I coach a set of 8-9 year old boys in a youth tackle program. We are heading into the championships against a very fast team. Their QB and RB are very fast and the offense goes through those 2. Believe it or not they pass the ball with alot of success. Their qb is quick enough to get out of the pocket and setup. Their RB is the checkdown back and if neither is open he will run. I only have 1 boy that is as fast as either 2 of them with a couple of other boys that have good speed but not like them. We normally play a 5-3 with 1 safety but I am thinking since they run alot of plays to the outside and pass and hardly never run inside going to a 4-3 with 2 safeties. That way it counters the big play. My defensive ends need to contain and put pressure on the QB to start but when they do get into the open field they do damage. What'sthe best defensive in your mind to run and what's the best way to counter that speed? Thanks

While I somewhat agree with the first guy..learning a new defnese in a week is bad, I think the 4-4 is the way to go. I coach 6th graders and they can handle the change. really all your doing is dropping your quickest DE back as a LB and spreading the remaining DL out. DB's and FS really won't change assignments. OLB have flats and RB safety valve to the flats... ILBs have RB out over the middle. I'd pinch your DTs to help contain the dives. DE still have contain on sweeps with OLB running outside-in technique, ILB clean up the cut back lanes.

On the rollouts.. OLB have the RB and ILB/ DE should take care of QB.

So let me get this straight. You want to get a bunch of 8 and 9 year olds to learn a new defense within the span of a week.

These poor kids are screwed because their coach is a tard.

The GAM
Gap Air Mirror
Jack Reed is a guy that wrote the book it's a great defense for youth football your 4 lineman are on all 4's lined up in the A and B gaps the bear crawl thru the line tell them not to stand they need to fill the holes to force outside 2 lb's are head to head with the ends on the offensive line depending on formation but regardless the DE's need to run Air and your 2 CB'S and 1 LB left Mirror the backfield formation its sound hard but read the book and you will be good to go for next year

4-4. Sounds like when the pass they roll to one side and let her ripe. Put the fast kid you have at safety. Line the tackles up as 3 techs and the ends up as 5's. Take your nose guard out and replace with a speedy guy as a middle linebacker. Have your 2 middle linebackers shadow the running back. Use your outside linebackers for containment. Line them up pretty far outside. If the QB rolls to there side, attack with the outside linebackers. Have the safety roll to what ever side the QB goes. 4-4 gives you a chance to spread your defense out.