4-3 vs. 3-4?

[MuhMitchell]

I've always been a 4-3 guy because I didn't know as much about football and just went with whatever teams ran, usually being the 4-3. I just got Madden 13 and now I get into CCM and I'm not entirely sure what to run on Defense. I know that the 4-3 has 4 defensive linemen and 3 linebackers and vice versa for the 3-4. Can anyone elaborate some more on both and compare them for me? Also, what kind of skillsets are needed to run each scheme, and can you give me some examples of players with these skillsets?

[nolan887]

Quote: Originally Posted by MuhMitchell

I've always been a 4-3 guy because I didn't know as much about football and just went with whatever teams ran, usually being the 4-3. I just got Madden 13 and now I get into CCM and I'm not entirely sure what to run on Defense. I know that the 4-3 has 4 defensive linemen and 3 linebackers and vice versa for the 3-4. Can anyone elaborate some more on both and compare them for me? Also, what kind of skillsets are needed to run each scheme, and can you give me some examples of players with these skillsets?

Simple explanation:

A 4-3 typically has 2 DEs who can get to the qb.
A 3-4 has LBs who get to the QB.

In both cases the MLB and DT typically try to stuff the run.

In a 3-4, it is harder to stop the run because each d-line man is responsible for 2 gaps on the o-line where a 4-3 the d-line is responsible for just 1 gap. Check out a team like the Broncos for what 3-4 OLBs should look like.

[Dwaresacksqb]

I use a 4-3 because its easier to get my MLB a ton of tackles.

[TheDelta]

Always been a 4-3 guy because 3-4 used to have some problems, but in M13 it actually works. The 4-3 is easier to pull off, though, you need to have the right personell for the 3-4, your ILBs better be good otherwise your opponent will be able to shred you basically at will.

[parks1]

Like yourself I just started with what I was given which was 3-4 because I go with Dallas. I understand it a lot more now and really like 3-4. As was mentioned before,the outside linebackers usually try to get to the qb while the MLBs sit in and often snuff out the rush and control the defence. Fortunately I have Demarcus Ware at rolb, he is a beast (99ovr) and racks up tackles and sacks. Hope that helps a bit if you are thinking of changing to 3-4

[preaceps]

I typically use 4-3 in madden. I say that because in this version the computer knows who is rushing and accounts for them. The main advantage of 3-4 is that you are still rushing 4 every time, its just you dont know which LB is coming and it makes it harder to block. m13 basically negates that so i use 4-3 since like a previous poster said, each person is responsible for 1 gap and its easier vs run.

[shttymcgee]

Quote: Originally Posted by nolan887

Simple explanation: A 4-3 typically has 2 DEs who can get to the qb. A 3-4 has LBs who get to the QB. In both cases the MLB and DT typically try to stuff the run. In a 3-4, it is harder to stop the run because each d-line man is responsible for 2 gaps on the o-line where a 4-3 the d-line is responsible for just 1 gap. Check out a team like the Broncos for what 3-4 OLBs should look like.

In a 7 man front, which both of these are, at least one person must be responsible for 2 gaps if you want all 8 accounted for (vs a pro formation). A 4-3 (over) MLB technically is responsible for 2 gaps (as is the WLB in an under-type front normally) but gaps are fluid, so all the LB's need to be able adjust accordingly (depending on the coverage)

In a 3-4 defense, only on DL NEEDS to be responsible for 2 gaps; the NG. In most Gap-Control odd front schemes, the two 4 techniques really play off the guards (just responsible for the B-gap).

Of course, in attacking schemes (zone-blitzes), each defender is normally responsible for just one-gap (because a secondary player is involved in the rush too)

[Mbunn1993]

Physically, your men are larger for 3-4 compared to 4-3. Since theirs only 3 down linemen in a 3-4 they tend to need to be much larger to take on double teams and stuff the line