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Breakdown
3 Sam Will Blitz is a Cover 3 zone blitz out of the Penny 3-3-5 Big Nickel package that sends extra pressure off the edge while dropping into a three deep, three under shell behind it. The diagram shows both outside deep defenders sinking into deep thirds while the middle deep defender bails into the deep middle third, with the two flanking underneath defenders sitting in short zones near the numbers and the shallow middle defender spying the box before working underneath. Up front the five down linemen fire off the ball in a straight blitz to collapse the pocket, making this a zone beater blitz designed to disguise pressure while still protecting the deep thirds against verticals.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and cornerback alignment. If both corners are pressed at the line and the single high safety is deep, the offense may expect man coverage, which makes this zone blitz disguise more effective since it looks like man but plays zone underneath. Post-snap, key the quarterback's first read. If he looks to the flats immediately, be ready to user your underneath zone defenders since this play only rushes five and leaves flat defenders exposed if they bite on run action. This beats quick game and shallow crossers because the underneath zone defenders squeeze passing lanes while the five man rush disrupts the quarterback's timing before routes develop. This gets exposed by deep out routes and corner routes to the flanks since the deep third defenders have to respect the vertical shell, leaving intermediate breaking routes to the sideline open if the underneath defenders are slow to react. Watch for hot route adjustments from the offense, if the slot receivers release quickly off the line into seam routes, the deep middle defender needs to widen and trust his zone drop instead of biting on the blitz sound.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or third and medium when you expect a run or a quick game passing concept, since the underneath zones are tight and the blitz gets home fast against slower drop back protections.
Pre-snap, check the offensive personnel and if they show empty or spread formations, be ready to user the shallow zone defender since he is your best chance to jump a quick out or drag route in the flat.
Disguise this call by lining up in a standard Cover 3 shell pre-snap and only bring the Sam and Will off the edge at the snap so quarterbacks cannot key the extra rushers before the ball is out.
Pair this blitz with Cover 3 Sky or Cover 3 Buzz from the same set so offenses cannot sit on the same deep third shell every time you dial up pressure.
Avoid calling this against empty formations with quick game since the underneath defenders can get stressed horizontally if the offense spreads you out and attacks the seams vacated by the blitz.
