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The 35 Defensive Package: The 35 defensive package can adjust to multiple formations and motion without having to change personnel.

by: Matt Welch
Defensive Coordinator • Friends University
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We have had defensive success with our 3-5 or 35 package that takes advantage of our players’ speed. Included is our base alignment, terminology, our numbering system and how we line up vs. twins formations, the spread, and combinations of cover 2 and cover 3. In each situation, we have multiple disguises and blitz packages.
 
Overview

•  The 35 defensive concept is built around foot speed – plain and simple.
•  If your team has the speed to run it, there are a number of benefits. Among them:

-  It enables you to adapt and adjust to multiple formations, sets and motion without being forced to change personnel.

-  It allows you to use smaller-type linebackers and athletes in the secondary who can run to the ball.

-  You are less dictated to by the offense, enabling you to run your normal schemes and blitzes against anything the offense tries.
 
Terminology

Although football terminology is well known among coaches, different phrases and words have come to mean different things to different people. For ease of understanding, there are a few terms that need to be clarified.

Nose – the defensive lineman who is aligned opposite the center in a “0” technique. The nose should be one of your best linemen who is capable of controlling the center or a double team by the guard.

Defensive End – the defensive lineman who aligns in a “5” technique (outside shoulder of the offensive tackle). These players should be very athletic and be able to play with their hands.

Mike LB – the middle linebacker who stacks behind the nose 4-5 yards deep. This player should be one of your more aggressive players; he does not have to have great speed but should be able to read blocking schemes.

Sam LB – the strongside linebacker who aligns to either the tight end or 2-3 receiver side with his inside leg splitting the defensive end (in a “5” technique) about 4-5 yards deep.

Will LB – the weakside linebacker who aligns away from the tight end of the 2-3 receiver side with his inside leg splitting the defensive end (in a “5” technique) about 4-5 yards deep.

Strong Safety (SS) – the safety to the strong side (tight end or 2-3 receiver side of the formation) will align at linebacker depth 4-5 yards deep and as wide as an 8-technique. This player could also be a linebacker-type athlete.

Xtra Safety (XS or X-Man) – the safety to the weak side (away from tight end or 2-3 receiver side) and lined up similar to the strong safety – 4-5 yards deep and as wide as an 8-technique.

Corners (CB) – both corners are defensive backs that cover the #1 receiver on both sides of the ball. Note: we never switch sides with our corners, nor do they ever align on the same side.

Free Safety (FS) – this safety is aligned in the middle of the field 10-12 yards deep. He is the QB of the defense and must know all the defensive alignments and what their responsibility is on every call made. The FS will make adjustments as needed and put the defense in position to have the most success.
 






Diagram 1 includes our base alignment in the 3-5 while diagram 2 has the specific gap responsibilities. Diagram 3 has the alignment numbering system and diagram 4 includes the receivers numbering system. Diagram 5 has the receivers numbering system vs. twins and diagram 6 includes receiver numbering vs. the spread formation. Diagram 7 has the 35 alignment vs. an open twins formation and diagram 8 includes the 35 alignment vs. the spread.
 


Diagram 9 includes our secondary coverage vs. a pro formation. We will utilize a common three-deep theory in this coverage with the free safety and corners having the deep one-third zones. Both safeties will cover the flats with the Will and Sam LBs covering the seams. The Mike LB will take away the hook areas in the middle. Excluding the three-deep players, the other safeties and LBs will have drop zones about 8-10 yards deep. The critical aspect of the zone is to teach players to communicate with each other as they see the offensive players clearing their zone and going into a teammate’s area.
 


Diagram 10 illustrates secondary coverage vs. a twins open formation. The coverage is the same as against the pro formation look. Our basic set-up is three over the top CBs in the deep third on the sides and the FS in the deep third over the middle. The five underneath defenders have the same zone responsibilities.
 


Diagram 11 shows our secondary coverage vs. a pro formation. Our “Charlie” call has been successful vs. the run. What Charlie stands for is ‘corner on the strong side.’ This coverage is aligned to look like cover 3, but at the snap of the ball it flows into a cover 2 look. The CB on the strong side stays at home and plays the flat. The FS slides over to the strong side and has deep half responsibility. The CB to the weak side now has the deep half responsibility opposite the free safety. The SS will help the Sam LB play the seam area and take away the inside route by the #1 WR. The Will LB will play seam on the weak side while the Mike handles the hook area and XS takes the backside flat.
 


The last diagram – diagram 12 – shows another Charlie call. This time it’s our secondary coverage vs. a twins open formation. The Charlie call is the same. The formation starts with a 3-deep zone look and rolls into cover 2. The key is to teach the players to always remember that Charlie means the strongside CB is staying home in the flat and the FS is taking the deep half so the SS can help with the seam area. Everything else is the same.
 
In part two in next month’s AFM, I will include our robber coverage and our cover 3 and cover 4 secondary coverage as well as our specific blitz packages.
 
 Coach Welch answers your questions on
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More articles like this:

Disrupting the Spread with the 3-5 Defense – June, 2012
The How’s and Why’s of the 3-5 Defense – July, 2010
Georgia Military College’s Devastating 3-5 Defense – April, 2009






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