Football Coaching Tips - How to Run the 33 Stack Defense

In today's football, every conceivable method has been devised to gain an advantage. None more so than the development of the 33 stack defense. The 33 stack was designed to allow smaller faster athletes to compete with with larger more powerful athletes. This is done by utilizing three down lineman with three linebackers stacked behind them. most of the defense is comprised of defensive back linebacker hybrids.

The premise behind this defense is to get as much speed as possible on the field. This allows teams with less size to incorporate a more aggressive style of play since these defenders are reading on the run. The coverage behind this front is either a 3 deep zone or a man concept.

Why have teams from division I to high school incorporated this style of play? First of all, it evens the playing field by utilizing speed. Secondly, the ability to bring pressure from different angles has enabled teams to out number the the offense at the point of attack to stop the run. Not mention that teams also utilize the concept of confusion by stemming their defensive line and linebackers at all times, in unison to take away the confidence of the offense.

So how does one implement this defense? First one needs to understand that not all teams are created equal. Secondly, a team must be willing to take chances.

After this is understood, one begins with personnel selection. Starting with defensive line, one only needs one true defensive lineman usually the best on the team. The other two are usually linebackers to slow to play in the stack. Next, the linebackers must posses the speed of a defensive back with strength of typical 4-3 linebacker. Your secondary must be fast, fast, fast.

The technique behind this defense will be explained in as simple a way as possible. Your defensive line will either slant or play the block, this all depends on their size and quickness. your linebackers must be taught to play down hill and fast, reading on the run. and your secondary must have the ability to play man coverage.

Alignment is such that you place your defensive tackles head up on the offensive tackles and your nose guard head u-p on the center. Linebackers will stack behind the D-line at 5 yards from the football. Keys for your defensive line will be the next down lineman if slanting, or the man in front of them if not slanting. The linebacker s will key the near back and playing flow of the run. When blitzing, linebackers will redirect to the ball carrier as fast as possible. finally, defensive pursuit cannot be stressed enough since that is what makes this defense work. I hope this has been helpful in understanding the 33 stack defense.