Playbooks
At a Glance
In 1 playbook
Overview
The Predator set in the 3-4 formation is a base personnel pressure look that keeps three down linemen, four linebackers, and four defensive backs on the field. What separates it from standard Odd or Over alignments in the 3-4 is how the outside linebackers are positioned: they stand up wide on the edges in a hunting posture, giving the offense a loaded front that could bring five or more at any moment. That presentation forces the quarterback to account for edge pressure before the snap and often baits protection slides or hot route adjustments the offense does not actually need.
The play list is compact but covers three distinct answers: Cover 2 Man for two high man coverage with trail technique underneath, Cov 1 QB Contain for single high man that assigns a spy or contain rusher to scrambling quarterbacks, and Olb Strike 2 as the true pressure call, sending an outside linebacker off the edge with a two deep shell behind it. Because all three start from the same front, the Predator set disguises well. The offense sees the same edge alignment whether you are rushing four, bringing a five man strike, or playing man with a spy.
From a matchup standpoint, base personnel lets you keep bigger bodies in the box against 11 and 12 personnel, so inside zone, duo, and power runs struggle to find a free hat. The tradeoff is that linebackers can be isolated on slot receivers and running backs in man coverage, which is why the two high safety help in Cover 2 Man and the bracket feel of Olb Strike 2 matter so much for protecting those matchups.
Strengths
- Identical presnap look across Cover 2 Man, Cov 1 QB Contain, and Olb Strike 2 makes it hard for opponents to diagnose pressure versus coverage before the snap
- Wide outside linebacker alignment creates natural edge contain, shutting down stretch runs, jet sweeps, and bootleg rollouts to either side
- Cov 1 QB Contain neutralizes mobile quarterbacks who rely on scramble drills against man coverage, keeping the pocket collapsed without losing a deep middle defender
- Cover 2 Man takes away vertical man beaters like corner routes and go routes by pairing trail technique underneath with two deep safeties over the top
- Base personnel in the box gives you gap integrity against 11 and 12 personnel run schemes, forcing offenses into third and long where Olb Strike 2 becomes lethal
Weaknesses
- Linebackers matched on slot receivers or running backs in man coverage get beaten by angle routes, texas routes, and option routes, especially out of empty or trips sets
- Mesh, crossers, and drag concepts shred Cover 2 Man and Cov 1 QB Contain because man defenders lose leverage through traffic with no underneath zone help
- Olb Strike 2 leaves soft zones in the middle of the field and in the hole between the flat and deep half, so quick slants and hitch routes beat the pressure before it arrives
- The limited play count means experienced opponents can learn your tendencies fast, and there are no cover 3 or quarters answers to rotate into from this set
- Three down linemen with contain assignments can produce a slow interior rush, giving pocket passers extra time when you are not bringing the strike
Usage Tips
Call Cov 1 QB Contain against scrambling quarterbacks on third and medium, then user the robber or spy to jump crossers while the contain rushers keep the quarterback in the pocket
Against 21 and 12 personnel on early downs, lean on Cover 2 Man to keep base size in the box while the safeties protect against play action shots
Use Olb Strike 2 on obvious passing downs when the offense shows a single back set, and shade the flat defender or hook zone to take away the quick hot route the offense will throw
When opponents motion a receiver across the formation to identify man, show press on the corners in every call so Olb Strike 2 looks identical to your man coverages
If you see bunch or stack alignments, audible out of Cover 2 Man or switch coverage to a set with zone matching, since man assignments in this set struggle with rub concepts and pick routes
