SWARM Defense
Search Keyword : SWARM
Formerly "33 MUG", now updated & renamed "SWARM". It's a hybrid 3-2-6 defense, mainly Cover 1/Quarters coverage, built on pressure, and centered around utilizing 4+ safeties at all times. Personal creation, but took inspiration from blitz happy coaches like Brent Venables & Brian Flores for helping in the creation of more chaos. Disguised shallow safety depth, chaotic pre-snap looks, and a drop & rally playstyle when defending the underneath areas & running game. Physical corners on the outside, and hybrid safeties scattered throughout, relying heavily on speed & sure tackling on the perimeter to shut down the run & RPO game, as players rally from their assignments to swarm the ball carriers.
Scouting Report
Mugged
Fronts
Man / Quarters
Coverage
Heavy Blitz
Pressure
FORMATIONS/SETS
3-4
EVEN 3-3-5 TITE (MINT) NICKEL 2-4 LOAD 2-4 SINGLE MUG 2-4 LOAD MUG 3-3 (STACK) 3-3 ODD (MINT) 3-3 DBL MUG DIME RUSH LOAD WEAK DOLLAR 3-2 SUGAR 3-2 PREVENT 3 DEEP GOAL LINE 5-3 6-2
IDEAL ARCHETYPES
SLIDESHOW
POSITION | ARCHETYPE(S) | ROLE |
|---|---|---|
LEDGE | Pure Power (E) / Edge Setter (E) | RDT |
REDGE | Speed Rusher / Power Rusher | REDGE / RRE |
DT | Gap Specialist (T) / Pure Power (T) | NT / DT |
SAM | Thumper (ATH) / Power Rusher (ATH) / Signal Caller | RLE / 3-4 EDGE / SUBLB* |
MIKE | Signal Caller / Thumper (ATH) / Lurker | LB / SUBLB / 3-4 EDGE* |
WILL | Signal Caller / Lurker / Thumper (ATH) | LB / SUBLB / 3--4 EDGE* |
CB | Boundary / Bump & Run / Field | LCB / RCB |
FS | Hybrid / Coverage Specialist | S / SLCB |
SS | Hybrid / Box Specialist / Thumper (ATH)* | S / SLCB / SUBLB* |
DEPTH CHART SETUP
POSITION | STARTER |
|---|---|
LEDGE | #2 EDGE or Better Balanced EDGE (Plays less snaps) |
REDGE | #1 EDGE or Best Pass Rushing EDGE (Plays more snaps) |
DT1 | #1 DT or Better Pass Rushing DT (Plays bookend, opposite of EDGE) |
DT2 | #2 DT or Better Run Stopping DT (Plays interior, next to NOSE) |
SAM | #1 SAM (ONLY appears in Goal Line) |
MIKE | Most Balanced Linebacker (MIKE/WILL, only ± 20% of snaps at MIKE) |
WILL | Next Most Balanced Linebacker (MIKE/WILL, only ± 20% of snaps at WILL) |
CB1 (RCB) | #2 CB, plays right side of the field (Most often matched up vs. #2 WR) |
CB2 (LCB) | #1 CB, plays left side of the field (Most often matched up vs. #1 WR) |
FS1 | #2 Overall Safety or Best Hybrid Coverage Safety |
FS2 | Next Best Pass Coverage Safety (Plays FS in Dime/Dollar) |
SS1 | #1 Overall Safety or Best Hybrid Box Safety |
SS2 | Next Best Run Stopping Safety (Plays SS in Nickel/Dime/Dollar) |
RLE | #1 SAM, "Jack", Standup Pass Rushing Specialist off the edge |
RRE | #1 REDGE, your Best Pass Rushing EDGE player |
RDT1 | Highest non-starter rated RDT (Typically these will be your best LEDGE players) |
RDT2 | Next highest non-starter rated RDT (Typically LEDGE, but can also be REDGE) |
NT | #1 NT or Biggest/Strongest/Highest-tiered Grip Breaker |
SUBLB1 | #1 MIKE/WILL (Accounts for majority of LB snaps, plays slightly more snaps) |
SUBLB2 | #2 MIKE/WILL (Accounts for majority of LB snaps, plays slightly less snaps) |
SUBLB3 | #1 SAM (ONLY appears in Nickel 3-3 Stack) or Box Specialist SS |
SLCB1 | SS1, will slide down and play ± 60% of snaps here |
SLCB2 | FS1, will slide down and play ± 40% of snaps here |
3-4 LEDGE | #1 SAM, Pass Rush/Run Stop/Drop Cover capabilities (via Formation Subs) |
3-4 REDGE | #2 SAM/#2 MIKE, Run Stop/Coverage capabilities (via Formation Subs) |