Playbooks
LB Blitz 0 is a Cover 0 pressure package out of the 3-3-5 Big Nickel look designed to bring an extra rusher off the second level while playing man coverage with zero deep help behind it. The blitz sends a linebacker through an interior or edge gap depending on the defender you user, while the secondary locks up receivers with no safety over the top, so this is a pure all-out pressure call rather than a zone or bend defense. The primary read for the user is the running back or slot receiver, since offenses will attack the vacated middle with quick option routes or check downs before the rush arrives, so you want to spy or immediately close on that release before helping anywhere else.
Pre-snap, identify if the offense has a running back staying in to protect, since that back is the first outlet against Cover 0 and your spy or blitzer needs to account for him immediately. Watch for bunch or stack alignments before the snap, since these formations are the biggest counter to this call and will get a receiver open on a rub route against man coverage with no safety help. Post-snap, track the quarterback's eyes to the middle of the field, since any hesitation usually means he is looking to hit a slant or drag route that man defenders have to trail rather than sit in zone. This call is most effective against play callers who love to sit in the pocket on third and long, but it gets exposed by quick game concepts like stick or spot routes that beat the blitz before the extra rusher arrives. If the offense shows empty backfield pre-snap, consider audibling out of LB Blitz 0 into Edge Blitz 2 or Hot Blitz 3 from the same set, since those calls keep pressure without exposing the same man coverage vulnerabilities.
Call this on third and long or in two minute situations where the offense is likely to sit in the pocket and let a route tree develop, since the extra rusher needs time to work but the payoff is a coverage sack or a forced bad throw.
Check the offensive personnel pre-snap and avoid firing this into empty formations or trips bunch sets, since those alignments create natural picks and rubs that neutralize man coverage with no deep help.
User the blitzing linebacker yourself if you want control over the rush lane, and spy the running back with the same defender if you see check release protection, since that is the primary hot read against this call.
Pair LB Blitz 0 with Cover 4 Quarters or Cover 3 Match earlier in the series so the offense has seen zone shells and is not anticipating man free pressure on this snap.
Hot route your slot corner into a tighter man technique if you are facing a shifty slot receiver, since the lack of deep help means any separation at the top of the route is a touchdown.