Today Harrison Sports Academy is breaking down the Kings Formation from the offensive and defensive perspective in the 4-4. Kings formation utilizes two Tight ends and one running back. However, as simple as the formation looks you should be able to run the majority of your offense out of this personnel grouping. This is especially true if your team has players with multiple skillsets.
Kings Formation The Alignment
Although many modern day offenses run with a shotgun formation, Kings uses the under center technique. First, we have basic offensive line splits. However, Kings formation is unique because it uses a double tight formation. This causes opposing defenses to declare their front earlier than expected. More importantly, the pair of tight ends allows the offense to create leverage on both sides of the formation.
The defense can either show an even look to stop the run game or display an even look to defend against the pass. Some teams will automatically go to cover-2 because of the formation. Yet, that can really put the defense on its heels if they don’t have the extra defender in the run game.
Kings 4-4 Defensive Alignments
We are going to review eight 4-4 defenses that can be used against the Kings Formation. When drawing up an offense, the coordinator must prepare for looks that may or may not be seen any given week. The blocking assignments will vary based on defensive fronts and positioning. Think in terms of an odd front with 3 or 5 on the line of scrimmage or an even front with 4 or 6 defenders on the line.
Therefore, you will have rules based on the odd front and an even front. Overall, it could be a front 7 or front 8 which is the case for this 4-4 look we are about to review.
Offensively, there are three basic principles you can study from an opponent when you’re in Kings. Where is the defensive end lining up? Are they lining up inside the tight end, outside the tight end or head up the tight end. Football is all about leverage and the defense can dictate where you want to run the ball.
Where are the linebackers located on a given play against Kings? The inside linebackers may be at normal depth of 4 to 5 yards off the line of scrimmage. Meanwhile, you may see the outside linebackers creeping up on the edge. Don’t be surprised if the defense is bringing 5 rushers on a given play.
If the corners and safety are giving you a cover 1 or cover 3 look, they probably aren’t lying. You may see the corners utilizing press coverage. Meaning, the outside linebackers are likely to have the tight ends in man coverage as well.
Naturally, the 4-4 is supposed to be able to contain the run. Instead of having an even look in the secondary, this even defense comes up front and can manage each gap very well. Now, let’s get to our basic 4-4 alignments.
I. Kings 4-4 11 and 33 Cover 3 Look
This 4-4 alignment is self explanatory once you understand the terminology. The No. 11 stands for the positioning of the Defensive tackles. They are both in the A-gap surrounding the center. Meanwhile, 33 has the defensive tackles set up outside shade of the guards. The rest of the defense lines up based on the call.
A. 4-4 11 Cover 3 vs. Kings
Will the defensive ends play inside technique (7i or C-Gap) of the TE? If so, the blocking tight ends have a great opportunity to block down and wash the edge defender inside. Great execution will create the opportunities for big runs on the perimeter.
The 4-4 11 defense should be a great run stopping unit against the Kings formation. First of all, certain teams love to run on the edge out of this formation. Meaning, look for off tackle plays to put the defensive ends and outside linebackers in a bind.
The defensive tackles are in 11 technique. They are gapping on both sides of the center. As a result, this should make it difficult for the offense to pull both guards in the ground attack. The alignment makes it demanding for the playside tackle to block down and it may cause the offense to utilize a base blocking scheme. However, there are more than two ways to block the front 7/8 and the more experienced offensive lines will have the ability as well as continuity to make line calls and audibles.
For instance, the front 4 is begging to be doubled on the playside in either direction. There is an inherent double team no matter which way you go. If the initial play call was for a handoff to the right, instead of pulling the guard, all you have to do is double team the defensive tackle with the center. Meanwhile, the right tackle and Y tight end double team the C-Gap DE. The combo block helps the right tackle get to the inside linebacker in the B-Gap.
A. 4-4 33 Cover 3 Look vs. Kings
Another 4-4 look the defense may throw at the Kings Formation is with the defensive tackles in the B-Gap and the defensive ends in the D-Gap on the perimeter. Once again, the 8-man box has each gap covered. However, the linebacker alignment remains one gap inside of the front 4. The two inside linebackers maintain the A-gap responsibility on each side. You’ll notice this is not conducive in short yardage situations where a quarterback sneak may be in play. Meanwhile, the left and right linebacker are playing inside the tight ends. They must be tough against the run at the point of attack. There are multiple blocking situations these linebackers have to deal with.
Any stretch play can resort to man-on-man blocking to create running lanes through the C-Gap. The basic double team with the strong side guard and tackle is still available. That means the tight end is still kicking out the defensive end. Therefore, the play side linebacker should be reading the offensive tackle.
