Today we are here to talk about different looks out of the double mug package. As defensive coaches, we are always looking for ways to line up that are simple for us and difficult on the offense.

We know that threatening both A-gaps is definitely an issue for the offense when it comes to pass protection, so we came up with a variety of ways to threaten the A-gaps without always running the same thing out of it.

I think it’s important that you can show the look often and back out of it. Then from time to time bring pressure in the form of Cover 1 or zone blitz, and then a few instances you need to go Cover 0 and bring everybody.

The look here is the Double A-Gap Mug. We are going to start by widening our defensive tackles into the B-gaps. They have B-gap responsibility.

The defensive ends are C-gap responsible. The defensive end towards the tight end can align in a 6-technique, 7-technique or 9-technique. It all depends on what you’re running out of it.

You will now walk both of your linebackers up into the A-gaps. A key coaching point here for the linebackers is they need to make everything look the same. Everything should look like an all-out blitz.

We always talk defensively about being great actors. The offense is in the business of gathering information pre-snap just as we are defensively. I think it’s important that you don’t give a “tell” based on your stance, your posture or your demeanor.

Cover 3

In this first look, we are going to show all up and then we’re going to back out of it and play standard Cover 3.

However advanced you are, you can run it anyway you want. We prefer to “double call” our Cover 3 so we are in the best defense possible against specific formations.

The key point here is the acting job. We want to show all out pressure and back out of it.

Most offenses will have some sort of protection check against double mug pressure. Many times, the quarterback will cheat the running back up into one of the A-gaps so he can block his responsibility early.

The key thing to know here is since your tackles are starting wide, one of them has to have a plan for how they will balance out the rush lanes. What you don’t want to end up with is two B-gap rushers and two edge rushers. With that, the QB has an easy escape lane up the middle once the linebackers vacate.

Key Coaching Points

Acting is very important. Everything must look the same. Show heavy pressure and then back out of it.

Balance out your rush lanes. Do not have two B-gap and C-gap rushers and none in the A-gap, leaving a lane for the QB.

When bringing players from depth, you may create a free rusher, but it is hard to reach the QB. Bring blitzers from near the line of scrimmage.

TEACH

In this Coaches Note, Coach Mike Pettine teaches various coverages/pressures that he utilizes from his Double A Gap Mug package. 

INSTALL

Coach Mike Pettine shows film of the various coverages/pressures that he teaches and provides key coaching points for the different pressures/coverages. 

Get the rest of the coaches notes with diagrams and film here: Different Pressures from the Double A Gap Mug Package