At Dickinson State University, Defensive Coordinator Jason Thier has crafted a pressure system that’s more than just a tactic—it’s a philosophy. With pressure on nearly half of all snaps (49%), Thier’s approach isn’t about reckless blitzing. It’s a calculated, teachable system built on disguise, precision, and purpose. Master this, and you dictate the game before the ball’s even snapped. Here’s how Thier’s system works, rooted in his 2025 insights.
Why Pressure Matters
Thier’s stat grabs attention: “We bring pressure 49% of the time.” But it’s not chaos for chaos’s sake. Every pressure call is designed to throw the offense off its game—disrupting run schemes, protection plans, or passing routes. For example, showing pressure can force an offense to keep a running back in to block, shrinking their five-man passing concept to four. Against option plays, pressure slams the quarterback’s decision window shut.
“Whatever the quarterback reads, he’s going to be wrong,” Thier says. That’s the control a sharp pressure package delivers.
From Reacting to Attacking
Pressure flips the script for defenders. “When a player knows exactly what they’re doing pre-snap,” Thier explains, “they attack instead of reading and reacting.” If a defender struggles with read-based fits, Thier turns them into a rusher, letting them play fast and aggressive. It’s not just about the scheme—it’s about putting players in spots to shine.
The Magic of Simulated Pressure
Thier’s go-to weapon is the four-man simulated pressure. It looks like a blitz, forces the offense to adjust protection, and rattles the quarterback—all while dropping seven into coverage. It’s clean, deceptive, and keeps the defense sound. In a 2024 third-and-long, Thier’s simulated pressure created a one-on-one matchup with a guard, letting a speedy linebacker blow past for a hit that forced a fumble. “We make the quarterback rush, and the ball comes out fast,” Thier says. Takeaways like that beat settling for a punt.
Make Everyone a Threat
Thier’s system ensures every defender could rush, forcing offenses to sweat the details. “I’ve had offensive coaches say their back’s first check was the corner because they had to respect a possible DB blitz,” he notes. This slows the offense’s reads, complicates protections, and makes them scan the whole field for a rusher who might not even come. Even defensive backs beg to blitz—and Thier uses them.
Teaching with “Same As” Concepts
How do you teach 54 off-the-ball rush patterns without overwhelming players? Thier’s answer: “same as” teaching. Instead of 50 unique blitzes, he teaches one concept in multiple forms. For example:
- Canada: Outside linebacker runs the C-pattern.
- Cricket: Inside linebacker runs the same C-pattern.
- Chess: Defensive back runs the C-pattern.
The defensive front plays the same way every time—only the fourth rusher changes. This lets the line move fast without learning new patterns. Back-end players learn through themed names (like insects or countries), making the system easy to grasp.
Buckets and Tags for Simplicity
To keep the blitz library tight, Thier uses:
- Buckets: Group blitzes by theme (e.g., “Ocean” for five-man rushes from one side).
- Tags: Set direction (e.g., boundary, field, tight end side).
Instead of memorizing dozens of calls, players learn a few patterns and tweak them with tags. “With 11 terms, I can run three patterns from eight spots—not 24,” Thier says. That’s coaching efficiency.
Know the Risks, Plan the Fix
Thier’s upfront about pressure’s downsides:
- Two defenders in one gap against zone runs if misfit.
- Tough one-on-one coverage matchups with five or more rushers.
- Screen plays exploiting over-aggression.
- No safety net if a six-man rush misses tackles.
- Extra teaching time for weekly tweaks.
But he counters these with read-outs, coverage disguises, and “same as” layering, keeping the system flexible. This adaptability shines when facing teams twice in a season, like in the North Star Athletic Association.
The Bottom Line
Jason Thier’s pressure system at Dickinson State isn’t just about heat—it’s about outsmarting offenses with clear teaching, smart player roles, and surgical disruption. As Thier’s defenses have shown—leading the NAIA in takeaways per game in 2018 and 2022 and ranking third in rush defense in 2023—this approach doesn’t just pressure quarterbacks; it breaks them.
