Barret Ruud does a much better job of explaining it than I can:
"The two gap system is what Bo has favored since he returned to Nebraska as Head Coach in 2008. In the two gap system, the defensive linemen align head up to an offensive lineman and are responsible for the gap to either side of them, hence "two gap" (ex if a Nose tackle aligns over a center, he is responsible for both of the A gaps). Traditional two gap 3-4 defenses also had linebackers responsible for playing two gaps over the guards, but since the advent of the spread, they typically aren't responsible for playing both gaps head up on a guard. The modern linebacker playing behind a two gapping defensive line has to be very patient and able to flow to the ball as the defensive linemen occupy offensive linemen.
The positives of this system are that offenses have much more trouble scheming for them because they won't know what the final fits will look like, a well played two gap system looks like a built-up wall, so a RB isn't always sure where the seam will be. It also allows the defenders to be less burdened by run fits, so they're a little more free to flow to the ball, and don't have to have the structure that a one gap system has (a little less thinking for LBs and Safeties on exactly where they have to fit).
The negatives are that you need physically talented players to execute the system well. Your defensive lineman have to have the ability to separate from blocks and make tackles in their area, and Linebackers must have a natural feel for where a running back is heading and the instincts to play off his D Linemen in front of him."
So with zone, we talked about earlier moves the gaps and 1 gap players get moved a bit further past the direction they want to go via horizintal blocks- usually in tandem with 2 offensive linemen. These moving creases allow the zone running back to find daylight in an area. When the running back has no clue where the crease is and a "wall" is created- as you dont have guys flying upfield creating big creases- the zone run is less effective. So while we all get frustrated when we see our D getting gashed- just 1 gapping, flying up the field and hoping for the best- MIGHT not always be the best answer. SOme logic behind why Bo does what he does.
http://www.huddlepas...l/feature/20471
"The two gap system is what Bo has favored since he returned to Nebraska as Head Coach in 2008. In the two gap system, the defensive linemen align head up to an offensive lineman and are responsible for the gap to either side of them, hence "two gap" (ex if a Nose tackle aligns over a center, he is responsible for both of the A gaps). Traditional two gap 3-4 defenses also had linebackers responsible for playing two gaps over the guards, but since the advent of the spread, they typically aren't responsible for playing both gaps head up on a guard. The modern linebacker playing behind a two gapping defensive line has to be very patient and able to flow to the ball as the defensive linemen occupy offensive linemen.
The positives of this system are that offenses have much more trouble scheming for them because they won't know what the final fits will look like, a well played two gap system looks like a built-up wall, so a RB isn't always sure where the seam will be. It also allows the defenders to be less burdened by run fits, so they're a little more free to flow to the ball, and don't have to have the structure that a one gap system has (a little less thinking for LBs and Safeties on exactly where they have to fit).
The negatives are that you need physically talented players to execute the system well. Your defensive lineman have to have the ability to separate from blocks and make tackles in their area, and Linebackers must have a natural feel for where a running back is heading and the instincts to play off his D Linemen in front of him."
So with zone, we talked about earlier moves the gaps and 1 gap players get moved a bit further past the direction they want to go via horizintal blocks- usually in tandem with 2 offensive linemen. These moving creases allow the zone running back to find daylight in an area. When the running back has no clue where the crease is and a "wall" is created- as you dont have guys flying upfield creating big creases- the zone run is less effective. So while we all get frustrated when we see our D getting gashed- just 1 gapping, flying up the field and hoping for the best- MIGHT not always be the best answer. SOme logic behind why Bo does what he does.
http://www.huddlepas...l/feature/20471
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