Playbooks

Penny

3-3-5·Big Nickel 3-3-5

SpecialistsRLERRERDTNTSLCB

Set alignment for Penny from 3-3-5 in Madden 27

At a Glance

Formation3-3-5

Personnel

Big Nickel 3-3-52 EDGE3 DTMIKE2 CBFS2 SS

Plays24

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Overview

The Penny set is the heaviest look in the 3-3-5 formation. It trades the traditional three linebacker shell for a Big Nickel 5-1-5 structure: five down linemen (NT, RDT, RLE, RRE, and an extra interior body), a single Mike linebacker, and five defensive backs with the SLCB matched over the slot. Other 3-3-5 sets rely on stand-up linebackers and simulated pressure. Penny commits real mass to the line of scrimmage. That lets you play gap sound run defense against 11 and 12 personnel without subbing out a nickel corner.

Because five linemen occupy every interior gap, offenses lose easy answers like inside zone, duo, power, and counter. The NT and RDT eat double teams, the RLE and RRE set a hard edge, and the lone Mike scrapes freely to the ball. The fifth DB keeps you matched up in space, so the SLCB can press or trail the slot receiver. That takes away quick slants and option routes that normally punish heavy fronts. The set carries a deep call sheet of Cover 1, Cover 3, Cover 4, Cover 6, Cover 9, and Tampa 2 shells, plus zero pressures like Mike Blitz 0 and Pinch Blitz 0. You can disguise almost any post snap rotation from one pre snap look.

The matchup advantage comes from forcing offenses into a choice. Stay in 11 or 12 personnel and try to run, and your front outnumbers their blockers. Spread out to throw, and you still have five DBs to cover while your linemen collapse the pocket on quick pressure. The set works best when you isolate the offense's best slot target with the SLCB and let the front handle everything between the tackles.

Strengths

Five down linemen fill every interior gap, shutting down inside zone, power, and counter from 11 and 12 personnel without needing to sub into a goal line package
The SLCB stays on the field in a heavy front, so you can press the slot in Cover 1 Robber or Cover 1 Hole and take away quick slants, option routes, and drive concepts that normally beat base defenses
Zero pressure calls like Mike Blitz 0 and Pinch Blitz 0 bring interior heat fast, collapsing the pocket before deep man beaters like double moves and wheel routes can develop
The wide coverage menu (Cover 3 Match, Cover 4 Palms, Cover 6 Willie, Cover 9, Tampa 2) lets you rotate the post snap shell from one identical pre snap look, which disrupts pre snap reads and audible decisions
Heavy interior linemen win one on one against guards when you show blitz and drop, producing quick pressure even on four man rushes

Weaknesses

Only one linebacker means the hook and curl zones are thin, so shallow crossers, mesh, and drive concepts can flood the middle, especially against Cover 3 Sky and Cover 6 calls
Running backs and tight ends released on angle routes, Texas routes, or option routes often draw the Mike alone in man coverage, which is a favorable matchup for the offense
The heavy front loses outside speed rush, so quick game and RPO bubble screens attack the perimeter before your edge players can react
Empty and 10 personnel spread looks force your linemen into zone drops or leave coverage mismatches, and a patient quarterback can pick apart the underneath voids
A smart opponent who spots Penny will audible to outside zone, toss, or jet sweep to stretch your big bodies horizontally and test pursuit angles

Usage Tips

Call Penny on early downs and short yardage against 11 and 12 personnel when the offense shows a run heavy tendency, and let the front win while you user the Mike or a safety over the top

On 3rd and short, disguise Pinch Blitz 0 or Mike Blitz 0 by showing a two high shell pre snap, then bring interior pressure to beat quick play action and sneak attempts

If the offense motions a back or tight end into a route, shade your coverage inside or user the Mike to take away the crosser, since that is the primary way offenses attack this set

Mix Cover 4 Palms and Cover 3 Match against spread passing downs to take away vertical seams and flat routes while keeping the heavy front to stop draws and delays

When the offense lines up empty or trips, check out of Penny or hot route defenders into hook zones to plug the middle, and avoid leaving the Mike isolated in man on a speed back