Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
1 LB Dog is a Cover 1 man blitz out of the Dime 4-1-6 personnel in the Single Mug set, sending the mugged linebacker off the edge on a dog blitz while the secondary plays five-man man coverage behind it with a deep free safety as the eraser. Up front, the four defensive linemen rush while the blitzing linebacker adds a fifth rusher, creating a numbers advantage against a five-man protection. The primary read is simple: user the blitzing backer to time the snap and collapse the pocket before the quarterback can climb, then trust your corners and deep safety in man coverage to lock up any breaking routes underneath.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the running back's alignment. If he stays in to block, your blitzing linebacker may get picked up, so consider a manual assignment switch to attack the weaker blocker. Watch the slot receivers and tight end for quick out or shallow cross releases. Man coverage defenders need to mirror the release immediately since there is no zone help underneath. Post-snap, key the quarterback's eyes for a hot route beater like a quick slant or flat route designed to exploit the blitzing gap. React fast with the man defender assigned to that route. This play beats teams that rely on max protect or slow-developing play-action since the extra rusher wins before routes fully develop. Avoid calling this into heavy run personnel with a lead blocker, since the blitzing linebacker vacates his run fit and can be gashed on power or lead runs.
Usage Tips
Call this on third and medium to third and long when you expect a quick game or shotgun spread look, since the extra rusher pressures the timing of hitch and slant concepts.
Pre-snap, check if the offense has six or seven in protection. If they do, consider audibling out since the dog blitz loses its home run value against extra protectors.
User the mugged linebacker and delay your rush half a step to bait a hot route throw, then explode through the gap once the quarterback commits.
Disguise this look by showing the same Single Mug alignment as Cover 1 Hole or Cover 1 Robber Press first in a series, then bring 1 LB Dog later so the offense cannot key the blitz off formation alone.
Pair this play in a call sequence with Cover 1 Games or DB Blitz Tex 3 to keep the offensive line guessing on which gap the extra rusher attacks each snap.
