Playbooks
WS Blitz 2 is a weak side linebacker blitz out of the Even 4-2-5 shell that sends the will linebacker off the weak side edge while dropping the defensive front into a shortened zone shell behind it. This is a pressure package designed to disrupt quick game timing and collapse the pocket before the offense can hit its first read, not a coverage beater in the traditional sense since it sacrifices numbers in the underneath zones to generate the extra rusher. The primary read for the defense is get eyes to the quarterback immediately off the snap: the will linebacker is the first key blitzer, and the defense wins if that rusher beats the tackle or back before the quarterback can climb the pocket or get the ball out on a slant or hitch.
Watch the running back's alignment pre-snap, since a back set to the blitz side can chip or pick up the will linebacker and kill the pressure before it develops. Key the offensive tackle's stance on the blitz side, a wide or cheated stance often signals the offense is anticipating edge pressure and will chip or slide protection that way. If the quarterback is under center and shows play-action footwork, expect the blitz to be delayed by the fake, so the will linebacker must stay disciplined and not overrun the mesh point. Man beater concepts with quick out routes or slants to the blitz side flat will hurt this call, since the vacated zone lets receivers settle in soft grass immediately after the blitzer clears. Look for hot route sight adjustments on the offensive line, if the center points to the will linebacker's side pre-snap the offense has identified the blitz and will pick it up or throw away from it.
Use this play on early downs or third and medium when you expect a run or a quick game passing concept, since the weak side blitz can be gashed on cutback runs if the offense reads the pressure and audibles into a run away from the blitz side.
Check the offensive formation pre-snap for weak side trips or bunch sets, because if the offense stacks numbers to the blitz side you may want to check to WS Blitz 1 or WS Blitz 3 instead to attack a different gap.
Spy the running back with your user if you are worried about a hot route release into the flat, since the vacated underneath zone on the blitz side is the first place a quarterback will look to dump the ball off against pressure.
Pair this call with Cover 2 Man or Cover 4 Quarters on the following snap to keep the offense guessing between a five man pressure look and a two high shell after showing pressure once.
Disguise the blitz by aligning your linebackers at standard depth pre-snap and delay the trigger slightly so the quarterback cannot get a clean pre-snap key on the will linebacker's alignment.