Defensive Line Pressure Games

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would like to thank the AFCA for the opportunity to speak at the 2001 convention and for the work they do to make our great profession even better. I will be speaking today about creating more pressure on the quarterback through pass rush games and techniques. The most essential elements for great defensive line play are 1. Take-off, 2. Pad level and 3. Effort. The first technique we work on at Southwest Texas is the take-off. We want our weight on our front hand, enough weight that if I kicked it out from under one of the defensive linemen they would fall. I want feet shoulder-width apart with a good heel to toe stagger. If a player is in a right-handed stance, the right hand will be down and right foot back, then when the ball moves, react. What I’m looking for is the back foot passing the down hand by at least eight inches. If the foot does not pass the front hand mark by at least eight inches, we did not gain ground on the offensive lineman. Second, we want to make sure on contact with the offensive lineman that the back is flat, thumb pointed inside and elbow staying within the cylinder of the body. Explode inside arm in the middle of the offensive lineman’s chest, hands and feet working together. If the defensive lineman is attacking with his left hand he should be stepping with his left foot (or right hand/right foot). Work the edge of the offensive lineman, or half man technique. The worst place to be in football is in the middle of an offensive lineman. Once on edge, plant the outside foot and pull down on the offensive lineman’s outside pad with the outside arm. It is important to get the outside foot planted when pulling to create the power needed to displace the offensive lineman’s outside shoulder. Keep tight to the offensive lineman, and the crotch should be aimed at the offensive lineman’s hip. Pull through with a rip or swim move to the quarterback. When we reach a consistent level with our take-off and half man technique we move on to the line twist. We teach two, three and four man twists. When I start teaching twist techniques the first technique we work versus man protection is to make sure the get-off is at least two steps. We want to create gap expansion in the offensive line through alignment and getoff. The defensive line must sell the get-off. Do not let the defensive lineman short step. Work on the take-off appearing the same as the half man technique. If we are running a “Tex twist,” the twist is to the three technique side, it is a two man

twist between the three and five or seven technique. The aiming point for the three technique is the offensive tackle’s inside hip, with pads low. Pad level is important as high pads will allow the offensive lineman to cram you back to the guard. The defensive end must widen his alignment to insure the offensive tackle widens to him. The defensive end, after executing his two step get-off, will loop behind the defensive tackle through the A gap with any pass set. The offensive tackle now should be picked by the three technique’s body. If the offensive guard reacts to the defensive end, the three technique should be free to the quarterback. If the guard stays on the three technique, the defensive end should be free to the quarterback. A two man twist between the nose and the five is called an “Ex” twist. The “Ex” is opposite of a “Tex” twist. The defensive end will get off two steps and penetrate through the B gap. The nose will attempt to go two steps up the field to insure the offensive guard’s attention towards his movement and that the guard does not slide to pick up the penetrating end. After two steps the nose will loop behind the end. We want the nose’s initial vision to go to the outside receiver, so if the receiver’s numbers are coming at him, will close to the receiver. If the looping nose does not see any receiver’s numbers, continue tight to the quarterback. The nose is responsible for containment, his aiming point is the deep shoulder of the quarterback. On this twist the defensive end should pick the guard, if the tackle pulls to help on the nose, the end should be free to the quarterback if the tackle stays on the end, the end’s body will prevent the guard from continuing with the nose. The two step get-off is also important if the offense has called a running play. Any aggressive or zone block the defensive linemen are involved in the twist goes back to base, they are now responsible for the gap that they are aligned in.

Defensive Line Pressure Games

David Bailiff Defensive Coordinator Southwest Texas State University

Diagram 1

The inside game we execute with the most success is called “twist.” On a twist the three technique is the penetrator. He is

• Proceedings • 78th AFCA Convention • 2001 •

San Marcos, Texas

Diagram 2

Diagram 3

Diagram 4

Diagram 5

Diagram 6

to attack through the A gap. The nose will be slower to react, since during his initial get off he will read the center. If the center zone steps away the nose will continue on through the Agap. If the center zone steps

toward the nose, he will go back to base technique. The nose technique on a pass set will loop through the B gap where the penetrating tackle was initially aligned. “Twist I” is the twist between the nose and

the three technique where the nose is the penetrator, he will attack his A gap. The three technique will use his half man technique and become the looper. When executed properly the penetrator should hold the offensive lineman’s attention and vision long enough to allow the looper to clear, if the guard reacts to the looper the penetrator will be free to the quarterback. This is a basic overview of the different pass rush and twist techniques we use at Southwest Texas. If you would like more information please feel free to contact me at TCU or Bob DeBesse at Southwest Texas.

Caution Your Team About Player Agents A problem for all coaches is the proliferation of agents and would-be agents who seek to make agreements with players prior to the completion of their eligibility. The activity of these people has increased, and it is imperative that all of the consequences of making an agreement with an agent are known by your players. Contact with players by agents almost always is done without the knowledge of the coach. Some agents openly admit they will continue to make contacts and agreements with players before their final season has been completed. This could lead to forfeiture of games. Some agents are advising players not to risk injury by playing. Your players must be warned about this problem. Do it more than once. • Proceedings • 78th AFCA Convention • 2001 •