The 4-4

Swarm

Presented by
Tim Murphy
Head Football Coach
Clovis East High School
www.coachtimmurphy.com

Goals

No plays over 15 yards

Give up 7 points or less
Give up less than 100 yards rushing
Create 3 or more turnovers
Minimum of 3 tacklers on the ball

4-4 Swarm Alignment vs. Pro

E
Head Up

B gap

A gap

Head Up

L
4x4

4x4

S
5 off G

5 off G
7-10 x 1-2C

7-10 x 1-2

F
10-12 x split

4-4 Swarm Alignment vs. TE Quads

E
Head Up

B gap

A gap

Head Up

L
4x4

5 x 0-2 or split

S
5 off G

5 off G

C 7-10 x 1-2

7-10 x 1-2C

F
10-12 x split

4-4 Swarm Alignment vs. Trips

E
Head Up

B gap

A gap

E
Head Up
5 x 0-2 or split

7x4

S
5 off G

5 x 0-2 or split

W
C

5 off G

10-12 x split

7-10 x 1-2

4-4 Swarm Alignment vs. Quads

E
5 x 0-2 or split L

Head Up
or 7

Head Up Head Up
or 3
or 3

Head Up
or 7

5 x 0-2 or split

S
5 off G

5 off G
7-10 x 1-2C

C 7-10 x 1-2
F
10-12 x split

Swarm4-4 Alignment vs. Wing T

2x2

C
7-10 x 1-2

Head Up B gap

S
5 off G

A gap

Head Up

4x4

W
5 off G

F
8x10 #2 Eligable

7-10 x 1-2C

Philosophy against the run

Bounce and Attack

Overview
D-line will bounce
Outside backers will contain
Corner will ensure contain
Inside backers will fill
Free safety will fill

Philosophy against the run

Reasons for Bounce

Slows down ball carrier
Forces him to go horizontal
Takes him away from assigned hole
Buys time for gang tackling (Swarm) to
develop
Breaks up offense working as a team
Frustrates ball carrier

Philosophy against the run

Reasons for Contain

Takes the width of the field down from 54
yards to around 5 yards
Significantly reduces chances of big play
Forces ball carrier back to the teeth of the
defense
Enables fill players to come aggressively

Philosophy against the run

Reasons for Fillers

Inside-out tackles are easier than outside-in
Balances the talent differential
Promotes big hits
Enables us to be position specific
Causes turnovers

Run Defense Direct Attack

Toss
Stretch

Power

Trap

R
W

S
C

C
F

Run Defense Counter Attack

Counter
Inside
Zone

R
W

S
C

C
F

Philosophy against the pass

Disrupt and Attack
Overview
D-line will disrupt quarterbacks/tight ends
Backers will disrupt routes of receivers and
vision of quarterback
Defensive backs will disrupt all phases of
the vertical game

Pass Defense - Straight Drop Back

18

18

No Cover Zone

No Cover Zone

Rally Zone

Rally Zone

S
C

C
F

No Cover
Zone
7

14

12C

19

16

20

F
27

20

14

19

24

24

16

C12

No Cover
Zone
7

Disrupt and Attack

Defensive Line
Will get into throwing lanes (especially
against the 3-step drop game)
Will collapse pocket forcing quarterback to
throw off back foot and not follow thru
Will not allow the quarterback to roll out
Will jam tight ends on any release
Will relentlessly attack down field after ball
is released

Pass Defense - Straight Drop Back

18

18

No Cover Zone

No Cover Zone

Rally Zone

Rally Zone

S
C

C
F

No Cover
Zone
7

14

12C

19

16

20

F
27

20

14

19

24

24

16

C12

No Cover
Zone
7

Disrupt and Attack

Linebackers
Will drop into throwing lanes
Will re-route receivers
Will break on quarterbacks near shoulder
Will blitz from all areas
Will relentlessly attack when ball is
released

Pass Defense - Straight Drop Back

18

18

No Cover Zone

No Cover Zone

Rally Zone

Rally Zone

S
C

C
F

No Cover
Zone
7

14

12C

19

16

20

F
27

20

14

19

24

24

16

C12

No Cover
Zone
7

Disturb and Attack

Defensive backs
Will take away all deep routes
Will break on deep intermediate routes
(routes 15 yards or more)
On vertical seam routes will make big hits,
knock down or intercept any ball thrown in
that area

Pass Defense - Straight Drop Back

18

18

No Cover Zone

No Cover Zone

Rally Zone

Rally Zone

S
C

C
F

No Cover
Zone
7

14

12C

19

16

20

F
27

20

14

19

24

24

16

C12

No Cover
Zone
7

Pass Defense - Roll Out

18

18

No Cover Zone

No Cover Zone

Rally Zone

Rally Zone

S
C

C
F

No Cover
Zone
7

14

C 12

W
19

16

20

20
27

14

19

24

24

16 C

No Cover
Zone
12

Pass Defense - Roll Out Robber

18

18

No Cover Zone

No Cover Zone

Rally Zone

Rally Zone

S
C

No Cover
Zone
7

C
F

14

C 12

F
W

19

14

19

24

24

No Cover
Zone
16

20

20
27

16

12

VIDEO