Neutralizing A Dangerous 1-Tech Using 10 Personnel

The preseason pick for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year is Nebraska NT Ndamukong Suh. Suh is a 1-tech, a nose tackle who occupies the gap between the center and guard, usually on the strongside. A dominant 1-tech can change a game, because if he has the ability to fight off the double-team from the guard and center, he can shut down the middle of the field, neutralizing the offense's inside running game. A 1-tech's ability to handle the double-team also means the middle linebacker is free to roam and make plays, because the NT is keeping offensive linemen occupied, which means they can't move to the second level. This means facing a dominant Nose Tackle like Suh can be a real headache for offensive line coaches, because he can wreck blocking schemes. Finding a way to neutralize a dominant 1-tech is paramount for these coaches, especially in 10 personnel, which most of the spread offenses in the Big 12 utilize as their base set. Borrowing some basic zone blocking concepts and adding in a staple of the option game, I think I have found a way to neutralize a 1-tech using 10 personnel.

First, let's take a look at our basic 10 personnel against a standard 4-3 front.

Base 10 personnel vs. 4-3 defense.

Here we see a basic 10 personnel grouping on offense, with the center on the offensive line marked by the line. We have twin receivers to each side, and the TB aligned 1X1 off the QB. The DEs are aligned in 7 techs, the NT is in a 1 tech, and the DT is in a 3 technique. The cornerbacks are showing man coverage, while the safeties are aligned in a Cover 2, which is a basic invitation for the offense to pass the ball and challenge the deep middle. This is a defensive alignment meant to shut down the run, because they are showing 7 in the box, but we are going to go right at their strength by running right at their stud 1-tech.

Blocking scheme from 10 personnel

Here we have the blocking scheme for our play laid out. The first thing you notice is that we are completely ignoring the 1-tech. That's right, we're leaving the most dangerous player on the defense completely unblocked. The second thing you will notice is that we've given the Center and the Left Tackle a free release to the second level. The minute the ball is snapped, we want the center going to the second level and blocking the middle linebacker. Likewise, we want the left tackle, the best blocker on the team, to get ot the second level and block the playside backer, which in this case is normally the strongside linebacker. The playside (left) guard lets the tackle get to the second level, and then kicks out the playside defensive end. This is a simple outside trap block, or a basic cross block. On the backside, the backside (right) guard is zone blocking in combo with the right tackle to destroy the Defensive Tackle. Once the guard has hit the double-team, he will pull off to the second level and block the backside backer, which in this case is the weakside linebacker. This is to cut off pursuit from the outside. The wide receivers are running mirror routes, with the outside receivers going deep to take the corners pressing them downfield, while the slot receivers are running crossing routes. These routes keep the secondary out of the middle of the field, while also setting up the defense for the play-action pass later on. The backside defensive end is also left unblocked, mainly because he isn't near the playside and can't make it all the way across the field to stop the play.

Now, why are we leaving the 1-tech unblocked, especially if our goal is to establish an inside running game? We are leaving him unblocked because we want him to have to make a decision. We have two backs in the backfield, the QB and the TB, and we want the 1-tech to have to decide who is going to get the ball. How are we going to do this? We are going to use a staple of the option game, the midline option. The QB will read the shoulders of the 1-tech. If the NT turns his inside (left) shoulder to the right, he is crashing to the outside, playng the QB run. The QB will make the Give read and hand the ball to the TB. 

The QB makes the Give read, hands off to the TB.

The TB will run into the gap left by the crashing 1-tech and the double-team block on the DT. With the center blocking the Mike backer and the backside guard blocking the Will backer, the TB is free to go into the secondary, up the middle of the field to score.

Now, if the 1-tech keeps his shoulders parallel to the line of scrimmage, he is flattening out, playing the TB run, and the QB will make the Keep read.

QB makes the Keep read, runs with the ball.

The QB will keep the ball, and run through the huge hole created by the crossblock of the playside guard and tackle. Executed correctly, the trap block will basically clear out the whle left side of the field, and the QB will be free to run to the end zone.

So, there you have it: Using zone blocking on the backside, trap blocking playside, and the midline option, you can neutralize a dangerous 1-tech using 10 personnel. By forcing the NT to make a decision, and making either choice he makes the wrong one, you have neutralized the defense's stud player and givein yourself an inside running game.

The nice thing about this play is the play-action options are limitless. The QB can fake the Give to the TB, which will freeze the NT, then pass to the slot receiver on the crossing route for a nice gain. If the safeties start cheating up to stop the run or to help cover the slot receivers, you can then hit the outside receivers deep for a huge play. You can also change the receiver alignment, giving you a trips look to the backside, meaning you'll have a wider running lane for the QB when he makes the Keep read, because there is only one CB to that side.

You can also use this same play to neutralize a dangerous 3-tech, i.e. Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy. Just switch the alignment of the TB to the right side, and flip the blocking assignments so the DT is the player left unblocked.