Snake: Sam Strong Safety Pressure
When a defense reduces the front to one side it is a good start to determining where safety rotation is going to be. Not on this one. FirstDown PlayBook calls this “Snake”. It is our Sam Strong Safety pressure out of an under front.
If the Strong Safety can be patient and not give this away early this can definitely ruin an offense’s day. The Sam LB, strong side End and the shaded nose must get home. Depending on the offensive play they have a long way to go.
Teach the strong side 5 technique to read the block of the Guard. If the Guard blocks away or zones strong, the 5 technique can control that B gap. However, if the Guard blocks out on the 5 Technique, he should cross his face and get in the A gap.
Want to see other examples of how FirstDown PlayBook pressure installs are unlike anything else you have seen?
As you can see from the drawing, FirstDown PlayBook offers you help with motion and trade adjustments too. In this drawing the Mike must travel with any motion strong so the Snake zone ogg can stay on. This is an important part of coaching zone dog pressures. At the end of the day you have three underneath cover guys. If the F were to motion weak the Will LB would go with him and he needs to let that drop End know because it affects his drop into coverage.
Read How FirstDown PlayBook Calls Quarters Coverage Here
All of this is important to coach up but if you can count to three and communicate it’s not hard either. Your defensive front, Sam linebacker and strong safety need to understand getting home vs a pass is mandatory. If it’s not a hot throw or a three step pass then it’s a sack.
