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Systems/4-4 Defense (44 Stack)/Mike Blitz A-Gap
BlitzBest for: Passing down10U+ · Core

Mike Blitz A-Gap

The inside Mike linebacker blitzes downhill through the A-gap.

Concept: Mike triggers on the snap and shoots the open A-gap while the front slants away to clear his path.

Age version
ETTEBBBBCSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
14U — Add pressure: 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. 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 pressure: 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

MLB (Mike)

Trigger on the snap and shoot the open A-gap downhill for interior pressure.

Coach it with
Blitz Timing & Path DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle
DT (near)

Slant away from Mike's gap to clear his path to the A-gap.

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

Rush and occupy the far A/B-gap.

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

Rush the C-gap and hold contain.

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

Rush the C-gap and hold contain.

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

Cover the vacated middle/hook zone or spy the back.

Coach it with
LB Coverage Drop DB Zone Coverage and Break Team Skelly Pass Period
OLB (Sam)

Set strong contain and drop to the strong flat/curl.

Coach it with
Zone Drop & Pattern Read QB Stance and Footwork
OLB (weak)

Set weak contain and cover the weak flat.

CB (strong)

Cover the strong receiver (man or deep third per call).

CB (weak)

Cover the weak receiver.

FS/SS

Rotate to single-high to cover the middle behind the blitz.

Coach it with
Blitz Timing & Path RB Blitz Pickup

How to teach it

  • 1Mike triggers on the snap and shoots the OPEN A-gap — the front slants away to clear his lane; rep the exchange.
  • 2Mike must come downhill fast and not tip the blitz pre-snap.
  • 3Coverage rotates behind to a single-high look — communicate it.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Mike telegraphs the blitz by creeping too early; fix by teaching a late, disguised trigger.
  • !The DT doesn't slant away and Mike's gap is clogged; fix by drilling the line movement with the blitz.
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