The 3-2-6 defense is basically the dime package in the old school 3-4-4 defenses, just replace the outside linebackers with linebacker/safety hybrids, and make them apex defenders instead of OLBs playing on the LOS. Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock's innovation was to make the dime package the base defense and put in rules to allow for dual-reads for the apex defenders so they help create a 9-man front to defend the run while also deploying a 6-man secondary to defend the pass.
The 3-2 alignment in the box tempts you to run the ball, but that is a trap, they're counting on that read and set to play the run. The zone running game primarily attacks the playside A-gap, backside B-gap, and playside C-gap, so either by alignment or playcall, the 3-2-6 is designed to take away those three gaps via run fits to shut down the zone running game. Because of its ability to shut down the 10 personnel run while also defending the pass, the 3-2-6 is seen by some as the 'spread killer' defense.
The Tite front popular among many defenses today is basically the base 3-4 alignment for the DE-NG-DE. The difference between both ends in a 4 tech with a NG as a 0/1-tech and a DT-NT-DE in a 4i-0-4i is negligible, although they both accomplish the same goal. Aligning the ends as 4-techs (or 4i) means both B-gaps are covered, so by alignment you've taken away the cutback play in the zone running game. The 0/1-tech to the strongside means you've covered one A-gap, the other A-gap is normally the responsibility of the MLB, so by alignment you've taken away the both A-gaps and both B-gaps, forcing all runs outside where the defense can use their speed to run down the ballcarrier. In the 3-4, the OLBs had the C-gaps, in the 3-2-6 that responsibility can be the apex defenders by alignment, or an inside LB or one of three safeties or a CB by play call. The appeal of the 3-2-6 from a personnel standpoint is you can run an effective defense while only needing three down linemen and two capable linebackers while deploying plenty of athletes on the back end to stop the run and the pass. Many programs have a shortage of stud defensive linemen but an abundance of athletes they can make into apex defenders or secondary players. The appeal of the 3-2-6 from a schematic standpoint is you can deploy any linebacker or safety or cornerback to fill against the run, so you're able to use second and third level defenders to execute a first-level job.
From a philosophical standpoint, the 3-2-6 is an amusing innovation. Have-not programs started using spread formations to spread out the big defenders of have programs to force the bigger stronger have defenders to cover the smaller faster have-not athletes in space. This was a game changer for have-not programs, because while they lacked the size and strength to win match-ups at the point of attack and stop have offenses, they could win games by making games into shootouts, and depend on their wide-open offenses to outscore plodding have offenses. Eventually have programs came around and starting running the spread themselves, using the have-not weapon against have-not programs, so now they're getting blown out. So a have-not at Iowa State innovates and uses the 3-2-6 to shut down Oklahoma's version of the Air Raid, and now everyone is using it. The answer to beating a defense that takes away your zone running game and your passing game by putting athletes all over the field? Going back to the original advantage, and putting your size and strength up against their speed and athleticism. The 3-2-6 wants to take away the A, B, and C gaps through alignment or play call, the answer to that question is to lead the defense exactly where you want them to go, and beat them at the point of attack by bringing more numbers and more power to that location. So in order to beat the have-not innovation created by the haves taking the have-not offensive weapon, you simply have to revert back to the original have approach on offense, and beat the have-nots with size and brutality. Football has truly come full circle.
So we're going to look at some plays from Arkansas 2020.
First play, 1st and 10 from the Arkansas 15, game tied 7-7, 21 personnel strong to the field, split backs aligned around the QB, Smith to Mond's left, Spiller to the right.
Arkansas is in the Tite front on defense, linemen in a 4i-0-4i with both inside linebackers in 30 alignments, so 5-man box. We have one apex defender on the line weakside and one of the line strongside, so while we have 5 in the box, this is a 7 man front.
