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Systems/5-3 Defense/Prevent
SpecialBest for: Prevent / vs pass12U+ · Advanced

Prevent

Rushes three and drops eight deep to prevent a last-play score.

Concept: Deep defenders keep everything in front and rally to make the tackle short of the marker.

Age version
ETNTEBMBCSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
14U — Attack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage. 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. 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. 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

Rush the A-gap as one of only three rushers.

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

Rush and contain the strong edge, keep the QB in the pocket.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner Progression Read (1-2-3)
DE (weak)

Rush and contain the weak edge, keep the QB contained.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
Mike

Drop deep to the middle intermediate zone and keep everything in front.

Coach it with
Zone Drop & Pattern Read LB Coverage Drop DB Zone Coverage and Break
Sam

Drop to a deep intermediate zone on the strong side.

Coach it with
Zone Drop & Pattern Read LB Coverage Drop DB Zone Coverage and Break
Will

Drop to a deep intermediate zone on the weak side.

Coach it with
Zone Drop & Pattern Read LB Coverage Drop DB Zone Coverage and Break
SS

Drop to a deep zone, keep receivers in front and rally to tackle short.

Coach it with
Zone Drop & Pattern Read Reach Block Zone Step QB Stance and Footwork
FS

Drop to the deepest middle zone as the last line.

Coach it with
Zone Drop & Pattern Read Reach Block Zone Step QB Stance and Footwork
CB (strong)

Drop to a deep third/quarter and keep everything underneath you.

Coach it with
Zone Drop & Pattern Read QB Stance and Footwork
CB (weak)

Drop to a deep third/quarter and keep everything in front.

Coach it with
Zone Drop & Pattern Read QB Stance and Footwork
DT (extra dropper)

Drop into an underneath zone as part of the eight-man coverage.

Coach it with
Team Skelly Pass Period Zone Drop & Pattern Read LB Coverage Drop

How to teach it

  • 1Rush only three and drop eight deep to prevent a last-play score.
  • 2Keep everything in front and rally to make the tackle short of the marker.
  • 3Tackle in bounds and gang-tackle to run the clock out.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Defenders letting a receiver get behind them for the big play; fix by staying deeper than the deepest.
  • !Rushers not containing the QB scramble; fix by keeping the three-man rush disciplined in lanes.
← Back to 5-3 Defense playbook

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