NOTE- We DON’T always check the back to the left, contrary to these diagrams.

PASS PROTECTION 83/85

W M S SS
E N T E
LOOKOUT
BIG ON BIG

Ex: 83 Seattle
In all of our dropback pass protections, both 3 step and 5 step, we will utilize a 6 man slide protection scheme. The
protection and directional calls are part of the play call made in the huddle. Linemen and backs will know if it is 3 step
or 5 step based on the series number called before the pattern. We will always check our RB to the left.

Linemen will always try to stay BIG ON BIG, which means our big men block there big men. The first uncovered
playside lineman from the center over will check all blitzes from A gap out. He is LOOKOUT. If a blitz comes he must
pick it up. If two blitzers come playside, he must pick up the most threatening man, or the inside blitzer.

The back will have a LOOKOUT block away from the direction called. In the example, 60 Seattle tells the linemen
to check right and it tells our back to check to the left. He will fire out to A Gap, eyeing the inside LB to outside LB.
Again, if any pressure comes backside, he is responsible for the pickup. If more than one blitzer comes weakside, the
back is to take the most immediate threat which is the inside blitzer.

In case of a LB aligning up TUFF, the weakside tackle or guard may call CLOSET which will alert the back that to
fire off the outside butt of the tackle and pick up the C Gap defender. The guard will step down to A gap and the tackle
will step down to B gap. This will prevent any pentration from a TUFF LB.

W S SS
M
E N T E
CLOSET!

Cheat alignment up
 4-3 50

W M S M S
E N T E W E N T E

Heads Up for TUFF

LB= CLOSET
83/85 83/85

4-4
4-4

W M S SS M S SS
W
E N T E E N T E

83/85 83/85

BEAR 3-5 Stack

M S W M S
WS SS
W E N T E E N E
Y

83/85 83/85
 Pass Protection w/ CLOSET call
i.e. "Close it down"

W S SS
M
E N T E
CLOSET

Ex: 83 Seattle
Versus an inside blitz or an immediate threat to B gap on the zone/backside of the protection. We are changing the
half-slide protection to a full zone protection with one call. The RB's aiming point is now right off the hip of tackle,
always working inside-out, closest threat to later threat. If another threat comes from the weakside he is unaccounted
for and we either sight adjust/throw hot off of him or have to add a MAX call (see next section).
 Pass Protection w/ MAX call

W S SS
M
E N T E

Check-Release into route if no threat.

Ex: 83 Seattle
In a long yardage situation, where we believe throwing hot is not an option, or we don't want our QB to take
unnecessary hits, we will tag a call with MAX. MAX is a way for us to pickup 4 weak (A/B/C/D gap threats) and still
pickup 3+1 frontside. W e usually call this in the huddle but it has been audibled to at the line or checked to from the
sideline.

W e typically will formation our 2nd back/W R to get him in position. If it's audibled to at the line, the 2nd back/inside
W R must adjust alignment to get in position to block. If the threat drops off or doesn't come he will run check release
into his route.