Basic

Bear 46 Defense

Information

1

2

Numbering System

The 46 “Bear” defense was developed by Buddy Ryan while he was a defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. The defense is

named after Doug Plank who wore jersey number 46. Doug Plank was a heavy-hitting strong safety and could effectively play close

to the line of scrimmage.

In order to understand the various assignments of the 46 defense, we use a number system to tell players where they should line-up.

We use a number system originally developed by Bum Phillips. You might know his son Wayne, who is the head coach of the Dallas

Cowboys.

Here is the numbering system we use:

W

F

CC

M

SE ETTN

44

939 7 30

Base Bear

2 Back and 2 TE Set

Alignment in the 46

The unique part of the 46 defense is the strong-safety (S in the diagram below) who is on the line of scrimmage. In Buddy Ryan’s 46,

the defensive end was really a linebacker giving the Bears both speed and size on the strong side of the offense. For our purpose,

the strong-safety is not a typical lineman, but is a fast and quick athlete who is strong enough to play on the line of scrimmage, but

capable of covering pass routes if needed.

Below is the Base Bear Defensive against a two receiver and two back offense. The numbers shown below the defenders is the

alignment based on our numbering system shown on the previous page.

3

OT

W

F

CC

M

SE ETTN

44

939 7 30

Examples of 46 Assignments

The best attribute of the 46 defense is allowing the linebackers to run virtually unblocked. Many offensive blocking schemes call for

the OT to block the play-side LB when uncovered. In our defense, the play-side LB is responsible for stepping outside the helmet of

the OT who is trying to block him. This allows the LB to effectively play a sweep while maintaining inside position for plays that might

run off-tackle. The away-side LB is responsible for attacking at an angle underneath the OT. When he does this, he will be in position

to make a tackle for plays running off-tackle or in position cut-backs.

4

OG OTOTTE OG

W

F

CC

M

SE ETTN

Now, let’s take a look at the defensive scheme in action. In the example below, the offense is trying to run a typical off -tackle play.

Look at the “point of attack,” the shaded area. The TE is

trying to block DE. The problem for the offensive is that

the S is there to fill that gap. This means that the OG must

try to block the other side of the DT, call a “reach block,”

which is a very difficult to do. The good news is that all of

the offensive linemen must block our defensive line. That

means, there is nobody left to block our linebackers.Attempted reach block on the DT. DTs are

drilled extensively to never allow a reach block.

Simply put, this block should be almost

impossible to achieve.

This W-LB is unblocked

and fills stepping to A, B,

and C gaps.

This player is unblocked.

This M-LB is unblocked

ready to fill the hole and take

on the block of the FB.

5

6

Rules of the 46 Defense

• Play aggressively.

• Play your assignment, it takes a whole team to make a stop.

• Play with 100% effort until the referee blows the whistle.

• Always say, “I’ll try my hardest.” Never say, “I can’t.”

• Play with your head and eyes up.

• Find the ball and punish the ball.

Nose Guard

Nose Guard (0 to 1) – In Base Bear, the Nose aligns in a 0 technique. In a Weak- or Strong-Bear, he aligns in a 1 technique. His

major responsibility is quick penetration to the assigned gap (weak or strong A). Nose may stunt to strong or weak-side B gap with

the DT assigned to A gap. Nose must also slant away from a Mike or Will A-Blitz.

N1 -- Weak

N1 -- Strong

NStrong Side Stunt

TTackle under Nose (TUN) or Nose

under Tackle (NUT)

N0

N

W

T

Will A Blitz

7

Tackle

Tackle (3 to 5) – In Base Bear, the Tackle will align in a 3 technique and maintain B gap leverage. He may start in 4 or 5 technique,

unless a stunt is called, he will have responsibility for B gap. Tackle has 2 additional assignments: Never allow the OG to effectively

reach block; and never allow the OG a free release to Mike or Will.

Tackles must strike a blow with both arms underneath the pad level of the offensive lineman aiming for underneath the numbers. In

the 3 technique, the tackle will gain leverage by coming underneath the Guard, bench press the blocker and rip the inside arm. Blow

delivery is critical in achieving the assignment of never getting reached and not allowing an effective jump-through by the OG.

T

5

T

4

N

Strong Side Stunt

T

T

3

Tackle under Nose (TUN) or Nose

under Tackle (NUT)

8

B

Gap

B

Gap

B

Gap

End

End (9) – Unless a stunt is called, the End must two yards up-field and squeeze the C gap. The End cannot get too far upfiield or

plays will simply run underneath him. The End looks to the nearside running back. His aim point is the back’s outside hip. On plays

away, the End is responsible for Bootleg, Counter and Reverse (BCR). Ends are disrupters but must always maintain outside

leverage. A play may never go around an End unless the ball carrier takes a very deep outside path.

The initial rush is up-field on the outside hip of the near-back. End is a force player responsible for squeezing the C gap as well as

aggressive pass rush. End must never get beat wide unless it is very deep. He should be very aggressive in getting up-field while

staying disciplined in his assignment in order to squeeze the C gap. On plays away, End must flow across the offensive line looking

to spill BCR.

E

9

Up 2 yards then toward

the outside hip of the

near-back keeping the

ball to the inside

shoulder. This is an

aggressive position and

NOT a “contain”

assignment.E

9

Flow away, BCR.

End should keep his outside hip and arm away from the blocker. End

should strike a blow with the inside arm assuming a stiff arm stance with

the outside hip free for run contain. This allows a quick release to the

football. The same arm/same foot dip and rip will be used for an outside

pass rush.

