Seven Point LeadSeven Point Lead
Systems/4-4 Defense (44 Stack)/Bear Front Short Yardage
SpecialBest for: Short yardage14U+ · Advanced

Bear Front Short Yardage

Bear-style alignment covering every interior lineman on short-yardage downs.

Concept: Nose covers the center and tackles cover both guards so no interior blocker can climb to linebackers.

ETTEBBBBCSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
14U — Introduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball. 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

Every position's job

NG (over center)

Cover the center head-up (0-technique) so he can't climb to a linebacker.

Coach it with
Second-Level Climb to Backer
DT (strong)

Cover the strong guard head-up (2i/2) and control that gap.

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

Cover the weak guard head-up and control that gap.

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

Cover the strong tackle and hold the C-gap/contain.

Coach it with
Team Inside Run Period DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction
DE (weak)

Cover the weak tackle and hold the C-gap/contain.

Coach it with
Team Inside Run Period DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction
MLB (Mike)

Read and fill the strong gap downhill, free to run since blockers are covered.

Coach it with
LB Read Keys and Shuffle LB Downhill Fill Scrape & Fill Over the Top
ILB (Will)

Read and fill the weak gap downhill.

Coach it with
LB Read Keys and Shuffle LB Downhill Fill Scrape & Fill Over the Top
OLB (Sam)

Set the strong edge and spill inside.

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

Set the weak edge and spill inside.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
CB (both)

Man-cover receivers/tight ends and support the edge.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
FS/SS

Fill the alley and man-cover remaining eligibles.

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

How to teach it

  • 1Cover every interior blocker (center and both guards) so none can climb to the backers — backers run free to the ball.
  • 2Linemen play head-up and control their man's gap, not penetrate wildly.
  • 3Backers read and fill fast since they are unblocked.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !A lineman gets washed and lets his blocker climb to a backer; fix by teaching him to stay square and shed.
  • !Backers fill the wrong gap; fix by drilling the read of the guard/back flow.
← Back to 4-4 Defense (44 Stack) playbook

Build this into your call sheet.

Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.

Get StartedBook a Demo