By Mickey Mays

Researcher

X&O Labs

mickey@xandolabs.com 7 Tech

Ask any defensive coach and he'll tell you that defending the C gap – the gap located between

the play side tackle and tight end – is essential in stopping the run game. Conversely, the C gap

is also where many offensive coordinators want to attack with their run game. Attacking the C

gap is a sure-fire way for offensive coordinators to assess how strong your defense is up front. Its

guts vs. glory. Can you handle the pressure that a tight end places on the defense by creating that

extra C gap? Just for clarification purposes, this report focuses on a three-man surface, complete

with a tight end. If you're a pure spread guy, you may not have a legitimate tight end. If you've

noticed, recent success from spread teams like Florida, Oregon and Boise State have all come

because of the physicality that a tight end presents. So once he lines up next to the tackle, how

can you protect it?

Our research found that almost 50% of defensive coaches play a variation of a 7-technique at

least half the time within their defensive schemes. We've found that this number is significantly

higher than it was over ten years ago. Many originators of the 4-3 front would employ a 9-

technique defensive end who would play on the outside shoulder of the tight end. He would be

responsible for the D gap, while a stacked outside linebacker would be responsible for the C gap.

But some teams didn't have the talent or the size to play the C gap with a second level player and

started getting gashed by gap schemes like power and counter. It then became necessary to

leverage that C gap with a down lineman on the line of scrimmage rather than a second level

linebacker. It's important that these defensive linemen convert recognition time into reaction

time. This process requires a complete understanding of blocking schemes and a knowledge of

how to physically defeat each block. It's our intent in this report to provide information so

defensive line coaches can either verify the stance, alignment and techniques they are currently

teaching or discover a better way to coach a specific detail for a 7-technique. On a personal note,

I learned a lot from working on this report and will make some adjustments to what I'm doing as

Defensive Coordinator at Sequatchie County High School (TN).

For verbiage purposes, there are six blocks and schemes a 7-technique must learn to defeat. They

are identified below and will be further explained in this report. It's important to note the

corresponding diagrams based on each blocking scheme. They will be referenced continuously

during this report.

A drive or base block by the tight end (diagram 1).

A cutoff block by the tight end, where he will try to gain leverage in the C gap (diagram 2).

An over-block by the tight end and offensive tackle (diagram 3).

A "T-scheme" by the tight end and offensive tackle (diagram 4).

An arc release or fan by the tight end and offensive tackle (diagram 5).

An influence/kick-out by the tight end and a back or pulling offensive lineman (diagram 6).

Case 1: Stance, Alignment and Visual Key

Stance:

All coaches know that it all starts with the stance – which is why we're doing the same thing by

beginning with this report. Different coaches teach different styles, and this is especially true

with coaching a C gap defender to play over the top of a tight end. For now, we will refer him to

as a 7, 6, or 6i, depending upon the exact alignment. Our research found that an almost identical

number of coaches teach an inside hand down and inside foot back stagger (37.9%) vs. an

outside hand down, outside foot stagger (37.6%). What may have been surprising is that 24.5%

of coaches teach a balanced (no stagger) or squared up stance, even at the highest levels of

football. "With a balanced stance and the most comfortable hand down, we can attack the drive

block," says Keith Millard, Defensive Line Coach, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "We can also be able

to jab step with the inside foot vs. a cutoff block. The first step can be with either foot depending

on what our key (tight end) does. We call it a positive mirror step, not a flat step. We want to

gain ground into the blocker."

While a common argument for an inside hand down stagger is quicker leverage vs. a cutoff

block, some coaches like twelve year veteran NFL defensive line coach Rex Norris teaches an

outside hand down stagger. "It's just a more powerful stance," says Norris. "It lets him step into

and attack the tight end and get two hands on him." Yet, current Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive

line coach Joe Cullen teaches an inside hand down, inside foot stagger from a 6-technique. But

during the course of our research, we've found that a common denominator in stance is directly

tied into the alignment of these defensive ends.

Our conclusive evidence is below:

Most 6-technique alignments (head up to the tight end) employ an inside hand down

stagger.

Most 7-technique alignments (outside foot to crotch of tight end) employ an outside hand

down stagger.

Most 6i-technique alignments (nose to inside eye of tight end) depend upon the ability of

the player. If a defensive line coach chooses to teach a balanced stance, the most

comfortable hand can be down.

Alignment:

You would think that a 7-technique will always align in the inside shade of the tight end. After

all, by definition, that is what a 7-technique is. At least that's what we thought, before we

conducted the research on it (another reason why we love studying coaching trends). Dan

Redding, the defensive line coach for perennial NCAA Division II powerhouse Carson-Newman

College, strongly believes in the importance of changing up the alignment of his 7-technique.

