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Using numbers to explain where a defensive end lines up isn’t meant to complicated things.

Those numbers should create a greater understanding of what a player is supposed to do on each play. They also can very quickly illustrate what type of defensive end or defensive tackle a player is because they aren’t all the same. A speed rusher will play one technique, while a more complete defensive end might line up a different way.

The number system starts from the middle and counts out toward the sideline heading both directions. So, the guy lined up over directly over a center is called a 0 technique, while a person lined up to the outside of a tight end is in a 9-technique position, with a lot of other spots in between.

Here is a breakdown of each position and what they’re supposed to do.***premium***

0-Technique

A 0-technique lines up directly over the center and is most often used in a 3-4 front. This player is often referred to as a nose tackle. His job is usually to defend the A-gaps, the spaces between the center and guards, and to occupy space straight up the middle by drawing double teams. By doing so, he allows space for the linebackers to flow and make plays against the running game.

1-Technique

The difference between the 1-technique and the 0-technique is that the 1 lines up over one of the shoulders of the center and is only responsible for one A gap. Despite being a different technique, this is the nose tackle in a four-man front, also sometimes called the “shade”. The responsibilities remain the same – take on two defenders and make it easier for everyone else to flow and make plays.

New Orleans most often uses a 4-man front and plays out of nickel looks, which often means they do not use a nose tackle. However, when they were in their base defense (four defensive linemen, three linebackers, four defensive backs) last season, Malcom Brown would line up at nose tackle. The team also used some three-man defensive lines in passing situations with David Onyemata lined up directly over the center.

2-Technique

A 2-technique lines up directly over the guard and has to defend the A and B gaps. This is called two-gapping. These players quite often face double teams and are expected to handle it to help others make plays. When they see a single blocker, it is their job to defeat it and make a play. The Saints do not often use this look.

3-Technique

This is the spot where Sheldon Rankins most often lined up during his time with the Saints. Players who play this spot are expected to create a lot of pressure and create havoc on the interior offensive line. A three-technique defensive tackle lines up over the outside shoulder of the guard and attacks the B gap. This position is designed to get one-on-one matchups between the defensive tackle and guard.

4-Technique

The 4-technique is usually found in three-man defensive fronts. He lines up directly over the offensive tackle and defends the B and C gaps. In more modern defenses, this play will sometimes move to the inside shoulder of the offensive tackle, which is called a 4i alignment, and attack the B gap in a more penetrating role. In the more traditional alignment, these players often eat double teams to keep things clean for the linebackers.

5-Technique

The 4-, 4i and 5-technique positions have gotten lumped together a little bit in the way people talk about them. A 5-technique end will line up over the outside shoulder of an offensive tackle and will usually be in a more penetrating role. If there is no tight end on that side of the formation, this end would be the last player on the line. The 5-technique will attack, but not in the same way that a speed rusher would from a further out position.

6-Technique

This player lines up directly over the tight end and attacks the pocket from the outside. Sometimes, a 6-technique end will be responsible for putting a hit on the tight end before getting up the field. On running plays, this player is usually responsible for setting the edge and not allowing anything to bounce outside.

7-Technique

The primary goal for anyone lined up at this position is to get after the quarterback. A 7-technique lines up over the inside shoulder of the tight end and is asked to create pressure with an outside rush. Like the 6-technique, sometimes the guys in this spot will be asked to re-route a tight end, but that isn’t the primary goal. Once again, anyone in this spot is asked to set the edge during running plays.

9-Technique

Also known as the wide-9, this player lines up outside of the tackle and tight end and typically wins by speed rushing.

Other terms to know

There are a handful of other terms that you’ll often hear about how a defense is lined up. We’ll cover some of those here.

Over front: The simplest way to identify an over is to look at how the defensive tackles are lined up in relation to the tight end. In an over front, the 3-technique will be set to the tight end’s side of the formation.

Under front: This is when the 3-technique is set opposite the tight end.

Bear front: The defense puts three interior players over the three interior offensive linemen in a bear front. The Saints do sometimes use this as a wrinkle, though not often.

Okie front: This is a three-man front with a nose tackle and either two players at the 4i or 5 technique spots.