This technique is unique because both inside and outside linebackers use it frequently. Usually, it is a variation for the inside linebacker and, because the reads are so similar to 32 technique, the transition is easy. Some inside lineback- ers feel uncomfortable, however, if the blocking schemes force them routinely into the alley or 7 gap.
For the outside linebacker, this is often a base technique. Generally, outside linebackers are faster than their inside counterparts and operate with more ease in the open spaces of the alley.
51 Technique
This double-digit technique is used when a linebacker has the 5 gap frontside and runs because of a second hole responsibility on the backside. The eagle defense, so popular in the 1970s, assigned two linebackers to three gaps using the 51 technique and its cousin the 31 technique. Review now figure 13.1 earlier in this chapter. When flow moves toward the 51 linebacker, it is away from the 31 player, so he runs backside and the gap farthest from the ball is left vacant or given to a bonus player (see chapter 11). This is a concept common to many defensive packages.
The 31-51 relationship is just as close as the 32-52 correlation. In the eagle defense (see figure 13.1), those techniques can be used together, and a linebacker coach can drill them efficiently. In the 4-3 scheme, a 51 technique can also be used as shown in figure 13.2. Now the 51 linebacker works in conjunction with a middle linebacker, but he has the same duties.
B1 N T
B2
T B3
E6103/Tepper/fig13.6/483112/alw/r1-pulled
Figure 13.6 With a heavy pass tendency,
B3 walks up on OT. He engages the OT to force the OG to pass protect without OT help.
51 and 52 Techniques 151
Alignment
The 51 linebacker aligns with his inside foot splitting the stance of the offensive tackle. He is tighter than the 52 technique because he must cross the tackle’s face on action away. We ask the 51 linebacker to be at least 4 yards deep.
Keys
Most 51 linebackers are taught to key backfield action for flow. They can be taught to key the offensive tackle, but it is more difficult because it is a fast- flow technique backside.
reads
With flow to the linebacker, he should approach the 5 gap, reading the blocking scheme in front of him. He should stay square to the line of scrimmage and take on all inside blockers with his inside foot. He should not penetrate the 5 gap but instead settle on his base.
The 51 technique needs to stay in the 5 hole even when the backfield action is all inside him. He cannot cross the offensive tackle’s face with flow to the 3 gap. He has quarterback to pitch on all options off those inside fakes (see figure 13.7).
The 51 linebacker is unique because with action to him, he reads the tackle’s frontside blocks. With flow away, he runs just like the 31 technique defender.
Let’s look at the frontside block reactions in 51 technique.
Base
Figure 13.7 illustrates a base block reaction. The linebacker approaches with outside leverage and sets his base on his inside foot with his outside arm free in the 5 gap. B1 B2 T N E B4 B3 E6103/Tepper/fig13.7/483113/alw/r1-pulled
Figure 13.7 With flow to him, B2 must keep outside leverage on the OT for option
Reach
The 51 defender shuffles for width to maintain outside leverage on the tackle. Just before contact, he sets his base with his inside foot and squeezes the tackle versus an inside play or pushes off the inside foot in pursuit on a perimeter run (see figure 13.8).
Down
With action to the linebacker and the tackle down block, the defender should approach the 5 gap and then squeeze the double team with his inside foot up and hips square. He must be prepared to take on any inside blocks with his near foot or tackle the first threat to the double team (see figure 13.9).
The 4-3 defenses have devel- oped the wrong-shoulder concept with the 51 technique linebacker and have achieved outstanding results. We look at this concept again when discussing 7- and 9-technique outside linebackers in chapter 17. Refer to figure 17.8 in that chapter.
Now the 51 linebacker, on recognition of a down block, fills the hole with penetration and attacks the lead blocker with his outside, or “wrong,” shoulder. The intent is to close the inside passage for the ball carrier immediately and to spill him outside to defenders who can run him down. In figure 13.9, B1 would go inside the fullback (dotted line) and bounce the runner to the end and safety defending the perimeter. B2 will often overlap inside-out pursuing on the same play.
