Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Saw O Blast is a five man blitz look out of the Over Solid 4-3 with the two inside linebackers stacked and blasting straight downhill through the A and B gaps while the three remaining defenders across the line crash into their run fits below. The two deep dots show a pair of underneath defenders sinking off the snap to rob crossing routes over the middle, working as a lurk element behind the blitz to take away quick hitters. This is a run blitz designed to blow up gap runs and stop screens before they develop, with the primary read being the immediate backfield action: fill your gap first, then peel to the shallow crossers only if the run action is a fake.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the running back alignment and offensive line splits, tight splits and a downhill back confirm this blitz is well suited to the play call. Watch for pistol or single back run heavy formations, this blast look shuts down inside zone, duo, and gap schemes before they can develop. Post-snap, key the two lurking underneath defenders sinking to the middle of the field, they are designed to rob shallow crossers and quick game throws off play action. If the quarterback shows immediate play action with a rollout, get eyes to the flat and boundary quickly since the blitz commits extra defenders inside and can be exposed on the perimeter. Beware trap plays and counters that pull blockers away from the initial rush lanes, since the aggressive downhill blitz can be out leveraged by misdirection runs.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs when you expect inside zone or gap runs based on personnel and formation tendencies.
Check the offensive backfield alignment pre-snap, if you see a single back or pistol look with tight splits, this blitz is built to blow up interior run lanes immediately.
Use the two lurking underneath defenders to bait quarterbacks into throwing hot route stick or slant concepts, then let user control jump the throwing lane.
Pair this with Cover 3 Hard Flat or Cover 3 Sky WK in your play-calling sequence so offenses cannot tee off on the aggressive run blitz look after seeing it once.
Avoid calling this on clear passing downs against empty formations, since the blitz commits bodies downhill and leaves you exposed to quick option routes and RPO bubble screens.
