules; R adjusts E N E S E N E S B B L M R L M R C C C C F F S E N E E N E S C C C L M R C L M R B B F F
Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

14. Quarters to trips side; Soft 2 to single side
Strategy vs. Empty Formations:
Quarters to trips side; Soft 2 to single side
Quarters to trips side
Soft Cover 2
Soft 2 to single cut side E N E S C C L M R F B
Deep 1/4
Deep 1/4
Deep ½;
Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

15. Man #1 Trips side; Soft 2 everywhere else
Strategy vs. Empty Formations:
Man #1 Trips side; Soft 2 everywhere else
Soft Cover 2
Corner man #1 E N E S C C L M R F B
Deep 1/4
Deep ½;

16. Aligning to Bunch Formations
3 Shell
2 Shell
“Tight Bunch” “Pull” Call
Box intact;
FS adjusts
“Pull” Call
2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts E N E S E N E S B B L M R L M R C C C C F F N R L E C F M B S N R L E C F M B S C
Coaching Point: Outflank bunches and POUND on the point man!

17. Man Point Man; Banjo the other 2
Strategy vs. Bunch Formations:
Man Point Man; Banjo the other 2
Vs. Normal pick route
Vs. Whip route
Vs. Bubble (Bubble-n-Go) S S S C F C F C F

18. Man Point Man; Banjo the other 2
Strategy vs. Bunch Formations:
Man Point Man; Banjo the other 2
Corner’s rule:Cover the widestOr the shortest route C S F
Vs. route away from
banjo leverage C S F
Vs. route away from
banjo leverage
Vs. Smash S C F

19. Play a two shell behind it.
Strategy vs. Bunch Formations:
Play a two shell behind it. N R L E C F M B S

20. Aligning to Quads Formations:
3 Shell
2 Shell
Quads opposite TE
Box intact; FS adjusts
“Pull” Call
2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts
“Pull” Call E N E B E N E S B S L M R L M R C C C C F F E N E E N E S S C C C C R L M R L M F B F B
Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

21. Aligning to Quads Formations:
3 Shell
2 Shell
Quads Open
Box intact; Bandit Over/
FS adjusts/
“Pull” Call
2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts
“Pull” Call Bandit Over E N E S E N E S B B L M R L M R C C C C F F E N E S E N E S C C C L M R L M R C F B F B
Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

22. Aligning to Quads Formations:
3 Shell
2 Shell
TE Quads
Box intact; Bandit Over/
FS adjusts/
“Pull” Call
2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts
“Pull” Call Bandit Over E N E S E N E S B B L M R L M R C C C C F F E N C E E N E S S C C L M R L M R C F B F B
Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

23. We will cover the following Formations:
“Unbalanced”
“Bunches”
“Stacks”
“Empty”

24. Defending a Stack “I”

25. Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Stack “I”R C C F

26. Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3
*Extremely challenging to defend this play E N E S B L M R C C F

27. Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3
Playside End technique vs. Counter
RB must change
Course; crease doesn’t exist E N E S
End wrong arms the puller off the rear end of the Tackle’ block. B L M R C C
Corner is secondary force;
Usually unaccounted for & can
Make the tackle for a loss or short gain F

28. Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3
Backside End technique vs. Counter
RB must change
Course; crease doesn’t exist E N E S B L M R
End chases pulling Tackle; if he encounters FB, he must rip through his block and pursue down the line C C
Corner is secondary force;
Usually unaccounted for & can
Make the tackle for a loss or short gain F

29. Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3
End technique vs. Counter
Built in calls:
Pinch
Anchor
Torpedo
Smoke
Torch
Slants
Right
Left E N E S B L M R C C F

30. Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3
Corner, Spur, & Free Safety Technique vs. Counter
“Alley”
Spur keys TE; Read BP step; On TE down, plant, drive to force with outside in-leverage. E N E S B L M R
FS keys uncovered linemen;
Read BP step; plant, drive to alley with inside-out leverage. C C F
C keys TE; Read BP step; On TE down, plant, drive to alley with outside in-leverage.

31. Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3
Lion, Mike, & Ram Technique vs. Counter E N E S B
Playside outside LB (Lion or Ram): Key guard to near back; on any DOWN block on nose (even if split-flow), attack B gap, play opposite the End/pulling lineman’s collision; if you feel pressure from TE, fight pressure with pressure. L M R C C F

32. Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3
Mike Technique vs. Counter E N E S B L M R C
Mike Key Center-guard to near back triangle; on any DOWN block on nose (even if split-flow), play opposite A Gap, then shuffle to fit; Rip under OT’s block C F

33. Stack “I” Counter vs. Base 3-3
Backside Linebacker Technique vs. Counter E N E S B L M R C
Mike-Key Center-guard to near back; on any PULL away, step up, secure B Gap, then shuffle to fit; Rip under OT’s block if necessary. C F

34. Defending Power “I”

35. Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Power “I”C C F

36. Base 3-3 vs. Power “I” Lead E N E S B L M R C C F

37. Technique vs. Power “I” Lead
Check to Bear Front
Slant to TE
Corner fast fill on run read
FS fast fill on run read
Bandit contain Blitz;
and Squeeze hole! E N E B S L M R C C F

38. Defending the Double Wing

39. Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Double WingR C C F

40. Strategy 1 vs. Double Wing: Play Base.
4 x 4 E N E
4 x 4 S B L M R C C
Minor Change-Ups:
Slant the line left and right
Run 4, 5 & Pressure with INSIDE Linebackers
Watch out for:
TE vertical releases
Outside Zone Play F
Coaching Point:
Free Safety must be the equalizer vs. run!

41. Strategy 2 vs. Double Wing: Walk up Spur and/or Bandit
1 x 1 E N E
1 x 1 S B L M R C C
Minor Change-Ups:
Slant the line left and right
Run all 4, 5 & 6 man pressure
Watch out for:
TE vertical releases
Outside Zone Play F
Coaching Point:
Free Safety must Cover for Blitzing Spur or Bandit

42. Spill everything outside to the Spur & Bandit
Strategy 3 vs. Double Wing: Walk up Outside Backers into a 3 point stance & slant them inside (One or both sides).
2x 3
2x 3 L E N E R B S M C C
Watch out for:
Counter
Speed Option
Quick Traps
Minor Change-Ups:
Back off Spur & Bandit
So they can play as fold
Players for counter F
Coaching Point:
Spill everything outside to the Spur & Bandit

43. Spill everything outside to the Spur & Bandit
Strategy 3 vs. Double Wing: Walk up Spur and Bandit into a 9 Tech & Blitz them to wrong arm the pullers (One or both sides). S E N E B L M R C C
Watch out for:
Counter
Speed Option
Quick Traps
Minor Change-Ups:
Back off Spur & Bandit
So they can play as fold
Players for counter F
Coaching Point:
Spill everything outside to the Spur & Bandit

44. Defending the Wing-T (Based on Assignment Conflict)

45. Strategy: Corner & FS Key TE & Wing
“Wing-t teams have traditionally had a great deal of difficulty attacking these defensive spacings because they have elected to stay in traditional wing formations with a tight end wingback on one side and a split end diveback on the other side. By doing this, offensive coaches are playing right into the defensive coaches hands. Why? Because the free safety favors the tight end side so that he can cover the tight end when the defense elects to blitz. As soon as the tight end blocks the free safety is in the run support and tile offensive coach has created another linebacker. The corner is also rolled up to the tight end wingback side and he is assigned to cover the wingback when they blitz. When the wingback blocks another additional linebacker has been created. By now the offense is hopelessly outnumbered but many coaches stubbornly continue to try to force the bucksweep and other tight end wingback plays into bad numbers.”-DENNIS CREEHAN
Get your Strong Corner and Free Safety flying up to support the run
when they get down blocks from the wing and tight end!

46. Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Wing-T
We see:
Buck-Sweep
Boot Pass
Jet Sweep
Belly M N R L E S B C F

47. ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS
6 ½ THIS SIDE
4 ½ THIS SIDE
1/2 5 1 1
1/2 2 3 4 3 2
1/2 E N E S B 3
1/2 3 2 2 L M R 1 4 5 4 C C 1 F 6

48. 1. ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS
½ THIS SIDE
½ THIS SIDE
1/2 1 2 1
1/2 2 3 4 3 4
1/2 E N E S B 3
1/2 3
1/2 2 2 L M R 1 4
1/2 4 C C 1 F
1/2

49. 1.ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS
½ THIS SIDE
½ THIS SIDE
1/2 1 2
1/2 3 2 3 4 1 4 E
1/2 E B N S 3
1/2 3 C
1/2 2 2 L M R 1 1 4
1/2 4 C F
1/2

50. 1.ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS
½ THIS SIDE 4
½ THIS SIDE
1/2 1
1/2 1 2 3 4 2 3 E
1/2 E N S B 3
1/2 3
1/2 2 2 L M R 1 4
1/2 4 C C 1 F
1/2

51. PRE SNAP GUIDELINES TO DEFENDING WING T
ADJUST TO ALL FORMATIONS AND MOTION; DON’T ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE OUTFLANKED
DON’T PUT EVERYONE UP ON THE LINE (ANGLE DOWN-KICK OUT!)
BEWARE OF MAN COVERAGE VS. THE OPTION! (EX: DOWN OPTION)
KNOW YOUR KEY(S)

52. STRATEGY FOR PLANNING CHECK FOR FALSE KEYS FROM EACH
OF THE 4 TRADITIONAL KEYS: WING/SLOT, FULLBACK, HALFBACK, LINE (& perhaps slanting to motion)
IF YOU HAVE ONE WITH NO FALSE KEYS (OR VERY FEW), USE THAT PARTICULAR KEY UNTIL THEY MAKE YOU GET OFF IT

53. CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES IN DEFENDING THE WING T
*IT IS A FOUR BACK OFFENSE 2 3 1 4

54. CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES IN DEFENDING THE WING T
*IT HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF OPTION
Down Option
Arc Option
Speed Option

55. UNDERSTANDING THE WING T
COACHES HAVE TRADITIONALLY USED 4 “KEYS” IN DEFENDING THE WING T
WING OR SLOT MOTION (PLAY TO THE MOTION)
FULLBACK (IF HE IS NOT ON THE MIDLINE, HE USUALLY TAKES YOU TO THE DIRECTION OF THE PLAY)
HALFBACK
OFFENSIVE LINE
Problems occur with these because of false keys!

56. KEYING HALFBACK TRUE KEYS (HB will take you to the ball)
TAKES YOU TO THE BALL IN THE BUCK SERIES?
SWEEP-YES
GUT
WAGGLE SHOVEL PASS
BELLY SERIES
SALLY
COUNTER XX
FALSE KEYS USED
WAGGLE
WAGGLE SHOVEL PASS
BELLY BOOTLEG
BELLY X BLOCK OPTION
BELLY KEEP PASS LOAD
SALLY
COUNTER XX

57. KEYING FULLBACK FALSE KEYS USED BELLY BOOTLEG
SALLY OR BELLY TACKLE TRAP
COUNTER TREY BOOTLEG

58. KEYING THE WING OR SLOT:
FALSE KEYS UTILIZED
FALSE MOTION BY WING OR SLOT KEY PLAYS (AWAY FROM MOTION BY SLOT OR WING
WAGGLE
POWER OPTION (SPEED OPTION TO TE)
SALLY (WING T SPRINT DRAW ACTION)
COUNTER TREY (TO TE)
DOWN (ON MOTION AWAY)
SHOVEL PASS
TRAP OPTION (ON MOTION AWAY)

59. Strategy: Corner & FS Key TE & Wing
“Wing-t teams have traditionally had a great deal of difficulty attacking these defensive spacings because they have elected to stay in traditional wing formations with a tight end wingback on one side and a split end diveback on the other side. By doing this, offensive coaches are playing right into the defensive coaches hands. Why? Because the free safety favors the tight end side so that he can cover the tight end when the defense elects to blitz. As soon as the tight end blocks the free safety is in the run support and tile offensive coach has created another linebacker. The corner is also rolled up to the tight end wingback side and he is assigned to cover the wingback when they blitz. When the wingback blocks another additional linebacker has been created. By now the offense is hopelessly outnumbered but many coaches stubbornly continue to try to force the bucksweep and other tight end wingback plays into bad numbers.”-DENNIS CREEHAN
Get your Strong Corner and Free Safety flying up to support the run
when they get down blocks from the wing and tight end!

60. Strategies that put you at risk:
2. Man coverage vs. Jet Sweep
*Offense can get into a compressed formation playside and run off the playside defenders with crossing routes. E N E S B L M R C C F

61. Strategies that put you at risk:
Wrong arm technique by Spur or Bandit (vs. any load or lead scheme by HB) s c L M R B s c L M R B

62. 3.BEWARE OF MAN COVERAGE VS. THE OPTION! (EX: DOWN OPTION).
*Offense can run off playside defenders with drag routes F C B M L B s

63. ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS
6 ½ THIS SIDE
4 ½ THIS SIDE
1/2 5 1 1
1/2 2 3 4 3 2
1/2 E N E S B 3
1/2 3 2 2 L M R 1 4 5 4 C C 1 F 6

64. 1. ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS
½ THIS SIDE
½ THIS SIDE
1/2 1 2 1
1/2 2 3 4 3 4
1/2 E N E S B 3
1/2 3
1/2 2 2 L M R 1 4
1/2 4 C C 1 F
1/2

65. 1.ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS
½ THIS SIDE
½ THIS SIDE
1/2 1 2
1/2 3 2 3 4 1 4 E
1/2 E B N S 3
1/2 3 C
1/2 2 2 L M R 1 1 4
1/2 4 C F
1/2

