Base Defense - Alignment

     In his 6 years as the Defensive Coordinator at Michigan State, Pat Narduzzi has forged a formidable defense that ranks among the best in the nation in virtually every defensive category.  Today we are going to take a look at the base alignment of Sparty's Over 4-3 defense versus a couple of fronts.

     Pat Narduzzi's defense is based on the famed Miami 4-3.  It's built around speed.  High School safeties are moved to line backer, line backers are moved to defensive end, and defensive ends are moved to defensive tackle.  There is no place for slow players in this system.

"There is no place for big, slow linemen to play.  Our offensive line coach will make out well because all those players will end up as offensive linemen.  We are looking for speed on the defense, and if you do not have speed, you have to play some other position."

     The defensive line consists of 4 players.  Two Defensive Ends, a Tackle (T), and a Nose (N).  The call side defensive end (E) will align on the outside shoulder of the Tight End in what is known as the 9 technique.  If there is no tight end, he shifts down to the outside shoulder of the defensive tackle.  The rush end (R) aligns in a 5 technique on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle away from the call side.  The Tackle aligns in a 3 technique on the call side.  This technique puts him on the outside shoulder of the Offensive Guard.  The Nose aligns away from the call side in a 1 technique, shading the away side shoulder of the Center.  The ends do not flop from side to side.  The terms "End" and "Rush" simply apply to the technique, not specific positions.  The Tackle and Nose do flip-flop from side to side.  The tackle is always aligned to the call side, while the Nose is always aligned away from the call side.

     There are three line backers in the 4-3 defense: Sam, Mike, and Will.  All three align themselves in two point stances 4 feet from the line of scrimmage.  Same aligns to the call side in a 50 technique.  Will aligns in a 50 technique away from the call side.  Mike aligns in a 10 technique to the call side.  If there is a second detached receiver to their side, Will and Sam will apex, or split the difference between, this receiver and the end man on the line of scrimmage.

     Michigan State's secondary play is based on a quarters coverage concept.  This coverage allows the defense to put 9 defenders in the box versus the run while still placing the secondary in an advantageous position versus the pass.  The corners align tight to the #1 receiver and play press coverage.  They align inside shade of the #1 receiver, forcing an outside release for the pass and preventing the receivers from blocking the safeties on the run.  The safeties align nine yards deep and one yard outside the end man on the line of scrimmage, either a tackle or tight end.  The safeties read the end man for a run or pass read (high hat/low hat).  If they receive a run read, they play force on runs to their side and play cutback and reverse on run action away.

     Below we'll see how these alignment rules bear out against some common offenses.