Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer)

OK, you keep asking, we’ll keep answering. If you have questions you’d like to see answered, message me from my Bio Page.

Dear Larry,

Why are so many teams switching to the 3-4 defense? Is there some sort of advantage to it and what would that be?

Confused in Columbia

Dear Confused,

Right now the 3-4 is hot because of the “West Coast” offense, passing seems to have become more popular and the 3-4 defense is more geared to stopping the pass first and slowing the run.

Offenses and defenses react to the style of the other. If Alabama were playing a pound it out offense, you may see them switch back to a more traditional 4-3 as that would put another big man on the line to fill the running gaps.

The reason Nick Saban loves the 3-4 is because of the types of players he recruits.

In the 3-4 there are four linebackers on the field, and to make it work you have to have at least two great ones and two good ones. Saban right now has six linebackers who could start for most SEC schools.

Taking one of the “fat guys” off the field means that the linebacker who takes his place has the speed to cover a back and enough speed to be able stop a team from running sweeps and turning the corner.

Plus the 3-4 gives the defensive coach more options to disguise what his intentions are—thereby creating more problems for the offense.

Hope this helps you understand it a little better in such a short response. That would actually be a good article idea, so thanks for asking.

Dear Larry,

Our daughter is an 11th grade cheerleader at her high school. Do any teams give scholarships to cheerleader and is there a number of cheerleaders each school is allowed? And what else might I need to know?

Cheer Mom in Boaz

Dear Cheer Mom,

Yes, most every college does have programs that allow cheerleaders to earn scholarships. Since you’re in Alabama, all the major ones in that state do. The criteria varies from school to school but any school she’s interested in will be happy to send you that information. At Alabama for instance, all members of the squad have tuition assistance.

There is no NCAA rule over the amount of cheerleaders, but rules have taken away some squads loud speakers and other things that were too distracting to the game. Each school however, has limits on the squad.

At Alabama, there are two squads: the White and the Crimson. White Squad (seven females and seven males ) and Crimson Squad (seven females and nine males ).

We also have three mascots  that play Big Al. The White Squad cheers for women’s basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, as well as, all home football games.

The Crimson Squad cheers for all home and away football games and men’s basketball.

Members of both squads are eligible for spots on our Nationals competitive squad, and at Alabama, that national squad won first place.

As for other things you might need to know, cheerleaders are required to attend class and make the same kinds of grades as the players on the team have to make to stay on the team. Practices are mandatory and it takes a lot of time.

Schools pay travel expenses and the meals and so forth when they travel.

Hope that helps.

Well that’s all the questions for this week. If you have some you’d like to see answered, let me know.

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