FrontBest for: Base down
Base 3-4 Okie
Standard 3-4 alignment with a nose over center and two ends in 5-techniques plus four linebackers.
Concept: Nose two-gaps the A-gaps, ends control the B/C gaps, and inside backers fill the open A-gaps.
Base alignment — schematic, not to scale
Every position's job
Nose/Tackle
0-tech over center, two-gap both A-gaps
Defensive Ends
5-techs over tackles, two-gap B and C
Mike
Strong A-gap fill
Sam
Strong C/D-gap force on the edge
Will
Weak B-gap fill
Corners
Man or cushion coverage
Safeties
Two-high with run support
How to teach it
- 1Linemen control blockers so linebackers stay clean to make plays.
- 2Two-gap means read the blocker, then shed to the ball side.
- 3Heads-up tackle: eyes up, wrap, drive the feet.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Linemen try to shoot a gap and get reached; fix by teaching them to strike, read, and shed.
- !Linebackers run into blockers; fix by keeping them square and reading their gap key first.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.