Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
DB Blitz Tex 3 is a Cover 3 zone blitz out of Dime Single Mug that sends a defensive back off the edge on a Tex blitz while dropping the rest of the defense into a three deep, four under zone shell. The two outside cornerbacks sink into deep thirds, the free safety rotates over the top as the third deep defender, and the underneath zone defenders wall off the flats and hook areas while the linebacker spikes down the middle to the curl-flat area. This is a zone blitz designed to disguise pressure while still holding deep thirds, so the primary read progression is to identify the DB blitzer's angle first, then work outside to inside through the flat and curl zones underneath as the quarterback is forced into a quick decision.
Defensive Reads
Read the offensive tackle and running back to their pass protection assignments before the snap, since this blitz beats offenses that leave the edge unaccounted for against a five man box look. This scheme shuts down quick game and shallow crossers because the underneath zone defenders wall off the short and intermediate throwing lanes while the DB blitzer collapses the pocket. Watch for offenses that check into max protect or slide protection toward the blitzing DB, which neutralizes the pressure and forces your zone shell to hold up on its own against deep shots. Post snap, key the quarterback's eyes for hot route beaters to the flat, since a blown edge contain lets the quarterback escape outside the rush lane before your underneath defenders can convert. Against play-action, the DB blitz can be a liability if the running back chips or picks up the rusher, so be ready to bail your zone drops if you see run action bring extra hats to the edge.
Usage Tips
Disguise this call by mixing it in after showing base Cover 3 Buzz Show 1 or Cov 3 Buzz Show 1 so quarterbacks cannot key the DB blitz off your presnap shell. Use this on early downs or in obvious dropback situations where the offense expects a clean pocket, since the extra DB rusher creates a numbers advantage against tackles who are not accounting for edge pressure from depth. User the blitzing DB manually if you want to control the rush lane and bait the quarterback into a hot throw, then let the AI handle the zone drops behind you. Pair this with Blitz Tex 3 and 1 LB Dog in the same series so offenses see similar presnap alignments but cannot tell whether the extra rusher is coming from a linebacker or a defensive back. Avoid calling this against empty formations with a mobile quarterback, since the vacated underneath area can get exploited by scramble drills if your contain rusher loses his angle.
