Playbooks
Over Storm Brave is a pressure package out of the Nickel 4-2-5 designed to bring five man pressure while disguising the rush lanes with a storm front stunt up front. The blitz sends extra numbers off the edge and through an interior gap, using the "storm" stunt to loop a linebacker or defensive end through a vacated lane created by the defensive tackle crashing inside. Post snap, the primary defensive read is the quarterback's eyes and the running back's release, since the blitz is built to collapse the pocket before a hot route or checkdown can develop, forcing a quick, inaccurate throw or a sack.
Watch for the offensive line's protection slide pre-snap, if the center points toward the stunt side, expect the offense has picked it up and you should be ready to bail into coverage. Key the running back's alignment, if he is set to the stunt side he is likely staying in to chip or pick up the blitz, which tells you the stunt will need extra hustle to still get home. Post snap, track the quarterback's first read, since this pressure is designed to disrupt timing routes and quick game before the receiver clears the underneath zone. This look is countered by max protect schemes with seven or eight blockers, so if you see extra tight ends or backs staying in, consider dropping into a coverage call instead of pulling this blitz. Beware of screens and RPOs to the perimeter, since the stunt commits defenders inside and can be exploited by a quick bubble or slip screen away from the pressure.
Call this on early downs against offenses that show a tendency to max protect or run play action, since the storm stunt eats up blockers and disguises where the extra rusher is coming from.
Use pre-snap motion checks to confirm whether the offense is sliding protection toward the stunt side, and if they are, consider audibling to a different blitz in the set like Cover 1 LB Blitz or Dbl Safety Blitz to keep them guessing.
Mix this in after showing Cover 3 Match or Cover 3 Sky on the previous snap so the offense reads the same shell before the disguise, then bring Over Storm Brave to punish a quarterback who is holding the ball too long.
On third and medium to long, this play is ideal since the stunt timing usually beats hot route sight adjustments before the receiver can uncover.
Spy the middle of the field with your user if you are worried about a mobile quarterback escaping the pocket, since the stunt can occasionally overrun the quarterback and open a scramble lane.