4-3 Base Under
4-3 alignment shifting the line weak with the three-technique to the weak side.
Concept: The nose shades strong and the 3-technique tackle moves to the weak-side guard, dropping the Sam onto the line.
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.
- 6UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
- 8UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
- 10UAdd coverage: Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass.
- 12UFull call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.
Every position's job
Shade the center to the strong side, control the strong A-gap.
3-technique on the weak guard's outside shoulder, control the weak B-gap.
Align on the strong tackle/tight end, set the strong edge and C-gap.
Align on the weak tackle, set the weak edge and C-gap.
Read guards, fill the A/B gap on flow.
Drop onto the line over the tight end as an extra edge/C-gap defender.
Read guards, fill the weak gap and chase backside.
Support the run/pass, cover the tight end or curl-flat.
Deep-middle center field over the top.
Cover the strong receiver, force runs inside.
How to teach it
- 1In Under, the line shifts weak: the nose shades strong and the 3-technique moves to the weak guard.
- 2Sam drops down onto the line over the tight end to become an extra strong-side run defender.
- 3The front is now stout to the weak side against backside runs.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Sam being too soft on the line and losing the strong edge; fix by attacking the tight end and setting a hard edge.
- !Nose losing the strong A-gap he now shades; fix by punching the center's strong shoulder and holding.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.