"We will play him heavy on the tight end, then have him move to inside number and even put

him on the inside edge," says Redding. "We want to make the tight end think, keep him

guessing. It can depend on offensive scheme or game situation."

While 36.7% of coaches teach an outside foot to crotch 7-technique alignment, 41.4% align their

defensive ends either on the inside eye "6i" or head up "6" with the tight end. Like Redding,

Norris will "adjust his alignment depending on the player's ability." There are advantages and

disadvantages of each alignment: A head up "6" alignment gives horizontal leverage advantage

vs. a T-scheme and an over-block, but makes the cutoff block tougher to play. An outside foot to

tight end's crotch gives strong C gap leverage vs. a cutoff block and better ensures gap

cancellation. It also allows a smaller, quicker defensive end to penetrate against a bigger, slower

tight end to disrupt both his blocking schemes and offensive execution. "The danger," notes

Millard, "of lining up too far inside is getting caved down the line of scrimmage by that big,

athletic tight end."

Visual Key:

Our research showed that 60.1% of coaches teach a 7-technique to visually key the tight end,

with 37.1 percent of those coaches giving the V of the neck of the tight end as a specific visual

key. "We will always key the tight end. We play a '6i' for a reason. In long yardage situations, we

want to get wood on the tight end from a '6i'. If we want to key the ball and rush the passer, we

will move to a '9' technique," said Millard.

So what about the 28.2 percent of coaches that felt the play side tackle was the better visual key

for the 7-technique? One advantage is defending against an influence/kick-out scheme, used in

either the power O or a power counter play. In both schemes, the offensive tackle will either

double team the "3" technique or release inside to a linebacker while the tight end arc releases to

the second level before the defensive end gets kicked out by the back-side guard or fullback.

Ashour Peera, the defensive coordinator for South Lake H.S. in Groveland, Florida, teaches an

offensive tackle key and uses a triangle drill to coach blocking scheme recognition. "We base out

of a 3-4, but we will shift our defensive front weak and our outside backer down to a 7-

technique. We coach him to key the offensive tackle. We always want to get hands on the tight

end and give him three things for his key: if the tackle goes (away), you go; if the tackle comes

(to me), you come; if the tackle drops (pass sets), you drop (for coverage)."

Although only 11% of coaches teach their 7-technique to key the ball, 66.3% will adjust the

visual key according to down and distance, tight end's split or blocking scheme.

Our conclusive evidence shows the following:

1. If my goal is to get the best possible get off, my best key is the football.

2. If my goal is to attack and get two hands on the tight end, my best key is the tight end.

"I've got to see what I'm going to hit," said Carson-Newman's Dan Redding.

3. If my goal is to defeat a block from inside the C gap, influence/kick-out or arc/fan, my

best key is the offensive tackle.

Case 2: Defeating a Drive Block and Cutoff Block

One challenge for defensive line coaches is finding time during individual drills to work against

all blocks and schemes defensive linemen will see during the course of a season. So, again, we

try to help out coaches. It's what we do! So for each of the six common blocks a 7-technique will

see, we broke them down into the following categories: definition of block, philosophy of block

(why an offense will use it), how to destruct the block, and the best drill to teach the destruction.

We've found that the most frequent blocks a 7-technique will face are a drive block and a cutoff

block. These two can be practiced in the same drill with multiple pairs of defensive linemen.

Drive Block Definition: One-on-one block by tight end with aiming point down the middle or

outside shoulder.

Drive Block Philosophy: Whipping a one-on-one drive block is the starting point for teaching a

7-technique to play over a tight end. At least it is for Joe Cullen, the defensive line coach for the

Jacksonville Jaguars. "We hit the sled almost every day whether it's in-season or during off-

season practices," says Cullen. "It's a great drill for playing the drive block. We teach thumbs up

and elbows under, the power comes from the hips." Stationary sled drills and the 2-gap

Oklahoma drill are two of the best ways to teach a defensive lineman to deliver a blow and

defeat a drive block.

Drive Block Destruction: Attack and whip the tight end, press and separate with eyes inside –

control the drive block by working both feet and maintaining a base until they are in the neutral

zone and the blocker is in the backfield. Knock him back. Find the ball through the hip of the

tight end – fight to keep your hips and shoulders square while maintaining inside-out leverage. If

the ball stays inside, press and separate again and shed with a jerk and rip and make the tackle. If

the ball crosses face, press and lockout with the outside arm, work hips across the blocker, shed

and make the tackle. If the tight end's initial step is too wide, rip off with the outside arm,

penetrate and set the edge.

Drive Block Drill: Sled – work separation using hands and feet.

Cutoff Block Definition: A one-on-one block by tight end with aiming point 18 inches inside

defender's hip attempting to cut him out of the C gap, and gain leverage into the C gap.

Cutoff Block Philosophy: By alignment, the defensive end should win. He's already in the C gap.

