Bear Front
Covers both guards and the center to jam every interior gap on short yardage.
Concept: Nose on the center with ends in 3-techniques covers all three interior linemen for a goal-line push.
Grows with your players
Same play, more layers as they age up — teach it once and build on it every season for a consistent program.
- 6UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
- 8UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
- 10UAdd coverage: Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass.
- 12UFull call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.
Every position's job
Head-up the center, jam the A-gaps and win the interior push low.
Play a 3-technique on the strong guard, cover him and jam the B-gap.
Play a 3-technique on the weak guard, cover him and jam the B-gap.
Set the strong edge, hold the C-gap.
Set the weak edge, hold the C-gap.
Fill downhill over the top, plug cutbacks.
Fill downhill over the top, plug cutbacks.
Deep-middle center field or fill the alley.
How to teach it
- 1Bear covers both guards and the center to jam all three interior linemen for a goal-line push.
- 2Every interior lineman is covered so no one can climb to the backers.
- 3Fire low and win the surge to stuff inside runs on short yardage.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Interior linemen playing high and getting moved; fix by firing low with leverage.
- !Edges left soft and the ball bouncing outside; fix by outside backers holding the C-gaps.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.