The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

[Hova57]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

Sven great job with this. explained great. it hopefully will help those who don't get responsibilities on defense when they want to manually control

[Hova57]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

It would be great and the best thing they can do to get a jump start is separate run behavior from coverage behavior. Until they do that, nothing like this is possible.

the entire defense need to have different behavior and personalities. in deep is the specialization of players on how you use them. 4-3 lbs have to be able to blitz and cover well, but in 3-4 u can specialize your lbs your outsides need to be pass rush specialist and your insides need to be able to cover well and get into their zones.

when you set your defense up line shifts and lb shifts have to be able play off each other . same with stacks, but then u get into the favorite nano blitz . which really isn't cheese if the oline had intelligence to know what their gap responsibility was.

[seriousluboy83]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

And so now the question is with all this information being presented on this site...how can we the consumers get it put into Madden...as LBzrule said they've prolly already seen this right...so how can we get them to apply these examples to the game

[Thepro318]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

great post the person we need bomb with messages is Peter Moore he is in charge of EA Sports division

[Palo20]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

Great read. I'd love to see how 2 gap teams would work and how this could be programmed in Madden and NCAA.

[Sven Draconian]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

The tale of Cory Schlesinger

How does an NFL runningback start for 10 seasons and not even earn a measley 500 yards rushing? How do you even stay in the league averaging only 2.8 yards per carry?

The answer, of course, is play fullback. The next question to answer is, why don't fullbacks get the ball?

Trap-Trap-Trap-Trap the Trapper

......................F.................$......... ........
CB.............LB.............LB.................. LB...............CB
................DE...........N..........DT........ ....DE
WR...........(c)..T..(b).G.(a).C.(a)..G.(b)..T..(c).TE (d)............
................................Q................. .....................WR
................................F................
................................H

If you followed the "Death to BOB" thread you noticed a discussion on the trap run. Instead of re-hashing the debate, instead, lets look at why it died and why the days of Tom Rathman are dead.

A trap is named because the offense is trying to lure a defensive lineman up field, and trap him there, opening up a hole for the runningback to go. In the case of the fullback trap, the DT is left unblocked in the hopes that he runs upfield to make a huge play, and then the backside guard hits him in the side.

......................F.................$......... ........
CB.............LB.............LB.................. LB...............CB
................DE...........N.................... ....DE
WR...........(c)..T..(b)....(a).C.(a)..G.(b)..T..(c).TE (d)............
................................Q.........G.DT............................WR
................................F................
................................H

The playside guard, tackle and TE all downblok to get the 3 linebackers.

......................F.................$......... ........
CB.............LB..G...........LB.T............... TE. LB...............CB
................DE...........N.................. ....DE
WR...........(c)..T..(b).G.(a).C.(a)...(b)....(c). (d)............
................................Q.......G.DT...... ........................WR
................................F................
................................H

The fullback gets the ball with that huge gap run through. The play hits so fast the DE can't get in position to make the tackle (he's way out in D-gap, our ball carrier is in A gap right at the snap.

From reading the previous post, you would know the DT (and DE) are supposed to use their block down-step down rules, not run upfield.

For the DT he's going to notice something fishy during this play (or else he isn't in the NFL very long). His guard blocked down, but there was a 320 pound tackle hitting him in the hip. What the $!#& is going on here. You're being trapped. Now its time to trap the trapper.

While the guard is going to try and put his head between the defensive tackle and the "a" gap, giving the FB a lane to run through, the defensive tackle is going to try and do the exact same thing. The DT has trapped the trapper (the guard) in the backfield and put himself between the FB and and the "a" gap.

Now the FB has to try and go wider, but our DE is still following his block down, step down rules (and, the FB has to avoid that 300 pound obstackle in his own teams jersey). The LB is still going side to side, looking for that open spot where the FB might try and go inside.

Great, but all you've talked about are plays nobody runs anymore

Let's expand this principle to our defensive ends, and a play that teams DO run, the Power (Power-O in your Madden books, and explained in the Death to Bob thread).