Direction of Block

Shoulder width staggered foot position

9

Strong Safety

Strong Safety (7) – In Base Bear, Safety will play a strong-side 7 technique. Safety initially reads the block of the TE. If the TE

attempts to block down on the End, Safety quickly fills the C gap moving up-field rapidly fitting under the backside of the TE. If the TE

moves to block Safety, he must take on and win this block maintaining C gap leverage. After reading TE’s block, he must be

cognizant of an OT down-block and fit inside this block to maintain C gap leverage. The Safety must try to keep the TE from free-

releasing downfield. If the TE releases, Safety will move upfield rapidly looking for a QB sack.

S

7

E

TE blocks down on the End,

S moves to fill C gap by

moving under the TE’s

backside to fit inside a down

block by the OT.

S

7

E

TE moves to release

downfield, S fights a free

release and moves quickly

upfield looking for pass and

QB sack.

10

Linebackers

Mike and Will Linebackers (4) – The LB positions are the most challenging in the 46 defense. LBs must possess

quickness, speed and fierce hitting ability. They must also be extremely disciplined. In Base Bear, Mike and Will align in

the LB 4 technique, 4 yards behind the ball.

Mike and Will read the FB’s step, jab stepping in the his direction looking though the play-side OG, OT, and FB to the

RB. If OG or OT pull, counter-alarm bell should ring and LB’s should stop, rock and roll back to counter. The play-side LB

should fit outside the helmet of the OT looking for sweep. If sweep, he should fit underneath the DE forming the base of

a triangle. If the DE losses contain, the LB must quickly adjust his angle and move to the outside foot of the DE. On

plays away, the away-side LB must fit to the inside foot of the away-side DT scrapping downhill looking initially A to B

gap.

2

1

E E

M

S

WC

CN

FS

2

E

MC

1. Inside the inside

foot of the same-side

DT.

2. Scrapping downhill

looking A to B gap.

1. Outside the

helmet of the OT,

looking C gap.

2. Inside the inside

foot of the DE on

sweep.

Basic sweep triangle. The End has responsibility to

contain outside by gaining enough outside leverage as

needed. Play-side LB must form the base of the triangle

my moving no further outside than the inside foot of the

DE. C or FS moves to fill the apex of the triangle. If the

DE losses contain, LB must quickly move outside the

outside foot of the DE.

FS

11

2

1

E E

M

S

WC

CN

FS

Initial jab step,

counter-alarm, stop

rock and roll.

Mike and Will (Continued …) – The LBs must initially read the step of the FB or near-side back. After the initial FB read, the LB

must maintain un-focused eyes looking to the play-side OG and OT. By keeping the eyes un-focused, LB should read the triangle

looking for pull by OT and OG. A pulling offensive lineman sounds the alarm of counter!

Keys to great LB play:

1. Slow until you know.

2. Keep eyes unfocused.

3. Find the ball and punish the ball!

Read the Triangle

12

2

1

E E

M

S

WC

CN

FS

Ace Adjustments

W is always the

adjuster to the 2nd

back.

Motion

2

1

E E

M

S

WC

C

N

FS

W is always the

adjuster to the 2nd

back.

Motion

2

1

E E

M

S W

C

CN

FS

W is always the adjuster to the 2nd back. Notice the 1

back set. This is called an Ace adjustment where

Mike moves to middle-Backer.

Mike and Will (Continued …) - The Will Backer is always the adjustment to the motion or set of the Tail Back, called #2. Below are

examples of adjustment.

13

Corner Backs

Corners (Head up on WR to 7) – In Base Bear, unless there is a 2 TE/2 RB set, Corners will line-up over the WRs. CB’s head

should be on the outside shoulder pad of WR. In a 2 TE/2 RB set, the weak-side Corner aligns in a 7 and plays the Safety technique.

Corners have responsibility of filling the apex of the sweep triangle by fitting between the end and the play-side LB. They must,

however, maintain outside leverage if the DE is effectively reached-blocked by the TE, WR blocks down, WR performs a crack-back

on the DE, or the DE loses outside leverage. If the CB sees the WR moving to crack-back on the DE, CB should yell “RED” giving

DE notice of the coming block. CBs move to just outside the DE on WR motion away. In pass coverage, CBs man-cover deep “Go”

routes, play man coverage, or play 3-deep coverage. If the WR turns inside, CB releases WR and moves to flat zone coverage.

Typically, the CB will play 3-deep coverage. LBs cover flat to hook and curl.

2

1

E E

M

S

WC

CN

2

1

E E

M

S

WC

CN

2

1

E E

M

S

WC

CN

2

1

E E

M

S

WC

CN

C moves to 7 and

plays S technique

Motions with WR to just outside DEYells “RED” and moves to contain. 14

Free Safety

Free Safety (Roam) – FS is the “third” LB. FS reads the QB but must quickly find the ball on run plays. FS’s first steps are always

forward and then on angle. FS is always the apex of the triangle. Remember, the DE and LB’s for the base of the triangle. On pass

plays, FS reads the eyes of the QB. The initial assignment is the middle third of the field. On shorter routes of the middle, he must

quickly move upfield to help LB’s with short middle routes.

2

1

E E

M

S

WC

CN

2

1

E E

M

S

WC

CN

FSFS

Typical three deep coverage

FS works to fill the apex of the sweep

triangle.

15

This is the

weak area of

our coverage

scheme