Playbooks
Breakdown
Sam Blitz 3 is a Cover 3 zone blitz out of the 4-3 Over Wide Base personnel. Four defenders rush off the diagram with the Sam backer looping in as an extra pass rusher while three deep defenders split the field into thirds and the underneath zone defender sits in the middle hook, and both flanking defenders drive downhill into the shallow flat and curl areas. This is a zone beater blitz designed to bring pressure while still holding three deep zones over the top, so the primary read progression for the offense facing this look starts by identifying the extra rusher off the edge and then attacking the vacated underneath zone before the flat defenders can wall off the sideline.
Defensive Reads
Key the running back pre-snap, since if he stays in to block the extra rusher this blitz has a strong chance of getting home before deep routes develop. Watch for quick game concepts like slants and spot routes attacking the middle hook zone, since that area is thinned out by the blitz. This call beats offenses that rely on a five-step or seven-step drop, since the four man rush plus Sam blitzer forces the quarterback to speed up his internal clock. Man beater route combos with hard breaking routes at the sticks can exploit the seam behind the blitzing linebacker if the quarterback identifies the pressure early. Look for the offense to check into a screen or hot route a receiver into the vacated zone, since disciplined route runners can settle into the soft spot left by the blitzing Sam.
Usage Tips
Disguise the Sam blitz by aligning the backer at a normal depth pre-snap so the quarterback cannot identify the extra rusher until after the snap.
Pair this call with Cover 3 Sky or Cover 3 Cloud Show 2 in your play-calling sequence so quarterbacks cannot key on the blitz look based on shell alignment alone.
Use this on early downs or third and short when opposing offenses expect base coverage, since the extra pressure disrupts timing-based route combos before they develop.
Hot route the flat defenders to sink slightly deeper if you are facing an offense that attacks the flat with quick outs, since the vacated underneath zone is the main vulnerability.
Bring pressure from the offensive right side of the formation to overload protection schemes that slide protection away from the Sam blitzer.
