In 2016 we had a senior, second-year starter at Nose. He was an absolute brute, benching 350+ and squatting 500+. He also had great football IQ. So, when our head coach asked me one day what I thought about trying him in a Tilted 1-technique, I didn't hesitate to dig into learning all I could about it. Actually, I was a bit embarrassed for not thinking of it myself!
I learned as much as I could and then learned a bunch more as we experimented with his technique throughout that season. He had a great senior season (he would have regardless of technique), and he helped us create a blueprint for when and how to implement the tilted nose in our defense.
To be clear, we do not always play our N in a 1 technique (shade C). We will G him (2i) and play in a 0 sometimes, depending on our front, gameplan, or other factors. But, when he's in a 1 technique, we do like to teach the tilt to certain guys. Notice I said "to certain guys". We won't teach this to all of our N tackles, because as I've found it takes a player with key attributes to handle the technique. First, he has to be smart and able to see multiple things at once (you'll see why this is vital below when we talk about key reads). Secondly, he needs to be physical enough to give the Center problems in 1-1 blocks. I believe that the psychological factor is part of the success of a tilt 1-tech. The Center needs to "feel" his presence.
STANCE. Whether the N prefers a 3 or 4 point stance, we want his forward hand down and forward foot back. So, if he's on the right of the ball shading the left shoulder of the C, his right hand is down, his right foot is back and he will step with his right foot directly at the elbow/rib cage of the C. His goal is to pin the Center's elbow to his ribs and knock him into the opposite A-gap, while grabbing hold of the Center's chest plate with his left hand on the second step. We want the initial contact to occur on the first step, using our tilted angle to our advantage in securing position in the A-gap.
KEY. This is where the tilt N makes his money. We actually want to key through the Center to the opposite Guard. Because we want to see both the C and G, the angle we tilt at will depend on the best line of vision we can get. I'm not out there with a protractor measuring a 45 degree tilt angle, it has to be the angle that gets the N the best vision on BOTH the chest of the C and the chest of the G. If a team lines up way off the ball, then sometimes we'll key the helmet of the opposite G. The goal is to be able to see two guys at once from our stance.
Let's break down the possible key reads and how to play each (from the perspective of the N).
1. The C blocks me and the G blocks away from me. This could be just base man blocking, or potentially a zone scoop is coming from the backside G, or possibly gap scheme with the mash on the 3-tech. The N should push through his A-gap to heels depth anticipating a potential double team from the backside G. Be physical with the C to not allow widening of the opposite A-gap.
2. The C blocks me, the G comes towards me to block a backside LB. This can be a gap scheme or trap scheme away from me (or even midline), so the N should slip across the C face into the opposite A-gap. This is a great advantage of using the tilt, we can actually get a plus one on the playside if we read the blocks correctly. The N working across the Center's face will wreak havoc on inside trap, midline and gap scheme (power). There are various technique tools you can teach the N to rip across the Center's face. Push-pull-rip or a chop-rip are useful, but by no means are we spinning off the block at the LOS.
3. The C blocks me, the G pulls behind and disappears. Trap is going to my side, and the N should expect a double team coming from the backside G. Push vertically immediately to avoid getting washed out of the play and know the ball is going towards the direction of the puller, but cutback will be to me.
4. The C blocks away from me and the G disappears. If the C is blocking away from the N, then the backside G MUST be blocking down on the N. This is rare, but not unheard of. The N must push vertically immediately to avoid getting washed down by the G.
5. Man or slide pass pro key. Get into pass rush mode and push my rush lane. Being in a tilt helps get vertical through the A-gap faster than being a squared-up 1-tech.
In actuality, if you play a shade N the C will block him 99% of the time. So, removing the pass pro key you have 3 cases (case 1-3 above). If you can teach your N to recognize those 3 scenarios you can really alter the inside run game in favor of the defense!
#4and1 #KAI20
No comments:
Post a Comment