Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 16 playbooks
Breakdown
Will Buck 3 Press is a Cover 3 zone blitz look out of the 3-4 Odd Base 5-2 personnel, showing press alignment on both outside corners and a four man rush with a cross blitz look up front. Behind the pressure, three deep defenders split the field into thirds while underneath zone defenders (the flat corner, the hook/curl linebacker, and the flat/curl safety) sink to their landmarks to take away shorter zone beaters. This is a zone beater deterrent play designed to disguise pressure while still keeping three deep defenders over the top, so the primary read for the defense is to identify if the quarterback is attacking the deep middle third or trying to work an out route into the press corner's blind spot before the underneath zone fills.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check the offensive formation for stack or bunch releases near the press corners, since a hard release can beat the jam and turn into a vertical shot down the sideline. Watch the running back and tight end alignment to anticipate check downs into the middle void created by the cross blitz up front. Post-snap, key the quarterback's eyes to the deep middle third defender, since Cover 3 is vulnerable if the safety bites on a play-action fake or double move. This look shuts down quick game and flat routes thanks to the press corners and underneath zone defenders sinking to their spots immediately after the snap. It is exploitable by well timed seam routes or skinny posts that split the deep thirds if the deep defenders drift too far outside on run action or bite on double moves.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when you expect the offense to attack the flats or run quick game concepts, since the press corners and underneath zone defenders are aligned to jump those routes immediately.
Pre-snap, identify if the offense has a trips or bunch set to the strength of your blitz, and consider shifting your linebackers or using a slide adjustment to keep the cross blitz gaps clean.
Combine this call with Cover 3 Sky or Cover 3 Match earlier in a series so the offense sees a similar shell before you bring the extra pressure with Will Buck 3 Press, keeping the quarterback guessing on protection.
User the underneath hook/curl linebacker to rob any crossing routes or drag concepts that try to sit down in the middle void created by the blitz.
Avoid calling this on obvious passing downs against quarterbacks who can extend plays outside the pocket, since the four man cross blitz can create running lanes if contain is not respected.