......................F.................$......... ........
CB.............LB.............LB.................. LB...............CB
................DE...........N..........DT........ ....DE
WR...........(c)..T..(b).G.(a).C.(a)..G.(b)..T..(c).TE (d)............
................................Q................. .....................WR
................................F................
................................H

The offense wants to block down, kick out the end and lead the BSG on the LB. Like so:

......................F.................$......... ........
CB.............LB.G............LB./TE..........G/ LB...............CB
................DE...........N.....DT /OT.........FB/DE
WR...........(c)..T..(b)..(a).C.(a)...(b)....(c). (d)............
................................Q................. .....................WR
................................................
................................H

There's are seam for the ball-carrier. In this case the DE is being "trapped" by the FB. Just like our DE, he wants to trap the trapper.

......................F........................... ..$......... ........
CB.............LB/G.............LB/TE.............. ...............CB
................DE...........N....DT/OT..DE/FB..LB/G
WR...........(c)..T..(b)..(a).C.(a)...(b)....(c). (d)............
................................Q................. .....................WR
................................................
................................H

Instead of a nice seam opening up in the C-gap, the DE puts his head in the hole, squeezes down and lets the LB fill the open spot (just like always). The guard now has to go really wide, and since the LB starts the play in position, he gets his position. This means our halfback has to start the play aiming into the C-gap, and ends the play going all the way around the pile in the D-gap.

Now, our $ comes into play. He isn't just standing around the entire play waiting for a pass. He see's the run, steps up and get's ready to play the halfback when he goes wide. The halfback is running side to side, our fast player (the safety) is chasing him. Our other fast player (the MLB) is coming from the inside.

Can anybody think of some great safeties that used to play for "Da U"?

[CreatineKasey]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

Interesting. So, for the power O, the C and playside G double the nose (and G probably chips and gets upfield). The playside tackle crashes into the DT, the TE crashes into the MLB, the FB attacks the DE, and the backside guard is expected to come up through the hole into the strongside LB. This would create a lane in the C gap.

That's really interesting, and how we ran it in high school. I played FB for my offensive position and was responsible for the DE on powers. I rarely see this result in M10 right now. For some reason the playside TE almost always gets upfield untouched and the backside guard ends up blocking him... often into my HB. Has anyone got slide protection to work in getting the blocks set up properly in M10?

[Hova57]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

Interesting. So, for the power O, the C and playside G double the nose (and G probably chips and gets upfield). The playside tackle crashes into the DT, the TE crashes into the MLB, the FB attacks the DE, and the backside guard is expected to come up through the hole into the strongside LB. This would create a lane in the C gap.

That's really interesting, and how we ran it in high school. I played FB for my offensive position and was responsible for the DE on powers. I rarely see this result in M10 right now. For some reason the playside TE almost always gets upfield untouched and the backside guard ends up blocking him... often into my HB. Has anyone got slide protection to work in getting the blocks set up properly in M10?

i played fullback and dt in hight school too, this is pretty much gospel written on here today..AMEN

one of the two important things to happen that don't is the te block and the backside guard block . if one of the two wiffs its a wrap. i remember i got hit with a trap i think it was more of a counter trap. i remember the guard pulling so i ran up and before i knew it bam i was hit with the full back and the back ran right through my hole

[Hova57]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

The tale of Cory Schlesinger

How does an NFL runningback start for 10 seasons and not even earn a measley 500 yards rushing? How do you even stay in the league averaging only 2.8 yards per carry?

The answer, of course, is play fullback. The next question to answer is, why don't fullbacks get the ball?

Trap-Trap-Trap-Trap the Trapper

......................F.................$......... ........
CB.............LB.............LB.................. LB...............CB
................DE...........N..........DT........ ....DE
WR...........(c)..T..(b).G.(a).C.(a)..G.(b)..T..(c).TE (d)............
................................Q................. .....................WR
................................F................
................................H

If you followed the "Death to BOB" thread you noticed a discussion on the trap run. Instead of re-hashing the debate, instead, lets look at why it died and why the days of Tom Rathman are dead.

A trap is named because the offense is trying to lure a defensive lineman up field, and trap him there, opening up a hole for the runningback to go. In the case of the fullback trap, the DT is left unblocked in the hopes that he runs upfield to make a huge play, and then the backside guard hits him in the side.

......................F.................$......... ........
CB.............LB.............LB.................. LB...............CB
................DE...........N.................... ....DE
WR...........(c)..T..(b)....(a).C.(a)..G.(b)..T..(c).TE (d)............
................................Q.........G.DT............................WR
................................F................
................................H

The playside guard, tackle and TE all downblok to get the 3 linebackers.

......................F.................$......... ........
CB.............LB..G...........LB.T............... TE. LB...............CB
................DE...........N.................. ....DE
WR...........(c)..T..(b).G.(a).C.(a)...(b)....(c). (d)............
................................Q.......G.DT...... ........................WR
................................F................
................................H

The fullback gets the ball with that huge gap run through. The play hits so fast the DE can't get in position to make the tackle (he's way out in D-gap, our ball carrier is in A gap right at the snap.

From reading the previous post, you would know the DT (and DE) are supposed to use their block down-step down rules, not run upfield.

For the DT he's going to notice something fishy during this play (or else he isn't in the NFL very long). His guard blocked down, but there was a 320 pound tackle hitting him in the hip. What the $!#& is going on here. You're being trapped. Now its time to trap the trapper.

While the guard is going to try and put his head between the defensive tackle and the "a" gap, giving the FB a lane to run through, the defensive tackle is going to try and do the exact same thing. The DT has trapped the trapper (the guard) in the backfield and put himself between the FB and and the "a" gap.

Now the FB has to try and go wider, but our DE is still following his block down, step down rules (and, the FB has to avoid that 300 pound obstackle in his own teams jersey). The LB is still going side to side, looking for that open spot where the FB might try and go inside.

Great, but all you've talked about are plays nobody runs anymore

Let's expand this principle to our defensive ends, and a play that teams DO run, the Power (Power-O in your Madden books, and explained in the Death to Bob thread).

......................F.................$......... ........
CB.............LB.............LB.................. LB...............CB
................DE...........N..........DT........ ....DE
WR...........(c)..T..(b).G.(a).C.(a)..G.(b)..T..(c).TE (d)............
................................Q................. .....................WR
................................F................
................................H

The offense wants to block down, kick out the end and lead the BSG on the LB. Like so:

......................F.................$......... ........
CB.............LB.G............LB./TE..........G/ LB...............CB
................DE...........N.....DT /OT.........FB/DE
WR...........(c)..T..(b)..(a).C.(a)...(b)....(c). (d)............
................................Q................. .....................WR
................................................
................................H

There's are seam for the ball-carrier. In this case the DE is being "trapped" by the FB. Just like our DE, he wants to trap the trapper.

......................F........................... ..$......... ........
CB.............LB/G.............LB/TE.............. ...............CB
................DE...........N....DT/OT..DE/FB..LB/G
WR...........(c)..T..(b)..(a).C.(a)...(b)....(c). (d)............
................................Q................. .....................WR
................................................
................................H

Instead of a nice seam opening up in the C-gap, the DE puts his head in the hole, squeezes down and lets the LB fill the open spot (just like always). The guard now has to go really wide, and since the LB starts the play in position, he gets his position. This means our halfback has to start the play aiming into the C-gap, and ends the play going all the way around the pile in the D-gap.

Now, our $ comes into play. He isn't just standing around the entire play waiting for a pass. He see's the run, steps up and get's ready to play the halfback when he goes wide. The halfback is running side to side, our fast player (the safety) is chasing him. Our other fast player (the MLB) is coming from the inside.

Can anybody thing of some great safeties that used to play for "Da U"?

here's the trick for the defense one word that gets pound and pounded in defenses head.............yes people - inside leverage if that guard or fb gets that leverage your toast

[Sven Draconian]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

Into the Land of Ogres

With a basic understanding of the X's and O's in mind, let's explore some of the finer details of defensive line play.

Let's first re-visit a key element to the defense: Let the fast guys run. More specifically, if our defensive lineman are going to step-down and occupy the A and B gaps, the MLB needs to be able to run into the C-gap. He can't do that with a 6'6, 270 pound TE standing in his way.

