The Box
also: box · box count · light box · loaded box · run box
The tackle-to-tackle defensive area roughly five yards deep where defenders have an immediate run fit.
The box is the defensive area between the offensive tackles, extending roughly five yards past the line of scrimmage. A box count tells the offense how many defenders can fit an interior run without having to travel across the formation.
The offense checks the box count against its available blockers before the snap:
- 5-Man Box
- Five offensive linemen can account for every defender hat-on-a-hat.
- 6-Man Box
- Leaves one defender unblocked on a base five-man run, requiring a tight end, lead blocker, or an option read.
- 7-Man or 8-Man Box
- A loaded front that usually forces the offense to check to a pass, throw an RPO bubble, or run perimeter screens.
Overhang defenders aligned outside the tackle box are not counted in the box unless they cheat inside before the snap.
run boxtackle box, box technique, personnel groupingPlaybook Examples
- Zone Read + Bubbleinside Zone Read with a Bubble Screen attached to punish an overhang who joins the run fitSpread Option
A note on how the term is used
Light and loaded describe the count relative to the offense's blockers. Five defenders is a light box against 11 personnel (6 blockers with a TE), but a neutral box against 10 personnel (5 blockers).