At the snap, we're running split zone bluff, or as I call it when they use split backs, Scissors. Instead of a tight end or H-back coming across the formation to 'bluff' the slice block, Spiller crosses in front of Mond after the snap, causing the strongside apex defender to come down to fill the D gap. This is camouflage for the fact that the landmark for the play is the strongside A gap.
We're zoning right, and the defense is flowing left with the zone. At the snap, you see Ryan McCullough is happy to let the NG slant weakside and away from the play, taking him where he wants to go. LG Kenyon Green goes second level for the backside linebacker, but he is stemming weakside so hard, he takes himself out of the play. If you want to laugh, watch LT Dan Moore, he throws the DE inside using one arm. Jalen Wydermyer gets an okay but not amazing block on the playside linebacker, he is able to seal him outside so Smith can cut back inside his block. Backside, Hocker climbs second level to block apex defender/safety Joe Foucha. Normally I'd be annoyed he doesn't stay on his block until the whistle, but he does block him, and Foucha's rolling attempt at a tackle actually takes Smith into the end zone, so just like we drew it up? The backside DE is slanting weakside to take the C gap, and RT Carson Green does fine letting him go where he wants to go, completely away from the play.
Remember how I said the CBs in a 3-2-6 act as part of the 9 man front against the run? Watch #17 when the realizes this is a run, pretty sure he got away with some targeting as he came in late to spear the ballcarrier. #21, who is covering Hezekiah, is also late to the play.
Result of the play is a 15 yard rushing TD for Smith.
Next play.
Second quarter, 1:19 mark, 21-14 score, 1st and Goal from Arkansas 6 yard line, ball on the boundary hash.
We come out in 12 personnel, Ace set, twins right, Spiller the lone back. Arkansas is in an Over front to the field, with a lone DE aligned outside Renick in a 9 tech to the boundary side. There is an apex defender outside that DE and nickelback Greg Brooks is the apex defender on the strongside, responsible for both the slot receiver in the passing game and D gap in the running game.
At the snap, McCullough takes the weakside one-tech and drives him inside. Hocker and C-Green destroy the 3-tech defensive tackle, almost throwing him into the lap of the middle linebacker Grant Morgan. De Eric Gregory tries to slant inside into the C gap, and Wydermyer does a nice job staying outside of him and sealing him inside.
Spiller takes the handoff and flows inside, causing the defensive to flow inside, before bouncing it outside. Brooks actually makes the right read but thinks thumping Isaiah Spiller with a shoulder will deter him? Do you even SEC, bro?
You're going to try to fill the gaps through play call and run fits? Okay, we'll answer with brutality and let our RB simply run to daylight.
Play is tight zone, and the result is a 6 yard TD run and a two score lead for the Aggies.
Next play.
3rd quarter, 2:17 mark, we're up 35-17, 1st and 10 from our 47, we're in 12 personnel, Ace set, strong right, ball is on boundary hash.
We're running counter trey.
Hocker is the puller and kickout block, Wydermyer has the pin/wrap block.
At the snap, McCullough does a down blocking to the 3-tech, while C-Green scoops the backside DE. Kenyon Green blocks down on the one-tech, anchors against the slant, and then takes him away from the play. Dan Moore doesn't do a great job on getting on the backside LB, but he gets caught up in the wash when Wydermyer over-runs his block.
Hocker does a nice job taking on DE Julius Coates on the kickout, Wydermyer almost over-runs playside linebacker Bumper Pool, but comes back to pin him inside. I'm happy with the high IQ move, just want him to block to the whistle. See McCullough staying on that 3-tech 6 yard downfield? I want Wydermyer to show that type of aggression when blocking.
Result of the play is an 8 yard gain setting up 2nd and 2. Aggies would score two plays later to make it 42-17.
So how do you beat Arkansas' 3-2-6 defense? They want to use alignment or scheme to shut down your running game, so you go old school and take them where they want to go and beat them with power at the point of attack with a side helping of brutality. You run zone and shove the defensive line into the linebackers laps, and run gap scheme so you can beat up on their apex defenders and secondary players for fun. The 3-2-6 wants to play defense in space, you bring it back to trench warfare and beat them where you have the advantage.
