What makes the 46 Defense the best defense for youth football?
While there are a number of different defenses that are popular in lower levels of football, we feel that the 46 Defense is the best to run for a number of reasons. Not only does it provide constant pressure, but it also puts kids in the position to succeed and it makes defensive football fun. Let’s take a look at what the 46 Defense is and why we feel it is the best choice for young football teams.
What Is the 46 Defense?
The original 46 Defense has origins in the late 1970s and early 1980s from Coach Buddy Ryan as an aggressive defensive football scheme that provides constant interior pressure on football offenses. While many people believe that the name “46 Defense” comes from the alignment of the system, it actually refers to former NFL player Doug Plank (jersey #46), who was the strong safety in Ryan’s original 46 Defense for the Chicago Bears.
The 46 Defense increased in popularity in the 1980s and peaked in popularity in 1985 with the Chicago Bears utilizing this system and becoming the most dominant NFL defense of all-time.
The main goal of the 46 defense is to wreak havoc on offenses with providing constant pressure for opposing quarterbacks and running games.
Why Choose the 46 Defense at the Youth and Middle School Level ?
Plain and simple the 46 Defense is the #1 defense for stopping a run game, thus forcing teams to quickly throw the ball to win games. While NFL players such as Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes would have their way with a traditional 46 defense, the average youth quarterback and offensive line aren’t equipped to stop relentless pressure the whole game.
The best part of the 46 Defense is that it has evolved over the years with the Automatic Front Calls so that the defense can be adjusted to any offense that may be presented.
For youth football up through smaller high school football programs, the 46 defense not only makes sense, as it takes away the run game, but it is an easy install for new coaches and it is a fun system for young football players to learn and run.
46 Defense Philosophy
Buddy Ryan originally designed the system to counter the run heavy offenses of the NFL in the late 1970s, what he found out is that tweaking the 46 defense and moving players around not only negated opposing run games, but was also effective versus the passing game as it required opposing quarterbacks to be uncomfortable the whole game with constant pressure coming from all angles.
Below is a list of Coach Buddy Ryan’s defensive philosophy with the 46 Bear Defense.
- Approach every game with the plan on winning with the defense.
- Create constant pressure on opposing offenses by varying defensive looks.
- Never be beaten physically by the opposing team.
- Hit the quarterback hard and often.
- No one will ever “out hustle” our defensive unit.
- Never miss an opportunity to punish opposing players within the rules.
- Defense MUST be a complete team effort, if one part fails the whole defense fails.
- Know your assignment on each play.
- You must stay in great condition.
“If we are a smart, tough, well-conditioned defense– WE WILL WIN! – Coach Buddy Ryan
Advantages of the 46 Defense
The 46 Defense is not the #1 defense for all levels of football, as a great QB with a good offensive line and few great receivers who can throw to all parts of the field would have a much easier time with picking apart a traditional 46 defense. With that being said, it is rare to find a youth football team with a great throwing QB and it is even more rare to find a complete offense in lower football levels that has a top of the line passing game.
Here are some of the main advantages of installing the 46 defense at the youth and middle school level.
Shuts down most running attacks: The (+1) philosophy of the defense is designed to outnumber the opposing offense’s ability to block players at the line of scrimmage, thus forcing teams to abandon the run.
Forces teams to throw: If we look at the makeup of most football teams, the quarterback is often the best player on the team who is primarily a runner, but can throw some too. With that in mind, very few 8 to 13 year olds can make accurate 20 yard throws downfield, let alone do this with no time to throw and pressure in their face.
Easy to coach and run: Teaching football fundamentals and how to play the game is primarily the #1 reason why kids and adults participate in football. Many teams are coached by dads who have never played football, older brothers and other coaches that have never played past high school. With that being said, the 46 defense rules are simple to install and easy to adjust during games for kids and coaches.
Makes defense fun: Typical youth and middle school football games are dominated by one or two of the best players on offense and can be high scoring games. The 46 defense makes “defense fun” as it creates a lot of sacks, turnovers, interceptions and puts players in positions to succeed as it is a system, more than just one “superstar” controlling the game.