We found that the success rate in this block relies heavily on reaction time, and holding that C

gap responsibility. Any first level C gap player will never have force responsibilities on the run,

which gives him the ability to play physical. "When he (a defensive lineman) rips inside a cutoff

block, if he feels himself getting washed down the line of scrimmage with the ball cutting back,

we teach him to 'pad back' into the blocker," said Cullen.

A tight end's cutoff block vs. a 7-technique is primarily a back-side one-on-one block away from

the point of attack, but some teams will still try to cut-off the defensive end while running a play

side A gap power play.

Cutoff Block Destruction: Attack and whip the tight end with hips, hands and hat. Knock him

back. Recognize cutoff block, and look inside for the football. Work hard with the inside hand

and hip to stay square. Play with inside leverage as long as possible. If the ball stays inside, rip

off and make the tackle. If the ball cuts back fast behind the tight end into the D gap, cross face,

rip off and make the tackle. If pinned in the C gap, pump it up the field to force a flat angle by

the ball carrier and pad back into the tight end. Versus a low cutoff block (or a cut block), get

eyes on cut block, two-hand jam it, shuffle laterally, and pursue inside to the ball. Versus a flat

cutoff block (TE rips and runs down the line of scrimmage), the tight end will turn his shoulders

and may try to gain inside leverage by ripping inside with his outside arm. Prevent yourself from

being washed and creating a downhill D gap cutback by pressing the blocker down the line of

scrimmage and up field with two hands on his outside shoulder, cancelling the C gap with the

blocker's body. If the ball cuts back into the D gap, release off outside the tight end and make the

tackle.

Cutoff Block Drills: Fit drill – fit the defensive end up on a tight end, with the defender's hat

down the middle and his hands full of jersey on the tight end's numbers, again thumbs up and

elbows under. Align a running back 5 yards deep behind an imaginary center. Simulate a cutoff

block from the fit position. The 7-technique must lockout, gain inside leverage, and find the ball

carrier through the inside hip. The ball carrier will either stay inside or cut back to D gap. Next,

work a flat cutoff drill. Align the tight end with his shoulders already turned. Have him rip with

his inside arm and the defender will press him down the L.O.S. and up-field.

Case 3: Defeating an Over-Block and T-Scheme

The over-block and T-scheme can be practiced together because both schemes are designed to

get the ball outside the 7-technique to the D gap, and the tight end and offensive tackle are

involved in both schemes.

Definition of an Over-Block: drive block by tight end and a reach block by offensive tackle.

Philosophy of the Over Block: The over-block was rated as the third most difficult block to

prepare for by coaches surveyed (25.2%). The offensive objective of the over-block is to combo

block the 7-technique, knock him off the ball with two blockers and chip up to a linebacker

before the backer can scrape. This technique is apparent in zone schemes like zone option or

outside zone.

Over-Block Destruction: "We tell our guy to attack the tight end, and press him outside to create

a seam in the C gap between the tight end and offensive tackle," says Norris. "Rip up-field,

penetrate and set the edge." When seeing the over block, defensive linemen need to attack and

whip the drive block first with hips, hands and hat. Recognition must be quick after the initial

drive block because the offensive tackle will drop step to the hip of the tight end, piggyback, and

attempt to push him through to linebacker level. The DE must deliver a blow to the drive block,

knock him back, run his feet, and drive him into the backfield. This will destroy the offensive

tackle's angle for a combo. "If the offensive tackle's outside hip overlaps the inside hip of the

tight end, that's when it's tough. The 7-technique has to knock the tight end back so that can't

happen," said Redding.

If the tackle overlaps the tight end's hip, do NOT attempt to lock out. Keep the fit with shoulders

squared, drive it and flatten the tight end down the L.O.S. Don't let the tight end chip up to a

linebacker. If the tight end widens and climbs to the next level, beat the offensive tackle outside

and if the offensive tackle leaves, beat the tight end inside. Both times the player should maintain

his C gap responsibility.

Drills for the Over-Block: An over-block is similar to a power scoop for a 3-technique, but the

difference is a power scoop is a back-side combo block with the ball designed to go inside while

the over-block is a play side combo block with the ball designed to go outside. All defensive

linemen can work this drill. Align defensive end on a tight end with nose on his inside number,

hands full of jersey on his chest and elbows under and bent. Put an offensive tackle overlapping

the inside hip of the tight end – an already advantageous position for the offense. The offensive

tackle will start the drill by pushing the tight end and the two will try to drive the defensive end

off the ball, equaling over 500 pounds of pressure. The defensive end must run his feet, keep his

hips square, and widen the tight end without getting driven off the L.O.S. If the tight end leaves,

beat the tackle outside. If the tackle leaves, beat the tight end inside.

