Saban's Defense

[CVass]

I have access to a LSU playbook and I have looked at it to see how it compares to the Miami one. At LSU, Saban ran the Over/Under fronts as the primary ones. His theory is that each of his defenses are split, one side being the 1 gap (40) side and the other a 2 gap (30 side)...

In the Over Front, the techniques are:
WT - 0 Tech.
ST - 3 Tech.
WE - Heavy 5
SE - Heavy 9
Will - 9 tech.
Mike - 30
Sam - 40

In the Under front, the techniques and alignments are:
ST - 0 tech
WT - 3 tech
WE - Crash 6
SE - Heavy 5
Will - 30
Mike - 30
Sam - 9 Tech

From this, I am guessing the position is assigned by alignment. Traylor is the Weak Tackle in the Over front and the Strong Tackle in the Under front. Taylor seems to be the Strong End in the Over, and the Weak end in the Under. Crowder seems to flip from the Sam in the Over to the Will in the Under. Thomas is the Mike and Seau is the Will in the Over and the Sam in the Under. I am guessing that Holliday plays the 3 technique tackle and Carter plays the 5. Is this right or do I have something mixed up? Thanks...

-Vass

[Dolfan2788]

I haven't watched any replays yet but it looks about right from what I have usually seen. Crowder and Seau are hard to find though if you can't see the 2 on Crowder's jersey I can't tell who the hell it is:P

[rafael]

That's incredible. I'd never heard of 1 and 2 gap techniques being used simultaneously. I'll have to tape the next game and focus on that. Thanks for the info.

[BigDogsHunt]

Originally Posted by CVass

I have access to a LSU playbook and I have looked at it to see how it compares to the Miami one. At LSU, Saban ran the Over/Under fronts as the primary ones. His theory is that each of his defenses are split, one side being the 1 gap (40) side and the other a 2 gap (30 side)...

In the Over Front, the techniques are:
WT - 0 Tech.
ST - 3 Tech.
WE - Heavy 5
SE - Heavy 9
Will - 9 tech.
Mike - 30
Sam - 40

In the Under front, the techniques and alignments are:
ST - 0 tech
WT - 3 tech
WE - Crash 6
SE - Heavy 5
Will - 30
Mike - 30
Sam - 9 Tech

From this, I am guessing the position is assigned by alignment. Traylor is the Weak Tackle in the Over front and the Strong Tackle in the Under front. Taylor seems to be the Strong End in the Over, and the Weak end in the Under. Crowder seems to flip from the Sam in the Over to the Will in the Under. Thomas is the Mike and Seau is the Will in the Over and the Sam in the Under. I am guessing that Holliday plays the 3 technique tackle and Carter plays the 5. Is this right or do I have something mixed up? Thanks...

-Vass

For the less than informed on this site, regarding the above lingo (yes, my hand is raised), can you please explain what each of these techniques mean?

[infiltrateib]

Defensive Techniques, as far as I understand them:

1: DL's facemask is on inside shoulder of OG
2: DL's straight on OG
3: DL on outside shoulder of OG
4: DL on inside shoulder of OT
5: DL straight on TE
7: DL on inside shoulder of TE
8: DL straight on TE
9: DL on outside shoulder of TE

[BigDogsHunt]

Originally Posted by infiltrateib

Defensive Techniques, as far as I understand them:

1: DL's facemask is on inside shoulder of OG
2: DL's straight on OG
3: DL on outside shoulder of OG
4: DL on inside shoulder of OT
5: DL straight on TE
7: DL on inside shoulder of TE
8: DL straight on TE
9: DL on outside shoulder of TE

Ok, so whats Crash, Heavy, and 0?

[CVass]

Originally Posted by infiltrateib

Defensive Techniques, as far as I understand them:

1: DL's facemask is on inside shoulder of OG
2: DL's straight on OG
3: DL on outside shoulder of OG
4: DL on inside shoulder of OT
5: DL straight on TE
7: DL on inside shoulder of TE
8: DL straight on TE
9: DL on outside shoulder of TE

That is close. First of all, Even numbered techniques are two gap techniques which mean you are lined right on an OL/TE, so you have to go either way. Odd numbers makes you responsible for just one gap... This numbering system is easy because you build your alignment in with your responsibility, instead of having two different things. This system was invented by Bear Bryant at Alabama and at different places, the 1 tech and 7 tech mean different things. I'll use the terminology from Saban's book.

