SWARM Defense *UPDATED*
Search Keyword : SWARM
Formerly "33 MUG", now updated & renamed "SWARM". It's a hybrid Nickel/Dime defense, with a 3-downed base, primarily using Dime packages, sitting mainly in Cover 1/Quarters coverage. Built on pressure, and centered around utilizing 4+ safeties on the field as often as possible. Not based on any specifc team, just inspired to make a more outwardly aggressive facing defense, with an heavyhanded playcalling emphasis on mugged fronts. Took some notes on blitz happy coaches like Brian Flores and Brent Venables, to gauge where the line of "how much blitzing is too much blitzing" should be set at. For usering, I would suggest disguised shallow safety depth (Safety Depth : Close - Coach Adjustment), to help hide those Cover 0 safety blitzes, as this depth eliminates the creep up animation. Overall, this scheme aims to fluster with chaotic pre-snap looks, and a drop & rally playstyle for defending the underneath areas & running game. Physical corners on the outside, and hybrid safeties scattered throughout for a fast but physical Dime defense. Relies heavily on speed & sure tackling on the perimeter, as it aims to shut down the run & RPO game as players are tasked with rallying from their assignments to swarm the ball carriers, at the drop of a hat.
Scouting Report
Hybrid / Mugged
Fronts
Man / Quarters
Coverage
Heavy Blitz
Pressure
FORMATIONS / SETS
3-4
ODD 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
SLIDESHOW
IDEAL ARCHETYPES
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) |