The Techniques Across The Defensive Line

What’s Meant by a 0-1-2-3-5 Technique?

When projecting each Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman’s fit with the team, their position along the defensive line must also be put into context.

For example, in a base 3-4 defense such as Baltimore’s, certain defensive line techniques are needed to have a diverse and versatile front.

Techniques are more specific description’s of where a defensive lineman lines up than a just a position such as “defensive tackle” or “defensive end.”

With varying defensive fronts among teams, those positions become hard to identify, as a defensive end in a 4-3 defense often lines up in a different position than a defensive end in a 3-4.

Thus, defensive line techniques – numbered 0-9 – are better tools to identify where players line up.

For the most part, techniques 0-5 are the most used designations in Baltimore’s defense.

Depending on how one is taught the defensive line techniques, outlooks may vary, but for an overview of which Ravens defensive linemen play each, below is a quick guideline. 

In the middle, where the nose tackle of a 3-4 defense plays, are the zero and one techniques. The numbers start from the center and ascend toward the tight end.

For example, Brandon Williams is lined up as a one-technique, and often lines up over the center as a “zero.”

In Baltimore’s defense next season, Williams and rookie Timmy Jernigan will often be found in the zero or one-tech role, lining up over or on the shoulder of the center, respectively.

Moving toward the outside of the defensive line, the next prominent role in Baltimore’s defense is the three technique.

One player who can often be found being used in this situation is Haloti Ngata, lining up on the shoulder of the offensive guard closest to the tackle.

This type of role can be utilized by either a defensive tackle or defensive end, like Ngata, who can play either position. Other Ravens linemen who may be found in this role in 2014 are DeAngelo Tyson and Pernell McPhee, among several others.

Moving further to the outside, the third and final notable defensive technique – particularly in a 3-4 defense – is the five technique, a position defensive end Arthur Jones played frequently last season for the Ravens.

As far as 3-4 defenses go, this is a true defensive end role.

As opposed to the three technique position that Ngata is lined up in on this play – where either a run stopper or pass rusher could ideally play – the five technique position is best utilized by a pass rusher or a defender who can set the edge on outside run plays on the shoulder of the offensive tackle, taking on either the “B” or “C” gap.

Baltimore defensive ends Chris Canty, Kapron Lewis-Moore and Brent Urban are three players who will likely be used as five-techs in 2014.

In a 4-3 defense, the utilization of techniques 5-9 are more prominent. Defensive ends often line up either between the tackle and tight end or on the tight end’s shoulder closest to the offensive line, designating a six or seven technique, respectively.

Some teams even utilize the nine technique, which places the defensive end on the outside shoulder of the tight end when applicable.

To complement the designation of defensive line techniques is the understanding of each gap along the defensive front.

The gaps ascend from the center to the tight end, with A, B and C being the three gaps along the line that defensive linemen can occupy.

The different gaps bring different roles for defensive linemen. Using the techniques mentioned above, a zero or one-tech such as Williams would occupy either “A” gap, a three-tech like Ngata could take on either the “A” or “B” gap on his side of the line and a five-tech in the form of Jones can attack the offensive tackle through either the “B” or “C” gap on his respective side.

Knowing defensive line techniques makes it easier to understand each defensive lineman’s true position along the defensive front.

Baltimore’s defense has a versatile enough front to utilize linemen in multiple techniques.

And that affords defensive coordinator Dean Pees a diverse and interchangeable group of defenders with which to work.