What is a “Gap-Sound” Defense? Pt. 2
As we saw in Part 1, assigning every needed defender to a single gap can stress a defense. One way to rectify the problem is to change the math by assigning one or more players to simultaneously cover two gaps. You can baby-step your way into this approach. Using the 4-4 again as an example, here’s a look at how 4-4 guru Bud Foster shifted his eight man front from the 90’s...
Pat Summerall (1930 – 2013)
“For somebody who has been as close to the game as I have, it is staggering that people heavily involved in the game today wouldn’t know who Jim Brown is, not to mention Landry and Lombardi. We live in an era of unprecedented communication, in which there is an abundance of sports talk stations and information available on television, radio, and the Internet. But it seems...
What is a “Gap-Sound” Defense? Pt. 1
Pretty early in football’s evolution, coaches realized that even the simplest, most repetitive run game could be devastating if a defense wasn’t “gap-sound.” Gaps—the spaces between offensive players—are the high ground of football: whoever controls them usually controls the game. If a defense leaves a gap open at the snap, any decent tailback will see the vacancy...
What's New Here?Subscribe to RSS feed
What is a “Gap-Sound” Defense? Pt. 2
As we saw in Part 1, assigning every needed defender to a single gap can stress a defense. One way to rectify the problem is to change the math by…
Pat Summerall (1930 – 2013)
“For somebody who has been as close to the game as I have, it is staggering that people heavily involved in the game today wouldn’t know who Jim Brown is,…
What is a “Gap-Sound” Defense? Pt. 1
Pretty early in football’s evolution, coaches realized that even the simplest, most repetitive run game could be devastating if a defense wasn’t “gap-sound.” Gaps—the spaces between offensive players—are the high…
The NFL’s Ban on Crown-of-Helmet Hits
The NFL’s new rule prohibiting some hits with the crown of the helmet is being called ‘controversial’ in almost every news piece it appears in, to the point where it’s…
The Isolation Play
The Isolation run, or “Iso,” is about as direct as football gets. A classic I-formation play, it has everybody on the line manhandle the nearest defender, while the receivers shoot inside to…
How Mike Mamula Crashed the Combine
Fairly or unfairly, Mike Mamula is remembered as the guy who exploded our perception of the NFL Scouting Combine. His performance (which today might be considered routine) was so phenomenal…
Gridiron and the Silver Screen: Alex Karras
By any account, Alex Karras was a character: raconteur, salesman, entrepreneur, author, broadcaster, and actor. Karras, who passed away just a few months ago, was also one of the NFL’s…
NFL Evolution: The League Plays Defense
Any fans watching this year’s Super Bowl saw at least a few of the five ads for “NFL Evolution,” (NFLE) the NFL’s public relations answer to the growing concern over football…
Recent Comments