Numbering Technique
0 Technique: Head up on Center
1 tech: Shade technique on Center (not directly over the center, the front dictates what side the shade is to)
2 tech: Head up on guard
2-I tech: Inside Shoulder of guard (I stands for inside)
3 tech: Outside shoulder of guard
4 tech: Head up on Tackle
4-I: Inside shoulder of Tackle
5 tech: Outside shoulder of Tackle
(Heavy 5 is lining up in a 5 technique but closer to a headup position)
6 tech: Head up on TE
(Crash 6 is headup on the TE but titled towards the QB. Since Taylor only lines up in this on the Under front, he is on the right side of the formation where there is no TE. Thus, he lines up over the imaginary TE and tilts himself towards the OT and the QB)
9 tech: Outside shoulder of TE
8 tech: Two yards outside TE (Force)

The unique part of Saban's defense is that, the players' positions are dictated by Left and Right, but by assignments and techniques. Since we do not sit in a true 3-4 like the Pats, having a LE, NT, RE makes no sense. Most coaches preach about lining up players in the same position (either on the left or right side) to instill repetition and recognition from that specific side. But with the 2 gap, 1 gap defense Miami runs, we teach a player a specific technique so they can move around based on the defense.

For the Pats, all of their linemen have two gaps of responsibilities. But with us, the 2 gap side is declared by the Middle linebacker. In the Over Front, the Mike will declare the bubble side (30 side) away from the TE. In the Under Front, the Mike will declare the bubble side (30 side) to the TE. These are just the bases. There are defenses for hash tendencies and other adjustments where the NT tilts which means he lines up diagonally to the line and puts his butt in the way of guard to keep from being scoop blocked. Any other questions?

[BigDogsHunt]

Originally Posted by CVass

That is close. First of all, Even numbered techniques are two gap techniques which mean you are lined right on an OL/TE, so you have to go either way. Odd numbers makes you responsible for just one gap... This numbering system is easy because you build your alignment in with your responsibility, instead of having two different things. This system was invented by Bear Bryant at Alabama and at different places, the 1 tech and 7 tech mean different things. I'll use the terminology from Saban's book.

Numbering Technique
0 Technique: Head up on Center
1 tech: Shade technique on Center (not directly over the center, the front dictates what side the shade is to)
2 tech: Head up on guard
2-I tech: Inside Shoulder of guard (I stands for inside)
3 tech: Outside shoulder of guard
4 tech: Head up on Tackle
4-I: Inside shoulder of Tackle
5 tech: Outside shoulder of Tackle
(Heavy 5 is lining up ina 5 technique but on the stop
6 tech: Head up on TE
(Crash 6 is headup on the TE but titled towards the QB. Since Taylor only lines up in this on the Under front, he is on the right side of the formation where there is no TE. Thus, he lines up over the imaginary TE and tilts himself towards the OT and the QB)
9 tech: Outside shoulder of TE
8 tech: Two yards outside TE (Force)

The unique part of Saban's defense is that, the players' positions are dictated by Left and Right, but by assignments and techniques. Since we do not sit in a true 3-4 like the Pats, having a LE, NT, RE makes no sense. Most coaches preach about lining up players in the same position (either on the left or right side) to instill repetition and recognition from that specific side. But with the 2 gap, 1 gap defense Miami runs, we teach a player a specific technique so they can move around based on the defense.

For the Pats, all of their linemen have two gaps of responsibilities. But with us, the 2 gap side is declared by the Middle linebacker. In the Over Front, the Mike will declare the bubble side (30 side) away from the TE. In the Under Front, the Mike will declare the bubble side (30 side) to the TE. These are just the bases. There are defenses for hash tendencies and other adjustments where the NT tilts which means he lines up diagonally to the line and puts his butt in the way of guard to keep from being scoop blocked. Any other questions?

