Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 16 playbooks
Breakdown
Saw Blitz 1 is a five man man coverage blitz out of the 3-4 Odd Base 5-2 personnel. The diagram shows four defenders crashing downhill off the snap with a fifth blitzer looping in from depth, while the secondary plays Cover 1 man underneath with a single deep safety rotating over the top. This is a pressure package designed to collapse the pocket fast, so the primary read is simply getting the quarterback on the ground before his first or second progression route can develop.
Defensive Reads
Watch the running back and tight end alignment pre snap, since they are the most common outlets against a five man blitz and often become the hot read. If the offense shows an empty backfield or five wide look, expect quick game concepts designed to beat man coverage before the rush arrives. Post snap, key on any receiver who releases inside quickly, since that usually signals a slant or option route meant to exploit the man leverage created by the blitz. This play beats teams that rely on long developing shot plays or seven step drops because the extra rusher shortens the quarterback's clock. Mobile quarterbacks who can escape the pocket and extend plays are the biggest threat to this call, so contain discipline from the edge rushers is critical.
Usage Tips
Call this on obvious passing downs like third and long when the offense is likely to max protect or run five step drop concepts.
Check the offensive formation for trips or bunch sets before the snap since man coverage can get exposed against natural rub routes.
User the deep middle safety to help over the top on any vertical shots while your blitzers get home, since that safety is your only true zone defender in the concept.
Pair this with Cover 1 Hole or Cover 1 Robber earlier in a series so the offense cannot key on the extra rusher and starts expecting a spy or robber look instead.
Avoid calling this against empty backfield sets unless you have a plan to hot route your blitzers, since extra pass catchers can find soft spots against the aggressive rush lanes.
