Sam Fire
Sends the strong-side outside backer off the edge over the tight end.
Concept: Sam rushes the strong C-gap outside contain while the end squeezes inside him.
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.
- 10UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
- 12UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
- 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
0-technique, two-gap the center.
Squeeze inside the Sam, take the B-gap as Sam rushes outside.
Rush the strong C-gap off the edge over the tight end, keep outside contain.
Set the weak edge, contain backside.
Fill inside or cover the strong hook.
Fill the open A-gap, cover the middle.
Rotate down to cover the strong flat/curl the Sam vacated.
Deep-middle center field or rotate behind the blitz.
Cover strong receiver in man.
Cover weak receiver in man.
How to teach it
- 1Sam rushes the strong C-gap off the edge over the tight end as the outside contain player.
- 2The strong end squeezes inside Sam to take the B-gap since Sam has the edge.
- 3Sam keeps outside leverage and never lets the ball outside him.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Sam rushing inside the tight end and losing contain; fix by attacking the tight end's outside shoulder.
- !End not squeezing inside and leaving a B-gap hole; fix by the end closing inside as Sam takes the edge.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.