Cool....I understand, so just some last thoughts...

30 - just means cover that bubble side to the TE?
40?
Heavy?

[CVass]

Originally Posted by Dolphins_SR66

Cool....I understand, so just some last thoughts...

30 - just means cover that bubble side to the TE?
40?
Heavy?

30 side is called the bubble side and the MLB plays on which ever side that is. If its the Over front, the bubble is on the right and Under on the left. Also, if there is a change of strength, the defense can flip flop. The 30 side is the two gap side. This means the LB, DT/E, and OLB on that side would play like they are in a 3-4 with two gap responsibilities. Their job is to hold the line and not penetrate too far.

The 40 side is the 1 gap side which plays like a 4-3 defense. You penetrate more because you only have one gap of responsibility.

I also edited the Heavy 5 explanation... sorry my roomate came in and I got distracted and submitted it wrong!

Any other questions?

-Vass

EDIT: 30 alignment is the same as a 3 technique on the Line. The LB lines up with his inside eye on the outside eye of the G. The 40 alignment for the LB follows this same pattern. He lines up head up on the OT. Their depth is about 4-5 yds off the ball.

[CVass]

Any defensive gurus have any additions or corrections? I am also trying to figure out who plays the 3 technique and who plays the 5. My guess is Carter plays Under Tackle (3 Tech) and Holliday plays Closed End (5 Tech). However, various depth charts that I have seen indicate the opposite.

Also, is Thomas playing the Mike position? The Mike position is the 30 side LB. On phins.com, it was listed as that he would play on the 40 side so he could scrape the play. Also, the other benefit is that he wouldn't have 2 gaps, which means he would take on less blocks (because he's basically stacked behind the the DT/DE).

[BigDogsHunt]

Originally Posted by CVass

30 side is called the bubble side and the MLB plays on which ever side that is. If its the Over front, the bubble is on the right and Under on the left. Also, if there is a change of strength, the defense can flip flop. The 30 side is the two gap side. This means the LB, DT/E, and OLB on that side would play like they are in a 3-4 with two gap responsibilities. Their job is to hold the line and not penetrate too far.

The 40 side is the 1 gap side which plays like a 4-3 defense. You penetrate more because you only have one gap of responsibility.

I also edited the Heavy 5 explanation... sorry my roomate came in and I got distracted and submitted it wrong!

Any other questions?

-Vass

EDIT: 30 alignment is the same as a 3 technique on the Line. The LB lines up with his inside eye on the outside eye of the G. The 40 alignment for the LB follows this same pattern. He lines up head up on the OT. Their depth is about 4-5 yds off the ball.

Nope, very clear. thanks.

[YoMamma]

reminds me of the Airplane movie....roger, roger...over,over or somethin like that lol

[arsenal]

i used to konw about some of this stuff, but i thought the 30 or 40 or 50 was basically the same alignment as the 3 4 5 just off the line?

but do we even play an over and under 4-3 right now? i thought we played a straight up 4-3 with an open end...

[BrazForPhins]

nice info here guys, thanx..too bad I dont have the time now to read calmly

[PhinsPhan]

Originally Posted by CVass

Any defensive gurus have any additions or corrections? I am also trying to figure out who plays the 3 technique and who plays the 5. My guess is Carter plays Under Tackle (3 Tech) and Holliday plays Closed End (5 Tech). However, various depth charts that I have seen indicate the opposite.

Also, is Thomas playing the Mike position? The Mike position is the 30 side LB. On phins.com, it was listed as that he would play on the 40 side so he could scrape the play. Also, the other benefit is that he wouldn't have 2 gaps, which means he would take on less blocks (because he's basically stacked behind the the DT/DE).

Judging from what you have said I would put Carter at 5. He is smarter, more skilled and a better pass rusher than Holliday. I would think you would want him on the outside with the 2 gap responsibilty.

This also makes sense, Holliday would be a very effective lineman in this kind of system. If he was only given one gap assignment and just there to hold the line.