Duplicating Michigan State's Defense

[youngdrew23308]

I know Michigan State runs a base 4-3 defense but there safeties play up closer to the line of scrimmage to help against the run. Is there any defensive scheme in the game to help mimick this??

[TarHeelbred33]

425 and 335 both have a hybrid safety role

[shafe33]

MSU runs a 4-3 over with the DBs playing cover 4.There a really good article on grantland right describing their defensive scheme that could help you.

[Spartan Warrior]

Michigan State is a base 4-3 defense, and they really only go to the nickel on third and long. When they go Nickel they use a 3-3-5, lifting one of their defensive tackles and adding in a third safety at the corner position.

They play Cover 4 pretty much every snap. Corners are almost always in press coverage. They blitz pretty frequently, but almost never send seven or more rushers. There are almost no man-to-man blitzes, they are almost always in zone when they blitz. Basically, the strategy is to pressure the quarterback while minimizing their risk.

Corners need to be bigger than average and physical. Safeties have the hardest job of anyone, as they play up near the line and have to help stop the run, but also are responsible for deep one-on-one coverage at times. The middle linebacker calls out everyone's assignments and gets them lined up, so he has to be smart. The weakside linebacker is called the "STAR," and is kind of a hybrid safety. He's often responsible for covering slot receivers, so he needs to be quick. The strong side linebacker, or "MONEY," spends a lot of time rushing the passer.

It's actually pretty easy to explain, because it's pretty straight forward. They emphasize technique and execution rather than unpredictability. There's very little substitution or specialization, as the starters are expected to perform in a variety of roles.