3-5-3 Basics

It is time to breakdown some:

Over the next few weeks I will be breaking down the increasingly popular 3-5 defense, or 3-5 stack.  This defense's roots are based off of the 5-3 defense of the old days, but has been modernized with the evolution of the spread offenses.  The Georgia Military, Air Force, and West Virginia teams helped popularize the defense across the country, and each team has their own tweaks to the offense.  Teams like to play with the 3-5 because of its ability to provide pressure packages and confuse offenses.  These teams are often lacking in size, but they have fast players that are able to get into gaps and disrupt the offensive's flow.  Let's get to the basic alignment:

The 3-5 gets its name for having 3 down linemen, who's positions are as follows:

N-  Noseguard, usually lining up in a 0 or 1 technique

E-  Defensive End, usually lining up in a 4 or 5 technique

There are five "linebackers" who are traditionally faster hybrid safety types that can run to the ball and cover at the same time.  Here are their positions:

Sam-  Strong side stack linebacker, 3 1/2 yards depth in 40 technique

Mike-  Middle linebacker, 5 yards depth in 00 technique

Will- Weak side stack backer,  3 1/2 yards depth in 40 technique

 

The outside linebackers are a unique part of the defense.  These are players who have to be able to contain the run, and play an important part in the passing defense.  Teams have a variety of names for these positions, ranging from rifle/pistol, jackal/shield, and girls.  For simplicity, I will refer to them as the Lance (left side) and Rover (Right Side):

Lance-  Left outside linebacker, usually in a 90 technique, 2x2 off TE/T

Rover- Right outside linebacker, usually in a 90 technique, 2x2 off TE/T

The defensive secondary is then in a three shell, helping the defense play their base coverage of cover three.  There are three positions:  two corners and one free safety.  

Below is an example of the base defense of a 3-5:

Explanation of techniques and keys for the Base Front

This is a basic start to the 3-5 defense, as I move ahead, I plan to discuss: 

• Run Fits in the 3-5
• Blitzes out of the 3-5
• Coverages out of the 3-5

I look forward to exploring this aggressive, innovative defense in the next few weeks.  As always, check out www.chiefpigskin.com for the best football coverage on the web.  Send questions/comments or suggestions my way.  Coach Hjorth