Football 101 - Defense: Technique and Gaps - Bleeding Green Nation Page 1 of 6

Football 101 - Defense: Technique

and Gaps
by foos05 on Feb 12, 2009 1:30 PM EST
10 COMMENTS EMAIL PRINT 0 Like 6

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.

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2009/2/12/757415/football-101-defense-techn 4/6/2011
Football 101 - Defense: Technique and Gaps - Bleeding Green Nation Page 2 of 6

So, let’s get to it…

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.

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,

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2009/2/12/757415/football-101-defense-techn 4/6/2011
Football 101 - Defense: Technique and Gaps - Bleeding Green Nation Page 3 of 6

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.

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.
Do you like this story?
Like 6 people like this. Be the first of your friends.

Read More: football 101 - defensest

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2009/2/12/757415/football-101-defense-techn 4/6/2011
Football 101 - Defense: Technique and Gaps - Bleeding Green Nation Page 4 of 6

Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2009/2/12/757415/football-101-defense-techn 4/6/2011
Football 101 - Defense: Technique and Gaps - Bleeding Green Nation Page 5 of 6

"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

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

back on track

"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

good post

keep it going.

World F#$king Champions

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

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Copyright © 2011 Sportsblogs, Inc. Newsletter Signup About Us Frequently Asked Questions Terms of Service

Certain photos copyright © 2011 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial u
without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohi

OpenCalais - Powered by Thomson Reuters • Odds Shark

SB Nation Newsletters

Eagles Fan: Get the 5 biggest Eagles stories, hand-picked for your inbox. Show more info?

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2009/2/12/757415/football-101-defense-techn 4/6/2011
Football 101 - Defense: Technique and Gaps - Bleeding Green Nation Page 6 of 6

Email Address sign up

X

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2009/2/12/757415/football-101-defense-techn 4/6/2011