DefenseBANDIT

Important things to know about the Bandit Defense: Most of the superior athletic teams use standard 3-3

defense – the essential foundation of the Bandit Defensive coverage.

This defense has two executions: The first defensive execution is meant to trick the QB into

thinking we are playing a Cover 2 with a 4-2 alignment, but in fact we execute a 3-3 alignment. This can an create turnovers, or be picked apart. It should not be run on the

opponents side of the 50 yard line. By limiting this play to a short field we force the QB to read smaller windows as the defense can’t be stretched out as long vertically, and more condensed traffic helps disguise the dropping weak side LB.

The second defensive execution is used when we have the lead and are worried about the opponents taking repeated shots downfield. This leaves wide holes open underneath. It should not be called unless time

or down is a factor forcing the other team to throw deep.

INTRODUCTION

3-3 DefenseTricky Defense or Deep Containment Defense.Vertically Balanced

BASE PLAY

Trick Deep Containment (Execution #1) (Execution #2)

CB’s should align approximately 6 yards from the sideline.

LB’s should align approximately 6 yards from the CBs and each other.

BANDIT BASE ALIGNMENT

Execution #1 Execution #2

CB’s should align approximately 8 yards from the sideline and 10 yards from the MLB.

MLB is over the Center, and 10 yards from either CB.

These al ignment shifts should be subtle, and not create large gaps in the defense. LBs and CBs evenly spaced between

WRs. Strong side WRs are bracketed by

both LBs. Weak Side Safety is aligned inside of

the slot WR. Strong Side Safety is aligned over the

top of the slot WR.

BANDIT PROPER ALIGNMENT

Execution #1 Execution #2

These alignment shifts should be subtle, and not create large gaps in the defense. CBs aligned on the outside

shoulder of the slot WRs. Outside Safeties aligned over

inside shoulder of the Wideouts. MLB and Middle Safety aligned

over Center. It is ok if the Safety aligns slightly

on the strong side.

Only used in the fi rst execution of the play that is designed to appear like Cover 2. The pre-snap alignments for both defensive formations should look exactly the same to the QB.

Regardless of where the Strong side WR lines up, the defense creates a bracket on either side of the Strong Side WR, and the WR they lineup next to.

BRACKETING THE STRONG SIDE WR

CBs and LBs align 5-7 yards from the line of scrimmage.

CBs and LBs can drop up to 15 yards from the line of scrimmage - more if necessary.

FRONT LINE DEPTH

Execution #1 Execution #2

Bandit is vertically balanced, meaning that the defense is design to play at two levels: 3 short and 3 deep.

THE BALANCE OF A BANDIT DEFESE

Execution #1 Execution #2

In Execution #1, the goal is to move defenders into unexpected gaps, so by design the balance is very chal lenging as the middle is reinforced.

In Execution #2, horizontal balance can be maintained as the MLB and Middle Safety can simply support the side that needs help most.

DefenseBANDITExecution #1

Several weak spots created from static shift . Because the defense is automatically shifting at the snap, a sharp QB

and WR may immediately connect in the space that our defenders just vacated.

Only 3 defenders covering for the fi rst 15 yards means each one has about 8 yards between them and a sideline or another defender, or in other words, each one has a 15x16 yard box to cover. That’s a lot of space.

Because both LBs are shift ing after the snap before acquiring their coverage targets, it is possible that WRs may be thrown to quickly underneath in the space they recently vacate.

WEAK SPOTS OF A BANDIT(EXECUTION #1)

Uses deception against the opposing QB to bait interceptions. Weak side LB drops back

into an area of the field the QB anticipates will be open versus a Cover 2 defense.

All defenders shift from their initial zones to a standard 3-3, but only after the snap.

STRENGTHS OF THE BANDIT(EXECUTION #1)

Medium / Long Situations The Bandit is strong vs.

medium range passes – especially up the middle. It is also strong deep, but can get taken advantage of with post and deep post routes which is why it is important to only use the defense on a half field or less.

It is likely the opponents will try to stretch the CB back and run a route underneath him, or they will try to draw the Safety away from the sideline, and then throw over the CB on a double move.

COMMON WEAK SIDE ROUTES(EXECUTION #1)

The Safet ies fi rst pr ior i ty is always the deep sidel ine threat. There is help over the middle, but they are solely responsible for their deep third of the fi eld.

The weak s ide LB must drop back to the middle and keep his head on a swivel looking for a second level crossing route. Sometimes this means the zone he vacates gets passed to. That ok, as long as the tackle is made short ly thereafter.

The CB needs to be faced inside and prepared to jump the fi rst shal low crossing route he sees. The CBs are NOT responsible for double move routes, so once a WR releases they need to move to another WR as quickly as possible.

COVERAGE FOR COMMON WEAK SIDE ROUTE PATTERNS (EXECUTION #1)

By design the strong side LB will be moving inside at the beginning of the play, and the weak side LB will move inside but at the second level.

This can both thwart, or cause, an imbalance in the short area of the field.

COMMON STRONG SIDE ROUTE PATTERNS(EXECUTION #1)

The Sa fe t ies fi rs t p r io r i ty i s a lways the deep s ide l ine th reat . There i s he lp over the m idd le , bu t they a re so le ly respons ib le fo r the i r deep th i rd o f the fi e ld . However , the s t rong s ide i s suscept ib le to doub le moves i f they happen fas t enough , o r the p lay d rags on long enough .

The s t rong s ide LB must move towards the center o f the fi e ld and looks to take away sha l low cross ing rou tes . Somet imes th i s means the zone he vacates gets passed to. That ok , as long as the tack le i s made shor t l y therea fte r.

