This week we took on a 3-3 Stack team also known as the 3-5 or 3-5-3 or 3-3-5 how ever you want to slice it! It is an odd front with a Nose lined up over our Center and two tackles over each of our guard in 4 techniques. The inside linebackers are stacked directly behind the lineman and there are two outside linebackers who play force/contain outside on either side. Their secondary lined up in a Cover 3 shell over the top.
Against a defense like this, it is best to use formations to give yourself the numbers advantage and better blocking angles for running and passing.
I love running power with the Tight End doubling down but it can be a challenge to pull the backside guard around if your center cannot handle a defender in his face very well. That was exactly what we struggled with as they had their best lineman attacking A gap either side on us.
I also really like the numbers we get when we run Toss outside since we can pull our uncovered Guard around as an extra blocker. The toss and power combination puts their outside backer in a tough spot of deciding whether to take on a kick out block or force the ball inside against a toss. Even if they force it inside on the toss, we have numbers and the back can make another cut back outside again.
For our counter out of I it is difficult to pull the Tackle and the Guard so I adjusted by keeping the Tackle scoop blocking and instead had the Fullback follow the guard and lead block the playside Linebacker.
Here is our base run plays against the defense that you can download below!
I'd have the LB opposite X jam X with outside leverage. I'd also have Will LB (inside right backer) blitz the A gap whenever the backside guard pulls.