Defensive Line Pressure Games

I would like to thank the AFCA for the
opportunity to speak at the 2001 con-

vention and for the work they do to make
twist between the three and five or seven
technique. The aiming point for the three
technique is the offensive tackle’s inside hip,
Defensive Line
Pressure Games
our great profession even better. with pads low. Pad level is important as high
I will be speaking today about creating pads will allow the offensive lineman to cram
more pressure on the quarterback through you back to the guard. The defensive end
pass rush games and techniques. must widen his alignment to insure the offen-
The most essential elements for great sive tackle widens to him. The defensive end,
defensive line play are 1. Take-off, 2. Pad after executing his two step get-off, will loop
level and 3. Effort. The first technique we behind the defensive tackle through the A gap
work on at Southwest Texas is the take-off. with any pass set. The offensive tackle now
We want our weight on our front hand, should be picked by the three technique’s
enough weight that if I kicked it out from body. If the offensive guard reacts to the
under one of the defensive linemen they defensive end, the three technique should be
would fall. I want feet shoulder-width apart free to the quarterback. If the guard stays on
with a good heel to toe stagger. If a player is the three technique, the defensive end
in a right-handed stance, the right hand will should be free to the quarterback.
be down and right foot back, then when the A two man twist between the nose and
ball moves, react. What I’m looking for is the the five is called an “Ex” twist. The “Ex” is
back foot passing the down hand by at least opposite of a “Tex” twist. The defensive end
eight inches. If the foot does not pass the will get off two steps and penetrate through
front hand mark by at least eight inches, we the B gap. The nose will attempt to go two
did not gain ground on the offensive lineman. steps up the field to insure the offensive
Second, we want to make sure on contact guard’s attention towards his movement
with the offensive lineman that the back is flat, and that the guard does not slide to pick up
thumb pointed inside and elbow staying with- the penetrating end. After two steps the
in the cylinder of the body. Explode inside nose will loop behind the end. We want the
arm in the middle of the offensive lineman’s nose’s initial vision to go to the outside
chest, hands and feet working together. If the receiver, so if the receiver’s numbers are David Bailiff
defensive lineman is attacking with his left coming at him, will close to the receiver. If
hand he should be stepping with his left foot the looping nose does not see any receiv- Defensive Coordinator
(or right hand/right foot). Work the edge of the er’s numbers, continue tight to the quarter-
offensive lineman, or half man technique. The back. The nose is responsible for contain- Southwest Texas State
worst place to be in football is in the middle of ment, his aiming point is the deep shoulder University
an offensive lineman. Once on edge, plant of the quarterback. On this twist the defen-
the outside foot and pull down on the offensive end should pick the guard, if the tack- San Marcos, Texas
sive lineman’s outside pad with the outside le pulls to help on the nose, the end should
arm. It is important to get the outside foot be free to the quarterback if the tackle
planted when pulling to create the power stays on the end, the end’s body will pre-
needed to displace the offensive lineman’s vent the guard from continuing with the
outside shoulder. Keep tight to the offensive nose. The two step get-off is also important
lineman, and the crotch should be aimed at if the offense has called a running play. Any
the offensive lineman’s hip. Pull through with aggressive or zone block the defensive
a rip or swim move to the quarterback. linemen are involved in the twist goes back
When we reach a consistent level with to base, they are now responsible for the
our take-off and half man technique we gap that they are aligned in.
move on to the line twist. We teach two, Diagram 1
three and four man twists. When I start
teaching twist techniques the first tech-
nique we work versus man protection is to
make sure the get-off is at least two steps.
We want to create gap expansion in the
offensive line through alignment and get-
off. The defensive line must sell the get-off.
Do not let the defensive lineman short step.
Work on the take-off appearing the same
as the half man technique. The inside game we execute with the
If we are running a “Tex twist,” the twist is most success is called “twist.” On a twist
to the three technique side, it is a two man the three technique is the penetrator. He is
• Proceedings • 78th AFCA Convention • 2001 •

Diagram 2 Diagram 3 Diagram 4
the three technique where the nose is the

Diagram 5 Diagram 6
penetrator, he will attack his A gap. The
three technique will use his half man tech-
nique and become the looper. When exe-
cuted properly the penetrator should hold
the offensive lineman’s attention and
vision long enough to allow the looper to
clear, if the guard reacts to the looper the
penetrator will be free to the quarterback.
This is a basic overview of the different
to attack through the A gap. The nose will toward the nose, he will go back to base pass rush and twist techniques we use at
be slower to react, since during his initial technique. The nose technique on a pass Southwest Texas. If you would like more
get off he will read the center. If the center set will loop through the B gap where the information please feel free to contact me
zone steps away the nose will continue on penetrating tackle was initially aligned. at TCU or Bob DeBesse at Southwest
through the Agap. If the center zone steps “Twist I” is the twist between the nose and Texas.
Caution Your Team

About Player Agents
A problem for all coaches is the proliferation of agents and would-be

agents who seek to make agreements with players prior to the completion
of their eligibility. The activity of these people has increased, and it is
imperative that all of the consequences of making an agreement with an
agent are known by your players.
Contact with players by agents almost always is done without the knowl-
edge of the coach. Some agents openly admit they will continue to make
contacts and agreements with players before their final season has been
completed.
This could lead to forfeiture of games. Some agents are advising players
not to risk injury by playing. Your players must be warned about this prob-
lem. Do it more than once.
• Proceedings • 78th AFCA Convention • 2001 •

Defensive Line Pressure Games

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Defensive Line Pressure Games

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I would like to thank the AFCA for the

opportunity to speak at the 2001 con-

• Proceedings • 78th AFCA Convention • 2001 •

the three technique where the nose is the

Caution Your Team

A problem for all coaches is the proliferation of agents and would-be

• Proceedings • 78th AFCA Convention • 2001 •

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