Playbooks
Breakdown
Field Sim 3 is a simulated pressure look out of Nickel 2-4 that shows blitz at the second level while dropping into a Cover 3 shell behind it. Both outside linebackers rush off the edges while the two inside defenders shown with white boxes and red arrows drop to underneath zones, and the two remaining second level defenders sink into curl or flat zones to replace the blitzers. The cornerbacks bail into deep thirds with the deep safety rotating over the top, so the primary read progression for the offense facing this look is to identify the underneath void created by the simulated rush, attack the seam or curl zone vacated by the dropping defenders before the deep thirds compress.
Defensive Reads
Presnap, check the depth of the two inside second level defenders shown dropping, if they are shaded too far inside they will be late getting to curl flat zones and can be attacked with quick outs. Watch the cornerback alignment, if they are playing off at seven yards or more they are bailing into deep thirds and will not help underneath, so user the middle linebacker to rob crossing routes. Post snap, key the running back on protection, if he releases into a route immediately against the delayed rush this play is vulnerable to a check down for easy yardage. This call shuts down quick game and hitch concepts because the delayed drop confuses the timing of man beater routes, but it can be exposed by hard play-action rollouts that pull your rushing outside linebackers out of position. Identify if the offense audibles into a hot route on the slot receiver presnap, since the shallow zone drop from your inside defenders can be beaten by a fast option route if you do not user that zone defender aggressively.
Usage Tips
Disguise this call by mixing it with straight four man rush calls like Edge Blitz 0 or FS Will Blitz 0 so the offense cannot key on the drop by drop presnap.
Use Field Sim 3 on early downs when the offense is likely to call quick game or spot concepts, since the delayed underneath drop can jump hitches and slants.
Bait the quarterback into holding the ball by showing pressure with your outside linebackers and then dropping them, this is most effective against user quarterbacks who key blitz numbers presnap.
Pair this call with Cover 3 Match or Cover 3 Sky in the same drive to keep the same shell look while alternating between true zone drops and man match rules underneath.
Avoid calling this on obvious passing downs against offenses running heavy play-action rollouts, since the delayed rush can be exploited by extra blockers picking up your simulated pressure late.
