FRONT ALIGNMENT SYSTEM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

GAP IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM-------------

DEFENSIVE FRONT ALIGNMENTS---------

LINEBACKER ALIGNMENTS-----------------

D-LINE ADJUSTMENTS-------------------------

UNBALANCED ADJUSTMENTS--------------

DB DISGUISE ALIGNMENTS------------------

GAP IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

In every defensive call our Linemen and Linebackers will be assigned an area of
responsibility.
Responsibilities will be described by letters corresponding to each GAP in the
offensive line.
The Defensive Linemen and Outside Linebackers will be responsible for one
GAP.
Our Inside Linebackers will have one GAP on flow to and a second GAP
if the ball flow is away from them.

A Q

GAP IDENTIFICATION
A GAP = Area from the crotch of the Center to the crotch of the Guard.
B GAP = Area from the crotch of the Guard to the crotch of the Tackle.
C GAP = Area from the crotch of the Tackle to the crotch of the TE.
D GAP = Area from the crotch of the TE to the crotch of the Wingback.
2

FRONT ALIGNMENT SYSTEM

In every call our Linemen and Linebackers will be assigned an alignment Technique number.
Each number reflects the alignment the defender takes on a particular offensive linemen .
Each technique has a specific GAP responsibility.
The D- Linemen and OLBs will be assigned a single digit alignment Technique.
Any Technique followed by a zero will put the defender at Linebacker depth.
All odd digits will put the defender in an outside alignment on the offensive lineman.
All even digits will put the defender in a head-up alignment on the offensive lineman .
If an even digit is followed by the letter I this will put the defender in an
inside alignment on the offensive lineman.

6
7

4
6I

2
4I

0
2I 1

2
1 2I

4
3 4I

6
5 6I

CENTER: 0 = Head-up alignment on the Center

1 = Inside Hand to Outside number of the Center
GUARD: 2I = Outside Hand to Inside number of the Guard
2 = Head-up alignment on the Guard
3 = Inside Hand to Outside number of the Guard
TACKLE: 4I = Outside Hand to Inside number of the Tackle
4 = Head-up alignment on the Tackle
5 = Inside Hand to Outside number of the Tackle
TE: 6I = Outside Hand to Inside number of the TE
6 = Head-up alignment on the TE
7 = Inside foot to crotch of the TE

Alignments can be adjusted by using the following terms for a specific Technique.
1.
2.
3.

HEAVY = Defenders feet just slightly outside the offensive linemans feet. (More Head-up)
LOOSE = Defenders Inside foot Outside the feet of the offensive lineman.
TILT = Defender aligns at a 45 degree angle to the Outside of the offensive lineman.

LINEBACKER ALIGNMENTS
Any Technique followed by a ZERO will put the defender at a depth of 5 yds.

A Q

70

50

30

10

20

40

60

CENTER: 10= Foot to Crotch of the Center

GUARD: 20 = Head-up alignment on the Guard
30 = Inside Foot to Crotch of the Guard
TACKLE: 40 = Head-up alignment on the Tackle
50 = Inside Foot to Crotch of the Tackle
TE: 60 = Head-up alignment on the TE
70 = Inside foot to crotch of the TE

These Alignments are used for displaced LBs aligned outside the TE.
1.

HIP = Alignment over a ghost TE at heel depth to a SE side.

2.

WALK = Alignment splitting the difference between an Open #2 receiver and the EMOL.

3.

BACKER = Alignment wide enough to maintain outside leverage on an open #2 receiver.

D-Line Adjustments
These terms when Tagged to a Front
call will change the alignment of
one or more Techniques on the
Defensive Line .
Example :Closed G Slant 87 Trap
The Nose will align in a 2I Tech.
instead of a 1Tech.

G = Any 1 Tech. Aligns in a 2I Tech.

EYE = Any 3 Tech.. Aligns in a 4I Tech.
WIDE = Any 6I Tech. Aligns in a 7 Tech
5

Adjustments vs. Unbalanced

In our Offset Package Fronts we will play the Front

and Coverage called vs. Unbalanced Pro formation.
If the Front is a TE based Front (Closed, Anchor) we
will set the Front to the 3-man surface regardless of the
TE alignment.
NOTE:
All Tight Blitzes will be called to the 3-man
surface.
All Anchor Blitzes will check Torpedo.
If the Front is set away from the unbalanced line
(Hawk) the LBS will plus to the 3-man surface giving
us a 4-3 look.
ROLL is our Base check Vs. Unbalanced Twins.
ROLL is a 3 Deep Rotation to Strength.
ROLL will also tell the ILBS to Box any ISO regardless
of the Front.
ROLL tells the OLB to the call to play a 9 Tech. (NOT a
Walk Alignment)

Vs. ANY 4 MAN SURFACE We will Slide

the Front to the 4 MAN Side.

DISGUISE PACKAGE
We believe in disguising our package for the following reasons:
1. The offense cant zero in on any one front or coverage
2. The offense must make their adjustment quickly after
we come out of our disguise .
3. We can hide our front and coverage until the snap of the
ball.
4. Disguising neutralizes the offenses advantage of knowing
the play before the snap of the ball.
Disguise Alignments
We will show DOG front (N in a 0 END and TACKLE in 4) WILL and SAM
will align in 7 Techniques vs a TE and Hip alignments if there is no TEs . Both MIKE and
ZIP will align in 20s with The coverage always showing Cover 4.

Y
S

X
E

N
M

S
X
E
S

C
H

Y
T W

N
M

We will come out of our Disguise after the QB has completed the second sound of his cadence.
If the ball is Snapped on the first sound we will RUN to the front and coverage called .

NOTES: