How does a defensive lineman play the run?

Stack and shed. First you stack the blocker — take him on with your hands inside his frame and your pads lower than his, stand him up, and hold your gap. You read the play through him to find where the ball is going. Then you shed — rip or press off the block and get to the ball-carrier to make the tackle. It all depends on getting your hands inside and winning the leverage battle first.

What is the difference between one-gap and two-gap?

One-gapping is when a defensive lineman attacks a single assigned gap upfield and lets the play come to him — more aggressive and penetrating. Two-gapping is when he lines up head-up over a blocker and is responsible for the gaps on both sides — he stacks the blocker, reads the play, and sheds to whichever gap the ball threatens. Two-gap asks for more size and discipline; one-gap asks for more quickness and aggression.

What does "stack and shed" mean?

Stack and shed is the full run-defense sequence for a defensive lineman: stack (take on the blocker and stand him up while holding your gap), read (diagnose where the ball is going through the blocker), and shed (violently disengage and get to the ball-carrier to make the tackle).

Lineman Technique · D-Line · Coach Jay Freeman

D-Line Run Defense: Stack & Shed

Playing the run on the defensive line is a sequence: take the blocker on, read the play through him, hold your gap, then shed and make the tackle. Here's how it's done.

By Coach Jay Freeman — 32 years coaching the offensive and defensive line.

Run defense on the line isn't about getting blown off the ball or running around blocks — it's about controlling the man in front of you long enough to find the ball, then getting off him to make the play. That sequence is stack and shed, and it lives and dies on hand placement and leverage.

The other thing you have to know is your assignment: one-gap or two-gap. One-gapping is aggressive — attack a single gap upfield and let the play come to you. Two-gapping is control — line up head-up, hold both gaps, read, and react. Both demand you win with your hands and your pad level first.

Coach Jay’s cues

Stack the blockerTake him on with your hands inside his frame and your pads lower than his; stand him up and hold your gap instead of getting moved.
Read through himDiagnose run vs. pass and the direction through the blocker — feel where the play is going before you commit.
Shed violentlyDisengage with a rip, a press, or a pull-down and get to the ball-carrier — but not before you know where to go.
Know your gapOne-gap: attack one gap upfield. Two-gap: hold both gaps on the man you cover. Discipline wins.

How to do it

Win get-off and handsExplode on ball-movement; get your hands inside his frame before he locks you out.
Stack and lock outPads low, hands inside, lock him out at strike distance so you can feel the play.
Read the blockRun or pass? Which gap is the ball threatening? Hold your assignment.
Shed to the ballRip or press off the block toward the ball-carrier and finish the tackle.

Drills to train it

Stack-and-shed boardLock out a partner, read a ball/coach cue for direction, then shed that way and pursue.
Two-gap readHold a head-up blocker, read the back's path, and shed to the correct gap.
Hands-inside fitRep getting your hands inside the blocker's frame on contact, pads under his.

Common mistakes

Getting washed because your hands are outside his frame.
Playing high — losing the leverage battle and getting moved off your gap.
Shedding before you've read where the ball is going (running yourself out of the play).
Losing gap discipline — chasing and leaving a cutback lane.

Questions linemen ask

How does a defensive lineman play the run?: Stack and shed. First you stack the blocker — take him on with your hands inside his frame and your pads lower than his, stand him up, and hold your gap. You read the play through him to find where the ball is going. Then you shed — rip or press off the block and get to the ball-carrier to make the tackle. It all depends on getting your hands inside and winning the leverage battle first.
What is the difference between one-gap and two-gap?: One-gapping is when a defensive lineman attacks a single assigned gap upfield and lets the play come to him — more aggressive and penetrating. Two-gapping is when he lines up head-up over a blocker and is responsible for the gaps on both sides — he stacks the blocker, reads the play, and sheds to whichever gap the ball threatens. Two-gap asks for more size and discipline; one-gap asks for more quickness and aggression.
What does "stack and shed" mean?: Stack and shed is the full run-defense sequence for a defensive lineman: stack (take on the blocker and stand him up while holding your gap), read (diagnose where the ball is going through the blocker), and shed (violently disengage and get to the ball-carrier to make the tackle).

Related technique

Both sides of the line