How do you prevent the TE from down-blocking the MLB? Have the DE get in his way. That 270 pound TE can't block the linebacker if a 280 pound defensive end is in his way.

The Game Within the Game

While we've talked about shades before, there are a lot of ways to play a shade.
.............DE
..G...T...TE

...............DE
..G...T...TE

..................DE
..G...T...TE

In the first picture, the DE is nearly head-up thour TE. He can easily put his hands on the TE, and keep his entire body on him. This would make it very difficult to get to our middle linebacker. Likewise, without any space between the DE and the TE it would be nearly impossible to trap him (kick him out).

In the second picture our DE is a tick wider, on the TE's shoulder where he can still get hands on and he can still step-down pretty hard.

In the third picture the DE is off the TE (and, he can get even wider). He wont' be able to touch the TE (leaving our LB dead in the water) and he'll be easier to trap, just look at all that natural space.

So why is the last alignment the most popular? Because it's better against the pass. The wider our defensive end, the better the pass rush he can get (The wider the angle, the harder it is for the tackle to get deep enough to get in the way. A speed rusher thrives off that space.)

Further, a peek at the basics of zone blocking (Death to Bob thread), the zone scheme tries to "hook" a defensive lineman, creating a space for the running back. While we will explore that later, for now I'll say that the tighter the alignment, the easier it is to hook a lineman.

What exactly does this mean?

Certainly you've heard Jaws babble about being 50% run and 50% pass. Balance. Establishing the run to setup the pass and etablishing the pass to setup the run.

Different types of shades are useful against different types of plays. You aren't going to run a power against a team that is playing a "heavy" (re: Tight) end. However, they won't get as good of a pass rush, and they may not be as strong against the zone runs. The opposite is true as well. A loose end may get a nice pass rush, but you can run inside of him.

And, as always, the talent of the players helps determine what alignment they can play as well. But that is for the next post.

[Sven Draconian]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

Why's Ndamukong Sug so special anyway

Before answering my own question, lets first talk about zone blocking briefly.

Since most of what we've discussed has been the down (power) blocking, but the zone is far more prevelant. Everyone in the NFL runs zone blocking, and while the specifics of them are different, for our Ogres every zone is the same.

......................F.................$......... ........
CB.............LB.............LB.................. LB...............CB
................DE...........N..........DT........ ....DE
WR...........(c)..T..(b).G.(a).C.(a)..G.(b)..T..(c).TE (d)............
................................Q................. .....................WR
................................F................
................................H

A nice feature for out DT is that the guard he is aligned on can only do two things. Block someone to his left (inside). Or block someone to his right (outside). Regardless, our hero is going to stay right on the guards outside hip (block down/step down).

If the guard goes to his left, our DT takes the A-gap. But, what if he goes to the right, blocking the DT. Well, stay on his hip (Block out, Step out so to speak).

However, as discussed in the Death to Bob thread, on the zone run the offensive line wants to secure the line of scrimmage and push the defense wide (hopefully getting a seal block and some vertical push). This will let the ball carrier find a seam, cut upfield and gain yardage.

If our DT gets pushed wide, eventually a massive gap will open between the center and the guard. The ball carrier (and his escort) will plant and cut upfield. This is unacceptable.

Instead of going wide, our DT is going to go vertical. When he see's the guard coming to block him, he wants to fight upfield and disrupt the play. If it's the inside zone this makes the ball carrier cut right now, into a smaller hole and without a good angle. If it's a wider zone, then the DT disrupts the ball carriers path and ruins the cutback (and maybe even gets a tackle for loss).

What does this have to do with Suh

The previous post talked about types of shades. A tight shade is good against the power, but has problems with the zone. Why? Because offensive lineman are 330-350 pounds and pissed off. Once they get their hands on you, you're done.

You need space. The looser your alignment, the less likely they are to lock onto you and use their power. But if you play loose, won't they just run power schemes? Yes, unless you are fast enough to close the distance.

