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Systems/6-2 Wide Tackle/Guard Pinch
StuntBest for: Run down12U+ · Advanced

Guard Pinch

Both guards slant into the A-gaps to wall off inside dive and trap runs.

Concept: The two interior guards step down into the A-gaps to occupy the center and pinch the middle.

Age version
OLBTGGTOLBBBCFC
RushBlitzDrop to coverage
14U — Attack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage. Layer in the called blitz — one timed gap-shooter on the snap. Add the line stunt/twist to beat the offense's blocking rules. 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. Layer in the called blitz — one timed gap-shooter on the snap. Add the line stunt/twist to beat the offense's blocking rules. Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.

Every position's job

Guard (strong DL)

Step down hard into the strong A gap across the center's face to wall off dive and trap.

Coach it with
Pull and Kick Technique Trap Block Angle QB-RB Mesh Handoff
Guard (weak DL)

Step down hard into the weak A gap across the center's face.

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

Wide tackle rushes / controls the strong C gap.

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

Wide tackle rushes / controls the weak C gap.

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

Hold the strong D gap and edge contain.

Coach it with
DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle LB Downhill Fill
OLB (weak)

Hold the weak D gap and edge contain.

Coach it with
DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle LB Downhill Fill
LB (strong)

Fit the strong B gap as the guard pinches inside.

Coach it with
DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle LB Downhill Fill
LB (weak)

Fit the weak B gap.

Coach it with
DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle LB Downhill Fill
CB (strong)

Cover the strong receiver / deep and support the edge.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
CB (weak)

Cover the weak receiver / deep.

FS

Play over the top and fill the alley on run.

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

How to teach it

  • 1Both defensive guards step down into the A gaps to occupy the center and wall the middle against dive and trap — drill the hard down step.
  • 2Backers fill the B gaps behind the pinch.
  • 3The wide tackles and edges keep their C and D gaps outside the pinch.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !A guard pinches soft and gets reached; fix by teaching a hard down step across the center's face.
  • !Backers don't fill the B gaps and the play cuts back; fix by drilling the pinch-and-fill exchange.
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