This is the second part of this article. You can read the first part at this link:
Pass Rush Considerations Part 1
Understanding an Offensive Pass set
Offensive Tackles will read the “V” of the neck of their defender in order to determine their proper footwork for any wide rusher.
If the “V” of the neck of the defender is pointed upfield the tackle will kick to the 1/2 man, from an inside out position.
Whenever covered by an outside shaded defender the general rule for your offensive linemen should be “Set The Anchor To The 1/2 Man”. The 1/2 man advantage rule with straight dropback protection is worked from an inside out position.
The correct terminology with a defender aligned as a 1/2 defender is to “Pick It Up and Put It Down” By picking up the outside foot and setting the anchor, this will help in bracing vs any potential bull rush.
Since the 1/2 man exists then all that is required by your offensive lineman is a pick-up put down.
Shaded 1/2 man – Set The Anchor
With any defender aligned on the inside shade of an offensive lineman it will require a “Hard” technique while working to their inside 1/2 man position.
The Hard technique is a pass set to the inside 1/2 man advantage which puts the offensive lineman working hard across the face of the defender.
Because your offensive line is working hard to their inside 1/2 man it usually will put them washing their defender down and to the outside
Inside Shaded Defender -Step Hard To The Inside To The 1/2 Man.
Pass Rush Alleys
Pass Rush with 3 man rush
Defensive Tackles in a 3 man front have the outside shoulder of the QB to their side in a pass rush mode.
Whenever pass rushing with a nose or “O” technique (odd front) he will use the nose of the Quarterback as his pass rush alley.
Whenever the Tackles play in a “0” technique their pass rush alley is nose on the QB.
Pass Rush with 4 man front
In a 4 man front the tackles have near eye of the QB as their pass rush alley.
The tackle and Sam have outside shoulder tip of the QB as their pass rush alley.
Pass Rush with 5 man front
Defensive Ends in a 5 man front have the outside shoulder tip of the QB to their side as their pass rush landmark.
When rush from a double Eagled front the “0” technique will rush nose on of the QB.
Tackles have near eye of the QB as their landmark for their pass rush alley.
Pass Rush vs Sprint Out
Whenever having to adjust your pass rush alley due to a QB on sprint out or being flushed out of the pocket will break down and run to the side line until the QB pulls up, this should put them in the proper rush alley.
Pass Rush Alleys Jet Technique
Pass Rush with 3 man rush
Whenever pass rushing with a nose or “O” technique (odd front) he will use the nose of the Quarterback as his pass rush alley.
Whenever the Tackles play in a “0” technique their pass rush alley is nose on the QB.
Whenever attaching the alert word “Jet” to any defensive call our defensive down linemen will forgo their run first pass second philosophy. “Jet” technique puts our defensive down front in a pass first and run second reaction to the offensive play.
Pass Rush with 4 man front
In a 4 man front the tackle and nose have near eye of the QB as their pass rush alley.
The Ends have outside shoulder tip of the QB as their pass rush alley.
Pass Rush with 5 man front
Sam and Rover have outside shoulder tip of the quarterback for proper pass rush alley.
When rush from a double Eagled front the “0” technique will rush nose on with the QB.
Tackles have near eye of the QB as their landmark for their pass rush alley.
Pass Rush vs. Sprint Out
Whenever having to adjust your pass rush alley due to a QB on sprint out or being flushed out of the pocket will break down and run to the side line until the QB pulls up, this should put them in the proper rush alley.
About the Author of this post:
Jerry Campbell has over 30 years of high school and college coaching experience. He has experience as a head coach, offensive coordinator, and various position coaches. He has written numerous football coaching articles in various publications, is the author of over 30 books on coaching football, and has produced 12 coaching video series. Additionally, he is a nationally sought after speaker on the coaching clinic circuit.