The 3-2 alignment in the box tempts you to run the ball, but that is a trap, they're counting on that read and set to play the run. The zone running game primarily attacks the playside A-gap, backside B-gap, and playside C-gap, so either by alignment or playcall, the 3-2-6 is designed to take away those three gaps via run fits to shut down the zone running game. Because of its ability to shut down the 10 personnel run while also defending the pass, the 3-2-6 is seen by some as the 'spread killer' defense.
The Tite front popular among many defenses today is basically the base 3-4 alignment for the DE-NG-DE. The difference between both ends in a 4 tech with a NG as a 0/1-tech and a DT-NT-DE in a 4i-0-4i is negligible, although they both accomplish the same goal. Aligning the ends as 4-techs (or 4i) means both B-gaps are covered, so by alignment you've taken away the cutback play in the zone running game. The 0/1-tech to the strongside means you've covered one A-gap, the other A-gap is normally the responsibility of the MLB, so by alignment you've taken away the both A-gaps and both B-gaps, forcing all runs outside where the defense can use their speed to run down the ballcarrier. In the 3-4, the OLBs had the C-gaps, in the 3-2-6 that responsibility can be the apex defenders by alignment, or an inside LB or one of three safeties or a CB by play call. The appeal of the 3-2-6 from a personnel standpoint is you can run an effective defense while only needing three down linemen and two capable linebackers while deploying plenty of athletes on the back end to stop the run and the pass. Many programs have a shortage of stud defensive linemen but an abundance of athletes they can make into apex defenders or secondary players. The appeal of the 3-2-6 from a schematic standpoint is you can deploy any linebacker or safety or cornerback to fill against the run, so you're able to use second and third level defenders to execute a first-level job.
From a philosophical standpoint, the 3-2-6 is an amusing innovation. Have-not programs started using spread formations to spread out the big defenders of have programs to force the bigger stronger have defenders to cover the smaller faster have-not athletes in space. This was a game changer for have-not programs, because while they lacked the size and strength to win match-ups at the point of attack and stop have offenses, they could win games by making games into shootouts, and depend on their wide-open offenses to outscore plodding have offenses. Eventually have programs came around and starting running the spread themselves, using the have-not weapon against have-not programs, so now they're getting blown out. So a have-not at Iowa State innovates and uses the 3-2-6 to shut down Oklahoma's version of the Air Raid, and now everyone is using it. The answer to beating a defense that takes away your zone running game and your passing game by putting athletes all over the field? Going back to the original advantage, and putting your size and strength up against their speed and athleticism. The 3-2-6 wants to take away the A, B, and C gaps through alignment or play call, the answer to that question is to lead the defense exactly where you want them to go, and beat them at the point of attack by bringing more numbers and more power to that location. So in order to beat the have-not innovation created by the haves taking the have-not offensive weapon, you simply have to revert back to the original have approach on offense, and beat the have-nots with size and brutality. Football has truly come full circle.
So we're going to look at some plays from Arkansas 2020.
First play, 1st and 10 from the Arkansas 15, game tied 7-7, 21 personnel strong to the field, split backs aligned around the QB, Smith to Mond's left, Spiller to the right.
Arkansas is in the Tite front on defense, linemen in a 4i-0-4i with both inside linebackers in 30 alignments, so 5-man box. We have one apex defender on the line weakside and one of the line strongside, so while we have 5 in the box, this is a 7 man front.
At the snap, we're running split zone bluff, or as I call it when they use split backs, Scissors. Instead of a tight end or H-back coming across the formation to 'bluff' the slice block, Spiller crosses in front of Mond after the snap, causing the strongside apex defender to come down to fill the D gap. This is camouflage for the fact that the landmark for the play is the strongside A gap.
