UCLA Football: The Benefits of Shifting to the 4-3 Defense

After a rough 2015 on defense, the UCLA Football team are emphasizing the 4-3 defense in hopes of revitalizing their young talented defense. 

Due to either a new defensive coordinator adjusting to new players or just a pile up of injuries, the UCLA Football team did not look good on the defensive side of the ball last year. Plain and simple they were bad. In effort to correct those perceived weaknesses, Bruin fans will see a great deal more out of the 4-3 defense this year.

In order to really see why this style of defense will be beneficial to the Bruins in 2016, we should look at what the 4-3 defense really is.

Typically there are two defensive ends, a left and right defensive end and two defensive tackles. The defensive ends although the primary pass rushers, have varying responsibilities.

Traditionally your left defensive end or LDE is your more stout, edge setting DE as opposed to your RDE who faces left tackles consistently and is therefore asked to be the better pass rusher. While those are historically defined roles, the Bruins will mix and match their defensive ends and ask they that all can play the run and get after the passer equally well.

Related Story: Injuries Are Piling Up For The Bruins

The defensive ends’ job will be made much easier by having active, strong defensive tackles. Those tackles will be responsible for not just occupying lanes and taking on blocks but also forcing pressure up the middle during passing situations and making tackles for loss.

Next: The Benefits of a 4-3 Defense - Part 2