Nose-End Twist
Twists the nose and an end so one penetrates and the other loops.
Concept: End crashes the A-gap first, then the nose loops behind to the B-gap for a clean rush.
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 movement: Add the line stunt/twist to beat the offense's blocking rules. 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
Loop behind the crashing end into the B-gap for a clean rush.
Crash the A-gap first as the penetrator to occupy the blockers.
Hold your B/C-gap as backside contain.
Fill the interior gap and account for the run behind the twist.
Set the strong edge and scrape to the ball.
Set the strong D-gap edge or cover the flat.
Set the weak D-gap edge or cover the flat.
Cover the strong receiver, man or deep third.
Cover the weak receiver, man or deep third.
Single-high deep middle over the top.
How to teach it
- 1The end crashes the A-gap first as the penetrator, then the nose loops behind to the B-gap.
- 2Timing: the nose (looper) waits a beat for the end (penetrator) to clear the blockers.
- 3The twist scrambles the interior blocking rules for a clean rush.
Common mistakes to fix
- !The nose looping too early and colliding with the penetrating end; fix by rehearsing the timing.
- !The penetrator not occupying blockers; fix by having him attack the A-gap hard.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.