We're zoning right, and the defense is flowing left with the zone. At the snap, you see Ryan McCullough is happy to let the NG slant weakside and away from the play, taking him where he wants to go. LG Kenyon Green goes second level for the backside linebacker, but he is stemming weakside so hard, he takes himself out of the play. If you want to laugh, watch LT Dan Moore, he throws the DE inside using one arm. Jalen Wydermyer gets an okay but not amazing block on the playside linebacker, he is able to seal him outside so Smith can cut back inside his block. Backside, Hocker climbs second level to block apex defender/safety Joe Foucha. Normally I'd be annoyed he doesn't stay on his block until the whistle, but he does block him, and Foucha's rolling attempt at a tackle actually takes Smith into the end zone, so just like we drew it up? The backside DE is slanting weakside to take the C gap, and RT Carson Green does fine letting him go where he wants to go, completely away from the play.
Remember how I said the CBs in a 3-2-6 act as part of the 9 man front against the run? Watch #17 when the realizes this is a run, pretty sure he got away with some targeting as he came in late to spear the ballcarrier. #21, who is covering Hezekiah, is also late to the play.
Result of the play is a 15 yard rushing TD for Smith.
Next play.
Second quarter, 1:19 mark, 21-14 score, 1st and Goal from Arkansas 6 yard line, ball on the boundary hash.
We come out in 12 personnel, Ace set, twins right, Spiller the lone back. Arkansas is in an Over front to the field, with a lone DE aligned outside Renick in a 9 tech to the boundary side. There is an apex defender outside that DE and nickelback Greg Brooks is the apex defender on the strongside, responsible for both the slot receiver in the passing game and D gap in the running game.
At the snap, McCullough takes the weakside one-tech and drives him inside. Hocker and C-Green destroy the 3-tech defensive tackle, almost throwing him into the lap of the middle linebacker Grant Morgan. De Eric Gregory tries to slant inside into the C gap, and Wydermyer does a nice job staying outside of him and sealing him inside.
Spiller takes the handoff and flows inside, causing the defensive to flow inside, before bouncing it outside. Brooks actually makes the right read but thinks thumping Isaiah Spiller with a shoulder will deter him? Do you even SEC, bro?
You're going to try to fill the gaps through play call and run fits? Okay, we'll answer with brutality and let our RB simply run to daylight.
Play is tight zone, and the result is a 6 yard TD run and a two score lead for the Aggies.
Next play.
3rd quarter, 2:17 mark, we're up 35-17, 1st and 10 from our 47, we're in 12 personnel, Ace set, strong right, ball is on boundary hash.
We're running counter trey.
Hocker is the puller and kickout block, Wydermyer has the pin/wrap block.
At the snap, McCullough does a down blocking to the 3-tech, while C-Green scoops the backside DE. Kenyon Green blocks down on the one-tech, anchors against the slant, and then takes him away from the play. Dan Moore doesn't do a great job on getting on the backside LB, but he gets caught up in the wash when Wydermyer over-runs his block.
Hocker does a nice job taking on DE Julius Coates on the kickout, Wydermyer almost over-runs playside linebacker Bumper Pool, but comes back to pin him inside. I'm happy with the high IQ move, just want him to block to the whistle. See McCullough staying on that 3-tech 6 yard downfield? I want Wydermyer to show that type of aggression when blocking.
Result of the play is an 8 yard gain setting up 2nd and 2. Aggies would score two plays later to make it 42-17.
So how do you beat Arkansas' 3-2-6 defense? They want to use alignment or scheme to shut down your running game, so you go old school and take them where they want to go and beat them with power at the point of attack with a side helping of brutality. You run zone and shove the defensive line into the linebackers laps, and run gap scheme so you can beat up on their apex defenders and secondary players for fun. The 3-2-6 wants to play defense in space, you bring it back to trench warfare and beat them where you have the advantage.