What makes a player like Suh such a good prospect (and Sapp a Hall of Famer) is their quickness. They can play looser, but still close the distance (and get their hands on) a downblock. However, when a guard tries to block them, they are loose enough, and quick enough, to get upfield.

This effect is multiplied the wider you get. A defensive end that can play wide, but still step-down a downblock (and, trap the trapper) is very valuable. They can play nice and wide, making them impossible to stretch on a zone and allowing them to get a nice, wide, pass rush, but use their quickness to play the run as well.

Now, lets look at a couple of defenses.

......................F.................$......... ........
CB.............LB.............LB.................. LB...........CB
................DE...........N..........DT........ ....DE
WR...........(c)..T..(b).G.(a).C.(a)..G.(b)..T..(c).TE (d)
................................Q................. ..................WR
...........................................
....................HB........HB.........

The (Miami) 4-3 over. Look at the stress placed on the DE. He's the D-gap defender, so he can't get reached, but there is a huge gap between the DT and himself, so he can't get stretched either. Plus, he needs to get hands on the TE and trap the trapper if he see's a downblock.


................R...................$
.....................LB.........LB..........
CB........DE....DT.......N.........DE....LB....... CB
WR...........T....G....C....G....T....TE.......... .......
...........................Q...................... .....WR
...............FB....................HB

The "under" defense (the Tampa-2 alignment).

Let's find the stress point here. The LB aligned on the TE isn't in bad shape, the DE to his inside means he doesn't have to get his hands on the TE. The DE inside of the TE is in good shape, because he doesn't have to worry about getting stretched and reached because he has a LB outside of him, and a LB behind him.

The nose tackle is in decent shape because centers aren't typically as good as other lineman, and, he can't be trapped (very hard angle for a back to run into that hole).

The weak end is in pretty good shape as well. He doesn't need to worry about getting his hands on the tackle, because the DT is right next to him. That is a lot of bodies in a tight space, not very easy to run into.

That only leaves the DT with a lot of stress. He can, very easily, get trapped if he doesn't step-down hard. However, he has to worry about getting reached/stretched against the zone. They are going to seal the nose tackle inside, and the end is going to play loose. If he were to get reached, the FB just leads on the LB and the back is off to the races. Not good.

As I mentioned in the very first post, the under defense is the most popular front against a 2 back, 1 TE offense. It's easy to see why, 4 of the players have an easy assignment. Only 1 player has to deal with a lot of stress. The 3-technique DT.

And, that is why Ndamukong Suh is a top 3 pick.

[sportyguyfl31]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

i played fullback and dt in hight school too, this is pretty much gospel written on here today..AMEN

one of the two important things to happen that don't is the te block and the backside guard block . if one of the two wiffs its a wrap. i remember i got hit with a trap i think it was more of a counter trap. i remember the guard pulling so i ran up and before i knew it bam i was hit with the full back and the back ran right through my hole

And if the guard isnt numble footed, he could get clogged, and not be able to pull out in time, and runs the risk of smashing into the HB.

That happened to me once. I got the ball on a trap, saw a gap a mile wide, and got blind sided by my guard just when I thought I had a 70 yard TD run in my sight.

Guards have to be quite athletic.

[ANDROMADA 1]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

Good Stuff Sven!!

I would add that the reason to Toss plays and most other outside run plays can seem over effective is the lack of POA...Point of Attack(Especially the DE and OLB. They should be the first ones getting to the ball carrier or at least occupying the oncoming guard or tackle so that the MLB can make the stop. Instead they back up first instead of reading the Te and the Tackle. The OLB if properly schemed would Always put his hands on the TE and if the TE Blocks down, The OLB is supposed to step down and look for the guard/near back and come hard. This never happens, thus the routine 50, 70, 80 yard outside runs...At least that is the way I was taught how to play OLB(strong Side). I also played FB and TE. Thats why for Madden it is critical to manually do as much as you can yourself.

[SA1NT401]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

Great Read...."SOMEONE" should take a look at this.

[Palo20]

Re: The gap control defense, or, an Ode to Jimmy Johnson

I think a great follow up would be to show how Dwight Freeney is such a great pass rusher, but how he's exposed in the run game.