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Systems/5-3 Defense/End Pinch
StuntBest for: Run down10U+ · Core

End Pinch

Crashes both ends inside to spill outside runs to the linebackers.

Concept: Ends knife into the B-gaps while backers scrape over the top to set the edge.

Age version
ETNTEBMBCSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
14U — Add 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.
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 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

NG

0-technique two-gapping the center to hold the middle while ends knife inside.

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

3-technique holding the strong B-gap, aware the end is knifing in beside you.

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

3-technique holding the weak B-gap.

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

Knife inside into the strong B-gap to spill outside runs to the backers.

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

Knife inside into the weak B-gap to spill the run outside.

Coach it with
DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction DL Gap Control and Two-Gap Read
Mike

Fill the interior gap and mirror the ball behind the pinch.

Coach it with
LB Downhill Fill Scrape & Fill Over the Top Team Inside Run Period
Sam

Scrape over the top to set the strong edge that the pinching end vacated.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner Scrape & Fill Over the Top
Will

Scrape over the top to set the weak edge that the pinching end vacated.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner Scrape & Fill Over the Top
CB (strong)

Cover your receiver and support the perimeter since runs are spilled outside.

CB (weak)

Cover your receiver and provide edge/cutback support.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
FS

Deep middle, rally to the perimeter runs the spill creates.

How to teach it

  • 1Ends knife inside into the B-gaps to spill outside runs back to the scraping backers.
  • 2Sam and Will must scrape over the top to replace the ends and set the new edge.
  • 3The scheme is 'spill and scrape' — end spills, backer sets the edge.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Backers failing to scrape and set the edge, leaving the perimeter open; fix by timing the scrape with the pinch.
  • !Ends going too soft inside; fix by having them attack the B-gap with authority.
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