Wide 3-5
Widens the ends to 5-techniques to defend the edges against spread sets.
Concept: Ends control the C-gaps outside the tackles while stacked backers handle the interior.
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.
- 6UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
- 8UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
- 10UAdd coverage: Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass.
- 12UFull call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.
Every position's job
Two-gap the center in a 0-technique and hold both A-gaps.
Align in a 5-technique outside the strong tackle to control the strong C-gap.
Align in a 5-technique outside the weak tackle to control the weak C-gap.
Stack behind the nose and fill the interior A/B gaps.
Handle the strong interior B-gap since the ends are widened to the C.
Handle the weak interior B-gap.
Hybrid to the strong edge/slot, set the D-gap or cover the slot receiver.
Hybrid to the weak edge/slot, set the D-gap or cover the slot receiver.
Cover the widest strong receiver against the spread set.
Cover the widest weak receiver.
Single-high deep middle over the top.
How to teach it
- 1Ends widen to 5-techniques to control the C-gaps and defend the edges against spread sets.
- 2The stacked backers handle the interior gaps since the ends are outside.
- 3Hybrids widen with the formation to cover slots and set the edge.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Ends widening so much the B-gap opens for a run; fix by having backers fill the interior fast.
- !Hybrids getting outleveraged by wide slots; fix by aligning them with proper width to the receiver.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.