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Systems/3-5-3 (Odd Stack)/Okie Stack
FrontBest for: Base down6U+ · Basic

Okie Stack

Stacks the three inside backers directly behind the down linemen to disguise gaps.

Concept: Backers stack over the nose and ends so blockers cannot identify the rusher pre-snap.

Age version
ENEBBBBBCSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
12U — Full call: 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. 6UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
  2. 8UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
  3. 10UAdd coverage: Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass.
  4. 12UFull call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.

Every position's job

NG

Two-gap the center in a 0-technique; occupy the center so the stacked Mike is free.

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

4i/5-technique on the strong tackle, occupy the blocker to free the stacked Sam.

Coach it with
Hawk / Rugby Tackle Fit WR Stalk Block TE Seal and Arc Block
DE (weak)

4i/5-technique on the weak tackle, occupy the blocker to free the stacked Will.

Coach it with
Hawk / Rugby Tackle Fit WR Stalk Block TE Seal and Arc Block
Mike

Stack directly behind the nose, disguised, and scrape to any A-gap.

Coach it with
Scrape & Fill Over the Top DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle
Sam

Stack directly behind the strong end, disguised, and fill strong or drop.

Coach it with
LB Downhill Fill Scrape & Fill Over the Top Zone Drop & Pattern Read
Will

Stack directly behind the weak end, disguised, and fill weak or drop.

Coach it with
LB Downhill Fill Scrape & Fill Over the Top Zone Drop & Pattern Read
Star

Hybrid to the strong edge, set the D-gap or roll to the flat.

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

Hybrid to the weak edge, set the D-gap or roll to the flat.

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

  • 1The three inside backers stack directly behind the linemen so blockers can't ID the rusher pre-snap.
  • 2Disguise is the point — hold the stack until the snap to confuse blocking rules.
  • 3Linemen occupy blockers so the stacked backers come free.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Backers declaring their gap early and tipping the look; fix by holding the stack disguise.
  • !Linemen getting reached and letting blockers climb to the backers; fix with hands-inside occupy technique.
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