Art Kaufman is the third defensive coordinator for the Golden Bears in three years. When Kaufman was hired he made statements to the effect that he would run a 4-3 scheme and focus on fundamentals. This sounds a lot like what we heard from last year's defensive coordinator when his short reign began, yet the on field results have been a polar opposite.
The difference seems to be an attacking defense versus a reading and reacting one. This article on the history of the 4-3 defense and Art Kaufman's place in that history is a great place to start. I have chosen to look at the first three plays of the 4th quarter in the Sacramento State at California game. I wanted to get a sense of Kaufman's basic scheme and so I chose a time in the game when the calls should be simplest, a large lead with the starters on the bench.
Dramatis Personae
Who are the actors in our play? Though not starters each of these defenders played well and should continue to contribute this year (list in order top to bottom and left to right of the formation)
Cornerback #37 Cedric Dozier
Defensive End #24 Antione Davis
Defensive Tackle #97 Tony Mekari
Defensive Tackle #52 David Davis
Defensive End #99 Sione Sina
Cornerback #2 Darius Allensworth
Linebacker #32 Edward Tandy
Linebacker #1 Devante Downs
Linebacker #30 Jake Kearney
Safety #38 Cormac Craigie
Safety #26 Griffin Piatt (The Interceptor!)
Play #1 The Base Defense
The name 4-3 defense is derived from the four linemen (labeled in Blue) and three linebackers (labeled in Gold) who make up the typical personnel group. Each D-lineman or linebacker is responsible for defending a territory or "Gap". These gaps are defined by the offensive formation. The offense is limited in how they can line up by rule. Some offenses experiment with this lineup but the defense should always be able to find their Gaps.
A gap is between the Center and either Guard on the offensive line, B gap is between the Guard and Tackle and C gap is outside the Tackle. If every gap is plugged there should be no where for the offense to run the ball. Pass defense is handled by the secondary: cornerbacks and safeties.
When we watch this play unfold from the defensive perspective we can see the Defensive Linemen "shoot the gaps" or try to get penetration between and behind the offensive linemen. The linebackers "scrape" or move laterally with the flow of the play, staying in their gap but not getting caught up in the mess that the line has become so that they can remain free to make a tackle. In any defense it is the linebackers who are responsible for making most of the tackles.
The linebackers in this play are responsible for stopping the run first, then the pass, while the secondary drops back into pass coverage first before closing to stop the run. Everyone has an assignment before the play begins:
D-Line --> Get penetration into the offensive back field
Linebackers --> Stop the run
Secondary --> Cover the pass
Play 2 - The Corner Blitz
For this play, 2nd and 10, we have a Nickelback #18 Joel Willis who has substituted in for the Defensive Tackle #52. This substitution brings more speed to the field at the expense of run-stopping mass. Even though the personnel are different they still have their Gap responsibilities.
Because the The Nickelback covers C gap while the Cornerback comes in on a blitz.
#32 Tandy and #83 Craigie drop into shallow and deep zones to cover the area of the field vacated by the blitzing cornerback. On the other side the Corner and Linebacker are locked into man-to-man coverage. #1 Downs has run responsibility and his gap to cover while there is one Safety free as the last line of defense.
The linemen get penetration once again while the Nickelback does a great job of not over perusing his responsibility (to turn the play inside). Sacramento State decides not to block either the blitzing Corner nor the Nickelback and this run is stopped before it starts.
Play 3 - Pass Defense
In this play we once again have a Nickelback in for the Defensive Tackle (much harder to read the numbers, sorry for the lack of ID). 3rd and 10, an obvious passing situation. The Receivers are all covered man-to-man and both Safeties are free deep to help.
Three Defenders are going to rush the quarterback while two settle in just behind to provide run support... The question is who is going to do what? Both middle linebackers are showing blitz.
At the snap both linebackers step forward to force the offensive line to commit to blocking assignments. Five potential pass rushers and five blockers. Once that commitment is made, Linebacker #32 Tandy and Defensive End #99 Sina drop into coverage while Linebacker #1 goes on a pass rush. When the running back releases into the flat because he has no designated pass rusher to block, Tandy goes with him. That leaves #99 free to disrupt any pass pattern over the middle or to chase down the quarterback if he decided to run.
Because there are five offensive linemen who by rule are not allowed to catch the ball (ineligible receivers) and only three pass rushers the Cal defense is able to have EIGHT men in pass coverage while the offense only has five players who are able to catch the ball.
By trusting the secondary to be able to handle man-to-man coverage Coach Kaufman is able to keep the numbers in his favor. The players are given simple reads and assignments and allowed to make plays. One or two safeties are left in case mistakes are made instead of plays.
The Wrap
I believe the labels Offense and Defense in football are misnomers: the Offense has possession of the ball and has to protect that possession through 1st downs and ball security while the Defense's job is to do what it takes to gain possession of the ball. While the term defense connotes fortifying or guarding; the best Defenses in football are active, not passive. Defensive players choose to play on that side of the ball so they can attack and hit; they are taught to be aggressive, opportunistic and relentless (lots of flying around). Option football, play action, high tempo, these are all things the offense employs to force the defense to be passive and in 2013 that is what the Cal defense was. Last year's defense allowed their opposition to dictate, this year's defense is much more aggressive.
We have seen Cal's defense attacking Sac State, penetrating into the backfield. Each player has their assignment and executes it. The System 2 thinking is minimized while the System 1 reacting is emphasized. There is no time to think on the football field, only time to act and Art Kaufman has brought action back to the defense.
I only hope it will be enough to stop this by November 29th...