Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
Edge Blitz 3 is a Cover 3 zone blitz out of the Dime 2-3-6 Will set that sends edge pressure off both sides while dropping into a three deep, four under shell behind it. The diagram shows the two outside linebackers crashing off the edges with the interior rushers looping and twisting through the middle of the line to confuse blocking assignments, while the deep thirds are covered by the corners and the deep safety with underneath zone defenders sitting in the flats and hook areas. This is a zone blitz designed to disguise pressure while still holding three deep zones, so the primary read is to identify which edge rusher gets home first and whether the underneath zone defenders can wall off quick hitters before the quarterback can climb the pocket.
Defensive Reads
Watch for offenses that call quick game or bubble screens to the edge since your rushers are crashing hard and may be out of position against those concepts. This beats man beater route combos that need time to develop like deep crossers or double moves because the edge pressure collapses the pocket before those routes clear. Check the running back and tight end release patterns since they are your first hot blitz beaters if the offense sees the edge crash coming. If the offense has a six or seven man protection called, expect the edge rushers to get picked up, so look for the underneath zone defenders to still hold their landmarks and force a checkdown. Post snap, watch for the quarterback climbing the pocket into the vacated middle since the interior twist can open up a lane if the rushers do not stay disciplined.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or third and medium when offenses expect a standard zone drop rather than pressure off both edges.
Disguise the blitz by showing a two high shell pre-snap then rotating the safety down into the deep third at the snap to bait the quarterback into a bad presnap read.
Pair this with Cover 3 Buzz Match or Cover 3 Hard Flat in your play-calling sequence so quarterbacks cannot key on edge pressure every time you show this personnel group.
Spy or contain check with the middle linebacker if you are worried about mobile quarterbacks escaping the edge rush lanes.
Save this for money downs against offenses that rely on quick game or hitch routes since the edge pressure disrupts timing before those throws can develop.
