Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 11 playbooks
Breakdown
Dbl Safety Go is a safety blitz out of the 3-2-6 Dime formation, sending both deep safeties on a downhill blitz off the second level while the front stays at a standstill to draw protection focus. Underneath, the two inside defenders (the linebacker and the box defender next to him) run short in and out routes to occupy the middle of the field, while the two outside defenders release vertically on go routes to hold the corners deep. This is a pressure package disguised as coverage: the primary read progression starts with confirming the free run of the blitzing safeties, then working the go routes on the outside if the quarterback gets the ball out fast, with the underneath crossers as the checkdown answer against quick game.
Defensive Reads
Watch for the offense sliding protection toward the blitz side pre-snap, which tells you they have identified the safety pressure and you should consider audibling to a different call. Key on running backs staying in to block versus releasing into routes, since a back who stays home can pick up one of your blitzing safeties and neutralize the pressure. Post-snap, track the quarterback's eyes to the underneath in and out routes first since that is the quick answer against this blitz. This beats teams that hold the ball in the pocket looking to push the ball deep, since the go routes occupy the corners and the blitz forces a fast decision. This gets exploited by hot routes into quick slants or flat routes underneath the blitzing safeties, and by max protect schemes that pick up both rushers and let the quarterback sit in a clean pocket.
Usage Tips
Disguise this call by showing a two high safety look pre-snap so the offense cannot identify the blitz until the ball is snapped.
Use this on third and long or in two minute situations where the offense is likely to sit in the pocket and climb the ladder, giving your blitzers time to arrive.
User one of the blitzing safeties immediately after the snap to control the free rusher and force a bad throw if the sim blitz does not get home clean.
Pair this with Cover 3 Cloud or Cover 4 Quarters from the same 3-2-6 set earlier in the game so the offense sees a similar shell and cannot key the blitz off formation alone.
Hot route the underneath in and out routes into deeper zone drops if you diagnose empty or trips formations that stress the middle of the field, since the shallow crossers will not hold up against quick slants.
