Is "Gap, on, down (GOD)" block better than "Severe Angle Lock (SAB)" for youth soccer?

This topic gets a lot of attention on soccer coaching forums and soccer drill related sites. There is a lot of debate about which lockout system is preferable for youngsters playing soccer. I have my opinion

Both systems contain basic “principles” or “rules” that must be followed to ensure the EFFECTIVENESS of the system. Therefore, either of the two systems can be used. The problem becomes one of implementation: practice time with the required techniques, coach preference, what the kids you have on your team can do. Let’s talk about these issues.

Practice time and techniques required

GOD – Gap, On, Down

This system focuses more on “what you do to whom in a specific place” rather than the details of “technique”. This is a big difference when you consider practice time. In the GOD system, an offensive lineman literally asks himself, “What is the position of the defensive lineman or linebacker to know where/who to block?” So, you may be wondering what is Gap, On, Down. I’ll explain.

Inner Gap Defender

First we ask our offensive lineman to FIRST see if he has a defender lined up in “inside space”, within 1 yard of line of scrimmage, to his spot on the offensive line. If he does, he should block it off the snap, of course, emphasizing the first two quick steps and ducking. If he doesn’t have a defender lined up in the “inner space”, he simply goes to the SECOND blocking rule.

in defender

If no defender lines up “inside space”, then go to your SECOND rule: Is the defender lined up “over/over” me, within 1 yard of scrimmage? If so, then the offensive lineman should block it after the snap. If he doesn’t have a defender lined up “over/over” him, he simply goes to the THIRD blocking rule.

Defender inside the line

If no defender lines up over/over him, then he goes to his THIRD rule: I must look for the defender located inside the line, either over/over my offensive neighbor OR in a space INSIDE my offensive neighbor. I HELP my neighbor block it! This is a double team block ALWAYS!

What we NEVER have as a rule

Our offensive linemen are never looking to block a defender lined up outside their body. In other words, we NEVER ask our offensive linemen to “reach” for the block. This is a very difficult block to execute. We have our backs in the backfield to handle these more “athletic” blocks. At most, a shooting guard may be asked to execute a “reach” or “kick” block, but never any other offensive lineman. This is because we know our pull guard can execute this lock.

Also, our offensive linemen never go to the “second tier” to block linebackers, except for our shooting guard. Linebackers are more athletic, and linemen have a hard time getting to “on the go” linebackers who are often 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage.

Linebackers blitzed and the double “down” team block

I should explain that defensive teams blitz – oh, surprise! So how would you handle this with GOD’s blocking scheme where a linebacker could “pierce” your offensive line in a blitz attack? This is what we teach. If an offensive lineman is simply running a “one-on-one” ON or SPACE screen, they would NEVER come off that screen to “catch” the blitz-carrying linebacker; this would free up their defensive lineman, not good! So the only situation where we “get” a blitzed linebacker is in a “double team” block. Which one “catch” the linebacker? ALWAYS the double team inside lineman and ONLY if the linebacker charges to the INSIDE of this double team block; if he blitzes to the outside, trying to fight for our offensive line, we’ll have one of our defenders, by game design, blocking him in the alley/funnel! Obviously, you’ll need to work on this recognition with your offensive linemen who run double-team blocks so they know that ONLY the “inside blocker” breaks free to block a hard-charging linebacker when he tries to hard-drive into space. Again, this is all about practice, practice, practice!

GOD Summary

Now you may be thinking, “how is my offensive line really going to know who to block?” in a real defensive front situation. Well, like anything else in soccer, you have to practice things over and over again. Specifically, the best tactic is to show your offensive line the most common and likely defensive fronts they’ll see in games, including potential linebacker attacks. Put them into practice for them; talk about the front, ask them who they would block on each front, have them walk to each person they would block, then run across it at half speed, then full speed. Do this for every defensive front they are likely to see. Make sure they really get it! Of course, you’ll also check for proper blocking fundamentals: cadence burst/snap, quick feet, pulling off guard correctly, and staying low. The rules of GOD are really simple and the specific “play tags/line calls” take just 1 week to install no matter which offensive system you choose to run.