How’s and Why’s of the 3-5 Defense

by: Curt Block
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Mike Toop, now head coach at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, has a coaching resume that spans 31 seasons with stints at Union, Colgate, and UConn before accepting the top job at Davidson. So when Toop observes that a Big East powerhouse like West Virginia has caught his attention by utilizing a 3-5 defense it’s worth hearing him out.

“The 3-5 is starting to come on,” Toop told AFM. “The thing about the 3-5 that people like is the ability to blitz as many as five guys from the second level. Today speed is the name of the game in football. You can have really strong guys who can bench press the building but that can’t run from here to the wall in four seconds. Those guys won’t do you any good.

“Coaching is the ability to recognize your talent and put that talent in a scheme that will be t....The full article can only be seen by subscribers.
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How’s and Why’s of the 3-5 Defense