In defensive tactics, what is the "3-4 formation" and what is the "4-3 formation"?

In fact, the numbers only refer to the number of players on the defensive front line. The "3-4 formation" means the formation of three defensive front lines with four linebackers; the "4-3 formation" means the formation of four defensive front lines with three linebackers.

The so-called "3-4 formation" relies more on the ability of the linebacker. The three defensive fronts must face the five offensive fronts, and they can only form a confrontation and are difficult to break through; the tactical changes of the four linebackers are more flexible, guarding running backs, guarding tight ends, assisting second-line defensive receivers, and so on. In addition, the outside linebackers on both sides can also raid at any time, detour from the outside into pockets, and put pressure on the quarterbacks.

In other words, the pressure on quarterbacks comes more from linebackers.

The so-called "4-3 formation" relies more on the ability of the defensive front line. When facing the five offensive front line, the four defensive front lines not only form a confrontation through different arrangements or personal abilities of the players, but also can advance, put pressure, and even break through, and eventually put pressure on the quarterback; the three linebackers focus more on running backs and passing defense, and in order to avoid losing one thing, the linebacker's support for the defensive second line will be relatively weak.

In other words, the pressure on quarterbacks comes more from the defensive front line.

Of course, none of the above content is absolute, but relatively speaking, the overall style and focus of the defense are relatively different.

From NFL to NCAA, among all rugby teams, each coach will choose one according to his or her own style, either a "3-4 formation" or a "4-3 formation". There is no advantage or disadvantage between the two. The most important thing is how the coach evolves more combinations on the basic formation and then completes the defense.

But it is certain that once a tactical style is chosen, no one will easily change the formation, as Latimer said, this is not a game.

On the one hand, because the tactical manual is complicated, changing the formation means that tactics need to be readjusted, which is a severe test for both players and coaches; on the other hand, because the focus and requirements of different defensive formations are different, the requirements for players are different, even in the same position are different. Some players have been playing "3-4 formation" all their lives. If they suddenly change to "4-3 formation", the genius may become mediocre.

Latimer clearly understood the truth, and Lu Yiqi had no reason not to understand. No wonder Latimer broke the balance and got angry and scolded Lu Yiqi for treating the game as a game.

So, does Lu Yiqi really treat the game as a joke?

Of course not!

As a player and coach from the offensive group, Lu Yiqi's research and feelings about offensive tactics are undoubtedly more profound; relatively speaking, although he has been intern in the Philadelphia Hawks for three years and has been in the defensive group for two of them, his research on defensive tactics is still relatively shallow after all.

However, Lu Yiqi has an unparalleled advantage and a unique advantage:

Rebirth!

In the last life of 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Seattle Seahawks' "Blasting Legion" emerged. This powerful alternate team, known as the top five in history, truly demonstrated its strong dominance in the defensive line. It ranked first in the league's defensive group for three consecutive years, almost achieved the Grand Slam with the least points lost and the least code loss for three consecutive years. It reached the Super Bowl in two years, won the championship and rang out for one year, and was extremely powerful.

Of course, there are more than one defensive teams that have shown unparalleled dominance in history; but the Seattle Seahawks' contribution is that it completely changed the league's definition and direction of defense, and even changed the fate of countless rugby players, the most prominent of which are concentrated in two points:

First, tall and strong cornerbacks are becoming more and more popular. The tall cornerbacks, who were originally considered clumsy and without flexibility, have become a nightmare for wide receivers under reasonable tactical arrangements. Therefore, the blacks with the advantage of figure and talent began to dominate the cornerback position. In 2017, all cornerbacks in the entire league were black, completely eliminating the existence of white players.

Going further, the cornerback's physical ability to confront each other is becoming stronger and stronger, forcing the wide receiver to upgrade, and then the black wide receiver will completely squeeze the living space of the white wide receiver. Of course, this part has a longer historical cause. It can only be said that the existence of the "detonation of the Legion" catalyzed this process.

Second, the division of labor and cooperation between the defensive front line and the linebacker is becoming increasingly blurred. When choosing defensive frontline players, the Seattle Seahawks are in contrast to the breakthrough innovations in the second line, but are becoming more and more retro, and prefer teams with strong physical fitness and excellent individual combat capabilities.

Originally, the league kept changing the rules to give quarterbacks more protection, pushing the entire NFL into the pass era, completely changing the state of ground running ball dominating the league. As time goes by, it becomes more and more intense, so that later running backs were forced to start practicing catching balls to enhance their competitiveness; this also means that the defensive frontline needs to be more flexible, on the one hand, it is to put pressure on quarterbacks in the blitz, and on the other hand, it is to fully cover the short pass defense area.

Naturally, players with flexible movements, light body shape, and strong confrontation should be more popular; but the Seattle Seahawks do the opposite.

The fundamental reason is the change of tactics. They confused the difference between "3-4 formation" and "4-3 formation". The defensive forward line and linebacker positions can be covered, switched and misaligned with each other at any time. The outstanding strength of an individual is used to cover up the tactical chaos caused by functional confusion, but gives the defensive tactics more possibility to extend.

In terms of ordinary defense, the Seattle Seahawks insist on adopting a "3-4 formation". The defensive front line will never step forward, but will continue to put pressure on the offensive front line. Relying on the tough strength of the single, their pressure can always be maintained at a high-end level, but they will not rashly step forward to sack quarterbacks, and they will focus on short passes and ground advancement, and leave the rest of the work to the "detonation army" on the second line to solve it.

With the key defense number, the Seattle Seahawks will suddenly change into a "4-3 formation". Whether it is pressure or surprise attack, the entire defensive front line will take a strong step forward. The layered pressure can easily break the balance and make the opponent's offensive team busy; and the sudden tactics are elusive, making people unable to defend, and countless offensive teams have a headache.

This is an innovation that changes the league's defensive tactics and player benchmarks.

It sounds roughly, the Seattle Seahawks' defensive tactics do not seem difficult, but in actual execution, it is difficult to reach the sky:

Because the team's tactics have very high requirements for the players' personal qualities, each player has super abilities when selected separately. At the same time, they can connect with each other through tactics and help each other. The essential differences between the linebacker and the defensive forward line have begun to blur - higher requirements are placed on the players' physical and tactical abilities, so that personal abilities and collective strength can be fully integrated.

After the rapid rise of the Blast Legion, many teams tried to imitate, but no one could copy it. Even the Seattle Seahawks themselves, after the peak of three seasons, due to injuries and contract renewal, the defense team was broken, and then they slid to the trough, and before Lu Yiqi was reborn, they were unable to return to the peak.
Chapter completed!