Playbooks
Field Goal Block Left
At a Glance
Overview
Field Goal Block Left is a defensive special teams set in the Special formation that the defense uses to attack field goal and PAT attempts. Unlike a balanced field goal block look, it stacks extra rushers on the defense's left edge. That builds a numbers advantage against the wing and end protectors on that side, forcing the offense's protection to slide or get beaten off the edge. The alignment keeps interior linemen pushing the A and B gaps to collapse the kicker's lane, while the edge overload tries to get a free rusher into the kick's launch point.
The set carries three calls that cover a range of risk. Base Block Left is the standard pressure call, with a strong edge overload and enough bodies back to handle simple fakes. Safe Man Left keeps the left side pressure but pulls defenders into man coverage on eligible wings and ends. That makes it the go-to call when you suspect a fake pass or a holder keeper. Load Block Left is the all-out version: it sends the maximum number of rushers through the left edge and interior and sacrifices fake protection for the best possible block odds.
There is no traditional offensive personnel here and no receiver isolation. Instead the matchups are rusher against protector. The set works best when your left edge features defenders with high Speed, Acceleration, and Finesse Move or Block Shedding ratings who can win against the offense's wing blockers. Pairing a user-controlled edge rusher with the Load call is how competitive players create real block threats instead of relying on CPU rush lanes.
Strengths
- Overloads one edge to create a numbers advantage against the wing and end protectors, giving the best built-in path to a free rusher on the kick.
- Three calls from one identical pre-snap look (Base, Safe Man, Load) let you disguise whether you are selling out for the block or protecting against a fake.
- Safe Man Left mans up the eligible wings and ends, which shuts down the most common fake field goal pass concepts and holder keepers without abandoning pressure.
- Load Block Left maximizes rushers on long attempts, where lower kick trajectories and longer operation times give edge rushers a realistic chance to get a hand on the ball.
- Works well with a user-controlled edge defender timing the snap, turning a low-percentage CPU rush into a legitimate block and return threat.
Weaknesses
- The overload is visible pre-snap, so smart opponents can call a fake or a directional run toward the vacated right side.
- Load Block Left leaves little to no coverage, and any fake pass to a wing or tight end can go for a first down or touchdown.
- User-controlled rushers who jump the snap risk offsides or encroachment penalties that can hand the offense a first down on fourth down attempts.
- Block rates stay low against kickers with high Kick Power, because the higher trajectory clears the rushers' reach, so you can burn your aggression for nothing.
- Overpursuit off the edge can lead to running into or roughing the kicker, which gives the offense points and possession on a bad call.
Usage Tips
Call Load Block Left on long field goal attempts (roughly 50 plus yards) and in late-game spots where a block wins or ties the game and a fake is unlikely.
Switch to Safe Man Left on short fourth down field goals, near the goal line, or against opponents who have already shown a fake, because it guards eligible receivers while still pressuring.
User the outside left rusher, watch the snap count cadence, and time your jump off the ball rather than guessing, since one offsides flag can erase a fourth down stop.
Mix Base, Safe Man, and Load from the same Field Goal Block Left look across the game so the offense cannot read your intent from the alignment alone.
Alternate with the Block Right version on later kicks so opponents cannot pre-plan a fake toward your uncovered side.
