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Pressure isn’t just a defensive tactic—it’s a mindset. At Dickinson State, Defensive Coordinator Jason Thier built a system that applies pressure on nearly half of all snaps. But this isn’t blitzing for the sake of chaos. It’s a methodical system built on clear teaching, calculated disguise, and tactical purpose. Master the art of pressure, and you control the game before the ball is even snapped.

Why Build a Pressure Package?

Coach Thier starts with a bold stat: “We bring pressure 49% of the time.” That level of aggression demands precision. Every pressure call must be sound in design and execution. When done right, pressure forces the offense off script—whether in the run game, protection scheme, or route distribution.

For example, if an offense likes to get five out in the pass concept, showing pressure forces them to keep the back in, changing the structure of their play. On the ground, pressure can create conflict in option schemes or eliminate decision-making windows for quarterbacks.

Thier explains: “Regardless of who the quarterback reads, he’s going to be wrong.” That's the level of control an effective pressure package can create.

Watch the video on “Why Pressure”? With pressure examples here…

Video: “Why Pressure”?

From React to Attack: Activating Personnel

One of the foundational benefits of pressure is flipping players from reactive roles to attacking roles. “Whenever a player knows 100% what they’re going to do before the ball is snapped,” Thier says, “it allows them to be much more attack-oriented and not read and react.”

If a defender isn’t strong in read-based fits, you can design calls that activate them as rushers. It’s not just about schematic advantage—it’s about putting your players in positions to play fast and win.

The Power of Simulated Pressure

Thier’s favorite weapon? The four-man simulated pressure.

It creates the illusion of a blitz, forces protection changes, and affects the quarterback—all while dropping seven into coverage. It’s deceptive, clean, and structurally sound. Dickinson State uses these pressures to get free hitters from unexpected angles without sacrificing coverage integrity.

One example came in a third-and-long situation, where a simulated pressure created a 1-on-1 matchup on a guard, allowing an athletic linebacker to win with speed. The result? “We affect the quarterback, get the ball to come out immediately.” That led to a forced fumble and takeaway—a better result than a punt.

Make Everyone a Threat

When every defender can be a rusher, the offense has to think harder—and slower.

Thier shares how even defensive backs ask to be blitzed. And they’re used. The goal: make the offense account for every player.

“I’ve talked to offensive coaches before,” he says, “where the back’s first check became the corner because they had to respect the threat of a blitzing DB.”

This forces the offense to change protection rules, slow their reads, and scan the entire width of the field—all to account for a possible fourth rusher who may never come.

Teaching Through “Same As” Concepts

The secret to installing a deep pressure package? Don’t teach 50 different blitzes. Teach one concept multiple ways.

“We ran 54 different off-the-ball rush patterns in 2024,” Thier explains. That sounds overwhelming—until you understand how “same as” teaching works.

The concept is simple:

• Canada = Outside LB runs the C-pattern
• Cricket = Inside LB runs the same C-pattern
• Chess = Defensive back runs the C-pattern

For the defensive front, it’s all the same. Only the fourth rusher changes. That means the line plays fast, without needing to learn 50 patterns. The back-end players adjust based on categorical naming buckets (like insects, countries, or toys), helping everyone digest the system faster.

The Bucket and Tag System

To organize their blitz library, Dickinson State uses bucket systems and tag words:

• Buckets group blitzes by theme (e.g., “Ocean” = five-man from same side).
• Tags define direction (e.g., boundary, field, TE side, RB side, etc.).

Instead of memorizing dozens of terms, players learn a few key patterns and apply tags to change the location. “Now to create those same three patterns and bring them from all eight locations,” Thier says, “I have 11 terms, not 24.” That’s efficient teaching.

Know the Risks—and Plan for Them

Thier doesn’t gloss over the tradeoffs of a pressure-heavy approach:

• Two defenders in one gap if misfit vs zone runs
• Unfavorable 1-on-1s in coverage when bringing 5+
• Screen vulnerability if tendencies aren’t scouted
• No safety net on missed tackles in 6-man pressures
• Increased teaching time to install and adjust week to week

But each of these risks can be mitigated. Read-outs, coverage disguise, and same-as layering allow flexibility and adaptability—especially when facing opponents twice in the same season.

Final Thoughts

Building a pressure package is about more than bringing heat. It’s about clarity in teaching, smart personnel usage, and calculated disruption. Jason Thier’s system at Dickinson State proves that with the right approach, pressure becomes a weapon that outthinks as much as it overwhelms.

Want more from Coach Thier?

Watch the full course on Building a Pressure Package with "Same As" Teaching.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski