Line Stunts can be great against the Run.
Cross Faces, Penetrators, Loopers, they can all disrupt a play.
But while we’re working to confuse the Offence, it’s important that we don’t also outsmart ourselves in the process.
Here are some thoughts on how Line Stunts impact Run Fits.
The Topic
When we are defending a Run Play, it’s important for everyone to know which Gap they are responsible for.
When we run Line Stunts, we are CHANGING those Gaps. Now the Linebackers on the Back End need to understand how they fit into the equation.
Here’s a simple example:
Here the interior Defensive Linemen are both Crossing Face at the Snap. Essentially, this is an Over Front that is becoming an Under Front with the Stunt.
The Linebackers must now understand that they are responsible for the Gaps that the Defensive Linemen are LEAVING.
Disguise vs. Execute
This question shows up all the time on the football field:
Is it better to align in a way that deceives my opponent, or to line up in the perfect spot to execute my assignment, even if it gives something away?
Well, in this case, the whole point of the Stunt is to deceive, so I’d lean towards the latter.
That is to say, if both Linebackers lined up in their FINAL Gaps, the Offence would know something is up.
So instead they align in the opposite Gaps, knowing all along what their final responsibility will be. This is how we create some deception in our Run Fit.
Reality vs. Playbook
Things don’t always go exactly as planned.
The advantage that the Linebacker has here is their depth.
Yes, the Defensive Tackle in front of the Mike LB is supposed to Cross Face into the A Gap, for example.
But what if we get a fast flowing run AWAY from the Stunt? Perhaps the Defensive Tackle is unable to get there.
Now the Linebacker must do what Linebackers always attempt to do:
Make the Defensive Lineman right.
When the Linebacker sees that the Defensive Lineman will not get to their new Gap, the LB takes the Gap instead.
It’s not what we planned, but that’s football.
New Front
In my opinion, the simplest way to explain this concept to the Linebackers is to just talk about the new front you are creating with the Stunt.
Here’s a more dynamic example:
You wouldn’t know it pre-snap, but both Linebackers are B Gap players behind this Stunt.
It’s the same as lining up in a Front where both DTs are in the A Gaps initially.
Here’s a clip of the above Stunt playing out in a game:
In this particular case the Stunt makes it difficult for the Offensive Linemen to get up to the next level to block the Linebackers.
Final Thoughts
If the Linebackers understand the new front you are creating with the Stunt, along with the nuances that go along with Stunting Defensive Linemen, they will be in good position to make the play.
Don’t forget to check out my FREE e-book titled Modern Pressures.
This book contains diagrams and notes for all 36 Blitzes that were run during Week 1 of the 2023 CFL season.
All the best,
Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
IG: @jonsvecx
Twitter: @jonsvecx
To read more check out the Canadian Football Chalk Talk e-books series, which includes: Defensive Basics, Linebacker Toolbox, and Modern Pressures.