Advanced Defensive eBook 3-4 Over

The 3-4 Over formation is not nearly as good as the 3-4 Bear formation but if for whatever reason, you want to get out of the 3-4 Over formation, these are some plays that work well.

Playbook: San Francisco 49ers

Formation: 3-4 Over

Play: Will Buck 3 Press

Setup:

1. Shift your defensive line to the left
2. Post Patch Adjustment: Do NOT Put your DE in a QB Spy

Overview: We are only rushing 4 guys on this play but it can get decent pressure.  If you want, you can take away the short passes with your defensive end that you put in the QB Spy.

Formation: 3-4 Over

Play: Sting Pinch

Setup:

1. None required

Overview: If you aren’t comfortable making adjustments and are just looking for a basic play to call that will get pressure, this is a good option.

Formation: 3-4 Over

Play: Cover 2 Man

Setup:

1. Put your blitzing LOLB (on the right side of the screen in a zone)
2. Shift the defensive line whichever way you think your opponent might be running toward.

Overview: You only want to call this play if you really need to use a 3-4 defense with a cover 2 man.  That is the only situation when this play should ever be called.  You’d be lucky to call this once per game but any good defensive scheme should include a max man to man defense.

Formation: 3-4 Over

Play: Sting Pinch Zone (Run Stopper)

Setup:

1. (Optional) Shift your defensive line to whichever way you think the run is going to
2. Pinch your linebackers
3. Move the strong safety up toward the line of scrimmage a little.
4. Bring your free safety down and user control him.

Overview: This play is a simple way to slow down most running plays if you aren’t comfortable making too many adjustments.  This play is a little weak to the left side of the field so be aware of that.