44 Stack Defense in Youth Football (2024)

FAQs

What is a 4-4 stack defense? ›

This version of the 4-4 is designed with a stack alignment. The purpose of a stack is to hide the linebackers from the offensive line. By placing them in this hidden position, we're protecting them from blocks and allowing them to flow to the ball and make plays. Alignment rules are relatively simple.

The 4-4 Defense is a great run stopping defense because it starts with 8 defensive players in the box. Because of the various stunts and blitzes available out of the 4-4, the Offensive Linemen are often confused as to whom to block on any given play.

The 53 defense is probably the most common defense in youth football . In my league I play against the 53 defense at least 5 times per season, including playoffs. The defense is a solid defense for youth football. It puts 8 defenders in the box to stop the run.

The best way to stop the Jet Sweep is to have the Force Defender close to the Line of Scrimmage. Where teams get in trouble is when their Force Defender can't make it to the Line of Scrimmage before the Ball Carrier gets there.

The the 4-4 defense is a balanced defense that features 4 defensive linemen (2-defensive tackles (T) and 2- defensive ends (E)). The back seven include four linebackers and three defensive backs (SS is a hybrid/monster type player). You can play a variety of different coverages behind these blitz packages.

It is an attacking defense stocked with multiple blitz packages that can be easily concealed and altered. The top priority of the 4-4 defense is stopping the run and with 8 men in the box (around the line of scrimmage) on every snap, it puts a defense in a very good position to do just that.

The trade off with cover 4 is that you're left with only three players in the underneath zones which can render it very vulnerable to an opponent's short passing game. With only three players to cover five underneath zones, these defenders are stretched pretty thin.

Former Bears safety Doug Plank

So I was a number; I was very thankful. He drew all the numbers on [a chalkboard] and he brought me down from the free safety position and put me right in that middle linebacker position and circled my number three times and said 'we're going to call this the 46 defense.

The 4-3 is the most commonly used defense at the upper levels, including the NFL. At lower levels the 4-3 is not particularly popular because many coaches consider it weak against the run due to the fact there are only four down linemen.

4-3-3 Formation

The 4-3-3 formation is like a balanced diet for a football team. It has four defenders at the back, three midfielders in the middle, and three forwards up front. This setup is perfect for teams that like to keep the ball and spread their players across the field.

What is a 3-4 defense in youth football? ›

The 3-4 defense is a defense with 3 down linemen, 4 linebackers, and 4 defensive backs. The defense uses the two “outside linebackers” to create matchups that increase the difficulty on an offense. TThis even distribution of players makes the defense a “mirror” defense meaning one side mirrors the other in a base set.

Hedge and recover is another common coverage that defenses use to guard the pick and roll. The hedge is executed by the screener's defender -- he jumps out at the ball-handler as he is using the screen to slow him down.

The 5-2 is built to stop the running game. It has five defensive linemen and two linebackers. This is a popular defense in high school and middle school where running is often the primary offensive play. The 4-4 is another popular defense to help stop the running game.

When you turn and run to chase the ball down, push off your attacker. Don't foul them, but give them a little push. That pushes them backward and you forward. Don't push them like you are trying to start a fight, but a little push off that is disguised in your running technique when you take off.

A mirror defense, something like the 3-3-5, or a 3-4 means that the defense looks the same to the left of the ball and to the right of the ball. THe same amount of players are on either side. The 4-2-5 uses the “Sam” linebacker as an overhang which means that there is no overhang to the opposite side of the Sam.

The 4-3 defense is made up of four defensive linemen, 3 linebackers, and 4 defensive backs. The defense uses smaller, more athletic players at each position in the “front 7”. The 4-3 defense in a traditional “Under front” uses two 5 technique defensive ends, a 1 technique nose guard and a 3 technique defensive tackle.

The benefit of having a 5-2 is that it adds size to your defense by replacing a linebacker with a defensive lineman. This helps in short-yardage situations where you want to stall the line of scrimmage and not give up the inside run.

The trade off with cover 4 is that you're left with only three players in the underneath zones which can render it very vulnerable to an opponent's short passing game.