The Tite Front is a three down defensive line alignment created with a 0 Nose (Head Up on the Center) and two 4i Defensive Ends (Inside Shade on the Offensive Tackle). The Tite Front has taken the football world by storm because it allows defenses to close down interior gaps and force the ball to the edges. It also creates muddier reads for the Quarterback in any sort of Zone Read scenario because there is not an immediate C-Gap Defender. Back in 2013 Oregon Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti would Align in a Tite Front, but Roam the Nose 3-4 yards off the Line of Scrimmage.
Nose & Will Linebacker are responsible for A-Gaps
The Nose can Spike Frontside or Backside A, Will LB will “Make him right” by taking over the opposite A-Gap.
4i’s play through the Shoulder of the Tackle for the B-Gaps
Overhang Defenders are responsible for the C-Gaps
In the traditional Tite Front with the Nose Zeroed on the Center it is presented as a “Two-Gap” Technique, but ultimately the Nose will often fall to Backside A-Gap and the LB will Takeover the Frontside A-Gap. One drawback of the Tite Front is the possibility of the Nose being reached by the Backside Guard on any type of Wide Zone or Outside Zone Play. When the Nose is off, it makes reach blocks much more difficult and also gives the Nose the capability of declaring his gap with momentum. If you’re experimenting with the Tite Front, this is a nice little wrinkle to add in!
