3-4/4-2 Fusion Defense: Pressure Packages That Actually Work

Nate Moore, Massillon Washington HS (OH), Head Coach

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DEFENSIVE PRESSURE SCHEMES BREAKDOWN

This coaching presentation covers a comprehensive system of defensive pressure packages designed to create effective pass rush while maintaining sound coverage principles.

FOUR-MAN PRESSURES FROM THREE-DOWN FRONTS

The system begins with economical four-man pressures generated from three-down defensive fronts (Cabo front or similar alignments). These pressures maintain base coverage responsibilities while creating confusion for offensive lines:

Sam Blitz: The Sam linebacker blitzes off the edge while the defense rotates to Cover 3 behind it. The rotated safety functions as a two-to-one dropper, and inside linebackers maintain their three-to-two responsibilities. Film examples show this pressure generating sacks and disrupting timing.

Mike Blitz: The tackle and end become C-gap rushers, the nose rushes the front-side A-gap, and the Mike linebacker crosses the nose into the backside A-gap. This cross action confuses offensive slide protections while allowing the Will linebacker to become the three-to-two coverage player.

Will Pressure: The end rushes the C-gap, the nose attacks the front-side B-gap laterally, the backside tackle rushes the B-gap, and the Will blitzes the front-side A-gap. This scheme proved particularly effective against slide protections, creating unblocked rushers by overloading gaps.

FIVE-MAN PRESSURES FROM FOUR-DOWN FRONTS

The presentation transitions to five-man pressure concepts that remain cost-effective while maintaining coverage integrity:

Sam Pressure (Four-Down): Bringing the Sam linebacker off the edge from a four-down look with Cover 3 rotation behind it. This proves especially effective against sprint-out teams, disrupting timing even when the rusher doesn't reach the quarterback. The pressure allows coverage defenders time to get into phase.

Cobra Pressure (Corner Blitz): Features the backside three-technique tackle attacking the backside A-gap, the Jack linebacker hitting the B-gap, and the corner blitzing off the edge as a surprise element. Film shows this perfectly timed against a toss sweep, creating an immediate tackle for loss. This serves as an excellent changeup against teams attacking the boundary with outside zone runs.

Whale Blitz (Weak Safety): Similar structure to Cobra, with the tackle and Jack attacking A and B gaps underneath, while the weak safety inverts to become the C-gap player. This scheme effectively keeps the Will linebacker clean by occupying blockers with the underneath rushers.

KEY COACHING POINTS

Throughout the presentation, the coach emphasizes these principles:

Creating four-man pressure from three-down looks keeps defenses "inexpensive" while maintaining base coverage
Cross actions in the rush lanes confuse offensive line protections, particularly slide schemes
All pressures maintain sound coverage principles (two-to-one, three-to-two responsibilities)
Variety in pressure packages disrupts offensive timing and keeps offenses off-balance
Disciplined execution, particularly by defensive ends maintaining quarterback responsibilities on read options

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