3-3 Ends in 4 techs or 5 techs?

Coach,
we put our guys head up of the d-tackles. We call that 5 tech. We do that because of slanting purposes. We will get into 4 tech which for us is inside shade of the tackles to stop power, iso etc..
PGOLLA

Coach,

I firmly believe in playing head up with the DE's. This way, the OT does not know if you are slanting, looping or playing base (C gap). We do not two gap with the DE's -- if in base, they attack outside number of OT and play C gap. They are QB players (do not spill).

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. Extremely helpful. That's the rout I will go.

Coach,
We do not slant every play. We do slant A LOT.. Depending on what we are doing, usually our Hawks OLB/Saft have force. We do play our end in force if we slant out and bring our hawks.. Our hawks will tell them before to make sure they know they are force..
PGOLLA

Coach Hawk, that's how we call it also.

As far as slanting, we still like to line up in a 4, 5, or 6, regardless of where we are slanting. We'll line up in a 4 (inside shade of tackle), slant them to c gap (right across the face of the tackle) and blitz the corresponding linebacker in behind them.

or

line them up in 6's, slant them to b gap, then blitz the backers through c gap.

we still line them up in 4's and slant to b, but that's the best part of the d-line. line up anywhere, and go anywhere. our kids love it. those guys up front like to know their not just going to line up and try to push forward, they love the frustration on the o-line.

With your DEs playing heads up on the tackles (be it 4t or 5t depending on your terminology !!) do you ever get them to drop off versus 3 step passing. It is always going to be tough for the DE to make a sack on a 3 step drop so was thinking that if we get the OT kickstepping in his pass block that the DE looks inside for the QB - if the QB begins to set up to pass that he pushes off and gets into the slant / hitch passing lane and gets the hands up. If the QB pulls the ball down then he renews his pass rush. If the DE carries on his pass rush then on an inside or outside slant he will soon get out of the passing lane. Any thoughts ??

Coach,
Great stuff. When we shade we do 3 things. 1) if we call 3,4,1 any shade they blow that gap, no call has to be said. 2) If we align in a 3 and call TIM (tackle in) they cross face to the A gap. 3) we hit and lock out...
When we are head up when we slant we are reading to our slant.

3 step:
We tell our tackles they are responsible for hitch, screen any short outside throws. No they may not get there but they have to get pressure and find the qb's throwing lane....

Nose guard is responsible for any middle short throws. This gives those guys responsibility in the passing game.
PGOLLA