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Systems/6-2 Wide Tackle/Short Yardage Squeeze
SpecialBest for: Short yardage12U+ · Advanced

Short Yardage Squeeze

Front squeezes all gaps on third or fourth and short to deny the first down.

Concept: Linemen aim for the blockers' inside hips to close every interior gap and force the ball wide.

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

OLB (strong)

Aim for the strong tackle's inside hip to close the C/D gap and force the ball wide.

Coach it with
Team Inside Run Period DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle
OLB (weak)

Aim for the weak tackle's inside hip to close the C/D gap.

Coach it with
Team Inside Run Period DL Shed and Block Destruction LB Read Keys and Shuffle
DT (strong)

Aim for the strong tackle's inside hip to close the C gap.

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

Aim for the weak tackle's inside hip to close the C gap.

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

Aim for the center's / guard's inside hip to close the strong A gap.

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

Aim for the inside hip to close the weak A gap.

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

Fill the strong B gap and force the ball outside.

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

Fill the weak B gap and force the ball outside.

Coach it with
LB Downhill Fill Scrape & Fill Over the Top Team Inside Run Period
CB (strong)

Cover the strong eligible and contain the edge outside.

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

Cover the weak eligible and contain the edge.

Coach it with
Edge Rush & Bend the Corner
FS

Fill the alley and rally to the ball forced wide.

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

How to teach it

  • 1Everyone aims for the blockers' INSIDE hips to close every interior gap and force the ball wide on third/fourth-and-short.
  • 2Deny the interior first down — make them go the long way around.
  • 3Corners and the free safety contain the edge so the forced-wide run has nowhere to go.

Common mistakes to fix

  • !A lineman aims outside and opens an interior crease; fix by teaching the inside-hip aiming point.
  • !The edge isn't contained and the forced-wide run turns the corner; fix by teaching corner/safety contain.
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