Can you help me find a book, dvd, or resource of any kind on the 3-4 over alignment?

**ebfz58** · 02-23-2011, 02:41 PM

Hi Andy,

I don't know who to direct my question toward, but I figure you're the researcher, so here it goes.

I am unable to find a book, dvd, or internet resource for coaching the over front defensive alignment in a 3-4. I have found a book on coaching the under front, but the only things I've found for the over are about the 4-3. Will you help me, or pass my question on to someone who can help me find one please?

Is there such a thing as 3-4 over shift alignment? I can only find
info on 4-3 head up, 4-3 over, 4-3 under, 3-4 head up, and 3-4 under.

Thanks,
ebfz58

**FootballStatFan** · 04-20-2011, 01:43 PM

ebfz58 - You might want to go to CoachHuey.com, it's a football coaching website where some of the brightest high school and college coaches go to discuss schemes, protections, alignments, adjustments and concepts. That might help you as they are superb at answering questions and pointing you in the right direction to get the answers you are looking for. Also you might want to look into purchasing a book titled "The Pro 3-4" authored by Mike McDaniels.

Edit: ebfz58 - Since I have an account at coachhuey.com I posed your question to the coaches there. Hopefully they can give you a clear answer.

**FootballStatFan** · 04-20-2011, 02:10 PM

ebfz58 - Based on the answer thus far, they are stating: "That you can run an over shift alignment out of any defensive front. An over front simply matters on the alignment of defenders on the LOS."

Hopefully some more coaches chime in, but here is the link to the thread where I asked the question.
LINK

**ebfz58** · 04-21-2011, 03:45 AM

Originally Posted by FootballStatFan

ebfz58 - Based on the answer thus far, they are stating: "That you can run an over shift alignment out of any defensive front. An over front simply matters on the alignment of defenders on the LOS."

Hopefully some more coaches chime in, but here is the link to the thread where I asked the question.
LINK

Thank you very much.

**Andy Freeland** · 04-21-2011, 10:09 AM

Here are a couple of books/DVDs I found. I can't vouch for their quality, but the book on Amazon at least got good reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-3-4-Winnin.../dp/0137114338
http://www.championshipproductions.c...ense-1942.html
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...EbWbaMLkQ8H2Ww

**ebfz58** · 04-21-2011, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Andy Freeland

Here are a couple of books/DVDs I found. I can't vouch for their quality, but the book on Amazon at least got good reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-3-4-Winnin.../dp/0137114338
http://www.championshipproductions.c...ense-1942.html
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...EbWbaMLkQ8H2Ww

Thanks Andy. I'll check out that book.

**Hector** · 06-29-2012, 02:42 AM

Can't open the 2nd link. Can you check please.

Originally Posted by Andy Freeland

Here are a couple of books/DVDs I found. I can't vouch for their quality, but the book on Amazon at least got good reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-3-4-Winnin.../dp/0137114338
http://www.championshipproductions.c...ense-1942.html
play ms pacman
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...EbWbaMLkQ8H2Ww

**mikesteelnation1** · 06-29-2012, 03:35 AM

The 3-4 can be played with an over or under look, but generally its not necessary. Most 3-4's are a two gap scheme, so the lineman line up head on with the responsibility of two gaps, not one. Over/ under is much more prevalent in 4-3 looks that use a one gap responsibility. Using the over or under gives a one gap team the advantage of mismatches, not so much in a two gap system. In a two gap the defender is usually playing a zero tech in the middle, and all 3 d lineman are expected to eat blocks and defenders to allow the linebackers to flow to the ball and make plays.

In a one gap system the shift to over or under usually speaks to the gap they're responsible for. The shift in a two gap means very little, since they're still responsible for the gap on both sides. Matter of fact, over or under is detrimental to the backers. It leaves them unprotected. That's a no no in a 2 gap. The big uglies do the heavy lifting to leave the backers clean to make plays. The mismatches in a 2 gap aren't created by over/under as much as in a 4-3.. in a 3-4 one gap over/under would lead to missed blocks and the backers being neutered.