For example, if the offensive tackle blocks down, the linebacker should fill the C-gap hole on runs. However, this could be a play action scheme to get the tight end behind the defense, especially if the defense goes to a cover 1.
II. Kings 4-4 13 and 31 Cover 3 Look
A. 4-4 13 Cover 3 Look vs. Kings
The 4-4 13 defense covers all the gap responsibilities like the aforementioned defenses. However, this alignment closely resembles a 4-3 monster look with the left outside linebacker playing outside of the Y tight end. Meanwhile, the other three linebackers are playing from inside shade of the right tackle to outside shade of the left tackle.
The defensive line shades to the offenses left. The right defensive end is outside shade of the tight end. He can’t let anything outside and must set the edge each and every play barring a stunt. Notice how the right defensive tackle is solidly in the B-gap, while being flanked by the right linebacker and right inside linebacker. The left defensive tackle is positioned in the opposite A-gap.
B. 4-4 31 Cover 3 Look vs. Kings
The 4-4 31 defensive front uses the same premise as the 13 just to the opposite side. Even though the offense remains even and balanced, certain teams may have tendencies to look at. For example, they may run heavy at one tight end, while the other tight end is more lethal in the passing game.
The right outside linebacker can easily get to the flats if it’s cover 3. If it’s cover 1, the ROLB has outside leverage on the X tight. You can also play with the coverages to confuse the offense.
You may see a defense utilize a cover 2 scheme out of the 4-4 look. However, there are many different ways to get there. Any of the four linebackers can become one of the deep safeties. One of the outside linebackers can also turn into the cover 2 flat while the corner rotates to the deep half of the field.
III. Kings 4-4 Even Right and Left
The 4-4 Even just means the four defensive linemen are head up the X tight end, left guard, right guard and Y tight end. Now, you can shift the linebackers head up to the right or left. If it’s 4-4 Right, the right outside linebacker is free. If it’s 4-4 Left, the Left outside linebacker is free.
A. 4-4 Even Right vs. Kings Formation
This defense leaves the center and two tackles uncovered on the line of scrimmage. The two defensive tackles are heads up with the offensive guards, while the three linebackers are head up the offensive tackles and Center.
If the defense is facing a team with great blocking tight ends as well as pass catchers, the 4-4 even alignment is a great neutralizer. Many reasons why tight ends have been able to dominate games is their ability to receive a free release off the line of scrimmage. It puts the linebackers in a bind against a strong play action team.
Well, this defensive formation can have the defensive ends jam the opposing TEs at the line of scrimmage. Furthermore, the DEs won’t be in a hurry to rush up field and create easy running lanes off tackle. It also gives the linebackers freedom to run to the ball and get into pass coverage without compromising their run fit integrity.
B. 4-4 Even Left vs. Kings Formation
The 4-4 Even left just shifts the defense to the left side. It has the same responsibilities but there are some factors to consider. If the quarterback is right handed you can look for bootlegs to what would be considered the strong side of the defense. Therefore, the left defensive end must not get sucked down the line of scrimmage on any type of play fake attached to a bootleg.
IV. Kings 4-4 Stack
The final 4-4 defense we will preview against Kings Formation is the 4-4 stack. We will display the 4-4 Outside Wide Stack and the 4-4 Inside Slim Stack. Defensive coordinators can even play with these alignments to fit their opponent.
A. 4-4 Outside Wide Stack vs. Kings
The 4-4 outside wide stack has as similar front to the 4-4 33. However, the defensive tackles are head up with the offensive tackles. This will be good for stunting and blitzes, especially on passing downs. The defensive Ends are head up the tight ends with the two outside linebackers stacked behind the defensive ends.
The inside linebackers are head up the guards. This is convenient for a double dog stunt. In this case, those two linebackers can each attack the A-gap with a blitz. Or you can use a variation where one of the defensive tackles slants inside and the inside linebacker blitzes through the B-gap.
B. 4-4 Slim Stack vs. Kings Formation
The 4-4 inside slim stack places the defensive tackles head up the guard. The inside linebackers are right behind them. The defensive ends remain head up the tight ends. However, the outside linebackers are both on the perimeter as edge defenders against the run.
There is no defender covering the tackles. As a result, the tackles might be the best pullers in the run game if they see this alignment. The center could also be an option to pull play side if he has the ability to do so.
Stay tuned for play diagrams against each of these defenses. You can also check our Football Chalk Talk page that features the Diamond formation.