how do u know when to choose a 3-4,4-3,46,etc

I what situations do u use these formations?

Umm I believe this has already been posted but. 3-4 and 4-3 are ur base defenses. Many will argue that 4-3 is a typical run d while 3-4 is more of a pass due to the extra lb nstead of 4-3's extra down lineman. I tend to disagreaa though, I find the 3-4 the far superior run d. I see nickel and dime as more of hybrid formations due to the fact that u can give many looks in each depending on what pb u got. Many pb's offer nickel 2-4-5, 3-3-5, and 1-5-5 which are all sets with 5 db's and varying numbers of lb's and linemen. Dime offers 6 db's with some different looks such as dime flat where u have 4 deep db's. 46 is str8 up run, I don't run ne pb's which utilize this formation but ne formation with 1 db has gotta be for stopping up the run. So to summarize, I utilize 3-4 in both the pass and the run giving a healthy dose of the blitz. Hate 4-3, I don't run pb's with it lol. Nickel 1-5-5 is good for passing situation, also a way to disguise a good blitz... as the opponent will normally pick up on the fact that ur running 1 dlinemen. Maybe this helped u maybe it didn't... I hope it did.

well 3-4, 4-3, n 46 are base defenses like blitzburgh said but it also matters to what ur teams strengths are if you have a weak d-line u might wanna run with a 4-3 base defense to get familiar with wat ur team can do, if u have a stronger d-line like the steelers and have good lb's you might wanna try the 3-4 defense. each base defense has there strengths n weaknesses but for starters u should try 4-3....

phili had a good 4-6 and 4/3 defense ... oh and i like there dime flat.

Choose them based on your personnel. Keep in mind a 3-4 DL and a 4-3 DL are different players. 3-4 DT is a monster, 3-4 DE is a 4-3 DT. 4-3 DE are athletic, some like OLB's. So you will need those guys if you want to run 4-3 or 3-4. 4-6 I think you mainly need a speedy secondary and good OLB's because the compressed formation can make it easy to pass.. but it also is right there for the runs. It forces mistakes by bringing quick heat and forcing throws.

bigblue723 wrote:

Choose them based on your personnel. Keep in mind a 3-4 DL and a 4-3 DL are different players. 3-4 DT is a monster, 3-4 DE is a 4-3 DT. 4-3 DE are athletic, some like OLB's. So you will need those guys if you want to run 4-3 or 3-4. 4-6 I think you mainly need a speedy secondary and good OLB's because the compressed formation can make it easy to pass.. but it also is right there for the runs. It forces mistakes by bringing quick heat and forcing throws.

All very very true. And to give an example or two. Jason taylor played DE in a 4-3 for many yrs, now this yr the dolphins have him at OLB. Someone else who would probably end up playing DE in a 4-3 if he went to a team who ran it is James Harrison. He is big and fast with good block shedding skills. Even in Madden he would transition well as I believe he is rated in the mid 90's ovr at the DE position. U can see this by looking at the steeler depth chart in the de position... look towards the bottom where the players not in rotation at the pos are and ull see him.

My first post...but I will try to expand on what the others have said.

A lot of this comes down to the quality of players on your team. The 3-4 and 4-3 are equally effective at stopping the run providing you have the right guys.

Teams like Pittsburgh run the 3-4 because they have a lot of strength at the inside linebacker position and can put two good players on the field at that position. But for the 3-4 to be effective you have to have a tank at defensive tackle (as in a 350 pound mountain). The reason for this being the defensive tackle has to be big enough and strong enough to tie up the center and one of the nearby offensive guards to free up the linebacker looking to blitz or plug up a rushing lane. First impression would tell you it wouldn't be as good against the run because you have less people on the line of scrimmage and the linebackers are a few steps back but teams employing the 3-4 usually have pretty good inside linebackers who are athletic enough to get in there.

The 4-3 defense uses the extra man on the defensive line to control the line while employing slight quick defensive ends to put pressure on quarterbacks or runningbacks looking to go outside. Much like the 3-4 needing better linebackers in the middle, the 4-3 looks for two solid defensive tackles to anchor the line (think of when the Ravens had Sam Adams and Tony the Goose holding the positions about nine years ago).

What you decide to pick as far as the formations is largely dictated by the defensive players on your team.

I use 46, since its good versus the run and pass. 3-4 is good versus outside runs, and good versus inside runs if you blitz a LB up the middle.

I been usein a 4 3 since 4 ever I'm a broncos fan and they switch from a 4 3 to a 3 4 try that out a couple of days didn't like I jus use a 4 3 3 deep zone press wit the d line tight and line backers sread works great 4 the inside run and outside run and screen passes and deep passes ain't goin 2 work all the time but its a gud d 2 run