Five Man Stunts
The first five man pressure stunt is an inside stunt with the Mike. In this stunt the Mike linebacker stunts through the weak side A gap and the weak side tackle stunts through the weak side B gap. The two defensive ends and strong side defensive tackle play through the man in front of them. In this stunt the linebackers and defensive backs play zone coverage. The weak spot of the zone is area vacated by Mike; both Sam and Will must compensate for his absence (See Diagram 1).
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In the second five man pressure stunt the Sam linebacker stunts through the B gap and the strong side defensive tackle stunts through the A gap. The two defensive ends and weak side defensive tackle play through the man in front of them. In this stunt the linebackers and defensive backs play zone coverage. The weak spot of the zone is the area vacated by Sam. The strong safety and Mike must be alert to this weakness (See Diagram 2).
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Six Man Pressure
In the first six man pressure stunt Sam stunts through the B gap and the strong side tackle stunts through the A gap. Mike stunts through the weak side A gap and the weak side defensive tackle stunts through the B gap. During this stunt the defensive backs play man coverage. The strong corner covers the flanker. The weak corner covers the split end and the free safety covers the tight end. The strong safety covers Sam\'s hook zone and the near back against the pass. Will drops to the hook zone and covers the near back vs. the pass (See Diagram 3).
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In the second six man pressure stunt Sam stunts through the B gap and the strong side defensive tackle stunts through the A gap. Will stunts through the weak side B gap and the weak side defensive tackle stunts through the weak side A gap. During this stunt the defensive backs play man coverage. The strong corner covers the flanker and the weak corner covers the split end. The free safety covers the tight end; the strong safety covers Sam’s hook zone and the near back vs. the pass. Mike drops to this hook zone and covers any back who releases to the weak side (See Diagram 4).
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Seven Man Pressure
Sometimes five or six man pressure is not enough. Sometimes you have to bring seven men to pressure the quarterback. In the first seven-man pressure stunt, Sam loops outside and through the D gap and the strong side defensive end stunts through the C gap. Mike stunts through the strong side B gap and the strong side defensive tackle stunts through the strong side A gap. Will stunts through the B gap; the weak side defensive tackle stunts through the weak side A gap; and the weak side defensive end stunts through the C gap. During this stunt the defensive backs play man coverage. The strong corner covers the flanker and the weak corner covers the split end. The strong safety covers Sam\'s hook zone and the near back vs. the pass. The free safety covers the tight end. The weak side defensive end covers the near back vs. the pass (See Diagram 5).
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In the second seven man stunt the strong side defensive end stunts into the D gap and the strong safety walks up and stunts into the C gap. Sam stunts into the B gap and the strong side defensive tackle stunts into the A gap. Mike stunts into the weak side A gap and the weak side defensive tackle stunts into the B gap. The weak side defensive end stunts into the C gap. During this stunt the defensive backs play man coverage. The strong corner covers the flanker and the weak corner covers the split end. The free safety covers the tight end. The strong side end covers the near back vs. the pass. Will covers the near break vs. the pass (See Diagram 6).
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In conclusion there comes a time when rushing four does not get the job done. You have to run up the heat and send five, six and sometimes seven defenders to get after the quarterback. Hopefully, these stunts can be a help in getting this job done.
Chris Booth recently retired after being both an assistant and head coach in Peterstown, WV. He can be reached at chrisbooth@GridironStrategies.com