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Systems/4-3 Defense/End-Tackle Twist (ETX)
StuntBest for: Run down10U+ · Core

End-Tackle Twist (ETX)

An end and tackle exchange with the end crashing first and tackle looping out.

Concept: The end crashes inside to the B-gap while the tackle loops around to the vacated C-gap edge.

Age version
ETTESMWCSSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
14U — Add movement: Add the line stunt/twist to beat the offense's blocking rules. 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 movement: Add the line stunt/twist to beat the offense's blocking rules. 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, occupy the center and 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)

Loop around to the vacated C-gap edge after the end crashes.

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

Crash inside to the strong B-gap first as the pick.

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

Contain the weak edge.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
Mike

Read guards and fill inside, ready for the twist.

Coach it with
LB Read Keys and Shuffle LB Downhill Fill Team Skelly Pass Period
Sam

Set the strong edge or drop to hook depending on the call.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner Zone Drop & Pattern Read QB Stance and Footwork
Will

Fill the weak gap and check cutback.

Coach it with
LB Downhill Fill Scrape & Fill Over the Top Team Inside Run Period
SS

Support the run/pass strong side.

FS

Deep-middle center field.

CB (strong)

Cover strong receiver.

CB (weak)

Cover weak receiver.

How to teach it

  • 1ETX: the end crashes inside to the B-gap first, then the tackle loops around to the vacated C-gap edge.
  • 2The end's crash picks the tackle so the looping tackle comes free off the edge.
  • 3The tackle loops tight and fast to win the contain rush.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Tackle looping wide and losing contain; fix by looping tight off the end's crash.
  • !End not crashing hard enough to pick the blocker; fix by attacking the B-gap first with penetration.
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