Systems/3-4 Defense/Cover 0 Blitz
CoverageBest for: Passing down10U+ · Core

Cover 0 Blitz

Plays pure man with no deep safety to add an extra rusher.

Concept: Every eligible receiver is manned up so the free safety can blitz off the edge.

Age version
ENEBBBBCSSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
14UAdd pressure: Layer in the called blitz — one timed gap-shooter on the snap. Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass. Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.
Play movement — schematic, not to scale

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.

  1. 10UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
  2. 12UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
  3. 14UAdd pressure: Layer in the called blitz — one timed gap-shooter on the snap. Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass. Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.

Every position's job

NG

0-technique, rush the A-gap fast, no deep help.

DE (strong)

Contain rush the strong edge.

DE (weak)

Contain rush the weak edge.

Sam

Man the tight end or blitz the edge.

Will

Man a back or blitz.

ILB

Man a back or blitz.

SS

Man the slot or tight end with no deep help.

FS

Blitz off the edge since no deep safety is needed.

CB (strong)

Press man the strong receiver with no help.

CB (weak)

Press man the weak receiver with no help.

How to teach it

  • 1Pure man with no deep safety, so the free safety blitzes off the edge as the extra rusher.
  • 2Corners press and mirror because they have zero deep help.
  • 3The rush must get home fast since there is no safety over the top.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Corners giving cushion and getting beaten deep; fix by pressing and disrupting the release.
  • !Rush lanes overlapping and letting the QB escape; fix by keeping edge contain disciplined.

Build this into your call sheet.

Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.