Breaking down Alabama's Defensive Schemes and Alignments

[TerryP]

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Breaking Down Alabama's Defensive Schemes and Alignments
August 6, 2006
by Terry Pellman

As suggested by a good majority of the members here, I thought we'd take a few days to break down the defensive schemes and alignments we use while we're all looking forward to the 2006 season.

Understand, this is a subject matter that'll likely continue in more than one part. Quite frankly, it would take quite a bit of time to cover how the 30 package (also known as the 3-3-5) works when we are in a Cover 2 or a Cover 3 pass protection set. So, we'll start out with just the basics of our system, the different alignments we'll see in the upcoming year under the direction of Coach Kines. After we talk about our different alignments we'll get into the subject of the differences between Cover 2, Cover 3, etc...and then go into how Kines and the staff disguise them during game situations. For examples, I'm going to use the depth chart we concluded spring camp of '06 with in regard to the players listed in the different schemes and their respective positions. I do expect some shuffling this fall...although, that is a subject for another thread.

I know there are a lot of people on this forum that have a wealth of football knowledge and experience. To those, I encourage you to jump right in with your thoughts, experiences and stories all of us would love for you to share. I don't want anyone to think a question or comment is a "stupid one." Heck, I didn't play football when I was in high school and simply have come to understand the game over the years by watching hours and hours of game tapes combined with reading as much material as I could get my hands on.

So, here goes...

At Alabama, we basically use 5 different defensive alignments depending on the game situation.

• The 40- package (also known as the 4-3 defense)
• The 30- package (also known as the 3-3-5 defense)
• The Nickel Package
• The Dime Package
• and our Goal Line Defensive Alignment

40 Package/ 4-3 Defense

This alignment is the most widely used defensive approach in college and professional football. This scheme features four defensive lineman (two defensive ends and two defensive tackles), three linebackers referred to as the Strong (Sam), Weak (Will) and Middle (Mike) linebacker along with two Corner backs and two Safeties.

The two DE's line up on opposite ends of the line with the two tackles in the middle. Right behind them you'll find the three LB's and then the CB's and Safeties. The one variable with this formation is the pass coverage called before the snap (Cover 2, Cover 3, etc) which will determine how the Safeties are positioned.

Diagram:

_____LDE- Gilberry____LDT- Clark_____RDT- Lee_____ RDE- Greenwood

________ WLB/Will- Simpson___MLB/Mike- Collins____SLB(Sam)- Jones

_LCB- Robinson_________________________________________RCB- Gray

__________FS- Dukes_________________SS- Carter

There is a variation of the 4-3 you'll see Alabama use in respect to where the DT's line up against the opponents OL: it's the Over/Under 4-3 defense.

This variation still uses the same front seven. You notice this scheme being used when you see the defensive line shift during the snap count to their primary point of attack. When we are in the Over 4-3 the focus of our pressure is on the offenses strong side of the field which is normally where they have their tight end positioned. With a simple shift to the Under 4-3 our defensive changes their attack point to the weak side of the OL. When we move from the Over to the Under the line shifts to the point where one of our DT's is over the center and the other over the Weakside Offensive Guard.

This year, the Under 4-3 has been tweeked a bit which will remind a lot of Bama fans what our defense looked like when Carl Torbush was at the Capstone. When switching to the Under 4-3, the LB playing the gap between the weak-side tackle and end will approach the line of scrimmage (lining up seemingly as another DL) and will occupy the gap that has been created between the strong side defensive tackle and the strong side defensive end.

Our two CB's will line up against the WR's along with our S's covering the middle of the field. Thier exact position, as I mentioned earlier, will depend on the pass coverage called before the play.

30-Package/3-3-5 Defense

One of the unique things about Alabama's defensive game plans is we use the 40 package and the 30 package about the same number of snaps. The general perception of most college football fans is the 3-3-5 alignments is used primarily against the pass. However, we've had as much success against the run with this package as we have with our 40 package due mainly to the speed we have in our LB'ing corps.

(It's important to keep in mind the assignments of our defensive line whether we are in the 30 or 40 package. Our goal, is for the DT's to gain a yard or two across the line of scrimmage and basically "clog the middle of the field." While our defensive ends get more penetration, primarily it is thier responsibility to maintain their "lanes". The object is to force the running plays to the sidelines where our LB corps come up to stop the play. This technique is commonly referred to as the "outside shoulder technique.")

Once again, how our CB's and S's line up depend on the pass coverage that has been called for a particular play. In this scheme, we'll see one more of our defensive backs on the field. Last year, Simeon Castille was the first one off the bench for our 3-3-5 set. He does extremely well in this position because, much like we've mentioned over the past few years, he has the potential to not only play at the CB position but also as a Safety. In this formation we'll see three defensive lineman; two defensive ends and a defensive tackle, along with three linebackers.

Diagram:

__________LDE- Gilberry_______DT- Clark________RDE- Greenwood


____DB- Robinson____________________________DBCastille__DBGray

_______WLB/Will- Simpson___MLB/Mike- Collins____SLB(Sam)- Jones



__________FS- Dukes_________________SS- Carter

The majority of the time our S's will remain in our Cover 2 shell while our DB's will play man coverage on the WR's.

By looking at this diagram, you can see where we can easily move a man up on the line of scrimmage to present a 4 man front, shift a DB back and it'll look like Cover 3 pass protection scheme. The disguising possibilities, with minor shifts, are numerous.

The Nickel Package

From a QB's perspective, as he's going through the snap count, he'll have to distinguish whether the defense is set in a 4-3 scheme or is moving to the Nickel Defense.

In this package, like the 4-3, we'll have four defensive lineman. The difference is found when you look at the LB's and DB's since the Nickel defense uses just two linebackers.

Diagram:

_____LDE- Gilberry____LDT- Clark_____RDT- Lee_____ RDE- Greenwood


________ LB- Simpson____________________LB- Jones


__DB- Robinson_________________________NBCastille_______DBGray

__________FS- Dukes_________________SS- Carter

The position of the S's in this scheme, once again, depends on the pass coverage.

The Dime Package

While the Dime Package is in our playbook, it isn't used as often as the Nickel Package. The difference between the two isn't the alignment, but the players who are on the field.

_____LDE- Gilberry____LDT- Clark_____RDT- Lee_____ RDE- Greenwood


________ NB- Castille____________________LB- Jones


__DB- Robinson_________________________DB- Mitchell_______DBGray

__________FS- Dukes_________________SS- Carter

The position of the S's in this scheme, once again, depends on the pass coverage. (Note: depending on the situation and who might need a "breather," either Jones or Simpson could be the LB on the field.) If there was ever a defensive scheme one could call the "bend, but don't break" defense...this is it.

Goal Line Defense

When looking at the player alignment in this situation you have to look at who we have in our defensive rotation. We have a solid rotation of four defensive tackles. However, we also have a few defensive ends that can move over into the DT position. I won't speculate on who we'll line up in this formation but I'll diagram how the majority of teams line up when faced with a goal line situation.

Diagram:

___DE____DT____DT____DT____DT____DT____DE

_______LB______LB________LB

_______________S______________

In the next installment of this short series we'll begin broaching the subjects of the Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells. In won't be as long as this one...but, setting this thread as a starting point will make the next "Chalktalk" a little easier to understand.

As always,

Roll Tide Roll!!!