A recent question we received was – Is the 4 – 4 Stack OR Base 5 – 3 A Better Youth Football Defense? The question is repeated below. There are many different types of defenses to run when coaching a youth football team, however a coach needs to be practical on which one to use. At the very young ages most teams cannot pass at all so you will want to run a base defense that can stop the run. Here is the question from our customer.
I coach youth football…….8-10 year olds. Last year we gave up a total of 8 TD’s in 9 games and went 8-1 running the base 5 -3. The good thing about the 5 – 3 is you clog the line but also are able to get your subs into the interior of that line 3 at a time so they can get their minimum plays. I am leaning towards the 4 – 4 this year because we have 2 studs at OLB and 2 studs at ILB. I have both returning starting DE’s and can work the inside of the line with my minimum play kids they just won’t get their plays as quickly as when we ran the 5-3. For anyone that has ever ran the defense or know of it how basic is it as far as gap assignments and all to teach to the boys? Like I said, I have 8 of my returners back on D when the A team takes the field so I have allot to work with. If I go to a 5 – 3 then I am losing talent at one of my LB spots. Sure I could work them into a SS role and bring them up to the strong side with the LB’s but still…….so any help is appreciated.
Our answer is pretty basic, if you went 8-1 why change? Add a few stunts and rotations, but why would you change the entire defense? Work on schemes for the team that beat you and solidify the returning player’s positions. Our youth football playbook on the Base 5-3 is perfect for the 8-10 year old age group.
