A dozen choice: 3-3-5 stunt schemes vs the aceback offense

Coach and Athletic Director, Jan, 2004 by Leo Hand

The 3-3-5 defense presents a choice blend of old-school wisdom and modern innovation. The stacking of a linebacker behind a defensive lineman became popular in the pro game in the 1930's when the 5-3 reigned as the standard defense.

The concept waned over the next couple of decades but resurfaced when Hank Stram used the Kansas City Triple Stack to win Super Bowl IV. You can still see the visages of the Kansas City defense in the configuration of the 3-3-5. The main difference is that the modern version employs an extra defensive back.

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What also is new is the expansion of the stunt packages to include innovations such as the fire zone blitz, twin stunts, overloads, illusion schemes, etc. All of these tactics are being incorporated into the 3-3-5 as it continues to evolve.

Allow us to show you how a blend of the old and new can produce a dozen innovative 3-3-5 stunt schemes that will defeat the modern aceback offense.

1. The simple dog.

Most coaches refer to a dog as a defensive scheme that involves five pass rushers. Dogs are almost always used with Cover 1, a man-to-man coverage in which the Free Safety plays centerfield versus pass and provides alley support against run.

Diag. 1 shows a very basic dog in which both Tandems rush through the B gaps, Mike covers the aceback, and the Strong Safety covers the tight end.

2. A dog that features a weak-side line slant and a Strong Safety Blitz.

In Diag. 2, the Strong Tandem is shuffling outside and covering the tight end, Mike is covering the aceback, the Weak Tandem is rushing through the B gap, and the Strong Safety is rushing from the edge.

3. A dog that features a twin stunt via a delayed linebacker blitz.

A twin stunt is a tactic that involves two defenders rushing through the same gap. Many offenses are not accustomed to seeing this; consequently, it is usually very effective.

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In Diags. 3 and 4, Mike is blitzing through the strong-side A gap, the Strong Safety is covering the tight end, and both Tandems are reading the direction of the aceback's block.

In Diag. 3, the aceback blocks strong. That means that the Strong Tandem must cover the aceback while the Weak Tandem blitzes through the strong side A gap (behind Mike).

In Diag. 4, the aceback is blocking weak, which means that the Weak Tandem must cover him while the Strong Tandem blitzes through the weak-side A gap (behind the Nose).

4. A Dog featuring a twin stunt via a delayed line twist.

In Diag. 5, both Tandems are blitzing through the C gaps, the Strong Safety is covering the tight end, and Mike is covering the aceback. The Nose is playing his base 0 technique versus run and quickly twisting into the strong-side B gap (behind the end) when he reads pass.

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5. Fire Zone Blitz.

This blitz really isn't a blitz. It's a dog because it employs a five-man pass rush in conjunction with Cover 1. In Diags. 6 and 7, the Strong Safety is rushing from the edge and the Weak Tandem is blitzing through the C gap. The Strong Tandem, Mike, and the Adjuster are combo-covering the tight end, aceback, and slotback.

The Strong Tandem is dropping to a position that will enable him to cover the tight end on any pattern that this receiver may run. As the Strong Tandem drops, he will see the block of the aceback. If the aceback blocks strong (Diag. 6), the Strong Tandem will combo cover both the tight end and the aceback with Mike.

If the aceback blocks weak (Diag. 7), the Strong Tandem will lock onto the tight end and cover him by itself.

The Adjuster will cover the slotback or combo cover the slotback and aceback with Mike, based upon the direction of the aceback's block. The Adjuster is guided by the same principles as the Strong Tandem when carrying out this assignment.

Mike will play his base technique versus run and drop in the direction of the aceback's block and combo cover with the appropriate defender versus pass.

6. A Simple Blitz.

The term blitz has multiple meaning. It is commonly used to refer to a predetermined rush designed to penetrate the line of scrimmage by a coverage player (DB or linebacker). It is also used to designate a six-man pass rush that is used in conjunction with Zero Coverage (a variation of man-man that does not feature a free safety).

Diag. 8 illustrates a Blitz that sends both Tandems and the Strong Safety. The Free Safety disguises his coverage (as Cover 1) for as long as possible and then gradually move to a position that will enable him to cover the tight end as the ball is being snapped. Mike covers the aceback.

7. A potential Overload Blitz featuring a twin stunt via a delayed linebacker/Free Safety Blitz.

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Diags. 9 and 10 show Mike blitzing through the strong-side B gap and the Strong Tandem blitzing through the weak-side A gap. The Strong Safety and Weak Tandem are both playing base technique versus run and keying the direction of the aceback's block when pass develops.