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Systems/4-3 Defense/Line Pinch
StuntBest for: Run down10U+ · Core

Line Pinch

Both tackles pinch into the A-gaps to clog the interior run.

Concept: Tackles slant off the guards' inside shoulders into the A-gaps while ends hold contain.

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

Slant off the weak guard's inside shoulder into 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)

Slant off the strong guard's inside shoulder into the strong A-gap.

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

Hold the strong edge and contain.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner Field Goal / PAT Operation
DE (weak)

Hold the weak edge and contain.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner Field Goal / PAT Operation
Mike

Fill downhill over the top, meet the ball in the A-gap area.

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

Scrape to the strong edge/C-gap or hold the tight-end side.

Coach it with
Scrape & Fill Over the Top DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle
Will

Scrape to the weak edge/C-gap, guard the cutback.

Coach it with
Scrape & Fill Over the Top DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle
SS

Support the strong run edge.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
FS

Deep-middle center field.

CB (strong)

Cover strong receiver, force ball inside.

CB (weak)

Cover weak receiver, contain backside.

Coach it with
Scoop / Cutoff Block

How to teach it

  • 1Both tackles pinch off the guards' inside shoulders into the A-gaps to clog the interior.
  • 2Ends hold contain since the tackles are now attacking inside.
  • 3Backers scrape over the top to cover the B/C gaps the tackles vacate.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Tackles pinching soft and getting logged; fix by ripping through with penetration.
  • !Ends crashing inside with the tackles and losing the edge; fix by staying disciplined on contain.
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