The Two-Gap 4-3 Defense

By Scott Carasik

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Teams that use this defense: Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings

Overview

The 2-gap 4-3 defense is what most people think of when there is the mention of the 4-3. It is one of the least popular defenses in the NFL only used by Jacksonville. No other team uses this variation, opting more for the 1-gap alignments, Cover/Tampa 2's and the Jim Johnson style, blitz heavy defenses.

In this alignment, the Defensive Tackles are lined up head up with the Offensive guards. The Defensive Ends are lined up in identical spots on the outside shoulders of the OT's. The Outside linebackers are lined up shaded off of the DE's and about 4 yards back from the LOS. The Middle Linebacker is lined up directly in the middle of the formation and about 5 yards back. The SS is lined up about 8-10 yards back across from the strongside OT and the FS is lined up about 10-12 yards back and across from the weakside OT. The CB's are lined up directly across from the WR's.

Defensive Line Responsibilities

The weakside defensive end is responsible for the B-gap and outside of the OT in the running game. In the passing game, he is supposed to be as fast as he can around the end or try and make a move inside. The strongside DE is responsible for the B-gap and C-gap on his side of the line in the run game. He is also supposed to try and get by the OT in the passing game as well. The DT's are responsible for the A-gap and B-gap on their respective sides and in the passing game have to get through the OG and create enough disruption that they can draw double teams. The Ideal players for this scheme based on the roles in the 2011 draft:

Strongside DE - Da'Quan Bowers, played 4-3 DE at Clemson University

Strongside DT - Marcell Dareus, played 3-4 DE at the University of Alabama

Weakside DT - Nick Fairley, played 4-3 DT at Auburn University

Weakside DE - Robert Quinn, played 4-3 DE at University of North Carolina

Linebacker Responsibilities

The outside linebackers are responsible for the outside of the play in the running game. In the passing game, the strongside OLB will be in charge of the TE or an intermediate zone normally. The weakside OLB will be in an intermediate zone or in charge of whoever comes out of the backfield. The Middle Linebacker is in charge of the A-gaps and will also be in short to intermediate zones. The Ideal players for this scheme based on the roles in the 2011 draft:

Strongside OLB "Sam" - Quan Sturdivant, played 4-3 OLB at the University of North Carolina

Middle LB "Mike" - Martez Wilson, played 4-3 MLB at the University of Illinois

Weakside OLB "Will" - Bruce Carter, played 4-3 OLB at the University of North Carolina

Secondary Responsibilities

The Corners are varied in coverage from scheme to scheme. They will switch between the zone and man schemes a lot and well rounded corners are the best fit for the scheme. The Safeties play a very traditional set of roles in that the FS plays the deep 3rd most plays and the SS plays an intermediate middle zone. The Ideal players for this scheme based on the roles in the 2011 draft:

#1 CB - Patrick Peterson, played CB at Louisiana State University

#2 CB - Prince Amukamura, played CB at the University of Wisconsin

Free Safety - Aaron Williams, played CB at the University of Texas

Strong Safety - Rahim Moore, played FS at the University of California-Los Angeles