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Systems/4-3 Defense/Double A-Gap Blitz
BlitzBest for: Passing down12U+ · Advanced

Double A-Gap Blitz

Mike and Will blitz both A-gaps for heavy interior pressure.

Concept: Both backers fire the A-gaps while safeties rotate to the middle and ends contain the edges.

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 both A-gap blitzers stay free.

Coach it with
Blitz Timing & Path DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction
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 the strong A-gap downhill at the QB.

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

Cover the strong hook/curl or the tight end.

Will

Blitz the weak A-gap downhill at the QB.

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 fire both A-gaps; the nose holds the center so one always comes free.
  • 2Safeties rotate to the middle to cover the underneath zones the backers vacate.
  • 3Ends contain the edges so the QB can't escape the interior pressure.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Both backers hitting the same side of the center; fix by declaring left and right A-gaps clearly.
  • !Safeties late rotating and leaving the middle open; fix by rolling to the middle on the snap.
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