Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Gaps All is a run stop front out of the 5-3 Goal Line Defense that fires all seven defensive linemen and linebackers straight downhill at the snap, as shown by the uniform red arrows crashing through every gap along the line. There is no coverage assignment shown for the two X defenders and two circled defenders behind the line, meaning this call is built purely to stuff interior and off tackle runs before they develop. This is a run play with no pass rush plan attached, so the primary read is simply gap integrity: every defender fills their assigned gap immediately and attacks the mesh point.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check if the offense is under center in a tight run heavy formation since this call has zero answer for spread sets or empty backfields. This front dominates dive, iso, and power runs between the tackles because every gap is accounted for the instant the ball is snapped. Watch for jet sweeps or outside tosses since the aggressive downhill flow can be sealed by a lead blocker on the edge before defenders redirect. If the offense shows play action or a passing formation, get out of this call entirely since none of the seven fitted defenders have coverage responsibility. Post-snap, track your linebackers filling their designated gap quickly since any hesitation creates a crease for cutback runs against this all out run stop design.
Usage Tips
Only call Gaps All on short yardage or goal line run situations, ideally 3rd or 4th down with 2 yards or less to gain.
Use pre-snap formation recognition to confirm the offense is in a heavy run personnel like goal line or short yardage package before committing to this call.
Combine this with Gaps All LB and Gaps B in the same set so the offense cannot key on which gaps are being sold each snap.
Avoid using this against shotgun spread or empty backfield formations since the lack of coverage behind the line gets exposed instantly on any play action or quick pass.
User the middle linebacker at the snap to help fill the play side gap since the AI fill can be late against misdirection runs like counters or tosses.
