How Easy Can Defense Get? 30 Minutes to a 4-4 Defense

Many coaches are looking to simplify their defense. No need to look any further than one of the classics, the 4-4 Defense. We get carried away sometimes with the vast array of fronts, stunts, blitzes and coverages that we can run. Our masterpiece on paper turns into a cluster on the field.

It does not have to be that way. I’m going to show you how to get an entire, functioning 4-4 defense installed in 30 minutes of practice time. You could do it all in one day, but I wouldn’t. 30 minutes of install is tedious and boring for everyone.

Today I’m going to give you the first 10 minutes of install. We’ll put the base front in, only. In practice, you will probably want to put this and the coverage in one Day 1, and then put the blitzes in on Day 2. But we’ll get to that.

This was the first defensive scheme I ever coached in, and the first defense I ever coordinated (as a JV Defensive Coordinator). We eventually added in a number of wrinkles as the season went on, but the base was installed during the first 2-a-Day practice. And it never changed.

Our 4-4 Defense is the same as the 4-2-5 Defense I teach in the 4-2-5 Defense System. You’re really only changing what you call the outside linebackers.

We’ll use a very basic spot drop Cover 3 for this install. The Outside Linebackers, which we called the Sam and Will, are always the force defenders. The Mike and Jack Linebackers are the inside Linebackers. They all flop with the strength.

Base Front: The Defensive Line

Keep it simple for the Defensive Line. Once they’re lined up, they do not have to worry about much changing. Older, more savvy players are alert for adjustments when blitzing or based on situation. But young athletes need to learn how to line up, then focus on technique.

• Strong End: With younger players, you play a 7-tech or 6i-tech, inside shade of the Tight End. The Strong End is C-gap responsible. More experienced, stronger players can play a 6-tech (head up). With no Tight End, play a 5-technique (outside shade of the tackle). 
• Weak End: 5-Technique away from strength. Inside shade of the TE if he has one. Responsible for C gap. Quickest DL, usually move a Linebacker down.
• Strong Tackle: 3-Technique, outside shade of Guard. Responsible for B Gap. Best true DL.
• Weak Tackle: 1-Technique, weak shade on Center. Responsible for A Gap. Can be a smaller, wrestler-type kid if you are short on true linemen.

You don’t have to flip the Defensive Linemen if you do not want to. If your Ends are similar in ability, there is no reason to flip them. We use the same Defensive Line reads and techniques in the 4-4 Defense as we would in a 4-3 Defense or 4-2-5 Defense.

Inside Linebackers in the 4-4 Defense

Just like the Defensive Line, you want to keep everything consistent for the Inside Linebackers. They do not have to flip, but you usually want the best linebacker on the strong side.

Depending on coverage, you may need a more athletic Will Linebacker. But if you’re running a basic Cover 3, both linebackers play very similar in coverage.

• Both ILB are in a 30-Technique, outside shade of the Guard, with heels at 5 yards. You don’t want to play closer to the ball because players get caught up in the action in the trenches and can’t flow to the football.
• Keep your linebacker reads simple. For most programs, use a guard read. If the guard pulls, follow him. If he doesn’t pull, fill. Lower levels where there are very few guard reads may want to key the near back.
• On fast flow (outside), scrape to fit tight to color off the hip of the Defensive End. Do not waste yourself inside on outside run plays.
• Linebackers are spill defenders. Take on all blockers and attack ball carriers through the inside number. Check out this article on the Umbrella Principle for the best way to teach run fits.

You want two guys who are true Linebackers in the 4-4 Defense. They should be tough kids, but also smart enough to recognize tendencies and formations (especially at higher levels). The Mike Linebacker is usually the leader of the front 6 on defense. It’s more important that you put your best linebacker here though, so if you need to put the leadership responsibilities (like strength calls) on someone else, do it.

The Force Defenders in a 4-4 Defense

The Sam and Will also have a job that does not change much, though their alignment will change more often based on receiver alignment. If they are identical, you do not have to flip their sides with strength. But just like with the inside linebackers, you want your best tackler to the strength if you can do it.

However, the Will Backer is responsible for carrying a vertical by a removed #2 Receiver against Doubles, to help against 4 Verts. But if you are going to run this, you can have a Nickel Package where you can bring someone else in for that situation.

• The OLBs are always the force players in our 4-4 defense. Even when they’re blitzing, they blitz to the deepest in the backfield and force the ball to the inside. Be sure you’ve checked out that Umbrella Principle article for more on this.
• The Strong Safety aligns 7 yards outside of a Tight End, 3 yards off the ball. You can experiment with this as a lever to pull, but I rarely find them aligned too wide. With the #2 receiver split out, align 5 yards off and 1 yard outside of #2. (these are chalkboard rules and adjust based on game plan every week)
• The Weak Safety is 5 yards off, 5 yards outside of the end man on the line of scrimmage with no #2 receiver split out. His alignment is the same as the Strong Safety with a slot receiver.
• One of the best adjustments I’ve made was changing to a Quarterback read. Watch the video below for more details.
• Always keep the outside arm and leg free against the run.
• Counter-Reverse-Bootleg Player on any play away. We make them freeze and call out “COUNTER! REVERSE! BOOTLEG!” on any run read away from their side, before they can begin pursuit.

Putting Your 4-4 Defense Together

The base alignment is just scratching the surface. You’ve got a few details like reads and adjustments to formations here, but there’s so much more to learn. Remember that a 4-4 Defense is the same as a 4-2-5 Defense or a 6-2 Defense (listen to this episode of The Football Coaching Podcast for my epic rant on The 4 Types of Defense in Football).

Now that you understand that, the best place to get started is with my free 3 video series on Foundations of the 4-2-5 Defense: click here to get access now.

This article was originally published April 2, 2013. It has been updated as of 2020 as my understanding of the game has evolved.