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The gaps on either side of the offensive center and between the guards are called "A" gaps<ref> |
The gaps on either side of the offensive center and between the guards are called "A" gaps<ref>Durkin, 2013</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.footballoutsiders.com/strategy-minicamps/2005/defensive-line-basics-mind-gap|first=Mike|last=Tanier|publisher=Edjsports|date=July 5, 2005|title=Defensive Line Basics: Mind the Gap|website=Football Outsiders|access-date=May 8, 2021}}</ref>. A gap between the offensive guard and tackle is called a "B" gap. The gaps outside the |
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offensive tackle are called "C" gaps. If there is a tight end, the gap outside the tight end and opposite the tackle is a "D" gap. |
offensive tackle are called "C" gaps. If there is a tight end, the gap outside the tight end and opposite the tackle is a "D" gap. |
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Revision as of 20:34, 9 May 2021
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2019) |
Gaps in American football are the spaces in between the splits of the offensive linemen.[1] A hole is a space in between the defensive linemen.
gap naming and defensive line positioning.
gap names
The gaps on either side of the offensive center and between the guards are called "A" gaps[2][3]. A gap between the offensive guard and tackle is called a "B" gap. The gaps outside the offensive tackle are called "C" gaps. If there is a tight end, the gap outside the tight end and opposite the tackle is a "D" gap.
line positioning
Line positioning is described by numbers, from 0 to 9.[4]If a defensive lineman is face to face with a offensive center, he is said to be in a 0 technique. If he is face to face with a guard, the defender is in a 2 technique. If the defender is face to face with a tackle, he is in a 4 technique. If the defender is aligned directly across from a tight end, it is described as a 6 technique.
shade technique
Numbers are also used to describe when players are aligned not directly on a player, but aligned with the shoulders of a blocker. This kind of alignment is often called a shade.[5] To be aligned on the shoulders of a center is called a 1 technique. To be aligned on the inside shoulder of a guard is a 2i technique. To be aligned on the outside shoulder of a guard is a 3 technique. To be aligned on the inside of a tackle is 4i technique. And to be aligned on the outside shoulder of a tackle is a 5 technique. Assignments of 7 and 9 are not universal, but a 7 can mean a player on the inside shoulder of a tight end, and a 9 technique is usually a couple feet on the outside away from any blocker.
One gap line play versus Two gap line play
In a one gap defensive line technique, a player is assigned a single gap to defend against the run.[6][7][8][9] He does not have to line up in the gap, but he does have to be able to shed any blocker attempting to keep him from defending the gap. In a two gap defensive technique, the defensive lineman generally has to control or defeat the offensive player in front of him to guard the run on both gaps that flank the offensive player.
The gap defensive technique is older than the use of the term. In Jones and Wilkinson, pp 92-94, when describing the nose guard play in their 5-2 defense, the authors warn that the guard must never allow the center to cut you either way (i.e. two gap technique).[10] All other linemen are only asked to prevent their linemen from blocking them in (one gap play). But they do not use the phrase 'gap' in their text.
Shoot the gap
Shooting the gap is a term used in American football.[11] To "shoot the gap", a defensive lineman will exploit the space between the offensive linemen during a pass rush.[12] The defensive lineman is usually one of the defensive tackles. The gaps are given different letters depending on their distance from the center. The gaps between the center and the guard are known as the "A gaps", and the gaps between the guard and the tackle are known as the "B gaps". Shooting the gap requires the defensive lineman to turn his shoulders and get past the offensive line into the backfield by any means possible, usually by diving through the gap. The play is often used during a blitz, as the defense will try to rush past the offensive line in order to get to the quarterback and cause a quarterback sack.
References
- ^ Durkin, Dan (2013-08-26). "Durkin's Football 101: Gaps, Techniques & Alignments". Chicago.cbslocal.com. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
- ^ Durkin, 2013
- ^ Tanier, Mike (July 5, 2005). "Defensive Line Basics: Mind the Gap". Football Outsiders. Edjsports. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Tanier, 2005
- ^ Kirwan}first1=Pat; Siegerman, David (2010). Take Your Eye Off the Ball. Triumph Publishing. p. 219. ISBN 978-1-60078-391-3.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Bullock, Mark (June 11, 2014). "The differences between 1-gap and 2-gap principles on the Redskins' defensive line". The Washington Post. Graham Holdings Company. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ Richardson, Kevin (November 1, 2018). "Inside the Huddle: A look at one-gap and two-gap techniques". The Baltimore Sun. Tribune Publishing Company. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ Brown, Chris (February 6, 2012). "Ode to the War Daddies". Grantland. ESPN. Retrieved Mar 8, 2021.
- ^ Tanier, 2005
- ^ Jones, Gomer; Wilkinson, Bud (1957). Modern Defensive Football. Prentice Hall.
- ^ "Shooting the Gap Definition - Sporting Charts". www.sportingcharts.com. Archived from the original on 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
- ^ Wilkinson, Bud (July 1993). Football: Winning Defense - Bud Wilkinson - Google Books. ISBN 9781461733263. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
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