4-3 Attack
One-gap penetration. Rush four, man behind it.
Attack upfield — Wide-9 fronts, Cover 1/3 behind it. Get-off wins. Every lineman shoots a gap and the back end plays tight man coverage.
When it applies
With elite edge rushers; obvious passing downs; against pocket passers.
+ StrengthsDevastating pass rush with four; man coverage takes away timing.
− Trade-offsVulnerable to draws, screens, and mobile QBs; man coverage gets picked by rubs.
Filed under: Defensive scheme overviews