Gap-Down-Backer

Gap-Down-Backer, Gap, Down, Backer

The playside rule for gap-scheme runs like power, counter and buck. In order: block anybody in your inside gap; if it is empty, block the man over or inside the lineman next to you; if that is empty too, climb to the linebacker those rules would have taken you to. Note what is missing: a defender lined up head up on you is not in the list at all. The rule is a strict inside-out priority, and a man head up is never the most dangerous defender to a play going inside of him. Who ends up accounting for him varies by play and it is not always a puller.

Playbook 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

Gap-Down-Backer, Gap, on, Down

In order: block anybody in your gap; if it is empty, block the man on you; if that is empty, block down inside. It never sends anybody to a linebacker. Its second step is the one gap-down-backer deliberately skips. It suits a scheme with no pullers, where every lineman has to account for the man in front of him because nobody else will.