1. Strategies for Defending 2 Tight-End Formations with the 3-3
JOHN RICE
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
CANYON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
MORENO VALLEY, CA
(951)

2. Example of 2 TE Formations:
“ACE”
Double Tight I
“Double Wing”
“Trio”

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

4. Strategy Considerations
How do we defend 8 gaps across the front?
To load or not to load the Tight Ends?
Playing the Counter & Trap: wrong arm?
Defending 4 vertical threats vs. 1 back

5. Consideration 1:Defending 8 gaps
Structure of the 3-3 handles all 8 gaps by base alignment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 R E N E B S L M C C F

6. Consideration #2: To Load or not to Load Tight End?
Loading the TE:
Walk Spur up to a 6 technique, and slants inside. Have a change up where he loops outside.
Put Lion/Ram in a 6 tech, walk up Spur, bring both.
Bring the Spur into a 9.
Walk the strong side backer over the tight end
Advantages include having a player aligned on the TE
Disadvantages include losing a flat defender in pass coverage & a “hang” player for counter.
Not Loading the TE:
Maintain base alignment
Spur play 1 yard off and 1 yard outside the TE. Read near foot for down, reach, base blocks.
Spur play 2 yards off and one yard outside the TE

7. 3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s).
Loading the TE on either or both sides:
Walk Spur up to a 6 technique, slant inside
End slants inside as well
Spur and Lion gap exchange; Lion becomes run force in cover 3 E N R B C F M S E L

8. 3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s).
Loading the TE on either or both sides:
Walk Spur up to a 6 technique, loop outside and maintain run force
End and Lion gap exchange; End slants inside to C gap
Lion backer maintains normal b gap responsibility E N R B C F M S E L

9. 3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s).
Loading the TE either or both sides :
Put Lion in a 6 tech, walk up Spur into a loose 7, bring both.
(Ram in 6, Bandit for opposite tight end side)
“Smoke” (“Torch” to other TE) E N R B C F M S L E

10. Spill everything outside to the Spur & Bandit
Strategy : Walk up Outside Backers into a 3 point stance & slant them inside (One or both sides). Smoke & Spur calls
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

11. 3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s).
Loading the TE either or both sides :
Put Lion in a 6i tech, walk up Spur into a loose 7, Run a stunt where they gap exchange.
(May run a mirror stunt with Ram and Bandit on other TE)
“Smoke” (“Torch” to other TE) E N R B C F M S L E

12. 3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s).
Loading the TE either or both sides :
Walk the Spur into a 9
Spur keys TE to near back S E N R B C F M E L
Spur Reads:
Down-squeeze, replace the TE, keeping shoulders square look for kick out block
Zone step/Reach: mirror step, stay ON LOS, don’t get hooked.
Cut off T (play away: play cutback, shuffle down LOS
Pass: drop to top of numbers

13. 3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s).
Loading the TE either or both sides :
Walk the Lion into a 6 or 6i (gap exchange with End)
Lion and End slant inside
Spur keys & technique are same as base
“Anchor” (“Torpedo” to other TE) E N R B C F M L E S
Spur Reads:
Down-squeeze, replace the TE, keeping shoulders square look for kick out block
Zone step/Reach: mirror step, stay ON LOS, don’t get hooked.
Cut off T (play away: play cutback, shuffle down LOS
Pass: drop to top of numbers

14. 3-3 vs. 2 Tight Ends: Loading the TE(s).
Loading the TE either or both sides :
Walk the Lion into a 6 or 6i (gap exchange with Spur)
End slant inside, Lion Loops to C gap; becomes run force player E N R B C F M L E S
Lion Reads:
Down-squeeze, replace the TE, keeping shoulders square look for kick out block
Zone step/Reach: mirror step, stay ON LOS, don’t get hooked.
Cut off T (play away: play cutback, shuffle down LOS
Pass: contain rush

15. Play Base; Don’t Load the TE(s)
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!

16. Base Alignment Vs. One Back
Vs. Two Tight Ends
& One Back
Corner
Spur
Bandit
End in 5 technique
End in
5 technique
Mike
Ram
Lion
Free
Safety

17. May Tighten Bandit and Spur
2 x 2 E N E
2 x 2 B S L M R C C
Minor Change-Ups:
Slant the line left and right
Run 4, 5 & Pressure with INSIDE LBs & Spur F
Watch out for:
TE vertical releases
Outside Zone Play
Coaching Point:
Free Safety must be the equalizer vs. run!

18. May 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

19. Cover 3 vs. One back E N E S B L M R C C F Deep Third Deep Third
Coaching Point:
Lion & Ram MUST drop into a position to alter the trajectory
of the Qb’s throw on a vertical seam. “Make the QB put some air under
it so the FS has a chance to break up the play.”

20. Cover 3 Double Seam Hash DrillF
Deep Third
Coaching Point:
Lion & Ram MUST drop into a position to alter pass trajectory
FS bp hard, read QB shoulders, break on the ball
Add play action to keep LB’s honest

21. Another Strategy: Play a 3-4 w/Cover 2 ShellM R
Nose becomes 2 gapper
Slide Backers to right
Stack Spur over TE
Play cover 4 deep, Quarter-Quarter Half
or 2 Deep coverage
Spur and Ram in better position to prevent
Clean vertical releases by Tight Ends F B

22. Strategy vs. Two Tight End “I”
4 x 4 E N E
2 x 3 B S L M R C F C

23. Strategy vs. Two Tight End “I”: Play Cover 0
4 x 4 E N E
2 x 3 B S L M R C
Minor Change-Ups:
Slant the line left and right
Run 4, 5 & Pressure with INSIDE LBs & Spur
May use TE “Load” Concepts discussed earlier F C
Watch out for:
ISO
Option Weak
Coaching Point:
Free Safety must be the equalizer vs. run! Wrong arm the counter!

