5-3 BASE & TRIPLE STACK

Composed by: Coach Rich Conzalez

jr High / High School Football Coach
Bettendorf, Iowa
21

5-3 BASE & TRIPLE STACK

PO8TON8 / ALGNMENT8

FRONT8 / 8TACK

BLTZE8 / 8TUNT8

COVERAGE8 / 1 or 3 zones

C
E
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
T N T E
C
S W
FS

FU: are assigned Gap Responsibilities:

Tackles - in 4 Tech / NG-0 Tech / Ends- 9 Tech.

8am - C / Mike - Flow / Will - C.

CU: 5 yds off / 1 yds inside / F8- 10 yds middle.

8econdary pass Coverages 1 or 3 zone.

5-3 (Base)
M

PIay Summary
(BASE)

This will be your normal Base Defensive formation.

From Base you could then STEM to other ~D formations (T-Stack / Texas).

Linemen and Lbs are the Force unit & the Secondary are the Contain unit.

FU are the Enforcers: responsible for the run by gap controllability.

CU are the Containers: responsible for the alleys & passing areas.

Both Units must work together hand & hand with good communications.

The FU needs to adjust frequently depending on the run ~O look.

The CU needs to adjust also by the passing ~O look, motion, slots ect..ect...

Both Units must compliment one another to cover & control their areas.
The KEYS:

Nose Guard-2 gaps control ~A Gaps / stunt on center helmet side/ read run.

Tackles - 4 tech shade / ~B gaps / wants double team by G/T / read on run.

Ends - 9 tech shade / ~D gaps/ keys near back / contains inside to alley.

Will / Sam - ~C gaps / keys G to near back/ fills cutback / h&C on pass.

Mike - Stacks to NG /keys G to near back / flows to ball / drops on pass.

Corners - covers # 1 receiver / protects alleys / contains run to inside.

Safety- Keys OL for run or pass/ run support / deep middle on pass.
The Color Arrow meanings on plays:

Red Arrow Lines-Blitz Gap

Yellow Arrow Lines-Assigned Gap

Broken Arrow Lines- Read areas of responsibilitiy

C
E
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
T N T E
C
S W
FS

FU: are assigned Gap Responsibilities:

Tackles - in 5 Tech / NG-0 Tech / Ends- 9 Tech.

8am - C / Mike - Flow / Will - C.

CU: 5 yds off / 1 yds inside / F8- 10 yds middle.

8econdary pass Coverages 1 or 3 zone.

5-3 (Triple Stack)
M

PIay Summary
(TripIe Stack)

This will be your Triple Stack Defensive formation.

From Triple Stack you could then STEM to other ~D formations .

Linemen and Lbs are the Force unit & the Secondary are the Contain unit.

FU are the Enforcers: responsible for the run by gap controllability.

CU are the Containers: responsible for the alleys & passing areas.

All LBs are stack right behind their T-N-T, LBS should be able to place
both hands on the T-N-T hips before the snap of the ball.

All Line-backers will then tap hip(left or right side) to which side the T-N-T
will shoot before the snap of the ball. LB's will then shoot opposite gap if
called.
The KEYS:

NG-0 tech / Shoots gap left or right by the Mike's tap hip call / read on run.

Tackles - 5 tech / Shoots gap by the Lbs tap hip call / read on run.

Ends - 9 tech shade / ~D gaps/ keys near back / contains inside to alley.

Will / Sam - Stacks behind Tackles/ shoots opposite gap of tap hip call.

Mike - Stack behind NG /shoots opposite side of tap hip call / drop to pass.

Corners - covers # 1 receiver / protects alleys / contains run to inside.

Safety- Keys OL for run or pass/ run support / deep middle on pass.
The Color Arrow meanings on plays:

Red Arrow Lines-Blitz Gap

Yellow Arrow Lines-Assigned Gap

Broken Arrow Lines- Read areas of responsibility

C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

FU: Holds assigned Gaps then reads to flow.

Mike- Flows to Ball.

CU: Coverages 1 or 3 zone / run contain support.

5-3 TStack or Base (Contain)
M

PIay Summary
(CONTAIN)
ALIGNMENT BASE or "T"STACK FORMATION

FU- Must controI and then CONTAIN their assigned Gaps.

FU - Adjusting to "O" formation: pro I, ace,sIots,spIit ends ect..ect..

CU- Must contain aIIeys & middIe on run threat / deep thirds on pass.

CU / FU- Must Communicate yeIIing run or pass.

MIKE- Must caII the strength of the "O" formation every pIay.

Sam/WiII - must aIigned on correct side by the strength of "O"

formation.

C
E

T N T E
C
W S
FS

FU: Flows to a Right 8lant technique.

WLL- Contain for cutback / reverse / look A.

CU: Coverages 1 or 3 Zone.

