Playbooks
Blitz Loop 3 is a five-man pressure package out of the Dime Big Dime 4-1-6 personnel, built off the 3-2 Swap Dbl Mug look with double mugged linebackers showing blitz before the snap. The loop design sends interior rushers on a stunt pattern while the mugged backers loop through gaps vacated by the defensive line, creating confusion for the offensive line's blocking assignments. Behind the pressure, this is a Cover 3 Match shell with underneath defenders sinking to their zone drops, so the primary read is to diagnose which gap the loop rushers are attacking first and then key the quarterback's eyes to jump any underneath route working into the vacated zone.
Watch the offensive line's protection slide before the snap, if they are sliding toward the mugged backers they have identified the loop and you may want to check to a different pressure Key the running back's alignment, if he stays in to chip protect the loop rushers he cannot leak out into a route, simplifying your underneath coverage reads This beats offenses that rely on quick game and shallow crossers because the loop occupies blockers just long enough for the pass rush to affect the throwing lane Man heavy motion and rub routes designed to pick off the mugged linebackers can shut this down, so if you see stack or bunch formations be ready to check to a simpler blitz Post snap, track the quarterback's first read, if he immediately looks to the vacated flat or seam area the loop rushers are getting picked up and you need to close that window with your underneath zone defender in a hurry
Show the double mug look for as long as possible before the snap to disguise which two rushers are actually looping versus dropping into coverage
Use this on third and medium to third and long when offenses expect a standard four man rush and are not protecting for a stunt or loop blitz
Pair this with Blitz Loop 0 in the same set to give the same pre-snap picture with a different man versus zone shell behind it, keeping quarterbacks guessing
Hot route your flat defender to sink slightly deeper if you anticipate a quick game beater like flat routes or shallow crossers designed to punish the loop's vacated underneath zone
Mix in Blitz Loop Sim 3 as a change up since it shows the same mugged alignment but drops extra defenders into coverage, punishing quarterbacks who key the initial line movement instead of the routes