A multitude of schemes are presented when the tight end releases outside. After the initial step with his outside foot, the rush will recognize that the end’s helmet is gaining width and not attacking the frame of his body. At once the defender must counter by staying square and stepping inside to constrict his 5 gap from the next inside threat (that is, the tackle, fullback, guard, or ball).
Tackle Fan
This is a com-mon block and alarms outside linebackers because it occurs so quickly. This block puts a premium on quick footwork. The rush steps toward the end and then must redirect instantly with weight over his inside foot to thwart the tackle (see figure 16.7).
Linebacker B2 needs to con- strict the 5 gap and tackle the runner on the bounce-out (dotted line in figure 16.7) with his out- side arm. This scheme is much easier to read and recognize with a tackle key.
Power
This is another fre-quently used blocking pattern at all levels of competition. It is less challenging for the wide 5 because it grants him a lot of time to react. Now as he steps back inside, he sees the fullback charging and sets his inside foot while launching his near shoulder off his coiled hips. The linebacker does not want to get upfield—he wants to stay near the line. He should squeeze inside and always keep his out- side arm free for the expected bounce-out by the runner. Usu- ally a wide 5 linebacker has inside help as demonstrated by B1 in figure 16.8. B2 B1 T SS N E6103/Tepper/fig16.7/483156/alw/r1-pulled
Figure 16.7 Tackle turns out on B2. He must
constrict the 5 gap after stepping toward the TE key.
Figure 16.8 B2 reacts back inside to threat from
FB. B2 is square to the line of scrimmage with his inside foot up.
B2 B1 T SS N E6103/Tepper/fig16.8/483157/alw/r1-pulled
g Block
This is a frontside guard kick-out on the wide 5 linebacker. The reaction should be identical to fan and power. The alignment of the rush forces an outside release by the tight end that permits B1 to press in- side B2 as shown in figure 16.9. Now, linebacker B2 must just stay square and not get upfield to open a vertical seam.counter
This popular blockingpattern gives the outside line- backer a lot of time to decipher the scheme. He
needs patience as he squeezes back to the blocker with his shoul- ders square and his inside foot up. The wide 5 tech- nique wants to force the ball back to B1 and be pre- pared to push off his inside foot in pursuit of the po- tential bounce-out (see figure 16.10).
Options
A variety of option plays begin with the tight end blocking outside.We have our rush step back inside as the tight end arcs. On reading option, we instruct him to feather the quarterback from the line of scrimmage. He should never get upfield or turn toward the quarterback. He wants to be able to push off his inside foot and overlap to the pitch versus a quarterback posing as a runner. He should force the quarterback to hold the ball as long as he can to give the other defenders more time to pursue (see figure 16.11).
The wide 5 look can present an option dilemma for wishbone teams. At Colorado our offense ran the three-back option every spring. The base triple- option play left unblocked all three defenders of the dive, quarterback, and pitch (see figure 16.12).
B2 B1 T SS N E6103/Tepper/fig16.9/483158/alw/r1-pulled N B1 SS B2 T E6103/Tepper/fig16.10/483159/alw/r2-pulled
Figure 16.9 B2 protects B1 from the TE by
forcing the TE around B2. B2 then engages the pulling guard with his inside foot.
5 Techniques 181
Passes
With his key releasing outside, the wide 5 linebacker can experiencenumerous pass actions. Unless on a stunt or in coverage, he must get upfield and contain the quarterback. This is a relatively simple recognition on long- yardage downs versus pocket passes. With play-action throws on run downs it gets stickier for the outside linebacker (see figures 16.13 and 16.14).
B2 B1 T SS N E6103/Tepper/fig16.11/483160/alw/r1-pulled
Figure 16.11 B2 feathers QB and then pursues with depth behind the line to pitch
(dotted lines). B2 B1 T SS N E6103/Tepper/fig16.12/483161/alw/r1-pulled
Figure 16.12 B1 presses FB. B2 feathers QB. The SS has pitch on our base triple-
B2 B1 T N E6103/Tepper/fig16.13/483162/alw/r1-pulled B2 B1 T N E6103/Tepper/fig16.14/483163/alw/r1-pulled
Inside Block
The wide 5 linebacker aligns inside the tight end and should never permit the end to block inside him. This is a cardi- nal error. When a tight end tries to block inside, the linebacker must squeeze him down inside to protect the inside line- backer, B1 (see figure 16.15).
When the next blocker attacks, the wide 5 linebacker should play him inside- out and bubble the ball carrier to the inside linebacker, B1, who is working free in figure 16.15. If a tight end is assigned to block B1, we force him to release outside and around the wide 5 linebacker, never inside him.
Cut-Off
When the tight end’s headgear comes inside the frame of the linebacker’s body quickly, it is a run play away. Often the end will attempt to cut the rush’s outside leg with a low chop block to get him off his feet.
