Cross Dog Blitz

Both linebackers blitz while crossing faces to beat man protection.

Concept: The two backers cross through opposite A-gaps to confuse interior blocking assignments.

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

• 1The two backers cross faces through opposite A-gaps to confuse the center and guards' man rules.
• 2One backer goes first as the pick, the other times right behind so blockers collide.
• 3Stay tight through the gap so the cross is quick, not wide.

Common mistakes to fix

• !Backers running into each other instead of timing the cross; fix by staggering who goes first.
• !Crossing too wide and getting picked up; fix by attacking tight A-gap to A-gap.