In American football, “Stack and Shed” is a fundamental technique. Players use this technique—primarily defensive linemen and linebackers—to stop the run. It is a two-part process that requires strength, hand placement, and timing.
The Two Phases
1. The Stack
The defender engages the offensive blocker head-on.
- Hand Placement: The defender strikes the blocker’s chest plate with locked arms.
- Control: By “stacking” the blocker, the defender holds their ground (maintaining their “gap”) and prevents the blocker from moving up to the next level to hit a linebacker.
- Vision: While engaged, the defender keeps their eyes in the backfield to track the ball carrier.
2. The Shed
Once the ball carrier chooses a lane and gets close, the defender disengages.
- Disengaging: The defender uses their hands to “shed” (push or throw) the blocker to one side.
- The Tackle: With the blocker out of the way, the defender is free to move into the gap and tackle the runner.
Why It’s Important
- Gap Integrity: It ensures that every “hole” in the offensive line is accounted for by a defender.
- Leverage: If a defender can stack a blocker, they aren’t being pushed backward, which keeps the line of scrimmage from collapsing.
- Protection: By stacking, linemen “eat up” blocks, allowing linebackers to stay “clean” and run to the ball freely.
Real-World Example
Imagine a Defensive Tackle facing an Offensive Guard on an inside run:
- The Stack: As the ball is snapped, the Tackle blasts his hands into the Guard’s chest, stopping the Guard’s momentum cold.
- The Read: The Tackle sees the Running Back darting toward the “A-gap” (the space between the Center and Guard).
- The Shed: The Tackle violently shoves the Guard to the left and steps into the A-gap.
- The Result: The Tackle meets the Running Back at the line of scrimmage for no gain.