The Attacking 8-3 Defense, Flipping the Script on the Spread

RTR91

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Once given the chance to become the head coach, many spread-option offensive coordinators will immediately hire a 3-4 defensive coach. Much like the defensive coach who wants to install whatever offense gave him the most trouble as a coordinator, spread-option coaches simply can't stand facing three down linemen defenses.

Their reasons are similar to those reasons that cause Tom Brady or Peyton Manning to struggle against those defenses in the NFL, it's not as easy to dissect opponents if you aren't totally sure what they are doing. The nature of the 3-4 is that it offers flexibility in which defenders end up performing which roles after the snap.

As difficult as this is for NFL QBs to decipher when trying to find the right coverage match-ups to attack, it's even harder for a spread-option team that chooses where the ball should go based on which defender is put into conflict by the play design.

Much of what has made systems like the Air Raid so lethal is the way the quarterbacks are transformed into machines that quickly process the defense and quick trigger the ball to the right playmaker. When their ability to quickly discern what's happening and act on muscle memory is disturbed, they can become ordinary very quickly.

Today there are numerous schools of three down lineman defenses that have a similar approach to that of the spread-option offenses and are evolving the classic 3-4 defense into something new, the 8-3.

While the spread looks to use space and options to attack their opponent rather than size up front, the 8-3 defense eschews trying to "line up sound and make 'em beat us" and instead looks to win on a mental level through disguise, dictation, and disruption.

It's ultimately a 3-4 defense in terms of positions on the field and pre-snap alignment, but instead of matching power up front with two-gapping DL, the 8-3 is defined by the eight stand-up players will shift around to assume different roles. It's descended from the 3-3-5 but uses more 3-4 alignments while bringing a similar philosophy of flexibility. It's the counter-point to the spread, using space and options to present conflicts and dilemmas to force the offense to play defense.
 

JustNeedMe81

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I have lot of issues with 8-3 scheme. I can see that as a solution to stop spread offense, but it seems to me that Either side could make huge mistakes and could pay for it in a big way, that could determine the game. If everyone drops back on coverage, and only three people up front, QB could have field day with them by running wild. Another option is that if QB can identify what that opposing team is doing within 8-3 scheme, then They can find huge holes by using slot receivers. ...

But on the other hand... if executed perfectly, that would put lot of extra stress on offense and force QB to decide what they going to do. If that was Kiffin and he see 8-3 scheme... He'll probably will find a way to use RB to expose them... moving RB around.
 

CajunCrimson

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It seems to me that you have 2 guys who are DTs, 4 guys who are hybrid DEs/LBs, 3 guys who are hybrid LBs/Safeties and 2 CBs....and your move those 7 hybrid guys around -- as you need....it's interesting... then all of a sudden you'll see the FB come back....with a couple of OL Road Graters and then it all shifts back ....
 

RTR91

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I have lot of issues with 8-3 scheme. I can see that as a solution to stop spread offense, but it seems to me that Either side could make huge mistakes and could pay for it in a big way, that could determine the game. If everyone drops back on coverage, and only three people up front, QB could have field day with them by running wild. Another option is that if QB can identify what that opposing team is doing within 8-3 scheme, then They can find huge holes by using slot receivers. ...

But on the other hand... if executed perfectly, that would put lot of extra stress on offense and force QB to decide what they going to do. If that was Kiffin and he see 8-3 scheme... He'll probably will find a way to use RB to expose them... moving RB around.
You just described any defensive scheme, not just the 8-3.
 

RTR91

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But I'm talking about 8-3 scheme... I didn't mention any of the scheme.. this is what i'm talking about, the 8-3 scheme.
But you're pointing out the flaws, which are some of the same flaws every defensive scheme has. Each scheme has flaws if not properly run.
 

JustNeedMe81

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But you're failing to miss my point. This is the scheme everyone is talking about.. I'm asking questions to what offense could do to that 8-3 scheme... and all.
But you're pointing out the flaws, which are some of the same flaws every defensive scheme has. Each scheme has flaws if not properly run.
 

Rama Jama

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At some point, we have to realize that we probably have 11 better athletes that their spread attack personnel and can beat most teams in a one one one match up. The problem is we have to be good at both because LSU and Arky run power I back sets and team like Texas, A&M and Auburn run the HUNH spread attack. The players have to be ready to play both styles equally well. We have always been a team of specialist on defense, but even Saban admitted we must put eleven guys on the field on defense who can just stay on the field.
 

gtgilbert

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It seems to me that you have 2 guys who are DTs, 4 guys who are hybrid DEs/LBs, 3 guys who are hybrid LBs/Safeties and 2 CBs....and your move those 7 hybrid guys around -- as you need....it's interesting... then all of a sudden you'll see the FB come back....with a couple of OL Road Graters and then it all shifts back ....
this is basically the way we play the nickle defensive packages we run against the spread.

The DL last year was Robinson/Reed/Allen rotating at the 2 DL spots. We had Devall and Dickson at one Hybrid DE/LB, with Pettway at the other - even though he's more of a true DE, he's still smaller by our standards, Inside LBs were ragland and depreist, both big enough to play DE in a pinch, and Ragland did put his hand in the dirt at times. then 3 S, Perry, Collins, JA WIlliams with WIlliams being the smallest at 215, and Collins looking and playing the S role like an LB.
 

day-day

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It this not what we basically did to Miami in 1992?
Was going to ask the same. Mostly looked like a conservative FG defense at the line -- against supposedly "the greatest receiving core ever assembled". And shut them down -- with authority. Except the one play where Teague made up for letting the guy get past him. :)
Same here. Could have saved a post if the like function was working...:cool:
 

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