Double-A-Gap Pressure

Few defensive looks stress protection schemes like double-A-gap pressure fronts. That’s because the most dangerous pressure to an offense is the type that comes up the middle in the quarterback’s face. So the offense must protect the inside at all costs.

This makes the threat of pass rushers attacking both sides of the center such a problem. It forces the offense’s hand, makes the protection more predictable, and creates opportunities for the defense.

Mike Zimmer is considered by some to be the “Godfather” of double-A-gap pressure schemes. Below are a couple of great examples from his final season in Minnesota showing how these schemes can generate pressure.

On this first play, notice the linebackers aligned in the gaps on both sides of the center (the double-A-gap pressure look):

In response, the Bengals set their protection as illustrated below:

This was a five-man slide, allowing the offensive line to protect inside against the two linebackers in the A-gaps and prevent pressure up the middle (a common protection to combat this look). The problem was that this left Minnesota’s best pass rusher, defensive end Danielle Hunter, isolated on a tight end: