3-4 vs. 5-2 Defense.

Best starting place is to forget college/pro defenses due to the lack of effective passing. In theory the best and simplest run defense would be a gap 8 - where offense's only hopes would be to run outside or hit the pop pass before being tackled. Almost no complexity for interior 6 - bearcrawl low 2 steps, thru gap come up and prusue. Ends box to stop sweep. CBs or safety cover quick receivers. Now go spend your time practicing tackling and offense.

Unfortunately even little guys these days come out in stufff like TE trips - not to pass - but to sweep, so life gets more complex and more second level players must be alligned.

Therefore I suggest getting familar with Jack Reed's web site and the GAM (gap, Air, Mirror) defense which uses 4 bearcrawlers to shut down the A & B gaps, two bigger LBs inside eye ( 7 tech) of the tight ends, two def ends 2 yrds wide on "air" to box in the sweep - in effect a gap 8 vs 2 tights, a MLB and two CBs. With no safety you have no level 3 player, in effect 6 linemen and 5 man to man guys on the 5 eligibles. The 2 ends in effect have the QB coming their way on sprint or boot or QB throwback. Jack has some alignment rules for the 5 man to man guys ie CBs on #1 wideout their side, (both to same side vs 2 back twins or slot), OLBs vs #2 (typically TE & TB on std pro set) and MLB on FB, if FB blocks MLB becomes free safety/QB eyes on passes. Vs TEs the OLBs cover TE on release or control TE till run arrives on run plays. All 5 "level 2" play inside shade M to M - don't worry about "Bumping" just drill open the hips to receivers release and run with him.

I find that if you have scouted its best to fall back on alignment rules only in event of multiple personnel changes. Otherwise each defender has a specific man and does with him - inside shade wherever he goes. Instant automatic formation adjustments, strength instantly matched to strength - key personnel with key opponents. Even Tackle or guard over unbalanced teams as your B gappers go with there tackles and your A gappers go with their guards. Even the line is man to man! If you havn't scouted teach them the base alignment principles and then tell them to stay with that same guy unless yoy find a reason for a swap.

Delphi has a 10-1 defense discussion board (one nickname for this defense) with various coaches variations. This defense has similarities to the feared Bear 46 defense pressure components and if you use 3 interior defenders instead of 4 you can still play 5 under man with a safety behind. Then who can double cover or can replace a blitzer by covering his man. A good package to work toward as you move up the ladder.

Back to the GAM - the man to man matchups go for the FB and TB as well. The assigned defender (usually M and Will) line up head to head and at same distance off the ball as the FB & TB and then step one step closer. They are drilled to mirror their back step for step and angle for angle - an easy drill. no reads/hesitations etc. The idea meet them at the LOS. Of course they can favor the C gap as the runners can't get thru A or B gaps. If their man fakes or releases out of the backfield their assigned defender tackles him or covers him. (no safety behind).

:clock;

Can someone tell me the difference exactly between a DT playing 2-gap and a DT playing 1-gap?

2 gap technique is head up on the defender, the other 1 gap is shaded to half the OL. hope this helps