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Mint Front

Defense

also: Mint · Mint package

A Saban-tree nickel package that surrounds a 4i-0-4i interior with a single walked-up edge rusher to present a six-man box while keeping five defensive backs in space.

Mint against a 2x2 shotgun spread set with the back offset right. Three defensive linemen align in 4i-0-4i, the Jack walks up on the weak edge, two inside linebackers stack inside, and defensive backs cover both detached slot receivers.
Mint pairs a 4i-0-4i interior with a walked-up Jack (J) on the weak edge, keeping a six-man box and two overhang defensive backs (SS and Ni).

The Mint front is a modern defensive package developed in the Nick Saban and Kirby Smart systems that builds a four-man line around a three-man Tite front (4i-0-4i) interior, walking a single edge linebacker up to the line of scrimmage while maintaining a nickel defensive back in space.

Aligning in Mint produces distinct structural advantages against modern spread and RPO schemes:

Closes Interior Gaps (4i-0-4i)
The nose tackle (0-technique) and two defensive ends (4i-techniques) squeeze both B gaps and occupy the center and offensive tackles, denying easy combination blocks.
Sets a Weak-Side Edge
The walked-up outside linebacker (Jack) sets a hard edge to contain perimeter runs and provides an immediate fourth pass rusher on the line.
Six-Man Box with Nickel Overhangs
By subbing the strong outside linebacker (Sam) for a nickel defensive back (Ni), the defense presents a true six-man box (four down defenders plus two inside linebackers) while keeping five defensive backs to cover detached slot receivers and perimeter screens.
Linebacker Fold Fits
With four front defenders securing both B gaps and the weak C gap, one inside linebacker fits downhill into the open A gap while the second linebacker flows freely over the top to track cutbacks.

Coaches distinguish between the Mint front (the on-field 4i-0-4i plus walked-edge alignment) and the Mint package (the complete nickel personnel grouping and coverage calls used to play it).

Also calledMint, Mint package
Not to be confused withTite front, Penny front, Under front, Bear front

One common run fit

Shown against Inside Zone left with the Jack setting the playside edge, both 4i ends squeezing B, the nose lagging backside A, Will fitting the open A gap, and Mike overlapping inside-out.

One common Mint run fit against Inside Zone left. The walked-up Jack sets the playside C gap, the 4i-0-4i interior squeezes B and A, the Will fits the open A gap, and the Mike overlaps toward the cutback.
Mint uses four front defenders and two inside linebackers to squeeze the interior while defensive backs defend the perimeter.

Where you will hear it

  • Saban-tree nickel packages
  • defenses built to handle spread formations and RPOs

Related terms