Safety Fire
Blitzes a safety down into the box on run-heavy downs.
Concept: The strong safety times the snap into the B-gap while the corner rolls to deep help.
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 pressure: 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
0-technique occupying the center.
Hold the strong B-gap; be aware the SS is firing beside you.
Hold the weak B-gap.
Set the strong C-gap edge as contain.
Set the weak C-gap edge as contain.
Cover the strong hook/flat vacated by the blitzing safety.
Cover the weak hook/curl and the back.
Time the snap and fire the strong B-gap downhill on run-heavy downs.
Roll to deep help/third since the safety left the box.
Play deep middle/centerfield to replace the blitzing strong safety.
How to teach it
- 1The strong safety times the snap and fires the B-gap; timing is everything so he isn't early.
- 2The corner rolls to deep help to replace the safety's coverage.
- 3Best on run-heavy downs where the extra box defender stuffs the run.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Safety showing the blitz too early and tipping it; fix by having him creep late off the snap.
- !Corner not rolling to the vacated deep zone; fix by pairing the fire with the coverage roll.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.