During the season, we do a lot of "Film Study" content in which we dive into tape and get super football nerdy to break down what we see on Saturdays. We'll use the offseason as a chance to go back to school, learn something new and brush up on terminology. Today I'm breaking down what to know about defensive line play: Fronts, verbiage, technique and tons of other stuff that you might see in my Film Study pieces or hear on game broadcasts.
We'll tackle several other positions this offseason and we'll refer back to these pieces once we begin the next batch of Film Study content!
Let's start with a handy reference image from chopchat.com.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT 'FRONTS'
To simplify :
1. If you line up over the MIDDLE of an offensive lineman you're in an even number (0 nose, 2 over OG, 4 over tackle, 6 over TE).
2. If you line up in an (i) (eye) then you are on the inside shade of an offensive lineman (2i inside of OG, 4i inside of tackle, 6i inside of TE but most people call this a 7 tech for some reason). Everyone is calling the 2i now a G. So you would say under/ over G.
3. If you are in an odd number then you are lined up on the outside shade of an offensive lineman (3 is outside shade of OG, 5 is outside shade of tackle, 9 is outside shade of TE).
Every defense has to set its fronts to a side. Depending on the game plan, it can be to the strength of an offense or away; some will set it based on the running back's alignment to or away, most will set it to the hand-down tight end. Some set it to the field or boundary. Here are some examples of how they can set it.
1. To the tight end.
2. To the running back or away from him.
3. When the offense is in Pistol or the QB us under center, how you line up depends on your game plan. At SMU, usually went to double two techniques or an even or heads front. Even or heads means you're a two-technique and you line up heads up over the guard. You're not to one side or the other and you have a game plan on how to play the offensive linemen.
4. Vs. two tight ends can set it to field or boundary depending on game plan. We always went to the boundary.
Other ways to set the front are:
A.
Closed - set the 3 technique to the tight end side (the closed side).
Open- - set the 3 technique away from the tight end. (the open side).
B.
To the running back, usually a ‘t’ word (to). We called it a tonto front or to the running back.
Away from the running back, usually an ‘a’ word (away). We called it apache front or away from the running back.
C.
To the field (where the most grass is).
To the boundary (where the short side of the field is).
If the ball is in the middle of the field and the offensive formation is even, meaning there are two wide receivers on each side and one running back, they will generally consider the strength to the defense’s left/ the offense’s right side. Most offenses are considered right-handed.
Gap responsibilities. Everyone has a gap and has to be responsible for their area.
A GAP: area between center and guard.
B GAP: area between guard and tackle.
C GAP: area between tackle and tight end.
D GAP: area outside of tight end (off tackle area outside of tight end down block).
ALLEY WIDE: area outside of tight end.
FOUR-MANY FRONTS
Teams in the four-man world generally line up in generally five different looks. Obviously there are subtle tweaks.
OVER: 3-tech to the offense strength. Everyone is now calling the 2i a G. So if you had a 2i, you would say over G.
UNDER: 3-tech to the offense weakness. If you had a 2i, you would say under G.
HEADS/EVEN: both defensive tackles line up heads (2-tech) over the guard. This is typically done vs. a pistol backfield when defense does not have a good idea where the runs are going because in pistol it is harder to project.
SPLIT: both 3-techniques are in 3s. Generally a third-down look or an obvious passing situation. Very popular third down front.
LOAD: Three defensive linemen to one side of the offensive line and one to the opposite side. Almost always a passing situation. Another very popular third down front.
THREE-MAN FRONTS
This is the new age of fronts. Ten years ago this was not a very popular structure to base out of, now every single team in the country will run this at some point during a game. Tons of teams only run a 3-man front. Here are the most popular and subtle tweaks to the structure.
ODD: regular, old school 0 nose (zero nose means you're lined up directly heads up over the center) and two defensive ends as 5-techniques.
OKIE/ MINT: 0 Nose AND two 4is (inside shade of the offensive tackles).
APPO (5-technique away opposite of the running back): 0 nose and 4i to the running back and 5-tech away from the running back. Very popular newer front. I never saw this front until maybe five years ago. The theory behind it is the running back is most teams run the ball with the running back away. example - if the back is lined up to the quarterbacks left most of the time he is running the ball to the right. Teams will run same side runs to change it up but it's not in most team's DNA to do this the majority of the time. Teams will xerox a running back from one side to the other pre-snap to try to get the look they want. Xerox means start on the left and trade to the right at the last second, or vice versa.
FIVE-MAN FRONT:
BEAR/EAGLE: This front is making a comeback. You cover up the offensive center and guards with defensive linemen and play either two more defensive linemen as ends or use hybrid linebackers. LSU and Illinois ran a ton of this as their main fronts. It's most popular on goal-line and short yardage situations.
STUNTS IN THE RUN GAME
Defensive linemen use stunts to create penetration and to cancel gaps in the run game.
Each position on the front can move as one, work in a pair, or all work together. They will always start in a gap and move to another gap to exchange with someone else.
Some popular stunts inside are a simple DL spike at a 45 degree angle. Spike is simply going from one gap to another on the move.
1. An inside move could be called something like a TAG or tackle in A GAP. Pirate is another popular name for this.
2. An outside spike could be called a NOB or NOSE in B GAP. Nose goes from A GAP TO B GAP.
3. If both defensive tackles work together to exchange gaps they could say NATO and the nose goes from the A gap to the B gap and the tackle goes from the B gap to the A gap. NATO = nose and tackle together.
4. In the 3-man front world you can slant all the linemen one direction or you can twist two of the linemen one direction and wrap the 4i the opposite direction.
Some popular edge stunts are similar to their buddies inside where they move at a 45 degree angle.
1. The end (E WORD) pinching inside or spiking could be called ERASE where they go from the C GAP to the B GAP.
When the end works in tandem with the defensive tackle the two most popular stunts are:
1. TREASURE OR PIRATE STUNT: Both spike inside gaps. Tackle goes from B GAP to A GAP and the DE goes from C GAP to B GAP.
2. TEX/TE STUNT is a penetrating game where the 3-tech penetrates upfield and goes first in the B GAP and the DE is the LOOPER and comes second.
ABOUT 'GAMES' IN THE PASS GAME
You've probably started hearing about "games" on TV. Simply, this is a choreographed action — twisting, penetrating and trading gaps — by two or more defenders to break somebody free toward the backfield. They are essentially trying to get them on different levels for maximum effectiveness. The most popular games are the same today as they were 50 years ago but the difference is the evolution of simulation, alignment and using linebackers as part of the puzzle. You can run these on one side, mirror both sides, run one game to one side and the other to the other side. Defensive linemen usually give a tell on this with alignment or change in stance or feet and they usually talk to each other before the game. Smart offensive lineman are on the lookout for these tells.
TEX/ THUMBS/ YOU/ME: The defensive tackle penetrates upfield through the B GAP using a rip move through the OT’s inside shoulder to cap the edge and get vertical. Meanwhile, the edge loops inside to the A GAP. The key to this inside is to mix up your alignment from where the defensive tackle starts. The key to the edge is attacking the outer third of the OT, barely touching the OT. Once you see the color of the defensive tackle, loop and penetrate tight to the A GAP.
EXIT/EARS/YOU/ME: The defensive end is the penetrator and goes first and attacks the outer third of the offensive tackle for two steps, plants and drives off his outside foot, then turns and drives to pin the hip of the OG. After he collides, he works to the QB. The defensive tackle or nose aligns inside, preferably a 2i, and is the looper and goes second. He needs to be physical with the OG and use his eyes to manipulate him. When the interior lineman feels the bang of the edge crushing the OG, loop around tight and you have contain.
The most popular interior games between defensive tackles are interchangeable. They just need a code or a head nod or a you/me call to know who penetrates first and who is the looper. We would call it a TON for the 3-tech to penetrate first or a NUT for the nose to penetrate first. Either way on the TON, the penetrator (3T) works at a 45 degree angle aiming for the back hip of the center. He will pin the center's hip and get vertical to the QB. The looper is the NOSE and he will collide with the OG, using his eyes to manipulate. Once the tackle makes contact with the center he will loop around and exchange gaps with him.
In the 3-man front world, the FORK stunt is the gold standard. Similar to the run stunt you penetrate two of the linemen one direction and wrap one of the edge rushers the opposite direction.
GLOSSARY: POPULAR PASS-RUSH TERMS
Get-off: How quickly you get off the ball on the center's snap. Generally you’ll always start with a speed rush to set up whatever move you're doing to use.
Long-arm: When a defensive lineman, usually the defensive end, goes speed-to-power using the V of his inside hand to strike the tackle on the middle of his chest or throat.
Bull-rush: Using two hands to strike and power rush an offensive lineman. Generally, inside tackles do this to crush the pocket. Some call this a fork-lift.
Side-scissors or double swipe: The dictionary picture of this would be the Bosa brothers using both hands to throw up and knock the offensive lineman's hands away when he two-hand punches.
Spin: Use speed to get the offensive lineman to turn and lean and spin, generally inside, away from him. Outside spin seems to be making a comeback but the inside spin is the standard.
Cross chop: Try to collapse the inside elbow with a chop while driving off the inside foot and clubbing with the outside hand to work the edge. Aaron Donald used this move to win the Super Bowl.
Counter: Your second or third move if you have been stopped on initial move. Can be a spin, rip, bullrush, etc.
Rip-Hump: Rip an arm to get the lineman’s shoulders turned on penetration and then use his momentum with the same arm to throw him by on his opposite shoulder. Reggie White was the master of this, ragdolling poor offensive linemen.
OTHER DEFENSIVE LINE TERMS
Lockout: To get both hands extended on an offensive lineman so you can control him.
Shock and Shed: Striking offensive linemen with both hands then releasing him away from you.
Re-trace: When a defensive lineman runs up field on a screen or draw and has to counter from where he came from to pursue the ball. Tons of fumbles occur when done correctly.
Kill: When a defensive lineman fakes an injury so the defensive can substitute or slow the tempo down.
Peel: When a defensive end chases a running back going in motion to the sideline.
Long-stick: Defensive lineman spikes or slants two gaps. Example: goes from the C-gap to the A gap.
Fire-zone: Defensive lineman drops into coverage and another position blitzes.
Match-the hand: MTH is the most underrated and least practiced drill that wins games. Simply, the defensive lineman raises his left hand straight up vs. a right-handed quarterback when the quarterback takes his non-throwing hand off the ball to throw. This is how you get line of scrimmage swats and you can affect the QB in numerous other ways, too. Game changing drill that is not done near enough.
Trade call: When you switch assignments with another player, usually on a blitz.
Contain rush: Keep the edge where you do not run past the quarterback and keep him in the pocket.
Hard count: Trying to get defense to jump offsides
Pad level: Playing as low as you can to try to create leverage. This is why you see linemen do so many drills in chutes.
Hand placement: Defensive lineman striking an offensive lineman with one hand on sternum and other on biceps.
Pursuit: Punning at proper angle to chase down the ball carrier.
Strip: To punch, rake, or chop the ball away from the ball carrier to create a fumble.
Blake Brockermeyer is a College Football Analyst for 247Sports. He was an All-American OT at the University of Texas and was a first-round NFL Draft pick by the Carolina Panthers in 1995. He was a defensive quality control analyst for SMU from 2018-2020. He has sons on the Texas (Luke) and Alabama (Tommy, James) football teams.
