Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
FS Will Blitz 0 is a zero blitz out of the Dime Big Dime 4-1-6 personnel that sends four interior rushers straight downhill at the snap while the defense plays Cover 0 man behind it with zero deep safety help. The diagram shows four defenders converging hard toward the middle of the box, indicating a free safety and Will linebacker joining the interior D-line rush to overload the pocket and force a quick throw. With every remaining defender locked in man coverage on an island, this is a pure pressure call designed to win before the quarterback can climb the pocket, not a zone or route based concept on offense.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the offense is in a spread or empty set, since those formations make it easier for the quarterback to diagnose zero coverage and beat it with a fast three step throw. Watch the running back and tight end release, if either stays in to chip or block, your rush lanes tighten and the coverage on the backend gets a numbers advantage. This play crushes play designs that need time to develop like deep comebacks, double moves, or slow developing play-action rollouts because there is no time for the pocket to hold. It is vulnerable to hot route beaters like quick slants, stick routes, and screens, so key on the quarterback's eyes immediately after the snap for a fast release throw designed to counter the blitz. Post-snap, track any receiver who breaks open quickly against man coverage, since there is no safety help over the top and a blown man assignment turns into an explosive gain instantly.
Usage Tips
Call this on third and long or in two minute situations where the offense is likely to hold the ball for a deep shot, since the free safety blitz removes your deep middle help and needs a fast win up front.
Check the offensive personnel and receiver splits pre-snap. If you see stacked or bunch formations, be ready to audible out since your man corners will have trouble working through picks with no safety help.
Disguise this look by showing a two high shell before the snap and rotating the free safety down late, this keeps quarterbacks from getting a pre-snap key on the zero blitz.
Pair this play in your call sheet with Cover 1 LB Blitz and Dbl Safety Blitz so the offense cannot sit on one blitz picture. Mixing zero and one high pressure looks off similar formations keeps play action passes and screens from gashing you.
Avoid calling this against empty backfield or heavy trips formations where the quarterback can identify the extra rusher and get the ball out on a quick hitter before your pressure arrives.
