football question

[FlabLoser]

Watching all the NFL draft coverage a while back, analysts often said that so-and-so at DE could play the 3-technique, the 4-technique, or the 5-technique. WTF are they referring to?

 

[biguglyjoe]

The numbering system starts at the center and moves out — a 0-technique
defensive tackle lines up directly over the center; the 1-technique is
between center and guard; the 2-technique is directly over the guard;
the celebrated 3-technique is between the guard and offensive tackle;
the 4-technique is over the offensive tackle; the 5-technique is between
the offensive tackle and tight end; the 6-technique is inside the tight
end or outside the offensive tackle on formations without a tight end;
the 7-, 8-, or 9-techniques move farther outside and away from a
defensive tackle’s normal responsibilities.

 

[lannsd]

A crude visual for you:

T G C G T
6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

What technique they are playing indicates where they are lining up on the line.

Also, linebackers have a similar numbering system but they add a zero. For example if a linebacker is stacked over a 4 tech DE he is playing a 40.