The 43 defense (Redux)

[Sven Draconian]

The modern 4-3 defense was invented by Jimmy Johnson at the University of Miami. It was designed to stop the wishbone triple option that had been dominating college football since the 1970s, but it went far beyond that and revolutionized the way football was played.

Perhaps the biggest revolution was for the defensive line and the introduction of the Block Down/Step Down and wrong-arming techniques. Instead of lining up and maintaining a gap, or slanting into a gap, the lineman's responsibility adjusted based on the offensive lineman to his inside. If he blocked down (inside) then the lineman drives inside as far as he can "Squeezing" the hole. If the offense sends a lineman or fullback to kick him out or trap him, he attacks the blockers inside shoulder "Spilling" the play outside.

In the basic "Power-O" play out of the I-formation the TE and tackle both block down. The Tight end aims for the inside backer, the tackle blocks down on the 3-technique defensive tackle. The fullback kicks out the End and the backside guard pulls through the hole. However, in the 4-3 the defensive end reacts to those downblocks by squeezing down the line on a flat angle (not penetrating). He can't be kicked out and the guard doesn't have any place to go. The running back is forced to bounce it outside, where the OLB and SS are waiting.

The spread offense and zone running attack is a direct result of the block-down/step-down rules that defense's picked up en masse during the 1990s. It made it very, very difficult to run traditional power football.

For linebackers this changed their role as well. They weren't expected to take on as many lead blocks and football saw the emergence of smaller faster LB. Outside linebackers were now just as likely to chase a back to the outside after the play was "spilled" and needed to be faster.

Another major change was the "Pattern Reading" Cover 4 coverage. This coverage is (arguably) the most prominent in the NFL as well as major college football. Unlike a traditional Cover 4, a pattern reading Cover 4 adjusts based on the action of the receivers. Just like the DL adjusts their gaps based on the OL movement, each DB's responsibility changes based on the receiver.

The safeties are extremely important as they have a dual role. Unlike the "Pro" 4-3 that domianted the NFL before the the emergence of Johnson and Dallas, the OLB's no longer contained the outside run. Instead, the safeties were responsible to "play the alley" on any running plays and turn the play back into the pursuing LB's.

On a passing play each defensive back would determine their zone baed on the #2 receiver (2nd receiver inside). If the #2 receiver runs vertical then the DB's lock up man to man. If the #2 receiver runs a shallow drag or curl the safety looks to "rob" the outside receiver underneath on a post or dig. If the #2 runs an "out" the corner must chuck his receiver and drive down to defend it while the safety bails to get over the top of #1.
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My question is, are we ever going to see this in Madden?

(Sidenote: I posted this at OS a while ago, but Ian never responded. Maybe he wont here, who knows, but atleast it won't get caught in the wash).

 

[DSpydr84]

The modern 4-3 defense was invented by Jimmy Johnson at the University of Miami. It was designed to stop the wishbone triple option that had been dominating college football since the 1970s, but it went far beyond that and revolutionized the way football was played.

Perhaps the biggest revolution was for the defensive line and the introduction of the Block Down/Step Down and wrong-arming techniques. Instead of lining up and maintaining a gap, or slanting into a gap, the lineman's responsibility adjusted based on the offensive lineman to his inside. If he blocked down (inside) then the lineman drives inside as far as he can "Squeezing" the hole. If the offense sends a lineman or fullback to kick him out or trap him, he attacks the blockers inside shoulder "Spilling" the play outside.

This all sounds great on paper, but not very often does everything actually work the way it's supposed to in a game. And when it does, the defense wins every time. So to program this stuff into the game would mean (for the most part) the running game would be generally impossible, unless you could somehow add in "human error" into a computer.

In the basic "Power-O" play out of the I-formation the TE and tackle both block down. The Tight end aims for the inside backer, the tackle blocks down on the 3-technique defensive tackle. The fullback kicks out the End and the backside guard pulls through the hole.

I have seen this happen in Madden 09.. although it could still use a little work. However, whether they're entirely accurate or not, it IS in the game and I have noticed. There is a very defined down block from the offensive line and a kick-out block from the FB.

However, in the 4-3 the defensive end reacts to those downblocks by squeezing down the line on a flat angle (not penetrating). He can't be kicked out and the guard doesn't have any place to go. The running back is forced to bounce it outside, where the OLB and SS are waiting.

Again, to program something like this would mean people call "PA Power O" every play and the defense would never get a pass rush. That's how glitches start.