The linebacker steps toward his key and then reacts to the low helmet by putting his inside hand on the opponent’s helmet and outside hand on the tight end’s shoulder pads. The wide 5 technique should maintain inside leverage on the end to defend his 5 gap. The athlete must defend cutbacks curling back to him (see figure 16.16).
Figure 16.13 B2 reads TE’s out-
side release and now a soft FB shows pass.
Figure 16.14 B2 reads G’s pull and the QB off
the line. He uses hands to defeat the G’s cut block on bootleg.
Figure 16.15 B2 squeezes with TE
and protects B1 to flow over the top to the alley. N B2 B1 T TE E6103/Tepper/fig16.15/483164/alw/r1-pulled
5 Techniques 183
Anytime flow goes away from a 5-gap player, he should squeeze square, looking for inside blocking threats as he does with the counter, reviewed in figure 16.10. Then the linebacker must close the area between himself and the nearest inside defender while checking for cutbacks, reverses, and naked bootlegs.
With reverse, the wide 5 technique should see it coming or hear “reverse.” When he recognizes reverse, the linebacker needs to get vertical quickly and aggressively attack the outside edge of the runner. He should force the runner inside (see figure 16.17). A looping tight end or quarterback will usually have the assignment of blocking the rush near the line of scrimmage.
B2 B1
T N
E6103/Tepper/fig16.16/483165/alw/r1-pulled
Figure 16.16 B2 must stay inside the TE and stop the cutback.
B2 B1
T N
E6103/Tepper/fig16.17/483166/alw/r1-pulled
responsibilities
The wide 5 linebacker is responsible for any runs to his tackle-end gap. With option frontside, the linebacker has the quarterback regardless of the blocking scheme. When the tight end engages him,
he should get help in the alley outside the end. Versus run away, the 5-gap line- backer must squeeze inside and check for cutbacks, reverses, and naked bootlegs. When pass shows, the outside linebacker normally rushes with contain responsibil- ity. With a pass key the rush needs to be aware of draw. When he hears “draw” or feels it, he should sprint back to the line of scrimmage, retracing the path that got him there. Rushers too often run around the pass protector and open up a huge hole for draws (see figure 16.18).
Adjustments
• The key can vary from tight end to offensive tackle by opponent or by down and distance. On long-yardage downs, we usually have the rush key the football, not anyone at the line, to get a jump on his pass rush. • In pass situations or when the defense has spotted pass stances on the
offensive line, the wide 5 technique should get into his best pass-rush stance and key the ball.
• Versus a split end, the linebacker can stay in a wide 5 alignment over the ghost of the tight end or move down to the tackle in a loose 5 technique, discussed later in this chapter. In either case he would key the near tackle. • When the tight end flexes up to 3 yards, the linebacker should stay in a
wide 5 alignment and key the end. When the end widens more than 3 yards, the linebacker should close down and play a loose 5 technique.
Wide 5 Types
A younger performer can play this technique if he has the physical tools. It requires few mental adjustments, but a standout rush must be a natural pass rusher and also be able to punish tight ends one-on-one versus the run.
Our most productive rushes have been in the Alfred Williams and Simeon Rice mold. Their height, long arms, and acceleration made them imposing figures. Traditionally, the wide 5 linebacker has led our defenses in sacks and often in minus-yardage plays.
Figure 16.18 B2 is taught to return
straight to the line of scrimmage on draw. B2 B1 T No Yes E6103/Tepper/fig16.18/483167/alw/r2-pulled
5 Techniques 185
LOOse 5 Technique
This technique is the prime method of play the rush linebacker uses when aligned to a split end. He still has the same inside support from his teammates but has no outside threat from a tight end. Now almost all blockers come from the inside, and the tackle becomes his focus before the snap. Most rush lineback- ers prefer loose 5 over wide 5 because the key is truer, the tight end does not disrupt the pass rush, and all threats are in the vision of the linebacker’s key.
Alignment
Our loose 5 linebacker aligns in a three-point stance with his inside foot slightly back at a toe-to-instep relationship with the outside foot. His feet are about shoulder-width apart, just as described for the wide 5 stance.
Now the rush puts his inside foot on the inside edge of the offensive tackle’s outside foot. His depth will vary depending on the quickness of his first step and his experience. As with the wide 5, begin inexperienced players deeper until they can set their base confidently versus those big tackles.
Key
The linebacker keys the tackle’s helmet unless faced with a heavy pass tendency. If pass is indicated he will key the ball while choosing a pass-rush strategy before the snap.
Tackle reads
The tackle reads are simple and true compared to reading the tight end. Today’s tackles are huge, but a linebacker’s movement is a real advantage for him in the alley.
Base Block
When the tackle’s headgear moves, the linebacker attacks him with a short power step with the near foot setting the base. He should launch the hand punch with hip thrust off that base. He should place both hands in the chest plate with thumbs up. The linebacker should control the line of scrimmage, keeping his outside arm free.