DL Splatter technique in the 4-3 with tilted DLs

Coach Kramer,

We teach our DL to simply read the offensive linemen two ways. I got the concept from Rex Ryan's 46 defensive book if I'm not mistaken. 1) On block - if my offensive linemen is attacking me I will fight to maintain my gap and not get reached. 2) Down block - if my offensive linemen is going down or inside to seal a linebacker, for example, then we teach them to "chase" down the line of scrimmage spilling any block coming to them (ie. backside guard attacking a 3 tech on trap or backside guard attacking the defensive end on a counter play. They are taught to spill everything to the outside and seal off the inside gaps and pursue to the ball. They don't give themselves up on the blockers !!
Sometimes like you are asking it is difficult to ascertain the difference between a reach block and a down block if you are outflanked by an offensive linemen. If you can't determine which block you are getting we try to get as much penetration as possible. If it is a stretch play away with zone blocking - then we can attempt to run it down from behind and "chase". If is is a down block and a counter play to us - then the penetration from the DL helps disrupt the pulling linemen and the flow of the play. It may not sound like the perfect answer, but it has been successful for us at the high school level. I hope this helps !! TextTextTextText