Stuffing the Run - Defensive Line Play

     In our first post we looked at the base alignment of the Spartan defense vs a couple of formations.  Over the next few posts, we are going to look at how Sparty shuts down the opponent's run game from this base alignment.  We'll start by focusing on the defensive line.

      In the diagram above you can see the base alignment of the defensive line versus 21 personnel (2 backs 1 Tight end).  The End aligns to the strong side in a 9 technique.  The Tackle aligns in a 3 technique and the Nose aligns in a 1 technique.  The Rush End aligns in a 5 technique.  The linemen are responsible for filling the gap they align in and spilling the play to the outside.  If they do this, the ball carrier is forced to run parallel to the sideline.  If the ball carrier is running parallel to the sideline, he isn't gaining yards.

     While the defensive linemen align in a gap, they are also aligned over the shoulder of an offensive linemen.  The defensive linemen must read the movement of the offensive linemen they align over and react to that movement.  The offensive lineman can essentially only do three things:

1. He can release inside of the defensive lineman to block someone other than the defensive lineman (down block or scoop block)
2. He can fire out and block the defensive lineman (base or reach block)
3. He can pass block

     In this post we are concerned with the run, so we'll ignore number three for now.  If the offensive lineman releases inside, the defensive lineman should squeeze the defender further down, preventing a free release to the next level, compressing the next gap inside, and filling the gap the defender is responsible for.  If the offensive lineman blocks the defender, as in a base or reach block, the defender must maintain outside leverage.  He must work to compress the offensive player back inside while keeping his outside arm free and filling his gap.

     In this first illustration we'll look at the reads the End and Rush would get on a Power play.  The tight end releases inside (down block) to block the Sam linebacker.  The End must collision the tight end with his inside arm and attempt to prevent this release to Sam.  In doing so, he compresses that C gap and fills the D gap with his body. keeping the outside arm free to tackle the ball carrier if he attempts to run to the D gap.  On the weak side, the offensive tackle is steps into the B gap and climbs to the Will linebacker (scoop block).  The Rush End plays this inside release the same way the End plays the down block.  He compresses the B gap with the tackle's body (preventing the release to the Will backer) and keeps his outside arm free to secure the C Gap.

     In this second illustration we'll look at the reads the Tackle and Nose would get versus an inside zone play.  The Nose's read is exactly the same as the Rush End on the last example, squeeze the offensive player into the gap and fill your own gap.  The tackle gets the second of the two reads we mentioned above.  The offensive guard is attempting to reach block the Tackle.  The Tackle's job is to maintain outside leverage, shove the guard back into the A gap and fill the B gap with his body.

     As far as the run goes, that's basically it.  If the defender tries to block you, maintain outside leverage and shove him back inside.  If he releases inside to block someone else, shove him inside to prevent the release to the second level.