Fold
This was once a very popular method of blocking to the reduced defensive tackle. In 51 technique the linebacker approaches and squeezes just as he did versus the down block. As the guard folds around, the defender must set his base and explode his hips to constrict the hole (see figure 13.10).
E N
B1 T
B2
E6103/Tepper/fig13.8/483114/alw/r1-pulled
Figure 13.8 B1 reads flow to him and a tackle
reach block.
Figure 13.9 B1 will approach and squeeze
the tackle’s down block. With 4-3 Sam line- backers, the wrong-shoulder concept is dotted.
E N
B1 T
B2
51 and 52 Techniques 153
At Virginia Tech, Ashley Lee, our 182-pound freshman 51 linebacker, saw the fold block often. It led our staff to develop the hawk technique that we discuss in chapter 14.
Veer
This scheme was a favorite of Nebras- ka’s legendary coach Tom Osborne when we faced him at Colorado. He loved to give the ball to his fullback off the belly play with this block. The linebacker must follow his read pro- gression.
Flow to him starts the defender forward. Reading the tackle down con- firms action to him. As he approaches, he feels the end closing the 5 gap with the tight end so he slides to the 7 gap or alley (see figure 13.11).
With flow away the linebacker fills the near 1 gap when open and attacked. If there is no threat to that gap he con- tinues to pursue inside the football (see figure 13.12).
51 responsibilities
This is perhaps the most challenging technique I ever coached. It is a 2-gap obligation with a backfield read for flow. On the frontside, however, the linebacker has to recognize at least five frontside blocking patterns. With action away the 51 linebacker focuses on open and closed gaps. All these things happen very quickly, and it takes an outstanding athlete to make it work. The linebacker is responsible for the immediate 5 gap with action to him. With ball direction away, the defender is responsible for the near 1 gap and then inside-out on the football.
Figure 13.10 B1 approaches and
squeezes the guard fold block with inside foot. E N B1 T B2 SS E6103/Tepper/fig13.10/483116/alw/r1-pulled
Figure 13.11 B2 approaches and slides
to alley versus veer block.
E N B1 T B2 E6103/Tepper/fig13.11/483117/alw/r1-pulled
Figure 13.12 B1 takes a lateral and
then crossover step, checking the near 1 gap. E N B1 T B2 E6103/Tepper/fig13.12/483118/alw/r1-pulled
Adjustments
• When playing against a quick tackle, the linebacker should deepen his alignment and play more head up.
• When an offensive tackle runs the linebacker past the 1 gap, it is probably because he is breaking down rather than pressing through the open 1 gap. • When an offensive tackle takes a big split and then runs a flat course to
cut off the linebacker, have him play backdoor and squash the tackle’s body parallel to the line of scrimmage. The lineman has little power with his shoulders turned to the sideline (see figure 13.13).
• In 1980, the undersized Ashley Lee started for Virginia Tech as a 51 technique. Ashley was quick as a hiccup and made many plays, but he had difficulty with the frontside blocking schemes in the 5 gap due to his inexperience.
• We adjusted with a “falcon” call. The f in falcon was to remind Ashley that on all frontside action, the end had the 5 gap. Now he ran to the alley on flow to him and ran to the near 1 gap on flow away. It eliminated the line reading and taking on all the powerful 5-gap blocks (see figure 13.14).
N B1 T E 7 5 3 1 1 3 E6103/Tepper/fig13.14/483120/alw/r1-pulled
Figure 13.14 B1 in falcon has no
5-gap responsibility. E N B1 T B2 E6103/Tepper/fig13.13/483119/alw/r1-pulled
Figure 13.13 B2 backdoors the
51 and 52 Techniques 155
• When the reduction was set to the split-end side, we enjoyed com- pressing the outside linebacker over the tackle and giving him 5-gap responsibility. This protected the reduced linebacker. He was now off the line without a free gap in front of him. This became our first named, rather than numbered, technique. We called it nest technique because the linebacker was protected, as if in a nest (see figure 13.15).
N B2 E B4 7 5 3 1 1 3 T B1 5 7 B3 Nest E6103/Tepper/fig13.15/483121/alw/r1-pulled
Figure 13.15 B3 keys the back for action. He is protected in the nest and can run to
the alley or near 1 gap.