Diaco's D - Trying to understand

[Irish YJ]

Hello All. New member, first day..... Unlike the typical guy fan, I don't know everything about ND football . I'm trying to learn more about Diaco's 3-4 system. Can someone explain the nuances of his D. Especially the LB positions. Much appreciated.

 

[Riddickulous]

We run a 3-4.

I'm not too keen on the nuances of it, but I'm pretty sure that the defensive line occupies the blockers and the linebackers fill the gaps.

 

[mgriff]

To be completely fair, we run a hybrid D from the 3-4 base. The versatility it provides puts more emphasis on our LBs, which you should enjoy, and allows ND to bring a fourth rusher from any of the four linebacking spots, creating confusion with the OLine and their assignments. You want nuances you'll have to dig for some threads around here, I'm sure we covered it ad nauseum.

 

[phork]

Death. All you need to understand.

 

[Irish YJ]

Yep, I know it's 3-4, just don't understand CAT, DOG, etc., and what are the core position requirements and goals.

 

[D-BOE34]

Requirements: see Te'o

Goals: Smash heads

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Several good onefootdown articles on the 3-4 can be found here.

And here's a thread with some good discussion on the topic.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

The thing I like best about you is your well-formed question and honesty, the thing I like second best is your awesome quote from Knute Rockne!

To your question: I think you should start with personalities, and strategy, then deal with tactics, (cat, dog, etc.)

Bob Diaco is the defensive coordinator and no one is neutral about him; Cinci fans hated him, ND fans loved him at first, hated him after Navy and loved him again after he showed up at 4:30 AM to land uber-recruit Ishaq Williams. (see threads)

The first thing about a 3-4 is it is an odd front defense. (five men across the line of scrimmage.)

Next is Diaco's philosophy; bend don't break and disguise coverage, oh, and also play as many players as you can. That is so the players in the game can be counted on to perform at the highest level possible.

Over the past several seasons, at Cinci and ND, the offense has been quick strike, not on the field for long periods as with a ball control offense. Those are the most important strategic points; if you want more, then you are a bit of a masochist. What recent ND fan isn't?

As far as Cat and Dog, you are referring to the outside two of the four linebackers. One has pass rush and run coverage predominantly, the other falls off into coverage for passes to the flat, short passes, the running back out of the backfield, etc.

 

[BeauBenken]

Here's some notes I took on LB play in a presentation by coach Diaco (note: they are very simplistic, the presentation was short):

ILB

• Analyze who will lead to the ball
• Often key the back

OLB

• Read the end man on the LOS

General Notes (for all LB)

• Always take key step and roll weight forward (This means the linebackers are supposed to be ready to play the run at all times)
• Disguise coverage, make the QB play post snap

I have plenty more notes from a couple Diaco presentations, but it begins to get complex there. Or atleast the OLB notes do.

 

[Irish YJ]

Thanks WJ, BT, and BB. Much appreciated! Great link WJ.

 

[Riddickulous]

The thing I like best about you is your well-formed question and honesty, the thing I like second best is your awesome quote from Knute Rockne!

To your question: I think you should start with personalities, and strategy, then deal with tactics, (cat, dog, etc.)

Bob Diaco is the defensive coordinator and no one is neutral about him; Cinci fans hated him, ND fans loved him at first, hated him after Navy and loved him again after he showed up at 4:30 AM to land uber-recruit Ishaq Williams. (see threads)

The first thing about a 3-4 is it is an odd front defense. (five men across the line of scrimmage.)

Next is Diaco's philosophy; bend don't break and disguise coverage, oh, and also play as many players as you can. That is so the players in the game can be counted on to perform at the highest level possible.

Over the past several seasons, at Cinci and ND, the offense has been quick strike, not on the field for long periods as with a ball control offense. Those are the most important strategic points; if you want more, then you are a bit of a masochist. What recent ND fan isn't?

As far as Cat and Dog, you are referring to the outside two of the four linebackers. One has pass rush and run coverage predominantly, the other falls off into coverage for passes to the flat, short passes, the running back out of the backfield, etc.

I jinxed Bob Diaco. I was calling for Chuck Martin for DC after the Navy game.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

...

The first thing about a 3-4 is it is an odd front defense. (five men across the line of scrimmage.)

....

Odd defense is also generally considered having a noseguard across from center. Even defense has no noseguard. Inside backers plug up run coming at them, then lateral pursuit (in general). Drop back to hook zones once they recognize pass.

It is essentially the "52 Okie" created by Bud Wilkinson at Oklahoma in the '40s. There are so many options and different assignment and blitz or coverage options with this D, that really there might be no same "3-4" alignments on any given play. Here is an easy short read on a basic 3-4. One other thing, the 3-4 needs only 3 on the DL.

3-4 Defense - The Basics of the 3-4 Defense

 

[rikkitikki08]

The Cat LB will typically be in coverage if i remember correctly. Lots of times a Cat LB will be undersized simply because he is built for speed

 

[Whiskeyjack]

The Cat LB will typically be in coverage if i remember correctly. Lots of times a Cat LB will be undersized simply because he is built for speed

You're confusing Dog & Cat.

Cat is the hybrid DE/LB, primarily concerned with pass rushing and run stopping. Dog is the hybrid S/ LB, primarily concerned with coverage.

Neither are "undersized" in Diaco's scheme, as he prefers length/ range for his OLBs. The smallest LB is likely to be the Will.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Neither are "undersized" in Diaco's scheme, as he prefers length/ range for his OLBs. The smallest LB is likely to be the Will.

Good catch WJ! Height = size, correct? Because both inside linebackers (wich some call Mike and Will) are both over 250lbs., or about the same weight as all of the linebackers. The big emphasis is on length for the outside linebackers, based on Diaco's comments. Thus you have Ishaq Williams and Ben Councell at the 6'7" to 6'5" range.

Odd defense is also generally considered having a noseguard across from center. Even defense has no noseguard. Inside backers plug up run coming at them, then lateral pursuit (in general). Drop back to hook zones once they recognize pass.

It is essentially the "52 Okie" created by Bud Wilkinson at Oklahoma in the '40s. There are so many options and different assignment and blitz or coverage options with this D, that really there might be no same "3-4" alignments on any given play. Here is an easy short read on a basic 3-4. One other thing, the 3-4 needs only 3 on the DL.

3-4 Defense - The Basics of the 3-4 Defense

Bo Fianna, how you been? Did you know that the article the link you posted had an adivertisment to show you how to hold a baby like a football?

I'm just sayin . . .

"Fianna beag greannmhar" is the man!