Tackle Pinch
Both tackles pinch from 5-techniques into the B-gaps to close inside lanes.
Concept: Tackles slant off the offensive tackles' inside shoulders into the B-gaps while ends set contain.
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 movement: Add the line stunt/twist to beat the offense's blocking rules. 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
0-technique, two-gap the center and hold the middle.
Slant off the strong tackle's inside shoulder into the strong B-gap.
Slant off the weak tackle's inside shoulder into the weak B-gap.
Set the strong contain edge as the tackles crash inside.
Set the weak contain edge as the tackles crash inside.
Scrape over the top to the strong edge/C-gap as the tackle vacates it.
Scrape over the top to the weak edge/C-gap as the tackle vacates it.
Deep-middle center field.
Cover strong receiver, force ball inside.
How to teach it
- 1Tackles aim at the offensive tackle's inside shoulder and rip through into the B-gap.
- 2Ends must keep contain because the C-gap is now the backers' scrape responsibility.
- 3Backers scrape over the top to replace the vacated C-gaps.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Tackles pinching too soft and getting logged inside; fix by ripping through with penetration.
- !Ends crashing inside with the tackles and losing contain; fix by staying disciplined on the edge.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.