The Over Front is one of the most common and effective defensive fronts in youth and high school football. It’s simple to teach, strong against the run, and flexible enough to handle multiple offensive looks.
Whether you’re a first-year coach or just looking to solidify your base defense, this guide will help you install the Over Front step-by-step.
What Is the Over Front?
The Over Front is a 4-down, single-gap control defense where the defensive line shifts to the strength of the offensive formation—typically the tight end side.
Here are the alignments in the over front:
- The 3-technique defensive tackle always goes to the strong side (outside shoulder of the guard)
- The 1-technique to the weak side (shaded on the center)
- The two 5-technique defensive ends line up outside of each offensive tackle (or adjusted vs tight ends)
This setup allows every defensive lineman to control a single gap, making it easier for players to learn their assignment and play fast.
Defensive Line Responsibilities
A single gap control front means that each player is responsible for a certain gap. If a player loses their responsibility or does not fit their gap, then there’s a good chance the offense will gain positive yards. This is the key component in understanding run fits.
If there is a tight end, the defensive line will align in their normal 5, 3, 1, 5 techniques.
Here’s how you’ll align the defensive line in the Over Front with a tight end:
- Strongside DE (5 or 6-tech): Contains the edge. If there’s a tight end, many coaches move this DE to a 6-technique (head-up on the TE) and teach him to get hands on the TE no matter what.
- 3-technique DT: Lines up on the outside shoulder of the strongside guard. Controls the B-gap.
- 1-technique DT: Shaded weak side of the center. Controls the backside A-gap.
- Weakside DE (5-tech): Outside shoulder of the tackle. Sets the edge and protects the backside.
This is a gap-control defense, so every lineman is responsible for the gap they’re lined up in.
What If There Is No Strong Side?
If the offense doesn’t give you a clear formation strength (no TE or even formations), many coaches align the 3-technique opposite the running back. This helps disrupt gap scheme runs to the strong side. Just be prepared for zone runs to cut back to the open B-gap bubble.
Linebacker Fit and Alignment
In the Over Front, the linebackers clean up what the D-line doesn’t cover. Their alignment and gap fits should stay simple:
- Mike LB: Aligns in a 10 (head-up over the center), fitting the open A-gap or working off the Nose’s movement.
- Will LB: Aligns in a 30 (outside shade of the guard or tackle), fitting the open B-gap or backside C-gap.
Teach your LBs to read the triangle (guards to backfield), flow fast, and plug downhill. Every gap is accounted for between the DL and LB core.
How to Handle Different Looks
Teams will test your Over Front by aligning in different formations or moving their tight end around. Here are some basic coaching points:
Playing Against a Tight End
Move the strongside DE to a 6-technique (head-up on the TE). From there:
- If the TE blocks down, the DE should ride him down and either spill or box the kick-out block that follows.
- If the TE tries to reach him, the DE fights upfield and stretches the edge, not allowing the ball outside.
Dealing with H-Backs and Gap Scheme
If teams always run power or counter to the tight end or H-back, align your DEs wider to create a natural edge. This helps your defense spill or box the play outside, forcing it back inside.
The over front is commonly run in a 4-3 defense.
Variations: Installing The G Front
A popular variation of the Over Front is called the G Front. The main difference? The Nose tackle moves from a 1-technique to a 2i (inside shoulder of the guard).
Why Make This Change?
- It forces the center to move off his line to help double-team the Nose.
- It changes the blocking angle for inside zone, making it harder for the center to reach the point of attack.
- It frees up your linebacker behind the Nose, especially in 4-1 box defenses where that LB may need to play two gaps.
It’s a subtle change but can disrupt the offense’s run game without changing your personnel.
Learn What Hurts The Over Front & Variations
The Over Front is one of the best foundational defenses you can install at the youth and high school level. It teaches players:
- Gap discipline
- Team run fits
- Responsibility over complexity
Start with base rules, alignments, and assignments. Then layer in adjustments like the G Front, strength calls, and TE techniques.
If you want to learn more about the over front, such as ways it can be exposed and how offenses attack it, check out vIQtory Pro below. We break down everything you need to install and effectively run the over front.
Make Your Off-Season Count
As a coach myself, I understand the struggle of trying to run the right scheme or teaching the proper technique. This is why we built vIQtory Pro to help coaches like you have a one-stop-shop for everything coaching. Let’s get started!
