Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 12 playbooks
Breakdown
Dbl Safety Blitz is a Dime 4-1-6 pressure package that sends both safeties off the edges while dropping the rest of the coverage into a shortened zone shell underneath. The diagram shows three underneath defenders squeezing in toward the middle to pattern match or rob quick in-breaking throws, while the two X defenders on the numbers press vertically down the seams as blitzers off the second level. This is a run and pass blitz designed to overload the edges pre-snap and force the quarterback into a hot read or checkdown before the double safety pressure arrives, with the primary read for the defense being the quarterback's eyes toward any hot route beater working underneath.
Defensive Reads
Watch for the running back or tight end releasing quickly to the flat, since they are the most common outlet against a double safety blitz. Key the offensive line protection slide pre-snap, if the line slides away from your blitz side you have a free runner off that edge. This pressure struggles against quick game concepts like slants and stick routes, so if the offense is in a spread trips formation expect a fast three step throw to beat you. Read the quarterback's shoulders immediately after the snap, if he looks to the middle of the field the underneath defenders are pattern matching that throwing lane. Look for max protect or seven man protection schemes pre-snap, which neutralize this blitz and give the quarterback time to let deep routes develop against your light coverage shell.
Usage Tips
Call this on passing downs where you expect the offense to take a shot down the field, since the double safety pressure forces a quick decision from the quarterback.
Check the offensive formation pre-snap for empty backfield or trips looks, since those alignments often lack a blocker to pick up both safety blitzers.
Use pre-snap motion adjustments or manual spy assignments on your linebacker if you see a mobile quarterback, since the underneath defenders are occupied with zone drops.
Pair this with Cover 1 Contain Spy or Cover 2 Hard Flat earlier in a series so the offense cannot key on your double safety look every time you show Dime personnel.
Disguise the blitz by showing a two high safety shell before the snap and bailing the safeties down late, since early safety rotation tips off the pressure to a good stick or hot route.
