Contain?

Depends on what your scheme is (4-4, 4-3, Multiple look? ). I would suggest playing them in more of a 70 or 90 technique so they do not get reached so easily. Also think about what you are asking him to do from his position. How much does he need to help stop the inside run? Is he just a contain man, of does he have coverage responsibilities?

In our 4-2-5 = we play the OLB (AKA: S/S) in an "80" (2x2 off TE), & the DE in a 7 (inside half of TE). GREAT CONTAIN from this:

8 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF A SOUND RUN DEFENSE:

(These must be ASSIGNED, & understood, in EACH defense)

I. FIRST CONTAIN (PLAYSIDE OLB in base 4-2-5): — 1) Outside-in support on the wide play. 2) Take on lead blocker on sweeps and options. Normally responsible for pitch on option.

II. SECOND CONTAIN (playside Corner in base 4-2-5): - 1) Widest man in defense by alignment. 2) Never let ball carrier outside of you. 3) Responsible for the one-out pass. 4) Secondary support always from outside-in.

III. ALLEY (F/S in base 4-2-5): - 1. Fill inside Contain if ball cuts up.

IV. FORCE (playside DE in base 4-2-5): - 1) Normally takes QB on option and sprint or roll out. 2) Squeeze from outside-in the off tackle-hole on play inside. 3) Inside-out support on wide play.

V. TRAIL (backside DE in base 4-2-5: - 1) Responsible for bootlegs, counters, and reverses when ball starts away.

VI. CUTBACK (ILBers & backside OLB in base 4-2-5): - 1) Responsible for cutback when ball starts away - do not overrun.

VII. GAP RESPONSIBILITY AND PURSUIT (DLM in base 4-2-5): - Interior of defense given gap responsibility and down the line of scrimmage pursuit.

VIII. DEEP PURSUIT (backside Corner in base 4-2-5): - On play away you are the last man in our pattern. You must take a proper course (different from every play) that will enable you to make the play if no one else does.