24. Strategy vs. Two Tight End “I”: Walk up Outside Backers and slant them inside on one or both sides &Play Cover 0
4 x 4 L E N E R
2 x 3 B S
Watch out for:
Counter
Option Weak
Toss M C F C
Minor Change-Ups:
Back off Spur & Bandit
So they can play as fold
Players for counter
Coaching Points:
Free Safety & Corner must be the equalizer vs. run! Spill everything outside to the Spur & Bandit
Wrong arm the counter!

25. Strategy vs. Two Tight End “I”: Walk up Outside Backers, stack the Spur and Bandit. Play Cover 0
2 x 3
Watch out for:
Counter
Boot
Option Weak
Toss S M B C F C
Minor Change-Ups:
Use TE Load stunts
And pressure
Coaching Points:
Free Safety & Corner must be the equalizer vs. run! Spill everything outside.Spur & Bandit adjust to motion.
Wrong arm the counter!

26. 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!

27. Strategy 2 vs. Double Wing: Crash Spur & Bandit
4 x 4 E N E
4 x 4 S B L M R C C
Minor Change-Ups:
Spur & Bandit wrong arm pullers; spill it!
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!

28. Strategy 3 vs. Double Wing: Walk up Spur and/or Bandit; Play Base
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. Wrong arm pullers.

29. 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.
Wrong arm pullers.

30. Review: Play Base at normal depth Walk-up Spur & Bandit (2 x2, 1x1)
Load & Stunt to the TE(s) (7 different options)
Wrong arm the pullers; Spill it outside
Ram & Lion MUST get deep hash drop to disrupt TE verticals
Mix it up, keep the OL guessing
Have the option of playing 3-4 with 2 shell vs. one-back
Pay cover zero vs. 2TE “I” Formation
Crash the Spur & Bandit vs. Double Wing, spill everything!

31. VIDEO CUT-UPS

32. Websites books, & articles about or with content dealing with the 3-3 defense
Coaching Nickel & Dime Defenses
Defending the Spread Offense
*Both have sections on the 3-3 defense
Books by John Rice
Coaching Football’s Defense
By Leo Hand and Rick Molina
Stunts
By Leo Hand
Manual by Jerry Campbell
30 Stack Forum (Coach Jerry Campbell Website)
MULTIPLE DEFENSE ...HARDING UNIVERSITY STYLE
By Ronnie Huckeba,
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive line, Harding University
Articles online:
Georgia Military College’s Devastating 3-5 Defense
By Bert Williams, Head Football Coach
SHARKS IN THE WATER COACHING LINEBACKERS TO ATTACK IN THE 3-3 DEFENSE By Ron Roberts
Command of the Line Georgia Military College’s Applications of the Defense By Taylor Burks Defensive Coordinator, Georgia Military College

33. 3-3 Media Resources
Video by Buck Roggeman (Pacific Grove High School (CA)
coacheschoice.com
DVDs by Vic Shealy, formerly of Air Force Academy
DVD by Jeff Casteel, WVU
Series of eight videos
By Georgia Military staff
productions.com/
All seven John Rice 3-3 defense video programs on one DVD. Includes 3-3 Defense: Understanding the Basics, 3-3 Defense: Applying Pressure, 3-3 Defense vs. The I formation, 3-3 Defense vs. Spread Formations, 3-3 Defense vs. Empty Formation 3-3 Defense vs. Two-tight End Formations, and 3-3 Defense vs. Defending Special Formations and Plays.
Also available individually on VHS
30-Stack videos by Todd Graham, Head Coach, Rice University (formerly of Tulsa). Call (918) ASK FOR PENNY GRAHAM.

34. 3-3 Coaching Resources
A partial list of coaches who either run the 3-3 now or have experience running it
Joe Lee Dunn, Def. Coor. U of Memphis Contact: :
Charlie Strong, Asst Head Coach, Florida Contact: x4100
Todd Graham, Head Coach, Rice University Contact:
Bronco Mendenhall, Head Coach, BYU Contact:
Dean Campbell, DB Coach, Air Force Contact:
Rocky Long, Head Coach, New Mexico Contact:
Vic Shealy, Defensive Coordinator, UNLV Contact:
Jeff Casteel, Defensive Coordinator, WVU Contact:  (304)
Dave Doeren, Defensive Coordinator, Kansas Contact:
Taylor Burks, Def. Coor, Georgia Military Contact: (478)
Richard Bell, Def.Coor., Air Force Academy Contact:
Brad Lambert, Linebacker Coach, Wake Forest Contact:
Ron Roberts, Def. Coor., Delta State U (MS) Contact:
Paul Golla, Head Coach, Bakersfield HS, Bakersfield, CA Contact (661)
John Rice, Def Coor.,Canyon Springs HS, Moreno Valley CA Contact:
Jerry Campbell, HC, Victoria Memorial HS, Victoria, Texas
George Contreras, Def Coor, Rio Mesa HS, Oxnard, CA