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| D Line Disrupts |
**SORRY MY CAMERA BROKE THE VIDEO UP AGAIN**
Today we are going to take a look at simple D Line stunts or games. These are also known as disrupts because you are trying to alter or change the O Lines blocking schemes. If you really want to affect an offense then get after their offensive line. Movements and games are a simple way to do that while staying sound on defense. It is also a good way to get smaller or less talented players to become more effective. We will look at 1 man and 2 man games today.
For us as an Over Front most of our games come from the side with the 3 and 5 technique. The gap exchanges are easier and they are closer together which makes the picks and rubs more effective. Usually with two man games you talk about a penetrator first and a loop player second. You can have the End penetrate first and the Nose loop behind him, or you can have the Nose penetrate first and the End loop behind him. An important thing to understand is how the stunt affects the run gaps of the second level defenders. If you simply gap exchange two defensive lineman there will be no gap changes for the linebackers. But if you are changing gaps of players up front then you may be changing gaps of players behind them. An inability to fit runs correctly will get you in a lot of trouble as a defense. When you are changing gap assignments you must make sure it is taught and communicated to all involved. Here is an example. We like to take the 3 technique and 5 technique under 1 gap each vs. teams that like to run strong side inside runs. By doing that we feel like we are eliminating the A and B gaps and forcing the ball wide so it is not gaining any ground. When we do this the Mike LB now becomes a C Gap player on runs at him to the strong side. The run fits to the strong side have changed and we must understand how to execute it properly. The biggest problem a defense can run into is guys running around with no accountability. You want to play fast and aggressive but also be gap sound with integrity. We will also stunt the 3 technique and 1 technique 1 gap to the weak side. Essentially the 3 becomes a 1 technique and plays the A gap and the 1 becomes a 3 technique and plays the B gap. This changes the gaps of the Mike and Will so it must be understood by them so you can fit runs properly. All of these things must be practiced and drilled daily to maintain proper run fits and gap integrity.
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| Teaching Movement |
Another very important aspect of line games is teaching guys how to read and react while moving. When a defensive lineman moves he must understand what his new visual key will be. He must understand how to move with great body demeanor and leverage. A lot of players want to stand straight up when they move and now will not play with pad under pad leverage. Knowing their new visual key will be very important so they can understand how to react to blocks and maintain proper gap integrity. For example, if a 5 technique is going to cross the offensive tackles face and become a B Gap player his new visual key will be the Guard. If the guard was working out towards the 5 technique, the 5 technique needs to understand he must stay on the outside shoulder pad of that guard. If he goes across the guards face he is now essentially in the A Gap and we are structurally unsound. You never want to move just for the sake of moving. Their must be a purpose and an assignment with the movement that must be executed. You should always teach defensive lineman base block recognition and block destruction first, then use movement as your change up or off speed pitch. It will muddy the water for offensive lineman. It will also take advantage of offensive lineman with poor footwork and bad run blocking demeanor.
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| PLAY FAST |
As always our main concern is getting our players to understand what they must do and do it as fast as possible with very little thinking. If you can add simple movement to your defense that you can accomplish with very little thinking it will pay huge dividends. Remember players that think too much play too slow. Have a simple progression in your teaching and give them as many reps as possible covering all scenarios. Until next time keep PLAYING FAST!!!
