Uptown LEO Blitz out of the 3-5 Stack Defense
This is a blitz we call ‘UPTOWN LEO’. This is an off-tackle pressure that has the blitz side DE slant out and the stack linebacker blitz inside. This is a very difficult blitz for the offensive line to pick up for two reasons. One, they probably don’t practice how to pick up stunts (not disciplined or they don’t even have blocking rules). Two, the offensive tackle will be so used to the head up defender slanting inside, that when he actually slants outside, it will catch the linemen off guard. This blitz is pretty much unblockable.
It’s important that you do have your DE (slanting out defender) slanting down to the B-gap a couple times to set this up. For us we have two base calls- Downtown and Uptown. Downtown will tell the DE that he is slanting B-gap and the stacked backer behind him is responsible for C-gap.
Uptown tells the DE that he is slanting to the C-gap and the stack linebacker behind him has B-gap. If you mix up these calls it will keep the offensive linemen guessing, which will slow down their ‘fire out’ because they don’t know which way the defender is going to slant. Here’s the breakdown of the Uptown LEO blitz out of the 3-5 Stack Defense.
Uptown LEO Blitz out of the 3-5 Stack Defense
Right DE (E): Dip & Rip, C-gap. Cutback defender when play is going away.
Nose (N): Double A-gap responsible. Shock and shed.
Left DE (E): Dip and rip, slant C-gap. Do not get washed out. Cutback defender on backside pursuit.
Middle LB (M): Read and react. Since the N is two gapping the A-gaps, the M is free to run to the football. Make sure the M is always chasing the ball carrier inside to out. He is one of the primary cutback players.
Rip LB (right stacked LB): Read step B-gap, cut back / wall player when play goes away.
Leo LB (left stacked LB): Creep up once the QB begins his cadence. Stay stacked behind the DE, blitz right off his butt on ball movement. He cannot show where he is blitzing pre-snap.
Right Dog (D): Contain player. He is not blitzing, he is responsible for contain / force. Flat on pass.
Left Dog (D): Contain player. He is not blitzing, he is responsible for contain / force. Flat on pass.
CB: Deep 3rd, contain support on run. If man coverage- they have #1 receiver (widest eligible receiver)
CB: Deep 3rd, contain support on run. If man coverage- they have #1 receiver.
FS: Deep middle 3rd. If man coverage, he’ll be the post player.
Note: pass cover responsibilities vary, depending on the coverage you use.
The great thing about the 3-5 Stack Defense is that it allows you to be multiple, in regard to slants & stunts. It’s also a great defense for youth football because you can easily align to any formation the offense is coming out in. It’s great against spread formations and great against double tight compressed formations. We’ve used the 3-5 Stack Defense for the last 5 years with great success. Here’s a link to the playbook.
Playbook: 3-5 Stack Defense Playbook
Coaching Points
- Slanting DEs need to dip and rip and anchor the C-gap. They cannot slant themselves too wide or out of the play.
- Stacked blitzing linebacker will creep up once the QB begins his cadence. He will creep up stacked right behind the DE. You don’t want him to giveaway where he is blitzing.
- Make sure you have your DE slant down a couple time before changing it up and having him slant out (calling this blitz). If you set this up, the blitz will be unblockable.
- Don’t blitz for the sake of blitzing. This is a great blitz play to the TE side (3-man surface) and if you know it’s going to be Power, ISO, or any other off-tackle play.
