Gap
also: A gap · B gap · C gap · D gap · gap letters
The space between two offensive linemen, lettered outward from the center. Offenses and defenses use the same A, B, C and D labels.
The space between two adjacent offensive linemen, lettered outward from the ball: A between center and guard, B between guard and tackle, C between tackle and tight end, D outside that. Each side of the ball has its own A gap, so a coach saying backside B means one specific piece of ground. Run plays are called to a gap and defenders are assigned one, which makes this the shared coordinate system that run-game conversation depends on.
A gap, B gap, C gap, D gapgap scheme, technique numbersPlaybook Examples
- Trapinside run, backside guard pulls to trap the first man past the holeWing-T
- Buck sweepoutside run to the wing, both guards pullingWing-T
Reference
Gaps are the spaces between linemen, lettered outward. Both sides of the ball use them.
| Gap | Between | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A | center and guard | |
| B | guard and tackle | |
| C | tackle and tight end | |
| D | outside the tight end | Outside the last man on the line. Exists only when there is a tight end to be outside of, which is why some staffs stop at C. |
A note on how the term is used
Gap letters name spaces between offensive linemen. Defensive line techniques describe where a defender lines up relative to those linemen. Hole numbers identify intended points of attack in play-call systems that use them. A 3-technique may line up in the B gap, but the two labels answer different questions: one names the defender's alignment and the other names the space.