One Gap vs. Two Gap Defenses

[Patjew]

Of course I understand these defensive schemes perfectly well, but I'm wondering if someone could explain the differences and intracacies of each. You know, for other folks that may not understand it.

TIA.

 

[cincipatsfan]

I'm really good at this football intricacies stuff. So.... the difference is, with one gap the defender is responsible for one gap and in two gap he's responsible for two.

That should take all the mystery out of the one gap vs two :bricks:

 

[Joker]

read and react..any scheme

 

[Patjew]

Maybe I'll just wiki it.

 

[cincipatsfan]

Maybe I'll just wiki it.

I'd wait until the smart people wake up

 

[Off The Grid]

The Two Gap is very similar to the One Gap...only double.

Hope that helps.

 

[Rob0729]

Here is a good answer:

Answers.com - In pro football coaches talk about a one gap two gap three gap defense what does that mean and what is the defference

 

[Patjew]

The Two Gap is very similar to the One Gap...only double.

Hope that helps.

Very helpful. But is it twice as good or twice as bad? And why would one choose one over the other?

 

[Joker]

The Giants ran an incredible gap defense back in the day...they had one all pro caliber lineman...a grunt at the nose AND the two best gap LB's ever in Carson and Carl Banks backed up by an LB sized safety...what MADE the D was they had LT as an edge rusher..what he did was create enough fear off the edge that teams would try to counter by attacking the A and B gaps.As everyone who ever watched can attest,it's very difficult to even find A play that Carson didn't cover inside...and you couldn't run away from him because Banks was just as efficient...that's how LT became a star...constant third and longs...if BB had LT today he'd be no better than Crable BUT a Carson?...a Banks? a 220 pound safety? We have none of this right now...Spikes has the talent but he's a rook..Mayo has a pretty good understanding but lacks that edge presence to be able to dominate the gaps which is what his primary responsibility is in this defense. What's missing? #1 is Seymour...#2 is Banta Cain or whoever from the edge is nowhere near the threat an LT is...#3 is that punishing safety.My opinion is the Pats need a stud at DT along with Wilfork to make the inside LB's job easier.There is no lesser version LT on this team and Banta Cain certainly doesn't fit that description despite his sack total last season. What I'm driving at is it looks like the Pats, defensively are focused on doing enough so the offense can be the major force in games.As time goes by I would expect the defense to more efficient and the young corners to provide the neccesary playmaking to suit this "bend don't break" defensive philosophy>Seems that defensive integrit only gets you so far in today's NFL, as the NO offense proved last season versus the equally weak Indy D.

 

[Off The Grid]

Very helpful. But is it twice as good or twice as bad?

Yes.

And why would one choose one over the other?

In order to double production, naturally.

Of course, it does cut your efficiency in half.

Have you ever put your glasses on backwards, and walked into yourself?

Very embarrassing.

 

[Patspsycho]

In a nutshell, one gap is going to the play, sometimes before it even develops. Two gap is waiting for the play to come to you.

The benefit of one-gapping is that you can get a significant loss, but then again, you can give up a significant gain because you got caught in overpursuit.

The benefit of two-gapping is you know pretty much what is happening because you waited for the play to unfold, so the possibility of a big gain is much lower, but then again the play will almost always advance for a small to medium gain, because they had the time to do so.

A successful two gapping defense will always mix in the occasional one-gap play to keep things off balance.

 

[bucky]

read and react..any scheme

Funny that you say that because that's exactly NOT what 1-gap typically is. 2-gap is precisely read and react. 1-gap is more of a "shoot now ask question later" type of defense.

 

[Patjew]

In a nutshell, one gap is going to the play, sometimes before it even develops. Two gap is waiting for the play to come to you.

The benefit of one-gapping is that you can get a significant loss, but then again, you can give up a significant gain because you got caught in overpursuit.

The benefit of two-gapping is you know pretty much what is happening because you waited for the play to unfold, so the possibility of a big gain is much lower, but then again the play will almost always advance for a small to medium gain, because they had the time to do so.

A successful two gapping defense will always mix in the occasional one-gap play to keep things off balance.

