Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Rush Outside out of the 46 Normal formation is a defensive line stunt designed to generate pressure off the edge while keeping four defensive backs deep to guard against big plays. The diagram shows the four defensive linemen crossing paths with the outside rushers looping around while the interior linemen occupy gaps to free up the edge rush lanes. Behind the line, four defenders (two corners and two safeties) hold their positions with one linebacker/safety hook dropping into a shallow zone, showing a two deep, one underneath shell. The primary read for the user is to control the looping edge rusher and time the stunt to beat the tackle around the corner before the quarterback can climb the pocket.
Defensive Reads
Watch for pulling guards or lead blockers at the snap, since that confirms an outside run the stunt is designed to stop. If the quarterback shows a quick three step drop, expect a hitch or quick game beater and get your user rusher's hands up to contest the throwing lane. Zone drops from the underneath defender will cut off shallow crossers, so this beats spot concepts and quick outs that rely on soft underneath coverage. This front loses to inside zone runs and draws if your interior stunt defenders take too long to reset the gap, so key the running back's first two steps for cutback lanes. Play action rollouts to the stunt side can freeze the looping rusher, so keep contain discipline and do not fully commit upfield until you diagnose run or pass.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs against offenses that like to run outside zone or counter, since the line stunt disrupts blocking angles at the snap.
Pre-snap, check the offensive line splits and running back alignment. Wide splits or a single back set often signal a run to the perimeter that this stunt is designed to blow up.
User the looping defensive end or tackle and manually time your first step to avoid getting sucked upfield by play action, since the stunt can be vulnerable to reverse or naked bootleg looks.
Pair this call with Cover 1 Contain or Cover 3 Match in the same set to disguise your front. Show the same personnel and depth pre-snap so the offense cannot key on the stunt based on your defensive back alignment.
Best used on run heavy downs like second and short or first and ten when you expect gap runs or stretch plays to the edge.
