1 and 2-gap key fundamentals

D-Line is all about recognition. The faster you can recognize what your opponent is trying to accomplish, the quicker you'll get into position to defeat them.

But you can't recognize and react if your eyes aren't in the right place.

Take the below example. 99 here stares directly at the QB on a trap block and ends up getting pancaked. OUCH!

So, for this D-Line Examples, I'll be detailing where to key and how to improve your eyes so this doesn't happen to your D-Line.

Pre-snap keys

Your opponent is going to give you all the information you need to destroy any blocking scheme that comes at you, but where you key will change when playing a 1-gap vs. 2-gap technique.

1-gap keys

When playing a 1-gap technique (1, 3, 5), key the shoulder or knee.

The shoulder and knee are typically the first part of the blockers body to move and will give you information fast on what the blocker is doing.

2-gap keys

For 2-gap (0, 2, 4), key the screws of your opponents helmet. When you're head up, it's easy to see this key and react quickly to it's movement

Post-snap keys

Once the ball is snapped, you'll encounter two different situation. The blocker will either contact or avoid you.

Contact path

If you recognize the blocker is on a path to contact you, defeat him first and then find the ball to make the play.

To do this, see your hands into his chest. Then, once you have extension, peek around the blocker to find the ball.

Avoid path

If the blocker avoids you, scan down the line and look for counter, boot, reverse.

How to improve

To improve your D-Line's eyes, practice drills that challenge their recognition and reaction. Below are a few that I personally use.

Drill #1: Point reads

Have your D-Line get off the ball and react to the point. Sometime you need an exaggerated key (the point) to drive home where the eyes need to be focussed (the blocker).

Drill #2: Feather drill

Use this drill to practice defeating zone read by repping shuffling, reading the mesh point and tackling the QB or cutback.

Drill #3: 1-on-1 Block Recognition

This is an EDD that trains your D-Line to focus on keying the shoulder, knee or screws to quickly recognize different blocking schemes. You can also use two (2-on-1) or three (3-on-1) blockers to simulate more advanced blocking schemes.

Chase two rabbits catch none

The point of all of these drills is to focus your D-Line's eyes on the right thing at the right time every time.

As the old Russian proverb says

"If you chase two rabbits you'll catch none."

Support

If you liked this breakdown I have more just like it in my upcoming D-Line resource The Block Destruction Bible.

It features step by step instructions on how to destroy any blocking scheme an offense can throw at you. You can check it out now by clicking here!

-Craig over and out