Zone Read Beater: Zone Dog Pressure

Nickel 33 Wham 3 Fire Zone Defense

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This defensive pressure can put doubt in the zone read quarterback’s mind. So if you are looking for a little wrinkle that can be used on your call sheet for first AND third down this one might be one to consider. The key here is that this pressure not only switches the option responsibility. It also does it while forcing the quarterback to make a quick decision.

Also keep in mind there’s plenty more where this one came from!

CALL SIDE END:
ALIGNMENT: 4 TECHNIQUE.
ASSIGNMENT: SLANT TO THE C GAP WITH EYES BACK INSIDE.
KEY: OFFENSIVE TACKLE TO TIGHT END IF ONE IS ALIGNED TO YOUR SIDE.
RUN: C GAP.
PASS: CONTAIN PASS RUSH

NOSE TACKLE:
ALIGNMENT: 0 TECHNIQUE.
ASSIGNMENT: SLANT INTO THE STRONG SIDE A GAP. READ THE GUARD’S BLOCK.
KEY: OFFENSIVE CENTER TO OFFENSIVE GUARD.
RUN: STRONG SIDE A GAP.
PASS: STRONG SIDE A GAP PASS RUSH.

Change Up The QB’s Zone Read On The Weak Side

AWAY SIDE END: (QB’s Zone Read key)
ALIGNMENT: 4 TECHNIQUE.
ASSIGNMENT: SLANT TO THE C GAP WITH EYES BACK INSIDE.
KEY: OFFENSIVE TACKLE TO TIGHT END IF ONE IS ALIGNED TO YOUR SIDE.
RUN: C GAP.
PASS: CONTAIN PASS RUSH

SAM LB:
ALIGNMENT: 9 TECHNIQUE ON THE TIGHT END AND THEN STEM TO HIP.
NO TE: SHOW IN THE B GAP THEN PULL OUT TO COVERAGE LATE
KEY: TACKLE TO #3.
RUN TO: STACK THE END AND PLAY OFF OF HIM. RUN AWAY: A GAP TO SCRAPE.
PASS: PLAY HOOK #3. PASS KEY IS #3. CAN HELP WITH NEAR RECEIVER OR CROSSING ROUTES.

MIKE LB:
ALIGNMENT: STACK THE NOSE AND WALK UP TO THE LOS PRIOR TO SNAP. SELL STRONG BLITZ POTENTIAL.
ON THE SNAP WRAP THE WILL LB INTO THE B GAP.
KEY: PRESSURE SIDE TACKLE TO BALL.
RUN: B GAP.
PASS: B GAP PASS RUSH.

Your Will Linebacker Must Be Ready For A Clean Run Through If It Happens

WILL LB:
ALIGNMENT: STACK THE DEFENSIVE END.
IF AWAY FROM THE NICKEL AND #2 IS DETACHED COVER DOWN EARLY AND CHEAT TO PRESSURE ALIGNMENT.
KEY: GUARD TO BALL
RUN: A GAP.
PASS: A GAP PASS RUSH.

NICKEL:
ALIGNMENT: INSIDE LEVERAGE ON #2 TO PASSING STRENGTH. KEY: #2
RUN TO: ATTACK #2 AND TAKE HIM TO THE BALL. WIN LATE WITH OUTSIDE LEVERAGE.
RUN AWAY: MAN TO CONTAIN TO PURSUIT ANGLE.
PASS: SEAM FLAT DROP & READ QB’S EYES.

SAFETY TO THE NICKEL:
ALIGNMENT: 8-10 YARDS DEEP HEAD UP TO INSIDE OF #2.
RUN: ALLEY INSIDE OUT.
PASS: DEEP MIDDLE THIRD.

This Zone Read Stopper Can Be Called Vs Multiple Offensive Formations

SAFETY AWAY FROM THE NICKEL:
ALIGNMENT: 8-10 YARDS DEEP HEAD UP TO INSIDE OF #2. ROLL DOWN OVER #2 PRIOR TO SNAP.
KEY: #2.
RUN: ATTACK #2 & DEFEAT HIS BLOCK. KEEP OUTSIDE LEVERAGE ON #2 IF HE BLOCKS.
PASS: ROLL DOWN OVER #2 & SEAM FLAT DROP & READ QB’S EYES.

CALL SIDE CORNER:
ALIGNMENT: OUTSIDE LEVERAGE 7-9 YARDS OFF WR.
RUN TO: ATTACK THE BLOCKER AND WIN OUTSIDE LATE.
RUN AWAY: MAN TO CUTBACK TO PURSUIT ANGLE.
PASS: DEEP THIRD.

AWAY SIDE CORNER:
ALIGNMENT: OUTSIDE LEVERAGE 7-9 YARDS OFF WR.
RUN TO: ATTACK THE BLOCKER AND WIN OUTSIDE LATE.
RUN AWAY: MAN TO CUTBACK TO PURSUIT ANGLE.
PASS: DEEP THIRD.

NOTES:
-THE FRONT IS SET TO THE TIGHT END. IF THERE IS NO TIGHT END SET THE FRONT TO PASSING STRENGTH.
-THE NICKEL DB WILL LINE UP TO PASSING STRENGTH.
-THE PRESSURE WILL COME FROM THE WEAK SIDE. (Zone Read Side)
-THE COVERAGE PLAYED IS 3 UNDER 3 DEEP.
-SAFETY ROTATION WILL BE AWAY FROM THE NICKEL BACK ALIGNMENT.
-SEAM FLAT DEFENDERS COLLISION ANY VERTICAL ROUTES AND ZONE OFF AT 10-12 YARDS.
-HOOK DEFENDER KEYS #3 RECEIVER IN THE LOW HOLE AREA.
-COVERAGE CAN BE PLAYED AS COVER 1.