Speed rush

The speed rush is the bull rush's opposite: instead of going through the tackle, the edge rusher uses get-off and a bend to run the arc around him to the quarterback. He attacks the tackle's outside (kick) foot, forces him to open, then dips and bends the corner. The tackle's answer is the 45° set and the kick-slide — get depth and width to a spot on the line between the rusher and the QB so the speed rush runs into him instead of around him, then hand him off or run him past the pocket.

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

Related trench terms

Bull rushD-Line

A power-based pass rush move — straight-line force driven into the blocker to walk him back into the QB.

Get-offD-Line

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

Kick-slideO-Line

A pass-set technique where the outside foot kicks back and the inside foot slides to keep a square base.

45° setO-Line

Coach Jay's default pass set — kick on a 45° angle to close the rusher's path and meet him square at your spot, instead of dropping straight back (the vertical set).

ReadD-Line

To diagnose the offensive lineman's intent — run vs. pass, direction, and scheme — as the play unfolds.

Go deeper

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