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Systems/4-3 Defense/4-3 Base Over
FrontBest for: Base down6U+ · Basic

4-3 Base Over

Standard 4-3 with the three-technique shaded to the strong side for a balanced front.

Concept: Strong tackle plays a 3-technique on the guard's outside shoulder while the nose plays a shade on center.

Age version
ETTESMWCSSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
12U — Full call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.
Play movement — schematic, not to scale

Grows with your players

Same play, more layers as they age up — teach it once and build on it every season for a consistent program.

  1. 6UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
  2. 8UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
  3. 10UAdd coverage: Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass.
  4. 12UFull call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.

Every position's job

NG

Shade the center (1-technique) to the weak side, control the weak A-gap.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
DT (strong)

3-technique on the strong guard's outside shoulder, penetrate and control the strong B-gap.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
DE (strong)

Align on the strong tackle, set the edge and control the strong C-gap.

Coach it with
Team Inside Run Period DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction
DE (weak)

Align on the weak tackle, set the edge and control the weak C-gap.

Coach it with
Team Inside Run Period DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction
Mike

Read guards, fill the strong A/B gap on flow, be the primary run-stopper.

Coach it with
LB Read Keys and Shuffle LB Downhill Fill Scrape & Fill Over the Top
Sam

Align over the tight end, set the strong edge and take the strong flat in coverage.

Coach it with
LB Coverage Drop DB Zone Coverage and Break Team Skelly Pass Period
Will

Read guards, fill the weak A/B gap and chase backside.

Coach it with
LB Read Keys and Shuffle LB Downhill Fill Scrape & Fill Over the Top
SS

Support the strong run/pass, cover the tight end or curl-flat.

FS

Play deep-middle center field over the top.

CB (strong)

Cover the strong receiver, force runs back inside.

CB (weak)

Cover the weak receiver, contain the backside.

Coach it with
Scoop / Cutoff Block

How to teach it

  • 1The 3-technique shades the strong guard's outside shoulder to create a one-gap penetrator on the strong B-gap.
  • 2The nose plays a shade on the center controlling the weak A-gap, balancing the front.
  • 3Backers read guards for run direction and fill their gaps square and downhill.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !3-technique getting reached and losing the B-gap; fix by shooting the outside shoulder and staying square.
  • !Mike overrunning the play and losing the cutback; fix by reading the guard and pressing downhill under control.
← Back to 4-3 Defense playbook

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