Transition from 4-3 to 3-4

[DemonDeaconz]

I'm UCLA and I run a 4-3, but I'd like to switch to a 3-4 next season. My question is, what should I do differently recruiting wise?

[nortobc]

Re: Transition from 4-3 to 3-4

Recruit very strong OLBs, DTs and DEs. Go to bench press and sort by the strongest and recruit them. Get one coverage MLB and run stopper MLB.

[YeOldTonk]

Re: Transition from 4-3 to 3-4

To work on the reverse of this, how would you recruit going from a 3-4 to a 4-3?

[DemonDeaconz]

Re: Transition from 4-3 to 3-4

I've heard a lot of people recruit safeties with high block shedding and convert them to OLBs. Good idea or no

[nortobc]

Re: Transition from 4-3 to 3-4

I've heard a lot of people recruit safeties with high block shedding and convert them to OLBs. Good idea or no

For 4-3? or 3-4? Alot of people do this but they run a 3-3-5. I personally run a 3-4. Here is my breakdown:

att = attributes to look for in recruiting in order of importance

34 defensive players:
DE: 7 total
4 run stoppers; att: str, blk shed, acc
3 pass rushers; att: fmv or pmv, acc, speed
pass rushers are used in some nickel and all dime packages

DT: 4 total
att: str, blk shed, acc

OLB: 6 total
att: str, blk shed, tak

MLB: 4 total
2 coverage; att: speed, ply rec, mcv or zcv
2 run stopper; att: str, blk shed, tak
coverage MLB will be the MLB on dime;

CB: 7 total
coverage: att: speed, acc, mcv or zcv (which ever you prefer)

SS: 3 total
att: str, tak, hit power (he will blitz alot and lay the wood)

FS: 3 total
att: speed, acc, zcv (I almost always play zone with him over the top)

[YeOldTonk]

Re: Transition from 4-3 to 3-4

What about for a 4-3?

[yourfavestoner]

Re: Transition from 4-3 to 3-4

There is literally zero difference in this game between the 3-4 and 4-3, because players don't have run fits or gap responsibilities.

Recruit for speed, because the defensive AI logic is based on flowing to the ball and nothing else. The most deadly 3-4 team in the history of Madden online was the Colts, with Freeney and Mathis as 3-4 ends.

To be perfectly honest, though, there isn't a whole lot of difference between most 4-3s and 3-4s in real life, either. Almost everything is a one-gap, hybrid Over/Under defense and you can just stand up the end man or put his hand in the ground. Very few teams run a true, 2-gapping 3-4 from an Okie front. The further trend has been to incorporate 2-gapping and 1-gapping into the same play on different sides of the D (like Belichick and Carroll do), but alas, I'm rambling.

[C the Lyte]

Re: Transition from 4-3 to 3-4

Ramble on young fella. I have been reading on Carroll's scheme as it is supposed to closely mirror Tennessee's defense this year. But enough of the off topic.

I'd recruit smaller, quicker D-ends and convert them to pass rushing OLB's.

[Tp801]

Re: Transition from 4-3 to 3-4

There is literally zero difference in this game between the 3-4 and 4-3, because players don't have run fits or gap responsibilities.

Recruit for speed, because the defensive AI logic is based on flowing to the ball and nothing else. The most deadly 3-4 team in the history of Madden online was the Colts, with Freeney and Mathis as 3-4 ends.

To be perfectly honest, though, there isn't a whole lot of difference between most 4-3s and 3-4s in real life, either. Almost everything is a one-gap, hybrid Over/Under defense and you can just stand up the end man or put his hand in the ground. Very few teams run a true, 2-gapping 3-4 from an Okie front. The further trend has been to incorporate 2-gapping and 1-gapping into the same play on different sides of the D (like Belichick and Carroll do), but alas, I'm rambling.

This for the most part. IN THE GAME, it really doesn't matter if you have a 6'0 225 pass rushing D end or a 6'6 285 rub stopping dend. Since weight and height for the most part, have no effect in the game. It seems as if the faster the player the better. You can have a 6'1 225 defensive end and play better in the 3-4 then a 6'6 280 or 300 guy.

[nortobc]

Re: Transition from 4-3 to 3-4

This for the most part. IN THE GAME, it really doesn't matter if you have a 6'0 225 pass rushing D end or a 6'6 285 rub stopping dend. Since weight and height for the most part, have no effect in the game. It seems as if the faster the player the better. You can have a 6'1 225 defensive end and play better in the 3-4 then a 6'6 280 or 300 guy.

I would recruit strength before speed at DE in a 3-4. Weight doesn't matter though. If available, I'll actually recruit very strong DTs and move them to DE. If you are going to move a DT to DE, do it in position changes so they will only lose some awareness. If you do it on the depth chart, they will lose strength and awareness.

[Custon 89]

Re: Transition from 4-3 to 3-4

I would recruit strength before speed at DE in a 3-4. Weight doesn't matter though. If available, I'll actually recruit very strong DTs and move them to DE. If you are going to move a DT to DE, do it in position changes so they will only lose some awareness. If you do it on the depth chart, they will lose strength and awareness.

I basically do this with DE to OLB, too. However, the first couple of years (or bad recruiting) I will look through OLB recruits for C PWM and FMV to compensate.