Sam Edge Blitz
The strong outside linebacker blitzes off the edge for contain pressure.
Concept: Sam attacks the tight end's outside shoulder keeping outside leverage to force the ball back inside.
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.
- 10UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
- 12UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
- 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
Attack the tight end's outside shoulder keeping outside leverage to force the ball back inside.
Rush inside/B-gap to occupy blockers and let Sam come free off the edge.
Rush the strong A-gap.
Rush the weak A/B-gap.
Rush the C-gap and hold weak contain.
Fill the strong A-gap on run or cover the hook/near back.
Cover the weak hook/middle or the near back.
Set weak contain and cover the weak flat.
Cover the strong receiver (Sam blitzed, so account for the flat).
Cover the weak receiver.
Rotate to single-high or cover the strong flat vacated by Sam.
How to teach it
- 1Sam keeps OUTSIDE leverage on the tight end to force the ball back inside — this is contain pressure, not just a rush.
- 2The strong end can pinch inside to help clear Sam's edge lane.
- 3Someone must replace Sam's flat responsibility in coverage — communicate it.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Sam rushes inside and loses contain, opening a scramble lane; fix by teaching him to stay on the TE's outside shoulder.
- !The strong flat is left open; fix by rolling a corner or safety to that flat.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.