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Systems/5-2 Defense (Oklahoma)/5-2 Oklahoma Base
FrontBest for: Base down6U+ · Basic

5-2 Oklahoma Base

Classic 5-2 Oklahoma front with a nose over center, two tackles, two ends, and two linebackers.

Concept: Nose plays a 0-technique on the center, tackles align in 5-techniques on the tackles, and backers stack over the guards.

Age version
ETNTEBBCSSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
12U — Full call: 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. 6UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
  2. 8UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
  3. 10UAdd coverage: Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass.
  4. 12UFull call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.

Every position's job

NG

Head-up 0-technique on the center, two-gap both A-gaps and hold the line of scrimmage.

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

5-technique on the strong tackle, control the C-gap and set a hard edge on off-tackle runs.

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

5-technique on the weak tackle, control the backside C-gap and squeeze cutbacks.

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

Align outside the strong tackle/tight end, set contain and force everything back inside.

Coach it with
Hawk / Rugby Tackle Fit DB Tackle in Space Heads Up Form Tackle Progression
DE (weak)

Align outside the weak tackle, keep outside leverage and turn the play back in.

Coach it with
Hawk / Rugby Tackle Fit Goal-Line Low Pad Get-Off DB Tackle in Space
Mike

Stack over the strong guard, read the guard and fill the strong A/B gap on flow.

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

Stack over the weak guard, read the guard and fill the weak A/B gap, chase backside.

Coach it with
LB Read Keys and Shuffle LB Downhill Fill Scrape & Fill Over the Top
SS

Roll to the strong flat/curl, support the run edge and cover the tight end short.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
FS

Play deep-middle center field, be the last line of defense and clean up over the top.

CB (strong)

Cover the strong receiver, keep outside leverage and force runs back in.

Coach it with
Hawk / Rugby Tackle Fit Goal-Line Low Pad Get-Off Screen Setup & Block in Space
CB (weak)

Cover the weak receiver, contain the backside and pursue on run away.

Coach it with
Scoop / Cutoff Block

How to teach it

  • 1Nose stays square and low, hands inside on the center to control both A-gaps before choosing a side.
  • 25-techniques read the tackle's helmet: down block means squeeze, reach block means fight to the edge.
  • 3Stacked backers read the guard's blocks and flow to daylight, never crossing the down lineman's face.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Nose getting reached and losing an A-gap; fix by punching hands inside and re-setting the near foot.
  • !Backers running around blocks instead of through their gap; fix by pressing downhill and filling square.
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