66. 1.ADJUSTING TO FORMATIONS
½ THIS SIDE 4
½ THIS SIDE
1/2 1
1/2 1 2 3 4 2 3 E
1/2 E N S B 3
1/2 3
1/2 2 2 L M R 1 4
1/2 4 C C 1 F
1/2

67. PRE SNAP GUIDELINES TO DEFENDING WING T
ADJUST TO ALL FORMATIONS AND MOTION; DON’T ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE OUTFLANKED
DON’T PUT EVERYONE UP ON THE LINE (ANGLE DOWN-KICK OUT!)
BEWARE OF MAN COVERAGE VS. THE OPTION! (EX: DOWN OPTION)
KNOW YOUR KEY(S)

68. STRATEGY FOR PLANNING CHECK FOR FALSE KEYS FROM EACH
OF THE 4 TRADITIONAL KEYS: WING/SLOT, FULLBACK, HALFBACK, LINE (& perhaps slanting to motion)
IF YOU HAVE ONE WITH NO FALSE KEYS (OR VERY FEW), USE THAT PARTICULAR KEY UNTIL THEY MAKE YOU GET OFF IT

69. Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Wing-T
We see:
Buck-Sweep
Boot Pass
Jet Sweep
Belly E N E S B L M R C C F

70. Strategy 1 vs. Wing-T Slant weak with Strong End and Nose. E N E S B LM R C C F

71. Strategy 2 vs. Wing-T Slant strong with Ends and Nose. E N E S B L M RC C F

72. Strategy 3 vs. Wing-T Wrong arm the pullers In Sweep, trap, and tackleB L M R C C F

73. Strategy 3 vs. Wing-T Wrong arm the pullers In Sweep, trap, and tackleB L M R C C F

74. Strategy 4 vs. Wing-T Belly (Option): Play Base Option RulesQB B
Pitch L M R
Dive
Dive C C
Alley-
QB to Pitch F

75. Strategy 5 vs. Wing-T Belly (Option): Pinch Weakside End (swap option responsibilities)
Pitch
Dive L M QB R
Dive C C
Alley-
QB to Pitch F

76. Strategy 6 vs. Wing-T Belly (Option): swap option responsibilities between End and Bandit
Pitch S E N E B QB L M R
Dive C C
Dive
Alley-
QB to Pitch F

77. Strategy 7 vs. Wing-T Belly (Option): Pinch Weakside End (swap option responsibilities)
Pitch
Dive L M QB R
Dive C C
Alley-
QB to Pitch F

78. Strategy 8 vs. Wing-T Belly (Option): swap option responsibilities between End and BanditM N R L E S B C F
Pitch
Dive QB
Alley-
QB to Pitch

79. Strategy 9 vs. Wing-T Runs: FS is Flying up on Run Read off End Man on LOSB C F
Alley-
QB to Pitch S E N L M C F

80. Review of Successful Strategies
Review the 4 base keys (fullback, Halfback, Wing, Slot). Check for false keys; If none or very few, utilize that key until they make you get off it.
Check wingback trail motion for tendencies; if valid, use for a key
Avoid man coverage vs. Option schemes
Avoid wrong arm technique vs. Load scheme
Avoid man coverage vs. Jet Sweep
Corner & FS fill hard off run reads from wing and TE
Slant to weak tackle with strong End and Nose
Slant to Wing with strong End and Nose
Slant strong with Ends and Nose
Wrong arm the pullers in Sweep, trap, and tackle trap
Mix up your option responsibilities
Strategy 9 vs. Wing-T Runs: FS is flying up on run Read off end man on LOS

81. Defending Unbalanced Z Y X Z Y T X

82. Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Unbalanced
Strategy: 3 by 1 sets invoke “pull” call in base package X Y Z E N E B S L M R C C F

83. Base 3-3 Alignment vs. Unbalanced
Strategy: 3 by 1 set invokes “pull” call in base package Z Y T X E N E B S L M R C C F

84. Aligning to Unbalanced Formations
3 Shell
2 Shell
“X over” “Pull” Call
Box intact;
FS adjusts
“Pull” Call
2 by 1 rules; FS adjusts S E N E N R L E C F M B S B L M R C C F Z Y T x Z Y T x E N E S E N E B S B C L M R C L M R F C F C
Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him

85. Aligning to Empty Formations
3 Shell
2 Shell
“Pull” Call
Box intact;
FS adjusts
2 by 2 rules; R adjusts E N E S E N E S B B L M R L M R C C C C F F S E N E E N E S C C C L M R C L M R B B F F
Coaching Point for 2 Deep Zone: defender aligned over #3 run with him