Coaching LB PLay: Stack Fit vs Playing Vertical in Your Run Fits
Whether you are a 4-2 or odd defense, you have to have a philosophy with your LB in their fits. You have to make a decision and decide what is best for you in the run game.
I have 4 philosophies on run fits:
A)Base Mode - Stack fits and fallback technique. This can be incorporated into your base 3-4, 4-3 or 4-2-5 defense. If you are multiple the techniques don’t change much at the LB level. This technique is also effective if utilizing split field concepts. It helps you in the QB designed run game and as a defense doesn’t have your front 7 playing on the same level.
B)Stunt Mode - Speeding up fit and playing vertical. LB work fast downhill with their plugs. This techniques is common when your are moving Defensive Lineman up front or when you bring pressures. This is also very common if you like to bring 8 into the box and play cover 3 or single high concepts.
C) Flow to/Flow away- In flow to/flow away,
Flow to: the LB with run to will fill vertical and plug immediately to his gap, while the LB away will play 2 gap eye opener on the backside.
Mike fills vertically on run to, will plays 2 gap on the backside
Mike fills B gap on flow to, the Will plays 2 gap on the backside. He can scrape over the top or fallback and play the RB.
D)Short Mode - 3rd & 1 to 2, speed up fit, sell out fast in your fits.
https://x.com/i/status/1729962777891013094
Disadvantages
Base Mode-If in a cover 2 scenario, you will lose the safeties in run support. This will help you in the passing game but you do lose some cut back players at times.
Stunt Mode/Playing Vertical- The first is to be aggressive and attack your gap in the run game. This is a sound philosophy but it does put all your LB on the same level when doing so. What this means is that when you get a zone type run, all the players will attack their gap and play it accordingly. This can allow for some cutbacks as the LB are not folding back. You also are aggressive in the run game which may effect your ability to play pass in the play action game.
Here is an example of the above!
All the LB on the same level which causes a cutback lane. All the front 7 are on the same level.
Film
Let’s take a look at a few way teams fit the run.
A) Base Mode,Vertical Run Fits
The Broncos are attacking and playing their gap. 40 has the B gap and 55 has the D gap. The LB sees the puller and he fills offside B hard. The Mike does the same with his gap and fills vertically hard.
All the LB and D Line end up on the line of scrimmage with only the safety #22 there to play cutback.
Film
The Rams
The Rams run a game inside and vertical run fit it. The DT sparks inside, the LB playside goes A with the other LB scraping to the B gap. An excellent well executed stunt.
Below USC is filling vertically in their run fit. Each player takes a gap and they play it accordingly.
B) Stack and Fall back
Whetter you are an odd team or 4-2 the techniques don’t change much. You are playing your gap but not attacking vertical. This allows you to stack on the nearest defender and fallback should the running back cut the other way.
Kirby Smart discusses stacking and fall back technique. He believes it is more effective because you don’t have your front 7 all playing on the same level.
The Broncos #40 stack and fall back inside. The LB has the original gap A but falls back inside to make the tackle.
The Colts playing fall back technique. 45. Has C gap but falls back inside to play the run.
The Seahawks bring pressure vs the Jets with the Sam in the C gap but the ILB are playing fall back technique.
A nice job by the 49ers in the run game. #57 Greenlaw stacks the Defensive tackle, stays in phase, fall backs and makes a nice play in the run game.
C) Flow to/Flow away: The LB to is filling hard and the away LB is playing 2 gap with fallback principles.
Another Example of flow to exhibited by the Chiefs as the LB with flow to attacks the A with the backside LB 2 gapping it. You have the SS forcing it back inside.
Another play vs the Chargers. They have a game on and they get flow to the defensive left. The LB fills B with the other LB filling over the top. A nice job up front by the LB.
These are some concepts you can use while playing your run fits. You don’t have to use all but these are some I’ve seen.
I hope you enjoyed this article!