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Systems/5-3 Defense/Wide Tackle 6
FrontBest for: Base down6U+ · Basic

Wide Tackle 6

Spreads the tackles wider and drops a backer for a six-man front look.

Concept: Ends and tackles cover the four interior gaps while two backers stack behind to scrape.

Age version
ETNTEBMBCSC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
14U — Full call: 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. 6UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
  2. 8UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
  3. 10UAdd movement: Add the line stunt/twist to beat the offense's blocking rules.
  4. 12UAdd coverage: Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass.
  5. 14UFull call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.

Every position's job

NG

Not aligned; in this six-man front the interior is covered by tackles/ends over the guards.

Coach it with
Hawk / Rugby Tackle Fit DB Tackle in Space Heads Up Form Tackle Progression
DT (strong)

Align over the strong guard and cover the strong A-gap interior.

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

Align over the weak guard and cover the weak A-gap interior.

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

Align wider on the strong tackle to cover the strong B/C-gap edge.

Coach it with
Team Inside Run Period DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction
DE (weak)

Align wider on the weak tackle to cover the weak B/C-gap edge.

Coach it with
Team Inside Run Period DL Stance and Get-Off DL Shed and Block Destruction
Mike

Stack behind the front and scrape to any interior gap the run declares.

Coach it with
Scrape & Fill Over the Top DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle
Sam

Stack behind the strong side and scrape over the top to set the strong edge.

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

Stack behind the weak side and scrape to set the weak edge and cutback.

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

Cover the strong receiver and support the perimeter run.

CB (weak)

Cover the weak receiver and provide backside contain.

Coach it with
Scoop / Cutoff Block
FS

Play deep middle and clean up over the top.

How to teach it

  • 1The four interior linemen cover the guard-to-tackle gaps while two backers stack to scrape.
  • 2Backers stay stacked and free, reading flow to scrape and fill the ball.
  • 3Widened tackles/ends control the four interior gaps so backers can play clean.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !Backers filling too soon and getting hooked by climbing linemen; fix by staying stacked and reading flow.
  • !Front four getting turned and opening a gap; fix by keeping shoulders square and hands inside.
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