3-3-5 Defensive Scheme
The 3-3-5 is a great base defense versus the spread offense. It gives you 3 defensive lineman, 3 linebackers, and 5 defensive backs. Creating pressure is very similar to the 3-4, with heat coming from the linebacker positions.
The defense is a great tool to use a
Cover 2 Man base defense. Notice I said base defense, most don't understand the use of this term. This means it is what you will "Show" the offense. You as a coach, your job is to confuse the offense and get them thinking one thing when you are setting up another. So while the cover 2 gives you some early thoughts on your opponent. First it shows you how well you match up with them while not allowing the big play. The next thing it does is set your opponent up for those needed blitzes later in the quarter/half.
Running the 3-3-5 having the right personnel is a key factor on what kind of base D you want to pursue. For instance, having two star corners might give you the option of running a base
Cover 1, allowing you to put more pressure on the QB, but still give you the comfort of having a true "cover corner" guarding those dangerous wide outs. This will also helps with what most coaches fear with the 3-3-5 and that it can be run on. Playing a cover 1 base will allow you to stack more men at the line and cover the run just as well as a 4-3.
Now for added run support with this defense you can swap out your third cornerback (or nickleback as it is referred) with a safety. This gives you more meat at the line but you lose a little in coverage. So picking up two star strong safeties might seem weird to some, but is a good way to add a run stopping option with a defense built to contain the spread offense. This kind of adjustment would be good for teams that run the spread but also like to run often and mix up their play calling.
The key personnel regions you want to focus on with the 3-3-5 scheme is at linebacker. They need to be able to rush the passer as well as play into coverage. Having decent corners is a must if you want to get risky with your play calling. Decent D-line is not a must but it greatly helps getting linebackers free and attacking the QB.
Pros
- Great at stopping the spread offense
- Allows room to interchange players
- Allows shifts to confuse offense
- Allows more freedom is blitzing the passer with out losing coverage help.
- One of the least risky schemes to use versus spread offense
- Is a every down scheme
Cons
- Losses some run stopping power
- Must have personnel to run scheme correctly
- Is not to be used near the redzone
- Needs more stars on defense to reach peak performance
Play call sheets
I think most people don't really understand the importance of a play call sheet. Every coach in the country uses a "Call sheet". It quickly outlines what to call in any situation and allows you to get to the line quicker so you can make adjustments at the line.
Here is a example of a quick play call sheet I drew up in Excel. Doing this for both the offense and defense will help you be more organized. As well as feel more like a true coach
Lets keep the information coming guys. Lets make a collective list of football knowledge and useful topics.