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Under Front

Defense

also: Under

A four-down front with the 3-technique set away from the defense's declared strength and the nose or 1-technique set toward it.

Under front against a 2x2 shotgun spread set. The back is offset right, creating the strength call to that side. The 3-technique is outside the left guard, and the 1-technique shades the center toward strength.
Under reverses the Over front's two interior alignments.

In an Under front, the 3-technique defensive tackle aligns away from the defense's strength call, while the nose tackle (1-technique) shades the center toward the strong side. This reverses the interior gap structure of the Over front:

3-Technique Away (Weak Side)
Places the defense's best pass-rushing interior tackle in a one-on-one matchup on the weak guard, penetrating the weak B gap.
1-Technique (Nose) to Strength
Anchors the strong A gap between the center and strong guard.
Strong-Side Reduction
The strong-side defensive end aligns over the tight end (often in a 6- or 7-technique) with a linebacker outside him, creating a firm five-man line of scrimmage surface.

Under creates a five-man line presentation on the strong side while maintaining four-down spacing inside.

Also calledUnder
Not to be confused withOver front, Odd front

One common run fit

Shown from a one-gap 4-2-5 against Inside Zone left from 10 personnel. The weak linebacker fits A, the other inside linebacker fits the strong B gap and the nickel stays outside the box.

One common Under run fit against Inside Zone left. Solid arrows send the two inside linebackers into the open weak-side A gap and strong-side B gap. The nickel remains outside the box.
Reversing the interior line changes which two gaps the inside linebackers must close.

A note on how the term is used

Under can look like a 3-4 odd front because the strong-side end reduces and a linebacker walks up outside the tight end. Tracking whether four down linemen or three down linemen are on the field separates personnel from the front call.

Where you will hear it

  • four-down fronts
  • 4-3 and hybrid defenses

Related terms