Defensive tackle
Defensive tackles play in the interior of the defensive line, across from the guards and the center. The nose tackle is a tackle who lines up directly over the center in a 3-4 defense.
What he does
- Controls the gaps next to him so runners have nowhere to go
- Absorbs double teams so linebackers can make the tackle
- Pushes the pocket back toward the quarterback on passes
- Rushes with power or quick moves such as the swim and the rip
- Works with the end on stunts
On running plays
Holds his gap without being moved, or reads the block and fights through it to the ball. A tackle who ties up two blockers frees a linebacker to make a play.
On passing plays
Collapses the pocket from the inside. Interior pressure is hard for a quarterback to escape because he cannot step up into it and cannot easily avoid it by rolling out.
What makes a good one
Strength, a low pad level and quick hands. A nose tackle often has few statistics but is one of the key players of the defense.
How he lines up
Defensive tackles line up in different techniques, numbers that show where they stand relative to the blocker. A nose tackle lines up over the center, a three-technique over the outside shoulder of the guard and a one-technique on the center’s shoulder. The choice decides which gap each player controls, so the defense plugs every hole and the linebackers can run to the ball.
Techniques and common mistakes
Key techniques are the two-gap read, where he holds a blocker and reads the ball, the one-gap penetration, where he shoots a gap and disrupts the play, and the swim, rip and bull-rush pass-rush moves. Common mistakes are standing up too high and being moved out of the gap, losing the gap by chasing the ball and leaving a cutback lane, and getting turned by a double team.
Animated play
Blue circles are the team with the ball. X marks the other team. The yellow oval is the ball.
- The defensive tackle lines up in the middle of the defensive line, across from a guard or the center.
- At the snap he drives forward with his arms and legs and tries to push the blocker backward.
- The quarterback can run around the edge, but it is hard to do when the middle of the pocket is crushed.
- If the tackle gets through, he brings the quarterback down for a sack. If he does not, he still forces a quick throw.