Could someone explain the difference between a 44 split and a split 6? I have seen where the 44 split puts the olb in the c gap and the split 6 puts them in the d gap in an offensive tight formation.

Labels for defenses can be confusing because people use them interchangeably.  The traditional Split 6 defense is characterized by its two 3 tech defensive guards and its two inside lienbackers who can be anywhere from A gap to head up the guard.  It typically has its defensive tackles anywhere from the C gap to head up the TE and are responsible for C gap.  The defensive ends (or outside linebackers) are typically aligned in a wide 9 or even 8 technique.  They are responsible for contain but also may be assigned to pass coverage.

The Split 4-4 borrows concepts from the Split 6, 4-4 and Wide Tackle 6.  They are really all the same depending on what coverage you play.  Take a look at the thread below on the old forum which tries to explain this.

http://www.dumcoach.com/classic/viewthread.php?tid=3548#pid56813

By jrtitan at 2009-01-16

So in the split 44 the def gaurds alignment has alot to do with the inside linebacker placement 1tech/30. Also why do they place the olb in the c gap? Could I  play it like a wide tackle 6 but with the olb in a 9 tech and the de in the c gap? Corners have first reciever to their side, safety has 2nd to strong side, olb 3rd to strong or 2nd to weak? i would like to install a defense that can grow with the kids. (coaching 7,8,&9 yr olds)

So in the split 44 the def gaurds alignment has alot to do with the inside linebacker placement 1tech/30. Also why do they place the olb in the c gap? Could I  play it like a wide tackle 6 but with the olb in a 9 tech and the de in the c gap? Corners have first reciever to their side, safety has 2nd to strong side, olb 3rd to strong or 2nd to weak? i would like to install a defense that can grow with the kids. (coaching 7,8,&9 yr olds)

The inside group (ILB and DGs) are reponsible for A and B gaps so there alignments will typicall add to 4:  3-10, 2-20, 1-30, etc.

Putting the OLB in the C gap keeps the TE off of the LB and allows your DE to play contain on the run and rush on the pass.  Also allows the OLB to play man on the TE.  Allows for great blitzing angles and combos.

We started at the younger ages teaching/running a 6-2/Wide Tackle 6/Split 6 and moved to the Split 4-4 and 46 at the older ages.  Check Carbon's 6-2 Shooter defense on this site.  For the Split 4-4, you can see the forum here and at the old site.  Our manual is also posted in the new froum.  Happy to answer any questions.  Will you be keeping the same kids year after year?

I will be keeping the same kids mostly, I will move with the same group primarily. No draft, usually 15-20 kids. I will have about 8-10 kids returning. I have seen a video and playbook from the Sherwood Knights who run what they call a split 6 with the several different fronts. Wide tackle 6(baker) split 6(able) stack but they have dgs in a 1,2,3 tech depending on call ilbs adjust accordingly, de in the c gap, olbs in 9 tech on tight end with a split end the olbs walk off. Is this good bad or ugly. We see very little passing.

I will be keeping the same kids mostly, I will move with the same group primarily. No draft, usually 15-20 kids. I will have about 8-10 kids returning. I have seen a video and playbook from the Sherwood Knights who run what they call a split 6 with the several different fronts. Wide tackle 6(baker) split 6(able) stack but they have dgs in a 1,2,3 tech depending on call ilbs adjust accordingly, de in the c gap, olbs in 9 tech on tight end with a split end the olbs walk off. Is this good bad or ugly. We see very little passing.

I have not watched all the videos, but they look pretty solid.

I have read through the posts and looked at the diagrams and am trying to figure out what the "split" is referring to.  I think i understand that it is referring to the 3 techs but am looking for more of theoretical answer.  In essence, what is being split?  I know this is a very basic question but i appreciate any feedback.  Thanks.

I am not sure what the split is in reference too. I am just looking at some options to run on defense next year and stumbled acrossed it and it seemed like it looked good. My DC would like to run a 44 stack but I am not sure we have the talent to pull it off, I like the look of the standard 44 w/ olbs behind and offset from the des.
                     
                                                            c                    s                    c
                                                                  lb        lb    lb        lb   
                                                                      de    t      t  de     

I have read through the posts and looked at the diagrams and am trying to figure out what the "split" is referring to.  I think i understand that it is referring to the 3 techs but am looking for more of theoretical answer.  In essence, what is being split?  I know this is a very basic question but i appreciate any feedback.  Thanks.

The split concept comes from the alignment of the 3 tech tackles and the linebackers aligned inside of them.  Since it is a balanced front, you can split it and play one front to the strong side and something different to the weak side.

so it could look like this, i have swapped the olb for de. do you feel this is better or should the de be outside the olb?

                                              e  t  g  c  g  t                          e
                                        olb  de    t      t  de
                                      c            m    w          olb            c
                                                        s

The split concept comes from the alignment of the 3 tech tackles and the linebackers aligned inside of them.  Since it is a balanced front, you can split it and play one front to the strong side and something different to the weak side.

That answers the question and i know have a better understanding.  Thanks.

so it could look like this, i have swapped the olb for de. do you feel this is better or should the de be outside the olb?

                                              e  t  g  c  g  t                          e
                                        olb  de    t      t  de
                                      c            m    w          olb            c
                                                        s

It depends on what coverage you plan on playing.  Coverage determines your front, who has contain and who has the alley.

Iam not sure honestly, but i was going to have corners take #1 reciever to thier side free safety #2 strong side  olb #3 strong side olb #2 weak side. So i guess olb would have contain and corner would have force?

sounds like you want to be in Man (cover 1 or 0), in man at least the way we play it, you have your man and you MIRROR him and follow him no matter what he does. Now in your assignment you are putting FS with number 2 strong ie turning him into a strong safety.  I would recomend keeping him SINGLE HIGH which means deep middle he midpoints the formation about 7-10 yards and aligns on #3 in trips at the same depth.  The only 4-4 you can have a contain player and have secondary in man is the split 4-4 with the wide 9 tech DE's.  A lot of the 4-4s i see that play your description ie 20 gap defense or some 4-2-5 defense cannot play man well and have contain.

Now one is different in basic cover 3 your olb would have contain/force because hes the flat defender.

Seems like a lot to think about, but you started off in the right spot, ide check out titans 4-4split its a very good defense.

Like i stated i am not really sure, just trying to figure it all out. I feel that i can not teach what i don't now. I like the idea of the 44 split because as my players get older they may face more of a spread type of offense  this would allow us to grow. That said i have a friend who played at wake forrest and he tells me to run a 50 defense but there does not seem to be much info on it. I also looked at the 6-2 shooter and jacks 6-3 as well as cisars wt6. Just not sure how i will fare 4 years from now covering 4 wides from a six man front. It seems to me that i can get a six man front from the 44 split yet morph into things at a later date. Big C if you have info on the 52 iwould love to see it.