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Systems/4-3 Defense/Corner Fire
BlitzBest for: Passing down10U+ · Core

Corner Fire

A cornerback blitzes off the edge from press alignment.

Concept: The corner times the snap off the receiver's release while a safety rotates over the top to his man.

Age version
ETTESMWCSSC
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

1-technique, rush the weak A-gap.

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

3-technique, rush the strong B-gap.

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

Contain or squeeze depending on the blitz side.

Coach it with
Blitz Timing & Path RB Blitz Pickup
DE (weak)

Contain the weak edge.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
Mike

Cover the middle hook or man the back.

Sam

Cover the strong hook/curl or tight end.

Will

Cover the weak hook/curl.

SS

Rotate over the top to cover the blitzing corner's receiver.

Coach it with
Blitz Timing & Path RB Blitz Pickup
FS

Rotate to deep help or single-high behind the blitz.

Coach it with
Blitz Timing & Path RB Blitz Pickup
CB (strong)

Fire off the edge from press timing the receiver's release, keep outside contain.

Coach it with
Press Jam & Bail WR Route Running Stems WR Release Off the Line
CB (weak)

Cover the weak receiver in man.

How to teach it

  • 1The corner times the snap off the receiver's release and rushes the edge before the tackle can react.
  • 2A safety rotates over the top to cover the receiver the corner abandoned.
  • 3The corner keeps outside leverage as the contain rusher.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Corner firing too early and getting read or flagged; fix by timing off the receiver's release.
  • !Safety late to rotate and leaving the receiver open; fix by rolling to that man on the snap.
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