3 Deep, 2 Under Fire Zone Blitz

In 2020, Pitt played an aggressive style of defense that led the nation in both Sacks and Tackles for Loss. By attacking on early downs, Pitt was able to set up 3rd and Long opportunities for their 5 and 6-Man Pressure Packages. They were able to utilize both Cover 0 and Fire Zones to keep the QB guessing. I particularly like this 6-Man Pressure from a 3-Down Alignment.

• 3 Down (0 Nose + 5 Techniques)

• Mike LB Stacked on the Nose

• Will & Sam LB’s Show Edge Pressure

• 6-Man Pressure

  • Sam Edge C-Gap Blitz

  • Nose & Field DE Exchange (Nose Penetrates, End Loops to A-Gap

  • Mike & Will Exchange (Mike Penetrates, Will Loops to A-Gap)

  • Boundary DE Rushes C-Gap

• 3 Deep, 2 Under Fire Zone

  • CB’s Press/Bail to Deep 1/3

  • Nickel Bails to Post (Middle 1/3)

  • FS & SS Drop into the Hook as “Hot” Defenders

Whenever you run Fire Zone Pressures, you’re leaving something open. In this case, the Field Comeback is open. The question is whether or not the QB has the Time, Vision, & Arm Strength to make that throw in the face of pressure. I love the idea of bailing the Nickel to Middle 1/3 and dropping both Safeties in as the “Hot” Hook Defenders! Great pressure from Randy Bates and Pat Narduzzi!

Safety Double A-Gap Blitz

When you see Double A-Gap Pressure it usually comes from the Inside LB’s Mugged in the A-Gaps with the Nose and the Tackle flexed out to 3 Techniques. Defensive Coordinators have used this tactic to force the offense out of Empty sets by gapping out the O-Line and bringing more than they can block. But, back in 2017, the University of Texas at San Antonio ran Double A-Gap Pressure in the most unique way possible. Instead of bringing Linebackers, they brought both Safeties from a Two-High Shell.

• Odd Front (0 Nose, Double 9 Techniques)

• Both Safeties Blitz the A-Gaps

• Both Linebackers Blitz the B-Gaps

• Nose Drops as the Low Hole/Rat Player

• Cover 0 (RAT accounts for RB)

As defensive players trim down and athletes become more interchangeable, I imagine you’ll see more Safeties running interior blitz tracks. The RB form North Texas does a phenomenal job picking up the free runner, but that’s a tough task!

3-3-5 Complex Cover 1

There is a reason the NFL values Edge Pass Rushers. You can create pressure in traditional rush lanes without disrupting the structure of your defense. If you don’t have stud on the edge, you’re forced to generate pressure through movement and blitzes. When you’re facing a QB who can make quick escapes you will need to add in a Spy element.

in 2019, San Diego State operated out of a 3-3-5 which incorporated a ton of movement and blitzes. Below is one of my favorite blitzes I saw them run because it incorporated so many different elements:

• D-Line Stunt

• LB Blitz

• Safety Blitz (Peel)

• QB Spy

• Cover 1

• TE shifts the Defensive Front from Odd to Even (7 Mug, 3 Tech, Tilted Shade, 5)

• 3 Tech Spikes to the A-Gap

• Nose Wraps to B-Gap (Continue for Contain)

• 3 Tech Drops Out of the Stunt to become the QB Spy/Underneath RAT

• 5 Technique Spikes to B-Gap

• Mike Blitzes C-Gap (Peel with RB)

• Will Blitzes A-Gap

• FS Blitzes C-Gap (Peel with RB)

• Cover 1 with Jack LB Mug Man on the TE

After all that movement, only 4 players end up rushing the QB. They are able to play Cover 1 with both a Deep Safety and an Underneath RAT player. I love the idea of dropping the Penetrator out of the TEN Stunt (3 Technique Tackle + Nose). The RAT/Spy Player has to know where the main pressure is coming from in order to understand where the QB will be flushed out of the pocket.