Playbooks

3 Double Mable

Quarter·1-3-7·Big Quarter 1-3-7

Quick Reference

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3-4 DefenseDefense

Breakdown

3 Double Mable is a Quarter formation dime coverage built to defend against four and five wide receiver spread packages in obvious passing situations. This is a zone based split safety shell with two deep safeties reading quarterback eyes while both cornerbacks and the slot defenders sink into underneath zone drops, creating a true Cover 3 style shell with two deep halves and a deep middle robber underneath. The primary read for the defense starts with the deep safeties keying the number two and three receivers to their side, then working through the underneath zone defenders as the quarterback progresses through his route combos, making this a zone beater killer against vertical stacks and double moves.

Defensive Reads

Read the quarterback's eyes immediately after the snap since this zone shell relies on your deep safeties reacting to where the ball is going rather than following a single receiver. Watch for offenses attacking the seams between your deep safeties and underneath zone defenders, since four verticals and skinny post combos can split this shell if your linebackers drop too shallow. Key the number three receiver's release, since this is often the first indicator of whether the offense is running a vertical stretch concept or working underneath with drag and out routes. This shell holds up well against man beater combos like slants and out routes since the underneath zone defenders can sit in windows and jump throwing lanes. Watch for streaking crossers or trick concepts on rollout play action since the illusion of run action can pull your linebackers out of position and open up the intermediate zones behind them.

Usage Tips

Call this on third and long or any situation where you expect the offense to empty the backfield or run four verticals concepts against your dime personnel.

Pre snap, identify if the offense has stacked or bunched receivers to one side, since this can create natural picks against your underneath zone defenders if you do not shift your linebackers.

User the deep middle safety and stay patient, letting the shell develop before jumping any route, since aggressive jumps here often get burned by double moves or comeback routes.

Pair this call with Cover 3 Mable or 3 Double Buzz in your play calling sequence to disguise your shell post snap, since both plays share a similar pre snap look but rotate coverage differently after the snap.

Avoid calling this against heavy run personnel since the light front in this Quarter package gets exposed badly against inside zone or power runs, so save it for clear passing downs.

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