How do you attack a 3-4 scheme differently than a 4-3?

Question

If you're the offensive coordinator for an NFL team, how do you gameplan differently vs. a 4-3 instead of a 3-4 scheme?

Answer 1

4-3 is excellent against a passing offense.
3-4 is even better.

So, instead of going for the big pass plays...go for the option.
Intermix with a counter, a draw, a trap, a reverse...too easy.

West Coast Offense is the offense of choice against a 3-4.
Short out passes, short runs.
Eat up the clock.
All you need is 4 yards per play.

Answer 2

The 3-4 can be attacked between the tackles. The linebackers have better pursit angles, but since the inside LBs are farther off the line, so if a running back gets up the middle, he's got an easy 4-5 yards. The 4-3 can be attacked through the air with screens or slants over the middle. The LBs are usually out of position for pass plays, and their spacing opens up holes down the field for the recievers.

Answer 3

The 3-4 is weak up the middle because they only have one DT so you run up the middle compared to a 4-3 where you run more off tackle stuff to try to take it too the corner. Sweep runs also work against the 4-3 but dont work well with a 3-4. Passing wise a 3-4 D will have more people in the middle of the field and the flats with thier lbs to try to take away the slants and curl routs so you go over the top with the passing plays. 4-3 wont have as many men in the middle so just about any pass plays can work with them. Main difference is the running plays.

Answer 4

It really depends how well the team executes it's schemes. A 3-4 is capable of shutting down the inside run, if it has a really good gap consuming DT. Think the Chargers a couple of years ago. With Jamal Williams, all 350 pounds of him, taking on double teams and freeing up the MLBs to run around and find the ball carrier, then it is difficult to run on them. If a team does have a really good noseguard, then a 3-4 is supposed to be tough to gameplan against. Ideally if the NG isn'd quite in Jamal Williams company, then the inside run should be your bread and butter. But if they do, try to run stretch run plays and try to get your RB running behind the OTs, because, again, if your DE isn;t eating gaps and freeing up the LBs, which is what the 3-4 is predicated on, then you shoudl be able to get some good gains on them.

Answer 5

While a 4-3 is designed to defend the run, the 3-4 has the pass in mind. So your best way to attack it is to run between the tackles. There will typically be an easier time creating running lanes against the 3-4. Running outside the tackles is a bad idea, as the linebackers are generally going to rush from the perimeter. A meium range passing game also helps, as linebackers are then forced to fall into coverage with wideouts and running backs that are faster than they are.

Answer 6

You can attack either of them in many diffretn ways, it all depends on the players within that defensive scheme and the players and talent you have at your diposal. You can attack both of them the same way its just a matter of changin your blocking assisgnments. Its not easier to pass on a 3-4 or a 4-3 because they have the same number of DB's and the LB's within a 3-4 are usually move atheltic and can cover slot Wr's and Te's very well.

Answer 7

With one LESS down lineman, figure you have a better chance of running the ball against a 3-4, and they are going to cover passes better with an extra LB or Safety...

Answer 8

3-4 run up the middle more cause theres not as much lineman and 4-3 u pass more cause its one less guy blocking a reciver or tight end

Answer 9

Run up the middle more and play the deep passing game. Linebackers are slower than db's and there are more of them, and less to rush on the line. Try to pass long to wr's or short rb's if they are in zone or draw and p.a. when it looks like man coverage.

Answer 10

its easier to throw the ball on a 3-4