In this episode of the Board Drill Podcast, Kyle and Matt are joined by Tom Elder, Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Chaminade High School (NY), to break down one of the most versatile and effective defensive tools in high school football—5-Man Pressure Systems.
Coach Elder dives deep into how Chaminade utilizes a simple yet adaptable pressure philosophy based on four core blitz paths, how they disguise coverages, fit the run with undersized athletes, and put pressure on 17-year-old quarterbacks in a high-academic environment. If you're looking to build a pressure package that’s simple for your players but difficult for opponents to prepare for, this episode is for you.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro & Coach Elder’s Background
1:10 - Why 5-Man Pressure is Core to Chaminade's Defense
3:00 - Undersized Personnel? Why Movement is the Answer
4:55 - Odd vs Even Front Blending in the System
6:00 - "Five Notes, Endless Melodies" Philosophy
7:30 - 3-Under, 3-Deep Zone Pressure Breakdown
9:10 - How to Build Pressure Without Overloading Players
12:00 - Split-Safety Structures & Rotation Philosophy
13:35 - Day 1-2 Installs: Big 12 & Weak Rotation Coverage
15:00 - Teaching Pressure Paths: Edge, Neck, Face
18:00 - DL Techniques: Nail, Rail, Anchor
20:00 - Using Tags to Dictate Pressure Placement
23:00 - Corner Blitz—Why It's a Day One Install
26:30 - Scrape & Strike Paths Explained
30:00 - Adjusting Pressure for 3x1 & Motion
35:00 - Using Pressure to Protect Undersized Fronts
37:45 - Real-Game Examples & In-Game Adjustments
45:00 - The Power of Motion-Based Blitz Calls
51:00 - Closing Thoughts on Simplicity, Speed, and Versatility
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