The weak s ide LB must d rop back to the m idd le and keep h i s head on a sw ive l l ook ing fo r a second leve l c ross ing route . Somet imes th i s means the zone he vacates gets passed to. That ok , as long as the tack le i s made shor t ly therea fte r.

The CB needs to be faced ins ide and p repared to jump the fi rs t sha l low cross ing route he sees . The CBs a re NOT respons ib le fo r doub le move rou tes , so once a WR re leases they need to move to another WR as qu ick ly as poss ib le .

COVERAGE FOR COMMON STRONG SIDE ROUTE PATTERNS

(EXECUTION #1)

Either the Center going to the Strong side, or a Weak side WR crossing to the Strong side, causes a flood (greater than 1:1 ratio).

Bandit’s succes versus the flood depends on how the flood is executed.

WHAT IF THEY FLOOD?(EXECUTION #1)

If the flood has some WRs near the middle of the field, they will be covered, and the defensive ration will be maintained.

If they flood to sideline against Bandit there are simply more WRs than we can keep up with. In this case, always favor the deeper route fi rst. A 5 yard gain is obviously better than a 20 yard gain.

BANDIT FLOOD COVERAGE(EXECUTION #1)

Good Example Bad Example

Bandit isn’t strong against a fake flood, particularily if its intended to be a short pass. The weak side LB needs to get back over the middle quickly, but that may leave the strong side LB in pursuit of his man. However, the benefit is that any deep throw should be contested by a defender.

WHAT IF IT LOOKS LIKE A FLOOD, BUT ISN’T?

(EXECUTION #1)

DefenseBANDITExecution #2

Weak short and on the sidelines Will take away the deep ball, but at the cost of yards underneath and

possibly clock stoppage. Missed tackles can be devastating as the purpose of this

formation is to prevent long plays, and missing a tackle while having so much real estate to cover can lead to big gains.

The sidelines can be exploited, and the defense is prone to double moves.

The longer the play takes the greater the chance for an opening underneath.

WEAK SPOTS OF A BANDIT(EXECUTION #2)

Ensures the middle and deep areas are always contested QBs without strong arms have

more air time on the balls they throw, and this defense can leave only the sideline and really short open.

Favorable defense to use to take away the deep ball, and still have support underneath to make a tackle and prevent a lot of yards after the catch.

STRENGTHS OF THE BANDIT(EXECUTION #2)

Medium / Long Situations The Bandit’s vertical

balance ensures that both the medium an deep depths have 3 defenders. At the shorter depths it may only mean to ensure a tackle, but at the deeper depth it ensures all thrown balls are contested.

The Safeties are responsible for deep thirds of the field.

CBs have mid-depth responsibilities on the front 15 yards of the field divided into thirds and shared with the MLB.

MLB spies the QB and looks for crossing routes to jump.

COMMON WEAK SIDE ROUTES(EXECUTION #2)

Outside Safeties have deep third responsibil it ies, and wil l cover the sideline threat fi rst and foremost.

The CB wil l be faced inside during the back pedal, and be looking for crossing routes to jump in front of knowing he has help over the top.

The MLB wil l be spying the QB, and if a cross comes from either side the MLB wil l crash on the route.

The Middle Safety is responsible for the middle third of the deep fi eld, and wil l cover the biggest threat in their zone.

COVERAGE FOR COMMON WEAK SIDE ROUTE PATTERNS (EXECUTION #2)

Assuming the Center goes to the Weak side and creates a balanced attack, the Strong side generally is in some form of a trips alignment.

COMMON STRONG SIDE ROUTE PATTERNS(EXECUTION #2)

Outside Safeties have deep third responsibi l i t ies, and wi l l cover the sidel ine threat fi rst and foremost.

The CB wi l l be faced inside during the back pedal, and be looking for crossing routes to jump in front of knowing he has help over the top.

The MLB wil l be spying the QB, and i f a cross comes from either side the MLB wil l crash on the route.

The Middle Safety is responsible for the middle third of the deep fi eld, and wi l l cover the biggest threat in their zone.

COVERAGE FOR COMMON STRONG SIDE ROUTE PATTERNS

(EXECUTION #2)

Either the Center going to the Strong side, or a Weak side WR crossing to the Strong side, causes a flood (greater than 1:1 ratio).

WHAT IF THEY FLOOD?(EXECUTION #2)

If the Center or weak side WR runs to the strong side creating a flood, the counter is as simple as having the MLB and Safety move towards that side of the field from the center line.

The Bandit Execution #2 is strong against flood route patterns.

BANDIT FLOOD COVERAGE(EXECUTION #2)

The MLB will key the Center, and if the Center runs to the Strong side the MLB will become responsible for covering the 1 st WR to cross towards the middle or weak-side.

WHAT IF IT LOOKS LIKE A FLOOD, BUT ISN’T?

(EXECUTION #2)

Maintain 3-3 al ignment, with MLB and Safety playing the center l ine.

Front l ine of defenders are CBs and LBs. LBs need to drop up to 15 yards, and have a lot of space to cover.

Tackl ing after short passes is essent ial to the success of the defense.

Bandit is not strong vs. short plays in the open fi eld, but can take away the long bal l .

Bandit can be executed two ways: The 1 s t deceives the QB into thinking they’re facing a Cover 2, but after

the snap the front line of defenders shift into the gaps and into a 3-3 formation.

The 2nd is used to control the deep and middle of the fi eld, often to run time off the clock and prevent a big gain, or against QBs with weak arms who will struggle to throw a deep out on a bullet.

Both play execut ions have var ious unique qual i t ies, and should be used s ituat ional ly.

RECAP