3 : Defense And Reaching Second Level Official
Here is an informative breakdown of what this feature entails: 1. Defining the "Second Level"
Linebackers must "scrape" laterally. This involves reading the play and moving horizontally to avoid the climbing blockers, keeping themselves "clean" to make a play on the ball carrier. 4. Why It Matters
Defensive tackles (often called "space eaters") take on double teams. Their job isn't necessarily to make the tackle, but to keep offensive linemen busy so they cannot "climb" to the linebackers.
On running plays, offensive linemen try to "climb" to the second level. This means after an initial double-team or chip block on a defensive lineman, one blocker releases to engage a linebacker. If the offense successfully reaches the second level, the running back often gains 10+ yards because the primary tacklers (linebackers) are being obstructed. 3. Defensive Counter-Strategies
To prevent the offense from reaching and neutralizing the second level, defenses focus on two main tactics:
Here is an informative breakdown of what this feature entails: 1. Defining the "Second Level"
Linebackers must "scrape" laterally. This involves reading the play and moving horizontally to avoid the climbing blockers, keeping themselves "clean" to make a play on the ball carrier. 4. Why It Matters
Defensive tackles (often called "space eaters") take on double teams. Their job isn't necessarily to make the tackle, but to keep offensive linemen busy so they cannot "climb" to the linebackers.
On running plays, offensive linemen try to "climb" to the second level. This means after an initial double-team or chip block on a defensive lineman, one blocker releases to engage a linebacker. If the offense successfully reaches the second level, the running back often gains 10+ yards because the primary tacklers (linebackers) are being obstructed. 3. Defensive Counter-Strategies
To prevent the offense from reaching and neutralizing the second level, defenses focus on two main tactics:
