Front 7 Alignment using Numbers

Athletes play fast when calls are simple, but creating simple calls with simple rules can be difficult. I've been part of several staffs that have used different calls to set their fronts. One used names and the other used numbers. While each staff should go with what works best for their athletes and themselves, I have found that the numbering system worked the best for two reasons. One, flexibility, it allowed us to create any front we needed by only using 9 numbers. Two, simple rules, it set the front 7 with just two numbers.

In this post I will walk through the numbering system and explain how it set our front and our LB alignments. If you think the number system could be a viable way for your staff to call fronts I would encourage you to take the numbers and make them your own, all that matters is that your staff and athletes understand your numbers. We are a four down team that believes in playing shades, so the numbers are how we shade each defensive lineman. We don't use the term "tech" because we teach all DL to play a shade, which makes times when injuries and rotations need to occur easier because they just need to know what shade they play and then its all the same from there.

Our front 7 is set using two numbers, the first number is the strong side and the second number is the weak side. The number sets the TACKLE, END, and MIKE and the OLB's relate to the numbers plus WR's to their side. We ask that every defensive player gets eyes on the call, and the MIKE LB is the only one responsible for setting the strength. We also don't flip our LB's, they are responsible to know what side of the strength they are on, and that includes stunt, blitzes, and coverage calls. The advantage of not flipping is getting lined up quicker for tempo teams.

NUMBER 1:

DT plays an inside shade of the OG and the DE plays an inside shade of the OT. MIKE will stack over the open A Gap. SAM will play an outside shade of the TE because he is uncovered.

With no TE, SAM plays off the LOS and will play 1x5 inside of the #2 WR.

NUMBER 2:

DT plays an inside shade of the OG and the DE plays an outside shade of the OT. MIKE will stack over the open A Gap. SAM will play an outside shade of the TE because he is uncovered.

With no TE, SAM plays off the LOS and will play 1x5 inside of the #2 WR.

NUMBER 3:

DT plays an outside shade of the OG and the DE plays an outside shade of the OT. MIKE will stack over the open A Gap, which is now to the strength. SAM will play an outside shade of the TE because he is uncovered.

With no TE, SAM plays off the LOS and will play 1x5 inside of the #2 WR.

NUMBER 4:

DT plays an outside shade of the C and the DE plays an outside shade of the OT. MIKE will cover the open B Gap. SAM will play an outside shade of the TE because he is uncovered.

With no TE, SAM plays off the LOS and will play 1x5 inside of the #2 WR.

NUMBER 5:

DT plays an outside shade of the C and the DE plays an inside shade of the OT. MIKE will stack over the DE. SAM will play an outside shade of the TE because he is uncovered.

With no TE, SAM plays off the LOS and will play 1x5 inside of the #2 WR.

NUMBER 6:

DT plays an outside shade of the OG and the DE plays an inside shade of the TE. MIKE will stack over the open A Gap. SAM will play off the LOS because the TE is covered.

DE plays an inside shade of a ghost TE.

NUMBER 7:

DT plays an outside shade of the OG and the DE plays an outside shade of the TE. MIKE will stack over the open A Gap. SAM will play off the LOS because the TE is covered.

DE plays an outside shade of a ghost TE.

NUMBER 8:

DT plays an inside shade of the OT and the DE plays an outside shade of the TE. MIKE will stack over the open A Gap. SAM will play off the LOS because the TE is covered.

DE plays an outside shade of a ghost TE.

NUMBER 9:

DT plays an inside shade of the OG and the DE plays an outside shade of the TE. MIKE will stack over the open A Gap. SAM will play off the LOS but inside the DE because of the open B and C Gap.

DE plays an outside shade of a ghost TE. SAM can now play 1x5 inside the #2 WR with no open gap inside the DE.

Once the numbers are understood by the DL and the LB's play off the numbers and their rules you can now set any combination of fronts, however gap integrity must always be considered. For instance you can play a 33 but know that the MIKE can't cover both A Gaps so you would need to stunt to cover up one. These numbers also allow you to get into an odd front by calling 44, 45, 55, or 54, and instead of having the C shaded on both sides just play a DT HU and substitute another MIKE who will play the weak side.

The OLB's don't necessarily have to know the numbers they just need to follow their rules of play off the LOS 1x5 inside of #2 WR unless the TE is uncovered. They must also understand that they will need to apex if there is an open B Gap.

Setting the front 7 with two numbers is quick and can give you options to throw any type of junk front at the offense, just understand certain calls will require you to stunt to maintain gap integrity across the line. Stunts and blitzes will be a future post that you can use to tie everything together, all you need to add on top is the coverage!