Football Defensive Line

Question
In the 3-4 alignment, where do the defensive lineman, line up in relation to the offensive lineman? What is the terminology used for the nose tackle and each end strongside v. the weakside? I've heard the terms 5 technique, 3 technique, under tackle, elephant. Which of these refers to the different positions? Any info you can give on the 3-4 will be appreciated. Thanks, long time offensive player new defensive guy.

Answer
Sorry Steve - been kinda busy and didn't reply right away.

The 3-4 is a base personnel package ?3 lineman and four linebackers.  From there though, there are so many different alignments and techniques that you just can't talk about ?-4?beyond it being a personnel package.

So you first question can't be answered unless you know what kind of technique your team plans to run.  The NT might line up directly on the center, or just off the center, or in a gap, based on the technique.

In general, there is a major difference between a 3-4 and a 4-3.  In the 4-3, lineman are generally meant to penetrate the offensive line, get to the ball carrier or sack the drop-back passer.  It is about exploding off the ball, penetrating your gap (or beating the outside man if you are an end).  For that reason, natural athletes are well suited for the 4-3; all you have to do is beat your block(s) with whatever speed, technique and power you have.

The 3-4 is about the linebackers.  Generally, the 3-4 makes huge demands on the lineman to free up the linebackers to make plays.  The 3-4 is more about reading and reacting ?hesitating that crucial moment to see/feel where the play is headed and then flow to it

Here is a good summary of the different techniques in the 3-4:

DEFENSIVE TACKLE
The "2" Technique places the DT at the inside eye of the OG keying the Guard. Responsibilities are as follows:
#1=Defeat the Guard and pursue the play.
#2=Check for the Draw.
#3=Rush the drop pass passer.

The "3" Gap Technique aligns the Defensive Tackle (DT) in the gap between the Offensive Guard (OG) and Offensive Tackle (OT). The DT keys the movements of the OG and OT. Duties are as follows:
#1=Explode through the gap one to one and a half yards with the head up looking for the ball.
#2=If the gap is narrow make contact and read and react resisting the flow of the play.
#3=Look for the trap, then flow to the play.
#4=Rush the passer.

The "4" Technique (Strong Side) calls for the DT to line up head to head with the OT when a TE is present and key the actions of the OT. Responsibilities are:
#1=Defeat the OT and control both gaps.
#2=Rush the passer.
#3=Keep the OT off the LB.
#4=If the OT blocks down (inside) crash down on the OT's hip.
#5=Check for the Trap, then pursue the play.

The "5" Technique aligns the DT at the outside eye of the OT, keying first the TE, then the OT. Duties are:
#1=To keep the OT off the LB.
#2=DT can't be blocked singularly by the OT.
#3=Check for the Trap.
#4=Rush the pass.

The "5" Gap Technique places the DT squarely in the middle of the gap between the OT and TE. The DT keys the gap. If the gap is wide, penetrate one to one and a half yards head up and look for the ball. If the gap is narrow make contact, read and react, and resist offensive pressure. Flow to the play. Rush the passer.

The "Weak Side" Technique calls for the DT to line up at the inside eye (or head up with) the OT when no TE is present. The DT keys the OT with the primary objective of defeating the OT. Read and react responsibilities prevail.

The "7" Technique has the DT line up at the inside eye of the TE keying the OT. Duties are to smack (1) and read the TE. If the TE blocks, defeat the TE and find the ball. If the TE releases and the OT blocks down, close on the Trap. Otherwise, read and react.

The "X" Technique has the DT line head up with the OT. The key is the snap of the ball. At the snap of the ball, the Dt slams through the head of the OG.

(from the EZTEAMS website http://eteamz.active.com/football/instruction/tips/tip.cfm/583/)

Now, as to your question about strong and weak side, elephant, etc: those are linebacker terms.  In a 3-4 there is no strong or weak lineman ?you have a NT, LDE and RDE.

Does that help?