Got it, thanks.

 

[Phokus]

In a nutshell, one gap is going to the play, sometimes before it even develops. Two gap is waiting for the play to come to you.

The benefit of one-gapping is that you can get a significant loss, but then again, you can give up a significant gain because you got caught in overpursuit.

The benefit of two-gapping is you know pretty much what is happening because you waited for the play to unfold, so the possibility of a big gain is much lower, but then again the play will almost always advance for a small to medium gain, because they had the time to do so.

A successful two gapping defense will always mix in the occasional one-gap play to keep things off balance.

I'm wondering why you would ever 2 gap during a passing situation.

 

[Patspsycho]

I'm wondering why you would ever 2 gap during a passing situation.

One or two gapping doesn't apply to the backfield, only to the box.

The danger in one-gapping on a pass play is that you stand to leave too many players in overpursuit and leave the backfield depleted. The chance of a big completion is pretty high.

In a two-gap, you have enough players in the backfield to swarm towards the receiver, and while you will almost certainly give up the short gain, the swarm concept should cut off the long play because there is more than enough time to get to the spot of the pass and deny it.

 

[ALP]

I'm wondering why you would ever 2 gap during a passing situation.

umm, good point, anyone have an answer?

 

[shirtsleeve]

Got it, thanks.

Hi Pj. Here is another explanation of a two gap 3-4 defensive alignment. Pretty well explained, with pictures....
Football 101: Defensive Line Alignments

 

[Patjew]

Hi Pj. Here is another explanation of a two gap 3-4 defensive alignment. Pretty well explained, with pictures....
Football 101: Defensive Line Alignments

Thanks shirt. So reviewing this and the other replies to this thread, what I understand is that in a one-gap defense, the DL and LBs attempt to penetrate pre-determined gaps. With the two-gap D, they wait to see what is happening and then penetrate the appropriate gap based upon their and their teammates' responsibility. The one-gap seems to rely upon athleticism whereas the two-gap seems far more complex.

 

[shirtsleeve]

Thanks shirt. So reviewing this and the other replies to this thread, what I understand is that in a one-gap defense, the DL and LBs attempt to penetrate pre-determined gaps. With the two-gap D, they wait to see what is happening and then penetrate the appropriate gap based upon their and their teammates' responsibility. The one-gap seems to rely upon athleticism whereas the two-gap seems far more complex.

Ummm...kinda. In a two gap, the LB's could have a predetermined gap as well, perhaps even the SS if he is in Force/flat responsibilities or blitzing. The gap responsibilities pertain more to the D linemen, although they could pertain to the LBs as well...but that is where it gets complicated.

Look at the diagram on that link. The responsibility for two gaps falls to the NG, and DT's. See the arrows?

But yes, a two gap alignment has more schemes available to it and can be far more complex. Romeo had that D dialed up big time in the championship years. Since Ratgina left, something has been missing in the translation to these transplants and younger players.

Additionally a strong DE/OLB hybrid to rush and set the edge seems missing. And since Rodney left, the big SS to thump the middle is another void to be filled.
Kinda makes me wonder why the team doesn't one gap more, to take advantage of the young kids' athleticism and speed, while they digest the complexities of the two gap system. Just a meandering thought.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Ummm...kinda. In a two gap, the LB's could have a predetermined gap as well, perhaps even the SS if he is in Force/flat responsibilities or blitzing. The gap responsibilities pertain more to the D linemen, although they could pertain to the LBs as well...but that is where it gets complicated.

Look at the diagram on that link. The responsibility for two gaps falls to the NG, and DT's. See the arrows?

But yes, a two gap alignment has more schemes available to it and can be far more complex. Romeo had that D dialed up big time in the championship years. Since Ratgina left, something has been missing in the translation to these transplants and younger players.

Additionally a strong DE/OLB hybrid to rush and set the edge seems missing. And since Rodney left, the big SS to thump the middle is another void to be filled.
Kinda makes me wonder why the team doesn't one gap more, to take advantage of the young kids' athleticism and speed, while they digest the complexities of the two gap system. Just a meandering thought.

Who was that masked man?