Post by Coach Campbell on Jul 30, 2009 14:00:59 GMT
Defensive tackle
From Wikipedia,
Two defensive tackles in the center of the line in a 4-3 base defense
The lone nose tackle between two defensive ends in the base 3-4 defenseDefensive tackle (DT) is a position on the defensive line in American and Canadian football. The defensive tackle(s) lines up toward the center of the field, and is flanked by the defensive ends. With the defensive ends, they comprise the defensive line.
Defensive tackles are typically the largest and strongest of the defensive players. The defensive tackle typically lines up opposite outside shoulder of the offensive guards. Depending on a team's individual defensive scheme, a defensive tackle may be called upon to fill several different roles. These roles may include merely holding the point of attack by refusing to be moved, which also prevents offensive lineman from being able to get to the linebackers and successfully block them on running plays, or penetrating a certain gap between offensive linemen to break up a play in the opponent's backfield. The former is often referred to as "two gap" play, the latter as "one gap" play. Historically, one gap play was more frequently the role common for a defensive tackle to use as two gap play requires a defensive tackle to be rather large (most DTs who are good at two gap play are over 330 pounds) a development that has only occurred in the last 5-10 years of football. The concept of using one or both defensive tackles in "two gap" play was popularized on the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, who used Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa in this role, allowing their linebackers (especially Ray Lewis) to attack the ball carrier without being blocked by an offensive player. If a defensive tackle reads a pass play, his primary responsibility is to pursue the quarterback, or simply knock the pass down at the line if it's within arm's reach. Other responsibilities of the defensive tackle may be to pursue the screen pass or drop into coverage in a zone blitz scheme.
In the 3-4 defensive scheme the sole defensive tackle is referred to as the nose tackle. This scheme most often asks the defensive tackles to play a two gap role as opposed to penetrating the offensive line themselves, so that other players in the defensive front can attack ball carriers and rush the quarterback.
Defensive Line System
Hard Point Football
A style of defensive line play that is the most aggressive in all of football. The system makes the defensive linemen, including the ends, strike and control their respective offensive linemen. This way, each lineman is able to make a tackle on either side of him. The controlled offensive linemen cannot release up field and block the defense's linebackers, so the linebackers are able to see where the running back is going and tackle him untouched.
Jobs of Defensive Tackles
Run Stopping
Defensive tackles must be able to contain rushes and to fill holes in the defensive line. Good defensive tackles will force the runner to run to the outside of the line, allowing the linebackers and the secondary to tackle the runner, often for a loss of yardage.
Defensive tackles have many different responsibilities based on the reads they receive from offensive lineman on each play. Whether playing a one or a two gap technique, certain reads dictate the defensive tackle's response in the given defensive scheme. Some reads include trap, double team, guard pull, pass, cut off or reach block when facing a zone blocking offense, inside release or ride down when lined up away from the side the offense is attacking, and so on. To over simplify the defensive lineman's job as filling a hole or protecting the linebacker is absurd. Granted these are part of the job description, but much more is expected of them. First and foremost the defensive line controls the line of scrimmage. The defensive line can shut down the opposition's offense completely. Anyone can fill a hole, a defensive lineman however, must be able to react in a fractions of a second, making the offense go on the defensive.
Pass Rushing
On passing plays, the defensive tackles will in most cases rush at the guards and center to attempt to contain and/or sack the quarterback. Because the quarterback will usually drop back to avoid the rush, pressure down the middle of the line will prevent the quarterback from stepping into the "pocket" (a safe area for the quarterback to throw created by the offensive line), leaving the quarterback more vulnerable to the defensive ends, and in many cases, forcing a bad throw.
Also, defensive tackles will often jump up when a quarterback throws in an attempt to deflect the pass, sometimes leading to an interception.
From Wikipedia,
Two defensive tackles in the center of the line in a 4-3 base defense
The lone nose tackle between two defensive ends in the base 3-4 defenseDefensive tackle (DT) is a position on the defensive line in American and Canadian football. The defensive tackle(s) lines up toward the center of the field, and is flanked by the defensive ends. With the defensive ends, they comprise the defensive line.
Defensive tackles are typically the largest and strongest of the defensive players. The defensive tackle typically lines up opposite outside shoulder of the offensive guards. Depending on a team's individual defensive scheme, a defensive tackle may be called upon to fill several different roles. These roles may include merely holding the point of attack by refusing to be moved, which also prevents offensive lineman from being able to get to the linebackers and successfully block them on running plays, or penetrating a certain gap between offensive linemen to break up a play in the opponent's backfield. The former is often referred to as "two gap" play, the latter as "one gap" play. Historically, one gap play was more frequently the role common for a defensive tackle to use as two gap play requires a defensive tackle to be rather large (most DTs who are good at two gap play are over 330 pounds) a development that has only occurred in the last 5-10 years of football. The concept of using one or both defensive tackles in "two gap" play was popularized on the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, who used Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa in this role, allowing their linebackers (especially Ray Lewis) to attack the ball carrier without being blocked by an offensive player. If a defensive tackle reads a pass play, his primary responsibility is to pursue the quarterback, or simply knock the pass down at the line if it's within arm's reach. Other responsibilities of the defensive tackle may be to pursue the screen pass or drop into coverage in a zone blitz scheme.
In the 3-4 defensive scheme the sole defensive tackle is referred to as the nose tackle. This scheme most often asks the defensive tackles to play a two gap role as opposed to penetrating the offensive line themselves, so that other players in the defensive front can attack ball carriers and rush the quarterback.
Defensive Line System
Hard Point Football
A style of defensive line play that is the most aggressive in all of football. The system makes the defensive linemen, including the ends, strike and control their respective offensive linemen. This way, each lineman is able to make a tackle on either side of him. The controlled offensive linemen cannot release up field and block the defense's linebackers, so the linebackers are able to see where the running back is going and tackle him untouched.
Jobs of Defensive Tackles
Run Stopping
Defensive tackles must be able to contain rushes and to fill holes in the defensive line. Good defensive tackles will force the runner to run to the outside of the line, allowing the linebackers and the secondary to tackle the runner, often for a loss of yardage.
Defensive tackles have many different responsibilities based on the reads they receive from offensive lineman on each play. Whether playing a one or a two gap technique, certain reads dictate the defensive tackle's response in the given defensive scheme. Some reads include trap, double team, guard pull, pass, cut off or reach block when facing a zone blocking offense, inside release or ride down when lined up away from the side the offense is attacking, and so on. To over simplify the defensive lineman's job as filling a hole or protecting the linebacker is absurd. Granted these are part of the job description, but much more is expected of them. First and foremost the defensive line controls the line of scrimmage. The defensive line can shut down the opposition's offense completely. Anyone can fill a hole, a defensive lineman however, must be able to react in a fractions of a second, making the offense go on the defensive.
Pass Rushing
On passing plays, the defensive tackles will in most cases rush at the guards and center to attempt to contain and/or sack the quarterback. Because the quarterback will usually drop back to avoid the rush, pressure down the middle of the line will prevent the quarterback from stepping into the "pocket" (a safe area for the quarterback to throw created by the offensive line), leaving the quarterback more vulnerable to the defensive ends, and in many cases, forcing a bad throw.
Also, defensive tackles will often jump up when a quarterback throws in an attempt to deflect the pass, sometimes leading to an interception.
