Defensive Line Terminology

Question

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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hello Coach Louis, and thank you for taking my question. As you will soon discover, I am no coach. I'm also, writing you from So. California.
I've been a long time " novice " fan of Pro-Football and am trying to clarify certain technics and garner a better understanding of differences and terminology on the defensive line, most particularly, the interior of the D-line. It's common to hear phrases like Nose Tackle ( NT ), Defensive Tackle ( DT ), and Under Tackle ( UT ). My assumption is ( guessing ) that the NT faces off directly across the Center, the UT faces off the Offensive Tackle on the Strong Side, and a DT also faces off against a guard or a Gap. The other trouble I'm having, is differentiating the real meaning, job, and physical requirements of a 1 - Gap, 2 - Gap and 3 - Gap DT. When certain players are called a 1, 2, or 3 gap player, they seem to specialize and not always can a player excell at all of them. It makes sense to me that a NT would be a more stout, wide body type, where the other DT, UT might be a little bit quicker and smaller. If you are covering more " gaps ", I'm guessing you need more skill, but I'm not really very sure how this works. If you could break down the positions, skills and gap meanings in a better way for me to understand, I would be forever grateful. Thank You.
-----Answer-----
Dear Bruce,
the rules for where defensive player line up are changing almost daily. In the old days, the nose tackle would line-up head up on the center. The other two tackles would line-up on the offensive tackles (head-up or in the gaps). In Buddy Ryan's defense (4-6) the nose tackle stills lines-up on the center however, the two other tackles line-up on the guards not the offensive tackles.

When you are talking about football, defensive and offensive terminology are not the same. The offense numbers the gaps and the defense letters the gaps. For example, to the right side of the center the gaps are even numbered 2,4,6,and so on. To the left of the center the gaps are numbered odd 1,3,5, and so on.

The defense on the other hand letters the gaps. For example, on either sides of the center are the A-gaps. The outside gaps of the guards are the B-gaps. And the out-side gaps of the tackles are the C-gaps.

Physical requirements for a nose tackle. six-foot-seven 390 pounds, must bench press 500 pounds, and have reflexes like a cat. Just kidding!  

Most coaches can careless about the physical requirements. If you weigh 90-pounds and you can control both gaps you got the job. Yes I know, if you are a big guy it makes it easier to control both gaps. However, just because you are a big guy is no guarantee that you can do the job right.

A nose tackle no longer has to be able to control both A-gaps. In the old school, the nose tackle had to be able to fight off a double team by the center and either one of the two guards on offense.

In the new school, this is not always the case. The offensive guards have their hands full with the defensive tackles and cannot always help the center. This places the offensive center on an island, forcing the center to block the nose guard one-on-one. Therefore, the nose guard no longer needs any special skills to play this position. Anybody can do it even me. Just kidding!

If you need more help let me know and I will do my best to help you.

Your friend, Coach Louis.

Thank you so much for your reply,
If you don't mind, I'd like to ask a follow up question. When hearing terminology, such as; " he's a 3 technique guy " or a " 1 - gap, 2 - gap, 3 - gap " guy, is this indicative of a NT or DT's abilities and how many " gaps " he can physically control and is a 3-technique the same thing as a 3 - gap DT ? Is a 3 - gap DT always better than a 1 or 2 ? Thank you again.


Answer
Dear Bruce,
Gaps and Techniques are not the same thing. When they say he is a 2 gap player they are talking about his responsibilities. Playing 2 gaps, means that, that lineman is responsible for both gaps on either side of him. They are not talking about how good a player he might be.

when they say he is using a 3 technique, they are talking about the specify alignment and responsibilities of that lineman.

In a 3 technique the defensive lineman is align in an outside shade of the offensive lineman. He is responsible for maintaining outside leverage and not letting himself get hook or reached blocked.

Here is a list of some of the techniques used by the linemen;


A (zero technique) would mean a nose tackle aligned nose-to-nose with a center.

(1 technique) the defensive lineman is line up in the middle of the A gap.

(2 technique) defensive lineman is nose-to-nose with the offensive guard.

(3 technique) defensive lineman is line up in the middle of the B gap or outside shade of the guard. He is responsible for maintaining outside leverage and not letting himself get hook or reached blocked by the offense.


(4 technique) defensive lineman is line up nose-to-nose with the offensive tackle.

(5 technique) meant that the defensive lineman had his nose on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle.

(6 technique) was nose-to-nose with the offensive tight end.

(7 technique) meant the defensive lineman had his nose on the inside shoulder of the offensive tight end.

(8 technique) meant that the defensive lineman was aligned on air outside the outside shoulder of the offensive tight end.

(9 technique) meant that the defensive lineman has his nose on the outside shoulder of the offensive tight end.

(10 technique) definition same as 1 technique only at linebacker depth.

(20 technique) definition same as 2 technique only at linebacker.

(30 technique) definition same as 3 technique only at linebacker.

(40 technique) definition same as 4 technique only at linebacker.

(50 technique) definition same as 5 technique only at linebacker depth.

(60 technique) definition same as 6 technique only at linebacker depth.

(70 technique) definition same as 7 technique only at linebacker depth.

(80 technique) definition same as 8 technique only at linebacker depth.

(90 technique) definition same as 9 technique only at linebacker depth.

I hope this list helps. If you need more help please let me know.

Your friend, Coach Louis.