Cross Dog Blitz

Both inside linebackers blitz while crossing to cross up interior blocking rules.

Concept: Mike and Will cross faces through opposite A-gaps to beat man protection and combo blocks.

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

How to teach it

• 1Mike and Will cross faces through opposite A-gaps to beat man protection and combos — drill the timing so they don't collide.
• 2One backer goes slightly first so they don't run into each other at the center.
• 3Tackles occupy the interior blockers to spring the crossers.

Common mistakes to fix

• !Backers collide at the center; fix by staggering their timing and paths.
• !Middle is open on the hot throw; fix by rotating a safety to rob the middle.