Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Nickel Overload 3 is a Cover 3 zone blitz out of the 2-4 Dbl Mug look. Pre-snap the diagram shows two mugged interior blitzers and an overload rush to one side, with the defense dropping into a three deep, four under zone shell behind it. The two outside cornerbacks sink into deep thirds while the middle linebacker area sits in a shallow curl/flat zone, and the overload arrows on the strong side show extra rushers crashing off the edge to disrupt the blocking scheme before the quarterback can climb the pocket. This is a pressure package designed to win with numbers against the protection while still holding a zone shell over the top, so the primary read is to trigger the overload rush first and let the underneath zone defenders react to whatever route combo tries to hit the vacated area.
Defensive Reads
Watch the running back and tight end alignment pre-snap, if they both check to the overload side the protection will likely hold up and you should consider a coverage check instead. Post-snap key the offensive tackle on the overload side, if he turns to help on the edge rusher that leaves the underneath zone shorter to any crossing route. This look beats man beater combos and quick game to the overload side since the extra rusher disrupts timing before routes develop. It is vulnerable to play action rollouts away from the overload since the backside underneath defender has to cover a lot of ground in the flat. Identify if the quarterback is a scrambler pre-snap, since the overload can be baited by rollout action if the contain defender bites too hard on the run fake.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or third and medium when you expect the offense to use a two man protection scheme that cannot account for the extra overload rusher.
Check the offensive formation pre-snap for trips or bunch sets away from the overload side, since that tells you the offense will struggle to pick up the extra rusher.
User the overload defender closest to the line and time your blitz trigger with the snap to beat the tackle before he can get his hands on you.
Do not spam this play back to back, mix in Nickel Sim 2 or Nickel Dog Meg from the same set so quarterbacks cannot key the overload look pre-snap.
Against quick game or RPO heavy offenses, drop the overload rusher into a hot spy read instead of sending him if you see bubble screens or stick routes designed to beat blitz.
