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Systems/3-5-3 (Odd Stack)/Mike Blitz
BlitzBest for: Passing down10U+ · Core

Mike Blitz

Sends the middle stacked backer straight through an A-gap.

Concept: Mike shoots the open A-gap on the snap while the nose occupies the center.

Age version
ENEBBBBBCSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
14U — Add 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

Occupy the center so Mike shoots the open A-gap clean.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
DE (strong)

Hold the strong B/C-gap and occupy the blocker.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
DE (weak)

Hold the weak B/C-gap and occupy the blocker.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
Mike

Shoot the open A-gap on the snap straight downhill.

Coach it with
DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle LB Downhill Fill
Sam

Cover the strong hook or the back since Mike is blitzing.

Coach it with
Blitz Timing & Path RB Blitz Pickup
Will

Cover the weak hook or the back, replacing Mike underneath.

Star

Set the strong edge or cover the flat.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
Spur

Set the weak edge or cover the flat.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
CB (strong)

Cover the strong receiver man or deep third.

CB (weak)

Cover the weak receiver man or deep third.

FS

Single-high deep middle over the top.

How to teach it

  • 1Mike shoots the open A-gap on the snap while the nose occupies the center.
  • 2Read the center's block to pick the free A-gap.
  • 3Sam or Will must replace Mike's middle hook underneath.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Mike blitzing into the center's block instead of the open gap; fix by drilling the center read.
  • !Middle hook left open; fix by rotating a backer to replace Mike.
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