Today, SportsGamer is going to breakdown another play from the 3-4 formation. The play that we want to focus on in this tip is the 3-4 Solid Gap Press. The Gap Press is a high risk / high reward defense. The reason we consider it to be high risk is because you are rushing six defenders after the quarterback, leaving everyone else in one-on-one coverage down the field. Fortunately, we've designed the pressure from the Gap Press to come quickly and consistently. Take a look as SportsGamer shows you how it's done.
3-4 Solid - Gap Press
Quick Setup
Step 1 of 3 - Pinch your linebacker (RB + down).
Step 2 of 3 - Pinch your linemen (LB + down).
Step 3 of 3 - Manually slide the defensive tackle over one notch to the right.
Play Breakdown
Figure 1 - In this first image you can see that the Washington Redskins have come out in the 3-4 Solid Gap Press. Continue reading below as we take you through the quick pre-snap adjustments.
Figure 2 - We've taken step 2 in this image by pinching the linebackers.
Figure 3 - Next, we pinch the defensive line. We just need to make one more adjustment to make this play work the way that we want it to.
Figure 4 - The last change that we make is sliding over the defensive tackle one notch to the right. This last movement will force the center to slide to his right after the snap, creating a slightly bigger hole for our linebacker to exploit.
Figure 5 - This closer view of the line of scrimmage allows you to see exactly what the setup should look like before the snap. Let's begin the play.
Figure 6 - The pressure quickly begins to unfold as Miami Dolphins quarterback Joey Harrington drops back to pass.
Figure 7 - Redskins' right defensive end Phillip Daniels and center Cornelius Griffin engage with Dolphins' left guard Jeno James and center Wade Smith. These two movements after the snap create the opening that allows linebacker Khary Campbell to attack.
Figure 8 - Campbell is already about to smash Harrington before the Dolphins' play has even fully developed.
Figure 9 - Campbell takes down Harrington easily for the sack.
Figure 10 - In this example you can see that we've taken left defensive end (# 99 on the right side of the screen) Andre Carter off of the line of scrimmage and we are manually controlling him during the play. Carter's rush on this play is not needed in order for the blitz to work. We would suggest using this tactic is you know that your opponent is passing because it provides you with an extra defender in coverage.
Figure 11 - The pressure from Campbell still comes right up the cut of the offensive line.
Figure 12 - Campbell records the sack, despite us keeping back one extra player that time.
Playbook Integration
3-4 Solid - Trio Sky Zone
Another play that compliments the Gap Press well is the Trio Sky Zone from the 3-4 Solid formation.
Figure 13 - We like using these two plays together to not only switch from man to zone, but also to bring pressure from a different spot on the field.
Figure 14 - We make the same two adjustments to the Trio Sky Zone play that we did the Gap Press as we pinch both the linebackers and the defensive line. Sliding over the defensive tackle isn't neccessary for this play, but you may want to do it just to make your opponent believe that the pressure is coming up the middle again.
Figure 15 - This close up of the line of scrimmage has our opponent believing that we called the Gap Press again. However, the pressure on this play is designed to come around the outside.
Figure 16 - Immediately after the snap the left inside linebacker and the left outside linebacker create an overload on the right side of the line for tackle.
Figure 17- The right tackle turns to the inside to make the block on the closest defender. This provides outside linebacker Warrick Holdman with a free shot at the quarterback.
Figure 18- Holdman's eyes light up as he closes in on the quarterback.
Figure 19- Holdman records the big sack for the defense.
Final Thoughts
The Gap Press is just one more way that you can bring pressure on your opponent. We would recommend mixing both of the plays shown above together to always keep your opponents on their toes. This play doesn't do a great job of stopping the run, so we would suggest only using it on passing downs. Head into practice mode and give these two plays a look to see if you can add them into your gameplan.
