To Box or to Spill? That is the question.
Or maybe it’s both?
I love this topic. Let’s get into it.
What are we talking about?
The topic on the table today has to do with how we’ll handle a “kick out” block.
Let’s say your Defensive End gets a “Down Block Away” from the Offensive Tackle. In other words, the OT has gone down inside to block someone else, leaving the DE on their own.
Then another blocker — this could be a pulling Lineman, a Fullback, or a Receiver coming across the formation — attempts to block the Defensive End.
How should the Defensive End react? Should they go INSIDE the block (Spill), or OUTSIDE the block (Box).
This is the question at hand.
Why does it matter?
This to me is a crucial question when it comes to your defensive scheme.
Your answer to this question will help frame your Run Fits, and also impact many other areas of your defensive system.
They are different approaches, philosophically.
To Box is to keep everything inside. To be stout and to attack the run game head on.
To Spill means you are attempting to dictate a bounce. You are hoping to knock the play sideways and then run it down.
That’s not to say you can’t toggle between the two, but everyone needs to be on the same page when it comes to the Box vs. Spill question on any given play.
The Box
Let’s first discuss the Box.
As stated above, the play begins with our Defensive End seemingly unblocked. The Offensive Tackle, who they thought they’d be battling on this play, seems to want nothing to do with the DE. Before the DE can get too comfortable, however, another massive blocker has appeared with a full head of steam. It’s go time.
As always, the eyes are the starting point. As soon as the DE sees the “Down Away”, the eyes should go inside to look for a Pulling Lineman. We want our Defensive Ends to protect themselves, and an ear hole full of Offensive Lineman is not in line with this thinking.
A Boxing Defensive End should shuffle into contact using a “Same Arm, Same Leg” technique. Pad level should be low, and the Defensive End should strike the blocker forcefully in order to stop their charge.
Boxing is not for the faint of heart.
Boxing Scheme
Everyone else must match the Box Fit.
It we’re talking Split Zone, an additional defender should present themselves to handle the C Gap (as the Boxing DE is now in D Gap). This additional defender might be a Tracking Sam, for example.
If it’s a Gap Scheme you’re facing, the Linebackers will fit inside the Boxing DE and handle the Second Puller.
The Spill
In this scenario, we again find our Defensive End in the same situation: OT is “Down Away”, another blocker is attacking.
But this time, we will Spill. This means the DE will work to get INSIDE the next blocker.
A typical way to accomplish this is the Wrong Arm technique. This means the DE will take their outside arm and aggressively dip and rip over top of the blocker. Once inside, the DE must pry and fight the pressure of the blocker who will be trying to LOG the DE (push the DE farther inside to create a crease for the ball carrier).
There is another option when it comes to the technique being used for the Spill, especially when taking on a Receiver or lighter Fullback. In this situation the DE will instead use their HANDS, strike the blocker’s inside shoulder and work inside.
Even if you have to lose a little bit of ground vertically when Spilling, it’s worth it to ensure you get inside the block.
Spilling Scheme
Just like with the Boxing Scheme, everyone needs to be on the same page when using a Spill.
The additional defender (ie. Tracking Sam) will now fit outside the Spilling DE, and should be ready to inherit a bounce by the Running Back.
When defending a Gap Run scheme, an additional question presents itself: how will you handle the second puller?
When you Spill the first puller, the second puller typically works outside around the Spill.
So you have a choice. You could also Spill the second puller (creating a double Spill), or you could Spill the first puller and Box the second.
Final Thoughts
As with everything, you have your pros and cons for each.
Boxing is a physical technique, and you need to have the personnel to make it work. At the same time, if you’re going to Spill the play, you need to have enough speed to run it down.
Do you pick one and stick with it?
Do you go back and forth between both?
Answering these questions will begin to create the foundation of your defence.
All the best,
Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
IG: @jonsvecx
Twitter: @jonsvecx
Jon Svec is the author of the e-book Canadian Football Chalk Talk: Defensive Basics.