Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Dbl Safety Blitz out of Dime Single Mug is a five-man pressure package built to overload the interior of the offensive line. Both safeties crash downhill off the second level along with the mugged inside linebacker, while the two outside linebackers or slot defenders drop into shallow underneath zones to take away hot throws. This is a man and zone hybrid blitz, sending five rushers while leaving the four remaining defensive backs to play man coverage on the outside, so it is designed to force a fast throw or a coverage sack against slow developing dropback concepts.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, look at the offensive line count and check for extra protection such as a running back or tight end staying in, that tells you if the five man rush will win cleanly. Post-snap, watch both safeties crash simultaneously through the A and B gaps, if the guards do not slide correctly one will come free for a sack or hurry. This blitz is vulnerable to hot route sight adjustments and quick slants thrown into the shallow zone voids left by the blitzing safeties, so respect any three step passing concept from the offense. Man beaters with quick outs or option routes to the flat can exploit the space vacated by the crashing safeties before the underneath zone defenders fully sink. Screen plays and RPOs that attack the perimeter are the best counters since the interior rush pursuit angles for the safeties leave the edges thin, so key the running back's release for screen action.
Usage Tips
Call this on third and long or in two minute situations where you expect the offense to sit in the pocket and read through a progression.
Check the offensive formation pre-snap, if the quarterback is in shotgun with no extra protection called, this blitz gets home fast because the double safety crash overwhelms base slide protection.
User the middle linebacker after the snap to spy the quarterback on scramble drills, since the interior rush can open up a lane for him to escape if the pocket collapses.
Pair this with Cover 1 Hole or Cover 1 Robber Press earlier in a series so the quarterback gets used to seeing single high shells before you dial up the safety pressure, that sets up the illusion of coverage while disguising the blitz.
Avoid calling this against empty formations or quick game concepts, since the shallow underneath zone droppers can be outleveraged by fast three step routes before the rush arrives.
