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Football 101 - Defense: Technique and Gaps


Dline_medium

I’m going to get things rolling on our Football 101 series here with the defensive side of the ball.  As we’ve become accustomed to hearing, Andy believes that you need to build a team from the inside out, and I’m going to take that same approach with this series.  The first topic that I’m going to take a look at is techniques and gaps along the defensive line.  Before the play can even begin, everyone needs to be lined up correctly and know what they’re doing at the snap.

 

As a quick note, and this will most likely apply to every post in the Football 101 Series, what I’m saying isn’t exactly gospel.  The basics will apply universally, but moving from system to system and even from scheme to scheme within the same system, things may not always apply.  Most of this information will be the bare bones basics that each team has made their own.  However, I’ll try to point out specific discrepancies along the way where possible.

 

So, let’s get to it…

 

Star-divide

Technique

 

What technique boils down to is the physical location where you line up before the snap in relation to an opposing player.  Below is a basic representation of technique in relation to the offensive line.  I’m using basic inside/outside shoulder technique, but you can also add an additional number to signify lining up directly across from the lineman.

 

Dline_tech_medium

So let’s take a quick look-see here.  The most basic technique is a 0 technique, where the defensive lineman lines up directly across from the center.  In the 1 technique, the player is lined up over the center’s outside shoulder and in the 2 technique, over the guard’s inside shoulder and so on and so forth.  There are two areas of interest here; first many times in a 4 technique, the player is actually lined up across from the tackle.  Additionally, all systems will differ once they hit 7 technique and higher.  These numbers can be used, not only to signify shoulder alignment, but also depth alignment.  For instance, in a Joker package, the Joker may be in a 9 technique lined up over the tackle’s outside shoulder and 2 yards off the line of scrimmage.  In 8 technique, the same Joker may set up on the line of scrimmage.

 

 

Gaps

 

Just as technique refers to pre-snap positioning, gaps basically refer to the player’s assignment or responsibility post-snap.  Below is a basic representation of gaps in relation to the offensive line.  Again, I’m using a basic gap representation, but in reality, any of these alphabetical gaps might be followed by a number that will influence what the defensive player does a bit.

 


Dline_gaps_medium

 

So after a quick glance, it’s easy to see that it’s a fairly simple system.  The A gaps are between the center and the guards, the B gaps between the guards and the tackles, the C gap(s) between the tackle(s) and the tight end(s), and finally the D gap(s) outside of the tight end(s).  Gap designations are simply used to signify areas in the offensive line that will be attacked by a defensive player.  The most critical thing to note when talking about gaps is the difference between one gap and two gap assignments.  If a defensive player is slated for a one gap assignment, their role is to basically take out whatever is in that gap; be it a lineman, fullback, or running back.  A two gap assignment is basically an option play on the part of the defender.  He is expected to quickly evaluate the situation and pick the gap that will most easily be exploited.  This is a common task for a nose tackle that is lined up directly over the center.

 

So, next time you hear a player evaluation that states that So-and-So is an excellent 3 technique defensive tackle that attacks the B gap extremely well, you’ll know that basically that means that he’s a player that usually lines up on the outside shoulder of the offensive guard and attacks the hole between the guard and the tackle very well. 

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Um...

…I hate to steal your thunder here Foos, but I believe the first thing mentioned in a Football 101 course should be the types of anabolic steroids you should use to become strong. Come on, man…

by ajay on Feb 12, 2009 2:31 PM EST reply actions  

i’m savin that gem for the more advanced posts… we have to deal with calculations and dosing… :-)

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Feb 12, 2009 2:33 PM EST up reply actions  

That's true

And making sure your labor representative can tip you off before a test, where to find clean urine, etc.

by ajay on Feb 12, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions  

exactly… extremely complicated process… that’ll be in Football 201

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Feb 12, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions  

so we can expect a full tutorial on how to properly use the whizzinator?

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Feb 12, 2009 3:27 PM EST up reply actions  

but of course… i might be able to get some guest speakers as well… some individuals that can speak from experience with the product

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Feb 12, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions  

I wonder … is this the path this thread was intended to go down?

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Feb 12, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions  

nope… lol… yes, let’s try to get it back on track

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Feb 12, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions  

back on track

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"My first and foremost goal is to win a Super Bowl. I also set goals in terms of having a type of year to make the Pro Bowl. If I'm going to the Pro Bowl, I know I'm making plays for the team." Brian Dawkins

by EAGLE_MAN71 on Feb 13, 2009 5:46 AM EST reply actions  

good post

keep it going.

World F#$king Champions

by psudrozz on Feb 13, 2009 12:05 PM EST reply actions  

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