Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
FS Zone Blitz brings the free safety off the slot from depth as an extra rusher while the defense rotates into a four man underneath zone shell behind it. Both outside cornerbacks sink into deep thirds off the snap, the middle linebacker walls off a short middle zone, and the underneath defenders (two square icons plus the blitzing safety and a rushing linebacker) crash downhill to close throwing lanes and contain the pocket. This is a zone blitz designed to disguise pressure while still keeping three deep defenders in place, so the primary read for the quarterback attacking it is working middle of the field first against the vacated underneath area before the FS pressure and shell rotation close the window.
Defensive Reads
Watch the offensive tackle and running back pre-snap to see if they are aligned to pick up a slot blitzer, since that tells you if the FS rush will be accounted for or come free. Post-snap, read the quarterback's eyes to the middle of the field first since the underneath zone defenders are tasked with collapsing on shallow crossers and drag routes in that area. This zone blitz shuts down man beater concepts and shallow crossing routes because the underneath defenders are flowing to close those windows instead of chasing man assignments. It is vulnerable to quick game beaters and hitches thrown to the flat before the underneath defenders can rotate, so watch for offenses that fire out to the perimeter immediately off the snap. Identify user controlled defenders lurking in the shallow middle zone, since a smart user will sit on drag and slant routes anticipating where the ball is going after the FS blitz forces a quick decision.
Usage Tips
Use this out of Dime 2-3-6 Will on early downs or in obvious passing situations where the offense expects a standard drop back look, since the FS blitz disguises as a three deep shell before the snap.
Key on the offensive formation and identify if they are running a hot route based protection, since the free safety comes from depth and can be picked up late if the offense slides protection to that side.
Pair this call with Cover 3 Buzz Match or Cover 3 Hard Flat in your play-calling sequence so quarterbacks see the same pre-snap safety alignment and cannot key blitz versus coverage.
Mix in SS Zone Blitz and Zero Blitz from the same set to keep opponents guessing about which safety or if both are coming, forcing indecision in protection slides.
Call this on third and medium to third and long when you need a coverage sack or forced incompletion, since the underneath zone rotation covers check downs while the FS closes the pocket quickly.
