Penn State Pass Rush Tecniques

by: Larry Johnson
Defensive Line Coach, Penn State University
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One of our basic philosophies as a defensive unit is to make the opponent one dimensional. We tell our defensive linemen ‘To earn the right to rush the passer, you must first stop the run.’ The last three years against the run, we ranked 4th in 2004, 2nd in 2005 and 2nd in 2006 in the Big Ten Conference and nationally ranked 34th in 2004, 7th in 2005 and 7th in 2006.

We really sell to our players the importance of stopping the run and getting to the quarterback. To be a great defense against the pass, we feel it is important to be able to rush the quarterback with four down linemen without blitzing all the time. As a unit we take a lot of pride in making an effort to get to the quarterback. A four man straight rush may not be the answer all the time so we have to incorporate four man and two man games to improve our pass rush.

Strategy of Pass Rush Games

Pass rush games are designed as a change-up to attack pass protection schemes and help improve our one-on-one pass rush moves. Well executed games not only get sacks but also keep the offensive line off balance and greatly improve our individual speed moves.

The importance of pass rush games is to:
1. Take advantage of a strong or weak opponent’s offensive line.
2. Force a zone team to go man.
3. Disguise by calls and dummy calls.
4. Set up speed rush moves.
5. Camouflage our speed rush and fake games.
6. Confuse, disorganize and worry the O-line.
7. Foul up blocking assignments.

The key to pass rush games:
1. The key to all good games is the second man.
2. The looper must convince his opponent that he is running a one-on-one pass rush move.
3. The looper must always try to maintain eye contact with his man.
4. Anticipate the width of the pocket collapsing.
5. The MOST IMPORTANT KEY is that all games should always be run on the offensive side of the ball.
6. Finish all of your games with good pass rush techniques.
7. Timing, execution, cleverness and creative planning will allow you to develop the best game packages.
8. Games should be quick vs the run.

Rules as a Pass Rusher

1. Have a plan. An effective pass rusher predetermines his move. Pre-snap planning the move increases the quickness factor of the move.

2. Maintain a consistent stance. Prior to the snap of the ball, a defensive lineman should crowd the ball and take a good stance. He should not tip his stance and alert the offensive lineman as to where he is going or what move he is going to make.

3. Pass rush from a shade alignment. A defensive lineman should align in an inside or outside shade. Such an alignment enables a defensive lineman to attack only half the man. Forcing an offensive lineman to commit to one side is often the initial step in making a good move. A shade alignment not only allows the defensive lineman to get his hat in the crack and penetrate, it forces an offensive lineman to commit to one side.

4. Recognize the pass blocker’s set. The depth of the quarterback’s drop is a factor that determines which type of pass rushing technique is most effective in a particular situation. For example, a short drop by the quarterback mandates a quicker pass rush move from the defensive lineman.

5. Keep in mind the precept ‘same hand, same foot.’ The primary key to finishing all pass rushing moves is to have the defensive lineman adhere to the ‘same hand, same foot’ precept. Whenever a move is finished, the defensive lineman should use the same foot as his primary hand to finish the move. For example, when punching his right hand over to perform a wipe technique, the defensive lineman should swing his right foot across to gain upfield position on the blocker.

6. Use his hands with sharp movements. A pass rusher should visualize his hands as those of a martial arts master. Accordingly, he should use his hands in sharp movements to stun and jerk the offensive lineman. The defender’s hands should be wielding a razor, not a sledgehammer.

7. Use a counter-move when caught. A defensive lineman should have a counter-move to every base pass, rush move. For example, the counter-move for the rip is the re-rip or swim.

8. Spin or club the blocker when being carried past the quarterback. A pass rusher should never ‘give up’ on his pass rush and allow himself to be carried past the quarterback.

9. Keep his weight and momentum going forward. Above all else, a pass rusher should keep his feet moving and avoid dancing.

10. Know the quarterback. The best pass rushers familiarize themselves with each quarterback’s escape moves. As such, a defensive lineman should use film study to identify escape moves of the opposing quarterback.

