Technique has to do with where the player lines up. A 0-technique, for instance, is lined up nose to nose with the center of the opposing team. You just move out from there, the higher the number goes. 1-technique mans the A-gap, 2-technique lines up against the guard, 3-technique lines up at the outside shoulder of the guard (B-gap) etc.
1 or 2 gap generally refers to how many gaps the D-lineman is supposed to be playing. Between the center and guards you have the A gaps, between the guards and tackles the B gaps and, potentially, between the tackle and TE the C gaps.
For instance, a NT in a 3-4 is often lined up at the 0-technique, playing 2 gap (both A gaps). Let's say, a Ryan Pickett or BJ Raji in our 3-4.
In our 4-3, we had Pickett playing 1-technique, (with, which I asume) a 1 gap assignment and Corey Williams at 3-technique, assigned to a B-gap.
I'm not sure if it's always that rigid, but that's by my understanding. Hope it actually clears something up, because that text got a little more cluttered than I though. :p
Originally Posted by: Rockmolder