Definition of a T-Scheme: Drive block by tight end + outside pull by offensive tackle.

Philosophy of a T-Scheme: For the most part, a T-scheme is designed to push the ball outside. It

can be used in single puller or double puller schemes like outside zone, toss or stretch.

T-Scheme Block Destruction: The defensive end must attack and whip the drive block by the

tight end. The T-scheme recognition is quick because the offensive tackle is pulling outside and

behind the tight end. The defensive end MUST understand the worst thing that can happen is to

get knocked off the ball or stalemated by the tight end at the point of attack on the L.O.S. Both

scenarios will cut off inside pursuit from the 3-technique, who is beating a reach block. This will

also keep the scraping linebacker from a clean downhill fit. Millard gives his 6i three options in

defeating a T-scheme.

If he reads it pre-snap or sees it early enough, the best thing to do is cross the tight end's face

now. If the tight end takes too wide an angle, get skinny, backdoor it, and bend it into the hip of

the puller. Otherwise, punch the tight end back out and play the C gap.

Drills for the T-Scheme: Fit a defensive end up with inside leverage on a tight end. Align an

offensive tackle inside with a ball carrier 6 yards deep behind an imaginary center. The tight end

will drive block and the tackle will pull outside. The defensive end will press and lockout the

tight end's outside shoulder and rips across his face. If the tight end takes an outside drive block

angle, the defender will back door it, u-turn and get on the puller's hip.

Case 4: Defeating an Influence/Kick-out and Arc/Fan Scheme

The influence/kick-out and arc/fan scheme are also grouped together because both schemes are

designed to run the ball inside the 7-technique and the blocker assigned to that C gap down

defender is someone other than the tight end.

Definition of a Influence/kick-out scheme: A slam and release by tight end + kick-out by

fullback or back-side guard.

Philosophy of Influence/Kick Out Scheme: Our research showed that 36.2% of coaches surveyed

chose the influence/kick-out scheme as the most difficult block or scheme to prepare a 7-

technique to defeat. Redding echoes the sentiment. "That's a tough one. We try to find a pre-snap

tip. The defensive end has to recognize the difference between a drive block by the tight end and

an influence block with the tight end trying to set him up. He can usually tell by hat level, first

step, or angle of the tight end. Then he has to get his eyes inside, attack and spill the kick-out

block."

Influence/Kick-Out Scheme Block Destruction: If you are getting a steady dose of

influence/kick-out, it is probably because your 7-technique is whipping their tight end. Keying

the offensive tackle may be worth a consideration. For coaches who teach an offensive tackle

key, this scheme is easier to recognize because the defensive end's eyes are already inside and

they can see the down block by the tackle quicker. Now they should be able to see the kick-out

block coming and attack and spill the ball outside – if that is what the structure of the defense

tells them to. If the defensive scheme asks them to leverage or "box" the ball inside, they attack

the kick-out with the inside pad.

Definition of an Arc or Fan Block: arc release by the tight end + fan (turnout) by the offensive

tackle.

Philosophy of the Arc or Fan Block: Similar to the influence/kick-out, the arc and fan is more

difficult to initially recognize because a blocker other than the tight end is blocking the defensive

end. The offensive objective of the scheme is to release the tight end on a force defender and fan

out on the defensive end. These schemes are more prevalent in the gun game such as the

isolation and sprint draw.

Arc or Fan Block Destruction: Attack and whip the tight end. Arc recognition is quick and eyes

must look inside. Attack the offensive tackle and deliver a blow with two hands to the bottom of

his chest pads, then square shoulders with the L.O.S. immediately by releasing the outside hand

and long-arming the offensive tackle with the inside arm to the inside number/armpit. Pound the

inside hip and hand and long-arm the offensive tackle with inside arm, staying square to the

L.O.S. Work feet, pound and slide, and cave the blocker at a 45 degree angle into the backfield,

and squeeze down the inside B gap with his body. Find the ball through the outside hip of the

tackle. Be alert for the bounce out.

Drills for the Arc or Fan Block: Fit the defender with outside leverage up on an offensive

lineman. The offensive line will start the drill, turning his inside shoulder and attempting to drive

the defender outside and off the ball. The defensive end will release his outside hand and shift his

weight to his inside hip, pound the inside foot into the ground and long-arm the blocker, caving

him back inside.

Concluding Report:

I would like to address two important points on this report. We've been getting tremendous

feedback, so I'd like to clarify two main points: 1. Contrary to popular belief, many defenses still

continue to play a nine technique in 4-3 Over front with a great deal of success; and, 2. It is

possible to be effective at running the ball without targeting the C gap. As a defensive

coordinator, I have witnessed this first hand from the press box. There is not a football coach on

any level that has all the answers, but one key to winning is the relentless search to put players in

the best position (alignment, assignment and technique) possible for success.