11. Run through the sack. A pass rusher should not jump or leave his feet to sack the quarterback.

Pass Rush Games

All of our games are from a four man front. Our base defense is Stack Sky. We align in a 9 technique and a 3 technique to the tight side. We align in a 2i technique and a 5 technique to the open side when we run our games. The first two man game we like to run is the inside game with our tackle (3 Tech) and Nose (2i). We give each stunt a name so the defensive lineman will know who is going first by the call. When we call ‘Tank’ the tackle goes first and when we call ‘Net’ the Nose goes first (See Diagrams 1 and 2).

Diagram 1: 'Net'

Diagram 2: 'Tank'

For ‘Net’ the nose moves to a 2i alignment. He aims to pick the back hip of the center. If he turns to you, grab and pull the center with you. Work upfield to the quarterback. The tackle aligns in a 3 technique and collisions with the guard, Once the nose makes contact with the center, wrap tight and work upfield to the quarterback. For ‘Tank’ the nose again aligns in a 2i technique and collisions the guard. Once the tackle picks up the center, wrap tight. Keep eyes upfield and don’t look for the tackle.

Our two man games from the outside are called Ted and Eat. The Ted stunt is between the nose (2i) and the end (5 Tech). The Eat stunt is between the tight end side end (9 Tech) and the tackle (3 Tech). For ‘Eat’ the tackle aligns in a 3 technique and drives hard aiming for the inside hip of the tackle. He then works upfield to the quarterback. The Will aligns in a 9 technique vs. a TE or a 5 technique vs. no TE. He takes two steps upfield and ‘Flash Hands.’ He then plants on his second step and aims for the inside shoulder of the guard. He then works upfield to the quarterback. For ‘Ted’ the nose aligns in a 2i technique. He takes two steps inside and ‘Flash Hands’ to hold the guard. When you field the end, collision the guard, wrap tight and work upfield to the quarterback. The end aligns in a 5 technique. He goes upfield one step, plants off his outside foot, turns and drives to attack the hip of the guard. After collision he works to the quarterback. Don’t cross the face of the guard (See Diagrams 3 and 4).

Diagram 3: 'Eat'

Diagram 4: 'Ted'

The two four man games we like to run are called Deuce and Ace. We like to run our four man games against 11 personnel, 10 personnel, and empty formations. Deuce is very good against the draw and it allows our ends to take a reckless pass rush to the inside. This is a very quick stunt. The last four man game is called Ace; it is a combination of a Ted and Eat stunt. You can also run this with both inside defensive lineman in 3 technique so the offense won’t know which side is running what stunt. For ‘Deuce’ the end aligns in a 5 technique. After one step upfield, he plants on his outside foot and takes a reckless inside rush. The nose aligns in a 3 technique. He ‘Flash Hands’ in the A gap. He stays in the gap until the end crosses his face. He then wraps tight to contain. The tackle aligns in a 3 technique. He also ‘Flash Hands’ in A gap. He stays in the gap until the Will crosses his face. He also wraps tight to contain. The Will aligns in a 9 technique vs. the TE and a 5 technique vs. no TE. After one step upfield, he plants on his outside foot and takes a reckless inside rush.

For ‘Ace’ the Will aligns in a 9 technique vs. the TE and a 5 technique vs. no TE. He runs the ‘Eat’ stunt with the tackle. The tackle aligns in a 3 technique and runs the ‘Eat’ stunt with the Will linebacker. The nose aligns in a 2i technique and runs the ‘Ted’ stunt with the end. The end aligns in a 5 technique and turns the ‘Ted stunt’ with the nose (See Diagrams 5 and 6).

Diagram 5: 'Deuce'

Diagram 6: 'Ace'

We do not run every pass rush game for every game during the season. We check pass protection schemes of our opponent and decide which games we think will work best during the game. It is important to remember to make dummy calls at the line of scrimmage so we can keep the offensive line off guard. In our daily practice schedule and individual fundamental period, we always make time to practice our pass rush skills and games. Our defensive line motto is ‘Not to rush the quarterback, but sack him.’ Anyone can rush the quarterback, but it takes skill and practice to sack him!

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