Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Strong Snake 3 is a Cover 3 zone blitz style shell out of the 3-4 Over Ed front that drops seven into a three deep, four under zone shell while disguising pressure to the strong side. The snake terminology signals a linebacker or edge defender dropping into a underneath zone while another rusher loops or crashes off the edge, creating confusion for the offensive line's blocking assignments. The primary read progression starts with the deep middle third defender reading the quarterback's eyes, then flows to the underneath zone defenders keying on any crossing routes or flood concepts to the strong side before collapsing on shallow throws.
Defensive Reads
Watch for offenses attacking the seams between the deep third defenders, since Cover 3 shells are naturally vulnerable to well timed seam routes from twin receiver sets. Key the running back's release out of the backfield, since flat zone defenders need to widen quickly to account for check downs and screen action. Identify if the offense is running four verticals, because the strong side underneath zone can get stressed if the linebacker drop is late reacting to the vertical stem. Look for user controlled slot receivers sitting down in the honey hole between the flat and deep zones, this is the classic soft spot in any Cover 3 zone beater route concept. Recognize empty or spread sets pre-snap since they can force the zone blitz elements of this play to be less effective, requiring a sim pressure check down instead.
Usage Tips
Use Strong Snake 3 on early downs when you expect play action or under center run heavy personnel since the zone drops hold up well against boot action and misdirection.
Check the offensive formation strength pre-snap and align the strong safety to match numbers, since this call is built to lean into the strong side of the field.
Motion boost the underneath zone defenders slightly wider if you see stack or bunch formations to prevent easy pick routes from clearing out the flood zone.
Pair this call with Cover 3 Sky and Cover 3 Cloud in the same set to keep quarterbacks guessing on where the extra run support or deep help is coming from.
Save this play for third and medium to third and long situations where the zone blitz pressure can disrupt timing routes before the shallow crossers develop.
