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The Rock Technique - Stopping the Run with the 3-4 Defense Against the Spread Offense

by: Matt Janus
Outside Linebackers Coach, University of Wisconsin – Platteville
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These drills focus primarily on the C-gap rushing OLB and the Mike backer out of a 3-4 stack defensive scheme. Diagram 1 shows you the big picture of playing cover 3 against the spread out of the doubles formation. This figure shows you across the board the gap responsibilities. However, we are going to look at the fieldside Mike backer and the Sam or blitzing OLB.



    For these drills, we are looking to stop the run on the fieldside when the QB is in the shotgun with the running back to the side of the blitzing OLB. With the RB to the blitzing OLB, we are going to look specifically at five different run plays spread offenses can run at you. Diagram 2A-2E shows you these five plays being zone read, inside zone with a cutback for the RB, speed option, speed option with a QB cutback, and G power. Obviously, there are a few more possibilities, but I will explain these five and how to stop them with your blitzing OLB and Mike linebacker. These drills will focus on half lines when taking reps, and can be used involving both your OLBs and ILBs, half-line with your ends, OLBs, and ILBs, or simply just your position group.


    To stop the run we are going to use the technique we call “rocker,” and the rules for this technique are pretty simple. If the diagram 1 formation is shown to you, your Mike backer is going to end up making a “rocker call.” Basically, this tells the blitzing OLB that if he gets a down block by his tackle, he is taking the RB on any type of zone read. This would then leave the Mike on the QB (Diagram 3). The Mike backer is going to stack his A-gap until he sees the color (blitzing OLB). When he sees color, he will then “rock” to the C-Gap where he will have the QB or any type of RB C-gap cutback. The rocker call, I believe, stops the zone read threat, and I believe it is better than feather, or slow playing your OLB on the mesh. By having a “rocker call,” it allows your OLB to play fast and close off the RB threat. 



    Moving on to Diagram 4 we are looking at an inside zone play that will create a cutback for the RB on the field side A-gap.  Pre-snap reads still tell our Mike backer to make a Rocker call. However, on the snap, the blitzing OLB will see a base block by his tackle. This means he has to stay in his C-Gap and will not have a free release to the RB. Therefore, your Mike backer, sticking with his rules, will stack his A-Gap, and because he will not see color, he will continue to hit his A-Gap which makes your gap sound.



    Diagrams 5 and 6 show us the speed option to the blitzing surface, blocked two different ways. Diagram 5 shows us speed where the blitzing OLB is the read key. Diagram 6 shows us where the OT bases the OLB to try and open a cutback lane for the QB. Starting with Diagram 5, the OLB read will be a down block by the tackle. Because his Mike gave him a rocker call he will go directly on path and light up the first thing he sees (in this situation it’s the QB). The Mike will then read flow and also understand the OLB took the QB (essentially closing the A-gap) so he is free to “rock” over to the pitch. Keep in mind that you still have your safety spinning down to pitch along with corner help. Diagram 6 usually occurs when there’s a good athlete playing QB where teams will run speed and block the read key (OLB) to set up a cutback lane for their QB. Your OLB will stay in his gap because he gets a base block. However, if the speed option does start to carry out to the perimeter, he will then take the pitch. The Mike will stack his A-gap and if flow takes him to the perimeter, he will scrape over the top.


    Diagram 7 shows G Power coming to the blitzing OLB. With the “rocker call,” the OLB sticks to his rules when he gets a basic down block. However, when he sees the pulling guard he will use what we call a “spill technique,” in which he will rip through the inside shoulder of the guard. By spilling the guard, the OLB has essentially taken himself to the A-Gap. Our Mike will start to stack his A Gap, but will see the OLB spill the guard, telling him to rock over to C-Gap where he will force the guard. That is, he will keep his outside arm and leg free. There will also be more help on G power from the other side with the linebackers because they are reading their guard and will get their pull reads. 

    The “Rocker Call” is a great option to eliminate any type of run play out of the spread offense. Again, this call can only be made when the QB is in the gun and when the RB is aligned with the blitzing OLB (Diagram 7). You will still be gap sound across the board, and at the same time it will allow your players to play fast. On the rock call, if you look at the big picture, your OLB and Mike backer are technically switching gaps on a down block by the tackle. If you have any questions or do not understand some of these concepts, please feel free to contact me.  






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