Defensive tackle

These may include merely holding the point of attack by refusing to be moved, or penetrating a certain gap between offensive linemen to break up a play in the opponent's backfield.

"[3] Typical 3–4 nose tackles are "big wide bodies who can hold the point of attack and force double teams by the guard and center".

[3] Recent examples of such nose tackles include Gilbert Brown, Jamal Williams, Vince Wilfork, and Damon Harrison.

Some teams, especially in the National Football League, have a nose tackle in the 4–3 defense, who lines up against the opposing center and very likely the weak-side or pulling guard.

In a 4–3 defense, nose tackles are rather quick and supposed to "shoot the 'A gap' and beat the center and very likely the weak-side or pulling guard into the backfield.

In run away, the nose tackle's job is to shed the blocker and pursue down the line of scrimmage, taking an angle of pursuit.

The primary responsibility of the nose tackle in this scheme is to absorb multiple blockers so that other players in the defensive front can attack ball carriers and rush the quarterback.

[7] Notable examples of prototypical 3-tech tackles in the NFL include Geno Atkins, Sharrif Floyd, Tyrone Crawford, Kyle Williams, Ndamukong Suh, Aaron Donald, and Ed Oliver.