Another major change was the "Pattern Reading" Cover 4 coverage. This coverage is (arguably) the most prominent in the NFL as well as major college football. Unlike a traditional Cover 4, a pattern reading Cover 4 adjusts based on the action of the receivers. Just like the DL adjusts their gaps based on the OL movement, each DB's responsibility changes based on the receiver.

The safeties are extremely important as they have a dual role. Unlike the "Pro" 4-3 that domianted the NFL before the the emergence of Johnson and Dallas, the OLB's no longer contained the outside run. Instead, the safeties were responsible to "play the alley" on any running plays and turn the play back into the pursuing LB's.

This one doesn't really happen too often in Madden, and would be a good addition.

On a passing play each defensive back would determine their zone baed on the #2 receiver (2nd receiver inside). If the #2 receiver runs vertical then the DB's lock up man to man. If the #2 receiver runs a shallow drag or curl the safety looks to "rob" the outside receiver underneath on a post or dig. If the #2 runs an "out" the corner must chuck his receiver and drive down to defend it while the safety bails to get over the top of #1.

This opens the door for HUGE glitches. You could easily get favorable matchups downfield by knowing how the defense reacts. I can already see a post/wheel combination ripping this defense to shreds.


Will we see this stuff in Madden? It's possible. I know I'm really jumping the gun here, but I'm extremely optimistic for Madden 2011 as far as really seeing realistic gameplay, and I've been saying it for a while that 2011 will be Madden's year. Don't expect too much of this to be in Madden 2010.

 

[Sven Draconian]

This all sounds great on paper, but not very often does everything actually work the way it's supposed to in a game. And when it does, the defense wins every time. So to program this stuff into the game would mean (for the most part) the running game would be generally impossible, unless you could somehow add in "human error" into a computer.

That's the beauty of it, they already have "human error" in the awareness/ play recognition ratings. They could also throw in a "run defense" rating (since they have pass/run blocking, pass rush and various other ratings, run defense would fit right in).

A lot of the reason the power running has fizzled out is because of these techniques. Teams have gone to zone running in part because of the success of these strategies. There are also plays that take advantage of this tendency (such as bootlegs and toss sweeps).

I have seen this happen in Madden 09.. although it could still use a little work. However, whether they're entirely accurate or not, it IS in the game and I have noticed. There is a very defined down block from the offensive line and a kick-out block from the FB.



Again, to program something like this would mean people call "PA Power O" every play and the defense would never get a pass rush. That's how glitches start.

To the top point, meh, it works about one in every 4 tries. Way to often the OL doesn't block down, or the FB ignores the end. It does look great when it works correctly though.

To your second point, thats what play-recognition (and, hey, adaptive AI) is for.

This one doesn't really happen too often in Madden, and would be a good addition.



This opens the door for HUGE glitches. You could easily get favorable matchups downfield by knowing how the defense reacts. I can already see a post/wheel combination ripping this defense to shreds.

Err, uh...isn't that what the offense should do? Know how the defense reacts and work to exploit it? The post wheel combo is deadly against this defense. Thats why a pass rush is so important, that's why QBs need a strong arm (if you float it the corner can come back and make a play) and thats why teams must change up coverages. If it's a straight quarters (IE, 4 deep the way it is now) that will be an interception. Cover 3 that should be a pick as well.

That is the "chess match" (and I HATE that cliche. Football isn't chess. I've never seen a chess piece avoid being captured with a stiff arm).

Will we see this stuff in Madden? It's possible. I know I'm really jumping the gun here, but I'm extremely optimistic for Madden 2011 as far as really seeing realistic gameplay, and I've been saying it for a while that 2011 will be Madden's year. Don't expect too much of this to be in Madden 2010.

Definately not in 2010. It won't ever be in though if it's never brought to attention .

 

[adembroski]

My personal hope is that next year we get appropriate run fits that adjust based on alignment, and intelligent pursuit logic... not angles, logic, meaning people have pursuit assignments.

I'm looking at seeing it come one step at a time. Right now, Madden resembles Pop Warner tactically... if we can at least get it to High School level by next year, then these kinds of things will be in shouting distance.

 

[Sven Draconian]

Agreed Adem. If Madden can program force/pursue logic then it will have come a long way. The AI needs to know who is supposed to force the ball back (it's usually someone in the secondary, but it changes based on coverage).

 

[Fox1994]

It would be so cool if this stuff was properly put in 2011. I just don't like to wait for another year for stuff... but maybe I can make an exception for some of your cool ideas. Assuming they ever make their way into a Madden game.