How to Play a 5-3 Defense

While seldom employed in college or professional football anymore, the 5-3 defense does contain some useful concepts that are still employed at the high school level and below. The formation, while strong down the middle, and against deep pass coverage, leaves the defense weak at the flanks, and has wide gaps along the defensive line.



The formation aligns five defensive linemen -- two ends, two tackles and one nose tackle along the line -- with three linebackers, and two hybrid safety/cornerbacks and a free safety make up the secondary.

Things You'll Need

  • 11 players minimum, more if you want to rotate players in and out.
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Instructions

  1. Aligning and executing the base 5-3 defense

    • 1
      Proper defensive alignment is key to execution.

      Group your players by position. For the defensive line group you'll need two ends, and three tackles (one to be designated the nose tackle, who will play the middle of the line) which you will spread out at half-yard intervals, parallel to the line of scrimmage. For your linebacker group you'll want to position them so that they fill the gaps left open by the defensive line, between three and five yards behind the defensive linemen. For the secondary you'll want to position your two cornerbacks approximately five to seven yards off the line of scrimmage, shadowing the offense's wide receivers. The free safety you'll position approximately seven yards behind the middle linebacker.

    • 2
      The linebackers should control the inside run gaps.

      Understand the positional assignments. Each defender has a unique assignment to execute once the ball has been snapped. While the tackles will (in most cases) be primarily rushing the quarterback (on passes) or locating the running back (on rushes), the defensive ends will be playing contain, and not allowing anyone into the flats.

      The linebackers will in most cases locate the running backs and tight ends, and shadow them in man coverage, though certain situations will call for the linebackers to blitz the quarterback.

      The two cornerbacks will show man coverage, but drop back with the free safety into a "cover three" shell, each taking a medium to deep zone against the pass.

    • 3
      Quick realignment is critical to the success of the 5-3.

      Realign and execute after the play is whistled dead. After the play is over, and the ball has been re-spotted, it is critical for the defenders to get back into their original positions as quickly as possible, as this particular defense is vulnerable to hurry up, and spread type offenses.