1-tech

There are many different fronts in all levels of football. In each defensive front, coaches and players need a way to communicate different alignments when setting up against an offense. To do that, we use a numbering system that tells us where each defensive player is aligned in comparison to an offensive lineman. If a defensive lineman is directly in front of an offensive lineman, they are an even number. If the defensive player isn’t directly over the offensive player, they are an odd number. There are some nuances, based on whether the the player has an inside shade or not. If they do, an “i” denotes that.

If you are on a shoulder of the center, you are a 1-tech. Another word for a 1-tech is a “shade”. It means the same thing, it just indicates that there is a player shading over the center.

1-tech

A 1-tech is a larger player who can withstand a double team from the center and the guard. A good 1-tech ensures that the 3-tech gets a one-on-one matchup. Whether they’re a true 1-tech or a 0, they have generally same role. In an even front (four defensive linemen), the defense is playing with four defensive linemen vs. five offensive linemen. By the nose eating up two offensive players, that enables everyone else to have a one-on-one. They are absolutely critical to run defenses. They make everyone else’s jobs much easier and allow for linebackers to fill as they contribute to the run game.

https://gfycat.com/equatorialtestyaffenpinscher
1-tech is on the right shoulder of the center
https://gfycat.com/kindenergeticcranefly
1-tech is on the left shoulder of the center

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.