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

Michael Chavez

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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

The Benefits of a 4-3 Defense – Part 2

The linebackers are as follows, strong side linebacker, middle linebacker and weak side linebacker. The strong side linebacker usually lines up across from the tight end and while he is asked to drop into coverage, he is also a strong blitzer. The middle backer is a strong run defender playing inside the tackle box but can be deployed in deep zone coverage and often matches up with the opponents running backs. The weak side backer is billed as a run and chase backer who often needs to be protected by his defensive line. He is also the fastest of the backers.

The defensive backs are two corners and a two safeties and unless the scheme dictates otherwise, they are either in zone or man coverage.

For a little fun here is my perfect 4-3 alignment of the front seven for the Bruins from the past 10 years.

More from Go Joe Bruin

LDE-

Datone Jones

DT-

Brian Price

DT-

Kenny Clark

RDE-

Bruce Davis

SLB-

Anthony Barr

MLB-

Erick Kendricks

WLB-

Sean Westgate

Now that we are past all of the basics, we should discuss why the 4-3 is the best bet for the Bruins. In the past few signing classes UCLA has brought on a number of athletes and while they all contribute flexibility for this front seven, they haven’t been able to sign the number one priority for a 3-4 defense in my mind and that is a true nose tackle.

Last year Kenny Clark was a strong NT when the Bruins deployed in the odd front defense but in my opinion was much more active and dominate when he has a strong running mate at defensive tackle. UCLA went to the 3-4 defense in order to feature players like Anthony Barr, Erick Kendricks and even Aaron Wallace.

However they never really replaced guys like Barr or Kendricks and while Myles Jack and Eddie Vanderdoes are excellent players, their injuries exposed both depth and scheme issues.

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

The Benefits of a 4-3 Defense – Part 3

As you’ll begin to notice through my work I am very concerned with size. I believe you can build a team and have size exceptions, (see Deon Hollins) but you cannot have a team or unit of exceptions. UCLA is not a small football team by any stretch of the imagination but without a true NT and true 5-technique defensive ends, the Bruins were playing out of position. They were pushed around in the run game and struggled to create pressure.

UCLA Bruins

What they do have on their roster are defensive tackles and defensive ends. They have defensive ends like Keisean Lucier-South, who has reportedly bulked up to 230lbs to go along with his lightning speed, and Jacob Tuioti-Mariner who can beat you with his technique and strength.

The Bruins will get back Vanderdoes to be a disruptive force at defensive tackle and will get Boss Tagaloa in the fall to form an extremely stout middle of the defense line. A stout middle means running won’t be as easy and having four guys that close to the ball when it’s snapped means there should be a greater opportunities at getting sacks.

UCLA’s linebackers are better fits for the 4-3 because of their traditional skill sets combined with outstanding athleticism. Guys like Josh Woods, Isaako Savaiinaea, Jayon Brown, and Kenny Young are all strong players but will be at their best when they are protected from offensive linemen and are free to flow to the ball. That freedom means they should be able to diagnose plays earlier, digest what they see faster and be in position to make the play before it gets going instead of reacting late and getting lost in the wash.

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

The Benefits of a 4-3 Defense – Part 4

The final and most important reason a shift to a 4-3 heavy defense works best for UCLA is because it simplifies the game. Most of these players played in a primarily traditional 4-3 defense in high school and that is where they shined. This scheme doesn’t force them to think as much and I am not knocking their intelligence.

I do believe the Bruins could roll out a 3-4 front seven and make it work. However when you ask your players to think that much they are slowed down instead of being allowed to just play.

Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley also knows that he isn’t limited blitz wise by using a 4-3 and can still be just as creative while maintaining strength and numbers on the field.

Next: The Benefits of Enrolling Early

The Bruins have assembled plenty of top talent, now it is the time for them to assemble a top defense.

Michael Chavez