Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Nickel Sim 2 is a simulated pressure blitz out of the Load Dbl Mug set that shows a mugged look at the line before bailing into a two deep shell. Both safeties rotate to deep halves while the corners drop into underneath zones, and the diagram shows the two interior rushers (red arrows) attacking gaps while the second level defenders sink into short zone drops rather than blitzing through. This is a zone based simulated pressure designed to disguise the rush and bait the quarterback into thinking he faces a heavier blitz than what actually shows post snap, with the primary read being the quarterback's eyes and hot route decisions since the defense is manipulating the middle of the field read first before working to the flats.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the offense is sliding protection toward the mugged look or checking into a quick game beater, since that tells you if they respect the disguise. Post-snap, key the two deep safeties rotating to their halves and trust the zone drops underneath rather than abandoning your assignment to chase the first route you see. This look is effective against man beater concepts and quick game since the underneath defenders sit in zone windows and can jump routes that break to their landmarks. It is vulnerable to play-action rollouts and deep shots if the offense correctly reads the two deep shell and attacks the seams before the safeties get depth, so get eyes back to the quarterback quickly after the snap. Watch for user controlled receivers working to the flat opposite the mugged pressure, since that is the first area attacked once quarterbacks recognize this is a sim blitz rather than true pressure.
Usage Tips
Show the mugged look pre-snap to bait the offense into thinking six or seven are coming so you can steal a hot route or an audible check that leaves receivers running into zone traffic.
Use user control on the underneath defender near the trips or slot side to jump quick game throws like slants or shallow crossers since the sim disguise often freezes quarterbacks who expect a blitz beater.
Pair this call with Blitz Loop Sim 3 and Blitz Loop 0 in the same set so opponents cannot key on your pre-snap alignment, since all three show similar mugged fronts but bring different pressure combinations.
Best used on early downs or in obvious pass situations like second and long, where quarterbacks are more likely to check into quick hitters that this coverage shell is designed to sit on.
Watch the play clock and only call this against offenses that have shown a tendency to audible into hot routes against pressure, since the value of this play comes from disguise rather than raw pressure numbers.
