By Charlie Coiner, FirstDown PlayBook
Sometimes the zone read key can be misleading for an offense if they dial up the play against the wrong defense. We often think of defensive pressure as a way to get home against the pass, but there are other advantages against the run game.
The pressure you are seeing below is called Nickel 33 Wham 3 Fire Zone in the FirstDown PlayBook defensive pressure section. Of course you can edit the defense and call it whatever fits your system. However, it is important to know that we fit all of these pressures up against multiple formations like 2×2, Bunch and Empty.
We know you will want to add your own coaching points, but if you ever need a reference, you can bank on the fact that every FirstDown PlayBook play, defense and special teams scheme has detailed coaching points like what you see below.
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. Also keep in mind there’s plenty more where this one came from!
COACHING POINTS
Call-side end
Alignment: 4 technique
Assignment: Slant to the C gap with eyes back inside
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
Away 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
Sam linebacker
Alignment: Tight end, 9 technique then stem to hip
No tight end: Show in the B gap, then pull out to coverage late
Key: Tackle to No. 3
Run to: Stack the end and play off of him.
Run away: A gap to scrape
Pass: Play hook No. 3, pass key is No. 3, can help with near receiver or crossing routes
Mike linebacker
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
WILL linebacker
Alignment: Stack the defensive end
If away from the nickel and No. 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 No. 2 to passing strength
Key: No. 2
Run to: Attack No. 2 and take him off the ball. Win late with outside leverage.
Run away: Man to contain to pursuit angle
Pass: Seam flat drop and read QB’s eyes
Safety to the nickel
Alignment: 8-10 yards deep, head up to inside of No. 2
Run: Alley inside out
Pass: Deep middle third
Safety away from the nickel
Alignment: 8-10 yards deep head up to inside of No. 2. Roll down over No. 2 prior to snap.
Key: No. 2
Run: Attack No. 2 and defeat his block. Keep outside leverage on No. 2 if he blocks.
Pass: Roll down over No. 2 and seam flat drop and 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.
- 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 No. 3 receiver in the low hole area.
Coverage can be played as Cover 1.