5-3 T Stack or Base (RAM)
M

PIay Summary
(RAM)
ALIGNMENT FOR BASE or "T"STACK FORMATION

FU- Stunts to a Right SIant technique.

E-T-N-T-E penetrates no more than 1 yard from the LOS.

MIKE- CaIIs the Strong on the "O" Formation.

WiII- covers weak side "A" and cutback / reverse to his side.

CU- Weak Corner contains aIIey, Strong Corner pIays run.

Safety reads right for 1 receiver / fIows right for run support.

C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

FU: Flows to a Left 8lant technique.

WLL- contain for cutback / reverse / look A.

CU: Coverages 1 or 3 Zone.

5-3 T Stack or Base (LON)
M

PIay Summary
(LION)
ALIGNMENT FOR BASE or "T"STACK FORMATION

FU- Stunts to a Left SIant technique.

Front 5 penetrates no more than 1 yard from the LOS.

MIKE- CaIIs the Strong on the "O" Formation.

WiII- covers weak side "A" and cutback / reverse to his side.

CU- Weak Corner contains aIIey, Strong Corner pIays run.

Safety reads Ieft for 1 receiver / fIows Ieft for run support.

C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

T N T {head-up} 5-0-5 tech / LB8 8tack on TNT.

LBs directs Gap assignments to TNT.

CU: Pass Coverages 1 or 3 zone.

5-3 Triple Stack
M

PIay Summary
(T-STACK)
A FRONTAL T-STACK ALIGNMENT FORMATION

The FU are in a tight "T"Stack Formation.

LBS wiII tap hip to which gap the T-N-T wiII stunt to.

LBS wiII then stunt opposite containing their gap then fIow to baII.

The CU are aIigned as on the Base formation.

Safety wiII fIow to baII after his read run or pass.

Corner wiII contain from outside first to inside for run support.

T-N-T are head-up in a 5-0-5 technique.

C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

T N T head-up 5-0-5 tech.

LB8 in tight 8tack, directs T N T Gaps assignment.

TNT & LB8 Blitzes their Gaps on the snap.

CU: Pass Coverages 1 or 3 zone.

5-3 TStack (Raider)
M

PIay Summary
(RAIDER)



"T" STACK OR BASE ALIGNMENT FORMATION

The FU are in a tight "T"Stack Formation.

LBS wiII tap hip to which gap the T-N-T wiII penetrate to.

LBS wiII then BIitz / penetrate opposite gap to baII.

The CU are aIigned as on the Base formation.

Safety wiII fIow to baII after his read run or pass.

Corner wiII contain from outside first to inside for run support.

ALL GAPS MUST BE COVER FROM THE FU

C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

8hort Yardage situation.

FU: are aligned in assigned Gaps.

Mike - goes to flow of ball.

CU: Coverages 1 or 3 zone.

5-3 GL (Texas)
M

PIay Summary
(TEXAS)


GOAL-LINE FORMATION & SHORT YARDAGE SITUATIONS

7 Man Front with aII Gaps covered with inside shade technique.

Ends are in an outside shade and contain "D" gaps.

AII Must Contain & hoId assigned Gaps then read fIow.

Sam / WiII 3 point stance in "C" Gaps.

Mike React & Read to FIow.

CU: Same as Stack Formation, read # 1 first then outside to inside.

C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

FU: T8tack or Base set.

MKE Blitz direct or delay to 8trong A.

NG shoot weak A Gap.

CU: Pass Coverages 1 or 3 zone.

5-3 TStack or Base (MASH)
M

PLAY SUMMARY
(MASH)


BASE OR "T" STACK ALIGNMENT FORMATION

FU: are aIigned in a "T"Stack or Base formation.

Mike taps NG which side to stunt.

MIKE BIitzes directIy or deIay opposite Gap of NG.

CU: in a Base or "T"Stack aIignment set.

Safety cheats up to cover Mike after bIitz.

C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

FU: n T 8tack or Base set.

8AM Blitzes 8trong C Gap.

CU: Pass Coverages 1 or 3 zone.

5-3 T Stack or Base (SABER)
M

PIay Summary
(SABER)
BASE OR "T"STACK ALIGNMENT FORMATION

FU: are aIigned in a "T" Stack or Base formation.

SAM tap TackIe's hip which side to stunt.

Sam then BIitzes opposite Gap of TackIe.

CU: in a Base or "T"Stack aIignment set.

Safety cheats over to cover Sam.

C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

FU: n T 8tack or Base formation.

WLL Blitzes Weak C Gap.

NG 8tunts weak A Gap.

CU: Pass Coverages 1 or 3 zone.

5-3 TStack or Base (WOLF)
M

PIay Summary
(WOLF)
BASE OR "T"STACK ALIGNMENT FORMATION

FU: are aIigned in a "T"Stack or Base formation.

WILL tap TackIe's hip which side to stunt.

