Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
3 Double Buzz is a zone coverage call out of Penny 3 High in the 3-3-5 that rotates into a Cover 3 shell with two underneath defenders buzzing to depth in the intermediate hook/curl zones. The three deep defenders (both corners and the deep safety) carry vertical thirds, while the two buzz droppers sink to wall off in-breaking routes and the middle linebacker spikes downhill to rob shallow crossers. This is a zone beater, not man, and the play design bets on the buzz droppers taking away quick in-breaking throws while forcing the quarterback to work the deep thirds. Primary read progression starts with the deep middle third for the vertical seam, then works to the buzz defenders sinking under any curl or dig routes trying to sit down in the intermediate zone.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment since Penny 3 High tips a three deep shell, and watch for the offense motioning to declare which side the buzz defenders need to bracket. This call shuts down curl flat combos and dig routes trying to settle in the intermediate zones because the buzz droppers are sitting directly on those landmarks. It is vulnerable to deep double moves and post corner combos that stress the outside thirds since only one deep defender is responsible for each vertical third. Post-snap, key the buzz defenders sinking to their zones and use manual control on one to jump an underneath route if the quarterback stares down a receiver. Watch for running backs leaking out of the backfield on wheel routes since the buzz zones can get picked if a linebacker is late getting depth on his drop.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or obvious passing situations where you expect the offense to attack the middle of the field with dig or crosser combos.
Pre-snap, identify if the offense is running trips or bunch formations designed to flood one buzz defender's zone, and be ready to pass off the flat responsibility if a user controlled defender needs to widen.
Use this play in sequence with Cover 3 Sky or Cover 3 Buzz from the same set to disguise which underneath zone is getting doubled, keeping the quarterback guessing on where the buzz defenders will sink.
Hot route the buzz droppers to widen their landmarks if you are getting picked apart by flat routes or wheel routes attacking the numbers.
Mix in Mike Bltiz 0 or Edge Blitz 2 from this set on third and long to keep the offensive line honest, then come back to 3 Double Buzz once the quarterback starts expecting pressure.
