Linebacker Play in the Miami 4-3 Defense

This past year we implemented the 4-3 Miami Defense, also known as the 4-3 Over front. We have found it to be a very flexible defense and very effective. We keep things simple for the Defensive Line, but the Linebackers must become a student of the game in some ways. The Linebacker position in the Miami 4-3 requires a special player in physical ability, discipline, and tenacity.

The Positions

In the 4-3 Defense we will be using, of course, three linebackers. Each player should have a certain set of skills and qualities to enable him to be successful at his position.

Mike Linebacker

The Mike Linebacker is the one true linebacker in this defense. In his base alignment, he will be stacked directly behind a weak-shaded Nose Guard, in what we call a 10-Technique. This will protect him somewhat from the blocks of offensive linemen, but this player has got to be able to take a pounding. Along with taking on the blocks from linemen, he will also be responsible for stopping the Iso or Lead play. This means he's going to have to meet head-on with a bruising Fullback multiple times every game, if playing power running teams.

We look for a Mike backer who has just enough speed to run from Tackle to Tackle. His gap responsibilities are from the weakside B-Gap to the strongside A-Gap. As long as he can run downhill with great power and force, take on blockers, and cover the ground from B-Gap to B-Gap, he has enough speed to play this position for you. What is more important is his physicality and willingness to take a beating and get up again. This cannot be a hesitant player for your team, or the defense will be on the field all night as the opponent eats up 3 1/2 yards at a time up the middle.

In terms of pass coverage, the Mike has the fewest coverage responsibilities of anyone on the field, with the exception of the Defensive Linemen. We used a version of Quarters Coverage this season in which the Mike Backer was really only responsible for cleaning up any crossing routes. We gave him free release to rush the passer if he had been sucked up on Playaction, or used him to spy the Quarterback versus several Spread teams with quick, elusive passers.

Sam Linebacker

The Sam Linebacker is a strong hybrid player. Though he does not fit the mold of the traditional linebacker, in the way that the Mike backer does, he still must be strong and physical. However, Sam must also be able to cover versus the pass, including occaisional man coverage (if that is a part of your scheme).

In our base front, the Sam linebacker lines up over top of the strong C-Gap (versus a Pro-formation). As this is a focal point of the running game for many offenses, the Sam must be able to take on blockers and physically dominate a running game. Against teams with strong Off-Tackle running games, such as I-Formation and Wing-T teams, he must be ready for a pounding. If he can shut down that C-Gap for your defense, he has satisfied one of the requirements for the position. On run away from him, the Sam is responsible for the strong A-Gap cutback.

Versus a pro formation team with one tight end on the field, the Sam's pass coverage is fairly simple. He must get his drop outside of the #2 receiver, usually the Tight End, because he is responsible for the flat. However, this is usually not a major problem and the Sam can be physical with the Tight End as he releases to make the job even easier. He can help versus the vertical release by #2 by carrying him to a depth of 10-14 yards. Against spread teams using no Tight End and 3 or 4 receivers on the field, the Sam will be removed from the tackle box. We will walk the Sam out to honor the slot receiver on his side. The width that he will get depends on the nature of the offensive opponent, though we start with him splitting the difference between the #2 receiver and the end man on the line of scrimmage (EMOLS). From this position, Sam may be asked to cover a flat zone or play man coverage. In either case, he must be an athletic player with the quickness and speed of a traditional Safety.

Will Linebacker

The Will Linebacker more closely resembles a traditional Safety than he does a linebacker. Aggressive, quick, and fast players are better suited to the position that physically large, powerful players. In fact, size is not much of a consideration for us in choosing a Will backer. Ability to read a play quickly, play man coverage, and a motor to run plays down, are more important.

The Will Backer will align just outside of the weakside Defensive End (5-Tech). His gap responsibility on run to him is technically C or D-Gap, though the Defensive End is already in this position. This makes him a free player. Versus the B-Gap Iso play, which many teams will attempt to run, we actually outnumber the offense at the point of attack. But it is the Mike doing all of the bruising work here, taking on the Fullback in the weak B-gap. He spills the ball to Will, who cleans up the play. In this way, we rarely put our Will Linebacker in a position to take on Offensive Linemen or Fullbacks. Verus run flow away (to the Strong side), the Will plays for cutback in B-Gap.

Coverage responsibilities for the Will Backer are similar to the Sam backer versus 2x2 sets. If there is a Tight End, we will set the Sam Linebacker to the TE and leave the Will Backer away on the multiple receiver side. This also puts the Will backer on the multiple receiver side of a Twins set or verus a Trips-Closed formation. In a man/free coverage, the Will backer always has #2 receiver to his side, because the Free Safety is responsible for the deep zone. In these ways, our Will linebacker is more often responsible for pass coverage, particularly versus a receiver. Though on paper it may seem like the Will has the same responsibilities as the Sam (and he does have the exact same concepts to learn), he is in a position to play as a hybrid safety much more often than the Sam linebacker.

Conclusion

We hope that this has given you an introduction to the linebackers in the Miami 4-3 Defense. If you have the players to run this defense, it can be extremely effective, flexible, and fun for your players.