The 3-3-3 football defense is a formation used in the nine-man version of American Football. Nine-man football is a form of American Football played by schools that are too small to field full-size teams. Nine-man football has its own league, the National Nineman Football League, which celebrated its tenth anniversary during the 2009 season. The 3-3-3 football defense provides balance and an even distribution of players across the field when on defense. The components of a 3-3-3 football defense are defensive line, linebackers and defensive backs.
Step 1
Spearhead your 3-3-3 football defense with three defensive linemen: a nose tackle who plays centrally, and two defensive ends who line up either side of the line. It is important that a nose tackle has size and physical strength, as he must have the ability to hold his ground and plug the center of the line, not allowing the offense to gain rushing yards up the middle of the defense. The two defensive ends have the combined responsibility of providing a pass rush by beating their block and playing contain defense on the outside during rushing plays. Contain defense requires the defensive ends to force a running play back inside where it is easier for the linebackers to make tackles.
Step 2
Place three strong, fast and athletic players behind the defensive line to play as linebackers. If the defensive line contains well, the middle linebacker will have the opportunity to make many tackles on rushing plays. Use your physically strongest linebacker in this position to bolster your rushing defense. Outside linebackers must have the ability to play the run to the outside and also run sideline to sideline to cover as weak side defenders. All linebackers must have the ability to provide a pass rush by blitzing, or to cover receivers in the open field during passing plays. Play-calling should take into account down and distance, and pass coverage if a player is sent on a blitz.
Step 3
Provide a safety net for your defensive front six with a core of speedy defensive backs who are strong in pass coverage. Two cornerbacks should line up directly opposite the opposition wide receivers, and play man coverage. The safety should act as a last line of defense. The safety should read the quarterback's eyes and look to double cover the intended receiver, looking to bat down or intercept the pass. If the safety sees a rushing play, he should run up aggressively to play as an extra linebacker. Cornerbacks must have speed and good footwork, as they will often be required to cover receivers man-to-man for long periods, particularly if a pass rush is not successful.
Step 4
Put the opposition quarterback under pressure by incorporating blitzes into your 3-3-3 defensive game plan. Linebackers or defensive backs can provide an extra rusher, but you should incorporate cover to avoid leaving empty holes behind blitzing defenders.
Tips and Warnings
- Teach your players to strip the ball in the tackle--turnovers win games.
- Enforce positional discipline, as open areas due to player error can be easily be exposed with the smaller teams, allowing more open space for the offense to exploit.
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