What's the purpose of a 3-4? - Houston Texans Message Board & Forum

thunderkyss · 08-22-2011

One of the things that makes NFL football so great, is that the game is always evolving. Defensive Coordinators may be winning one season, the OCs adjust & they start winning. DCs adjust & this just goes on & on & on.... passing league, running league, new rules, etc... etc..

Remember when a WCO never won a Super Bowl? Seems like so long ago.

But I heard someone on the radio talking about "the whole purpose" of the 3-4. I though he flat out got it wrong.

So I figured I'd ask you guys what you think. Why did teams first start using the 3-4 alignment? Has anything changed in the game so that the purpose of the 3-4 alignment is different today, than what it was in years past?

Ω

The Pencil Neck · 08-22-2011

Well, I mean, the 3-4 has been around since the 40's and the game has changed a lot over the years. The "purpose" of the defense has changed as time has gone by. Ultimately, it gets more athletic guys onto the field than the 4-3 because you've got 4 linebackers instead of 4 dlinemen.

The 3-4 is more of a speed defense than a power defense. The 4-3 should be more stout against the interior run game because you've got more guys clogging up the running lanes at the point of attack. The 3-4 should be better against edge runs because you've got more fast guys able to read and react to the ball carrier.

With the 3-4 you've got more guys able to drop into zones or drop into coverage but in recent years, more of those LBs are blitzing from different positions. So it becomes easier to overload your blitzes from a 3-4 so it becomes more of an attacking defense.

TimeKiller · 08-22-2011

The PURPOSE of a 3/4 is to confuse the QB, presnap, to disguise it's intent, confound the decision maker and capitalize on his hesitation.

**TEXANS84** · 08-22-2011

Goatcheese · 08-22-2011

To sack your enemies, see them fumble before you and to hear the lamentations of their fanboys.

DBCooper · 08-22-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goatcheese

To sack your enemies, see them fumble before you and to hear the lamentations of their fanboys.

Nice!

Rey · 08-22-2011

Different 34s have different goals much like different 43 teams.

Some are penetrating, some are read and react. Some use mostly edge rushers, some like a lot if production from their interior blitzes.

Some focus on stopping the run, some focus on getting after the passer.

But all defenses want to keep points off the board by any means necessary.

Texan4Ever · 08-23-2011

The 3-4 is effective in creating a pass-rush for teams that struggle getting after the quarterback in a traditional 4-3 scheme. It can also confuse the hell out of opposing offensive linemen because they don't know who or where the blitz will be coming from.

08-22-2011	#1
thunderkyss Hopkins Beyatch Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pt Arthur Texas Age: 40 Posts: 26,080 Rep Power: 52730	What's the purpose of a 3-4? One of the things that makes NFL football so great, is that the game is always evolving. Defensive Coordinators may be winning one season, the OCs adjust & they start winning. DCs adjust & this just goes on & on & on.... passing league, running league, new rules, etc... etc.. Remember when a WCO never won a Super Bowl? Seems like so long ago. But I heard someone on the radio talking about "the whole purpose" of the 3-4. I though he flat out got it wrong. So I figured I'd ask you guys what you think. Why did teams first start using the 3-4 alignment? Has anything changed in the game so that the purpose of the 3-4 alignment is different today, than what it was in years past? Ω __________________ I swear it's for real this time!

08-22-2011	#2
The Pencil Neck Hall of Fame Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Age: 51 Posts: 14,573 Rep Power: 49400	Re: What's the purpose of a 3-4? Well, I mean, the 3-4 has been around since the 40's and the game has changed a lot over the years. The "purpose" of the defense has changed as time has gone by. Ultimately, it gets more athletic guys onto the field than the 4-3 because you've got 4 linebackers instead of 4 dlinemen. The 3-4 is more of a speed defense than a power defense. The 4-3 should be more stout against the interior run game because you've got more guys clogging up the running lanes at the point of attack. The 3-4 should be better against edge runs because you've got more fast guys able to read and react to the ball carrier. With the 3-4 you've got more guys able to drop into zones or drop into coverage but in recent years, more of those LBs are blitzing from different positions. So it becomes easier to overload your blitzes from a 3-4 so it becomes more of an attacking defense. __________________ Adoptee: #55 - Chris Myers.

08-22-2011	#3
TimeKiller Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: This giant tree, standing 10,000 ft. high but not reaching the ground. It's roots must hold the sky. Section: 521/Couch Age: 26 Posts: 7,648 Rep Power: 0	Re: What's the purpose of a 3-4? The PURPOSE of a 3/4 is to confuse the QB, presnap, to disguise it's intent, confound the decision maker and capitalize on his hesitation.

08-22-2011	#4
TEXANS84 Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: The Woodlands, TX Age: 35 Posts: 7,450 Rep Power: 3116	Re: What's the purpose of a 3-4?

08-22-2011	#5
Goatcheese Nightmare Over Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 4,549 Rep Power: 22086	Re: What's the purpose of a 3-4? To sack your enemies, see them fumble before you and to hear the lamentations of their fanboys. __________________ “Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.” -Arthur Schopenhauer

08-22-2011	#7
Rey Hall of Fame Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 11,998 Rep Power: 48885	Re: What's the purpose of a 3-4? Different 34s have different goals much like different 43 teams. Some are penetrating, some are read and react. Some use mostly edge rushers, some like a lot if production from their interior blitzes. Some focus on stopping the run, some focus on getting after the passer. But all defenses want to keep points off the board by any means necessary.

08-23-2011	#8
Texan4Ever Hall of Fame Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Great State of Texas Section: My couch Age: 23 Posts: 3,960 Rep Power: 10794	Re: What's the purpose of a 3-4? The 3-4 is effective in creating a pass-rush for teams that struggle getting after the quarterback in a traditional 4-3 scheme. It can also confuse the hell out of opposing offensive linemen because they don't know who or where the blitz will be coming from.

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