Playbooks
Sam Mike 1 out of the Bear 46 3-4 is a Cover 1 man blitz look built to bring pressure while locking down the underneath and intermediate routes with man coverage across the board and a single deep safety over the top. The Sam and Mike linebackers execute the blitz package this play is named for, timing their rush off the snap while the remaining defenders play tight man technique on their assigned receivers. Your primary read is the free safety in the middle of the field, and once he commits you should key the running back or slot receiver for the first man matchup that breaks open against the rush.
Pre-snap, check the single high safety alignment to confirm true Cover 1 rather than a disguised two high shell that could bail into a zone drop after the snap Watch the running back's release out of the backfield, since man coverage on the back is the first place quick game concepts attack this blitz Post-snap, key any user controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow crossing lane, as that is the primary counter teams use to expose the Sam Mike blitz This look struggles against quick slants and pick concepts that combine man beater routes with natural rub picks, so be ready to fight through traffic with your man defender Against play action, the linebackers committing to the blitz create natural cutback and rollout lanes, so spy discipline on the backside contain defender is critical to prevent explosive gains
Use pre-snap motion to identify if the offense is sliding protection toward the Sam or Mike blitzer, since that tells you which side will win first
This play hits hardest on third and medium to third and long when the offense is more likely to sit in a five or six man protection with no help for the slot defender
Mirror the user controlled defender to the receiver you expect to win the route, usually the number two receiver working an inside breaking route against man coverage
Pair this call with Will Sam 1 in your play calling sequence so the offense cannot key blitz direction based on personnel or formation tendencies
If the quarterback has a fast trigger and gets the ball out before the rush arrives, switch to Engage Eight on the next snap to disguise coverage while still playing physical man principles underneath