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Systems/4-3 Defense/Cross Dog Blitz
BlitzBest for: Passing down12U+ · Advanced

Cross Dog Blitz

Mike and Will blitz while crossing faces to beat man protection.

Concept: The two inside backers cross through opposite A-gaps to confuse the interior blocking rules.

Age version
ETTESMWCSSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
14U — Attack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage. 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. 12UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
  2. 14UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage. 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 the crossing backers beat man protection.

Coach it with
RB Blitz Pickup
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 the strong edge.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
DE (weak)

Contain the weak edge.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
Mike

Blitz through the opposite A-gap, crossing behind Will.

Coach it with
Blitz Timing & Path DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle
Sam

Cover the strong hook/curl or tight end.

Will

Blitz through the opposite A-gap, crossing behind Mike.

Coach it with
Blitz Timing & Path DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle
SS

Rotate to the middle to cover vacated hooks.

FS

Deep-middle center field or single-high.

CB (strong)

Cover strong receiver in man.

CB (weak)

Cover weak receiver in man.

How to teach it

  • 1Mike and Will cross faces through opposite A-gaps to confuse the interior blocking rules.
  • 2One backer goes first as the pick, the other times tight behind so blockers collide.
  • 3Attack tight A-gap to A-gap so the cross is quick, not wide.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Backers running into each other; fix by staggering who goes first.
  • !Crossing too wide and getting picked up; fix by attacking tight through the A-gaps.
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