WILL then BIitzes opposite Gap of TackIe.

CU: in a Base or "T"Stack aIignment set.

Safety cheats over to cover WiII.

C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

Corners Creep to LO8 and Blitzes from Alley.

Ends 8queeze in release to Alley look for flat.

CU: Cover 1 or 3 with LB8 hook to curl.

CU: 8afety deep middle reads OB.

5-3 TStack or Base (Tornado)
M

PIay Summary
(TORNADO)



BASE OR "T"STACK ALIGNMENT FORMATION

FU: In "T"stack of Base Formation.

Corners creep in BIitz from aIIey.

Ends Squeeze in then reIease to aIIey.

CU: Ends reIease to fIats on pass or contain run in aIIey.

CU: WILL/SAM hook to curI.

CU: Deep MiddIe reads QB.

C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

n T8tack or Base formation.

TNT-8hoot assigned Gap in Bear Crawl Tech.

CU: Pass Coverages 1 or 3 zone.

5-3 TStack or Base (BEAR)
M

PIay Summary
(BEAR)

BASE OR "T"STACK ALIGNMENT FORMATION

FU: In "T"stack or Base Formation.

TackIes / NG stunt assigned Gaps in a Bear CrawI Technique.

T-N-T after penetration fIow to baII.

CU: in a Base or "T"Stack aIignment set.

Use for short yardage / OL bIocking high / underneath stunt.

C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

MKE Blitz 8trong A or drop deep middle.

NG- 0 tech / Bull Rush stunt.

F8- creep up LO8 Blitz weak A

Corners- outside in if Pass / deep 1/3 middle

5-3 TStack or Base (BLAST)
M

PIay Summary
(BLAST)
BASE OR "T"STACK ALIGNMENT FORMATION

FU: are aIigned in a "T"Stack or Base formation.

NG head-up on center with buII rush technique.

MIKE Stunts to strong "A" gap.

Safety creeps up then bIitz weak "A" gap.

WiII/Sam read to fIow 1

st
then drop middIe deep if pass.

Corners cover from outside in if run / deep 3rds if pass.

2
3
1
C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

CU: Corners- Man-up if #1 WR.

CU: F8 over the top to assist Corners deep.

FU: 8AM/WLL man up # 2 Receiver in formation.

5-3 TStack or Base (Cover 1)
1
M
2

PIay Summary
(COVER 1)
BASE OR "T"STACK ALIGNMENT FORMATION
PASSING ALIGNMENT FOR CONTAIN UNIT
PASSING ALIGNMENT FOR FORCE UNIT

FU: are aIigned in a "T"Stack or Base formation.

FU: Ends squeeze in contain "D" to aIIey.

FU: Sam/WiII man up # 2 Receiver (TE/SIot Receiver) .

FU: Mike drop to zone middIe, Iooks for # 3 Receiver (HB).

CU: Corners man up with # 1 WR.

CU: Corners 5 yrds back / 1 yrd inside in Base formation.

CU: Corners 7 yrds back/ head-up on "T" stack formation.

CU: Safety over top heIps corners on deep pass.

C
E

T N T E
C
S W
FS

CU: F8- Deep Zone from HM to HM / read OB.

CU: Corners- 1/3 Deep Zone from HM to 8ideline.

FU: 8-W - Hook to Curl / M-middle deep drop.

5-3 TStack or Base (Cover 3)
M

PIay Summary
(COVER 3)

BASE OR "T"STACK ALIGNMENT FORMATION
PASSING ALIGNMENT FOR CONTAIN UNIT
PASSING ALIGNMENT FOR FORCE UNIT

FU: are aIigned in a "T"Stack or Base formation.

FU: Ends squeeze in contain "D" to aIIey Iook for Hbs(fIares & swing).

FU: Sam/WiII drop to zone Iooking for hook / curI.

FU: Mike drop to deep zone middIe, Iooks for crossing TE.

CU: Corners drop 1/3 of fieId ( hashmark to sideIine) deep zone.

CU: Corners 7 yrds back / 1 yrd inside in Base formation.

CU: Corners 10 yrds back/ head-up in "T" Stack Formation.

CU: Safety drop middIe deep zone reads QB.

CALL SIGNS

Base- Hat

Contain- Hat + hand gesturing the Ietter "C"

Ram- Both Fist on side of head

Lion- Both hands in cIawing motion

"T"Stack- Both Fists hitting together in one motion

Stack Raider- Hand covering one eye

Texas- Two fingers: index / pinky pointed up

Mash- Fist pounding open hand

Saber- One Arm in a sword swinging motion

WoIf- Open hands covering mouth

Tornado- Both arms up in twirIing motion

Bear- Both arms extended and motioning up & down

BIast- Both arms in a circIe motion

Cover 1- One finger up

Cover 3- Three Fingers up