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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
WS Blitz 3 is a weak safety zone blitz out of the Big Nickel Over G front that brings extra pressure while dropping into a Cover 3 shell behind it. The diagram shows three deep zone droppers (both outside corners and the deep middle safety) reading vertical routes, with the two nickel/slot defenders sinking to shallow curl-flat zones underneath. Up front, five rushers including the blitzing weak safety attack downhill off the edge, so the primary read is the underneath curl-flat combination against any quick game while trusting the three deep defenders to erase verticals.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the offense is in a spread trips look since that can stress the two underneath zone defenders and create natural picks against the blitz. Watch the weak safety alignment before the snap, if he is walked down near the box the offense should suspect the zone blitz and audible to a quick hot route beater. Post-snap, key the three deep defenders reading vertical stems, if a receiver runs a deep out or corner route the flat zone defender must sink and carry before the corner route threatens the sideline. This call is vulnerable to well timed screens and RPO checks since the interior rush lanes are compressed, so watch for a running back releasing late into the vacated underneath zone. Against man beater route concepts like drag and pick combinations, the coverage can get exposed underneath, but it holds up well against four vertical shot plays because of the deep three shell.
Usage Tips
Use this on passing downs, especially third and medium to long, where the offense is likely to attack with quick game or shallow crossers that the underneath zone can jump. Check the offensive formation pre-snap for trips or bunch looks that could overload one side of the underneath zone and be ready to slide the coverage with a hot route if needed. Combine this with SS Blitz 2 or SS Blitz 3 earlier in a series so the offense has seen safety blitzes from both sides, then dial up WS Blitz 3 to disguise which safety is coming. Pair this call with Cover 3 Sky or Cover 3 Buzz Match in the same set to keep quarterbacks guessing between man look pressure and true zone blitz drops. Get comfortable manually spying the underneath flat defender if you expect a checkdown or screen since the extra rusher removes a traditional coverage defender from the box.
