What is a '3-4' defense?

What is a '3-4' defense?

Darrin Chiaverini (Football Coach and Professional Athlete) gives expert video advice on: What are the different defensive formations?; What is a '3-4' defense?; What is a '4-3' defense? and more...

A 3-4 defense is three down linemen, four linebackers, and teams use this for a variety of reasons. If they think a line backing core is better than a defensive line and they want to get those guys on the field, they'll take a defensive lineman out and put in an extra linebacker in. Other reasons why they'll do it is if you play a team that passes a ball a lot, that you can get one of your linebackers matched up on a tightened or a slot receiver.