Playbooks
LB Blitz out of the Over G 4-2-5 Big Nickel package sends both linebackers off the edge on a five-man pressure package while the secondary rotates into a man-heavy shell behind it. This is a blitz play, not a coverage call, designed to collapse the pocket before the offensive line can identify the extra rushers. The primary read is presnap: identify which linebacker is showing blitz and which one is a delayed rusher, then key the running back to see if he stays in to chip or leaks out as a hot route outlet for the quarterback.
Presnap, check safety depth, if both safeties are tight to the box this blitz is likely paired with man coverage behind it and beats slower developing man beater concepts Watch the slot cornerback and nickel defender alignment, tight press alignment confirms man coverage support while soft alignment suggests a zone match shell underneath the blitz Postsnap, key the offensive line slide protection, if the line slides toward the blitz side the backside rusher often comes free for an unblocked lane This blitz is vulnerable to quick game concepts like slants and hitches since the underneath zone or man defenders are stretched thin, offenses running three step drops can beat it before pressure arrives Look for the running back releasing into the vacated linebacker zone as the primary checkdown, user a linebacker in coverage drop if you see the back stay in the backfield too long
Bring up the play call screen and check the running back alignment before the snap, if he is offset to the blitzing side he is likely staying in to block and you gain a numbers advantage elsewhere
Use this on third and medium to third and long when you expect the quarterback to hold the ball for a deeper route, since the extra rusher forces quicker decisions
Spy or user the delayed linebacker if you suspect a scramble quarterback, since both backers crashing at once can open cutback lanes for mobile passers
Pair this with SS Blitz 2 and SS Blitz 3 earlier in a series to condition the offense to expect single high pressure, then dial up LB Blitz as a change up look from the same Over G personnel
Avoid calling this against empty backfield sets unless you manually spy the quarterback, since there is no natural checkdown deterrent with both linebackers vacating underneath