3-technique

Technique numbers tell a defensive lineman exactly where to line up on the blocker: even numbers head-up, odd numbers on a shoulder. The 3-technique lives on the guard's outside shoulder with one job description — penetrate the B gap and wreck plays behind the line. It's the glamour spot of the interior because it's built for one-on-ones: the guard has to handle you in space, and the center usually can't help. Aaron Donald made the 3-tech the most feared alignment in football. If you're quick off the ball and win with get-off and hands, this is your home.

Defined by Coach Jay Freeman — 34 years coaching the offensive and defensive line.

Related trench terms

0-technique (nose tackle)D-Line

A defensive lineman aligned head-up on the center — the nose tackle, the middle of the wall.

5-techniqueD-Line

A defensive end aligned on the tackle's outside shoulder — the classic 3-4 end spot.

A gap (gap lettering)Both sides

The gap between center and guard — first letter in the gap-lettering system that names every hole up front.

Get-offD-Line

The first step from the stance. The single biggest defensive-line weapon.

SlantD-Line

A pre-snap-called movement where the D-lineman attacks a gap to one side at the snap.

Go deeper

• Coach Jay’s lineman training library — the technique behind the term →
• Back to the full Trench Dictionary →
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