How to Run a Football Defense: Goal Line

It's down and goal: The offense must be frozen. Set up this gap defense and stop your opponent cold.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Footballs

1. Position your team. There are seven linemen in this formation, each aimed at filling the gaps in the offensive line.
2. Start by positioning a guard to either shoulder of the center.
3. Set the left and right tackles to the outside shoulder of the offensive guards.
4. Set a third tackle (pull the strong safety in for this job) to fill the gap to the strong side of the offensive line, between the tight end and tackle.
5. Set the left end to block head-up against the tight end.
6. Set the right end to block to the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle.
7. Position one linebacker 3 to 4 yards off the line of scrimmage and directly in front of the center.
8. Line the free safety up opposite the tight end, 9 to 12 yards back from the line of scrimmage.
9. Position the right and left corners so they mirror each receiver, usually the split end and flanker. They ready themselves 7 yards back from the line.
10. Launch the play. Five linemen (three tackles and two guards) rush forward to fill their gaps, then drop to their hands and knees. This prevents the offense from blocking or moving them.
11. Instruct the linebacker to cover the left running back man-to-man.
12. Instruct each corner to run man-to-man on the receivers.
13. Instruct the right end to block the offensive tackle, but also to watch the right running back and stop him should he attempt a run.

Tips & Warnings

• If the tight end goes out for a pass and succeeds in evading your left end, cover him with the free safety.
• Watch that the quarterback doesn't attempt heroism and run himself.
• If the offense sets in a spread-line formation, the gap defense will likely be ineffectual.