Defensive line positioning Line positioning is described by numbers, from 0 to 9. Even numbers are face to face with offensive players, odd numbers are to the side (on the shoulder) of opposing players. If a defensive lineman is face to face with an offensive center, he is said to be in a 0 technique.

Basically to understand where a defensive player is lined up you are going to hear either… An Even Number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) – This will mean the defensive player is going to be ‘heads-up’ on the offensive player. An Odd Number (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) – This will mean the defensive player is going to be ‘on the outside shoulder’ offensive player.

The defensive techniques & alignments that are often played when playing man control are 0, 2, 4, and 6 techniques. When the defensive line (also known as d line), plays two gaps, they are often responsible for stopping the offense’s running game.