Today we’re breaking down a defensive play by looking at a double safety blitz A&M used last season. The double safety blitz is a man blitz. The difference between a man blitz and a zone blitz is primarily in coverage. In zone blitzes, defenders drop off to cover certain zones. In man blitz, defenders cover specific players man to man.
Play Concept
Just like a short yardage play on offense, the defense has their own sub packages for specific down and distance. A&M’s double safety blitz sub package is dime personnel, six defensive backs with two linebackers and three defensive ends.
The offense is in 11 personnel with the TE and RB aligned left, one receiver to the boundary and two to the field. Defensive line is in an Okie front with DEs aligned outside the TE, strong 1 shade, and outside the RT. Both LBs are aligned on either side of the 1-tech. Corners are in off man coverage on the receivers and a safety is off the slot. The strong 1-tech will slant to the weak A-gap. SDE and WDE speed rush D and C gaps, respectively. WLB blitzes strong B gap. MLB shows blitz but drops into coverage. LG and LT should pick up SLB blitz, if they do, there is a gap for SS to blitz through. If SS is picked up, FS is coming in behind him unblocked. Either SLB, SS, or FS should have a free unblocked shot at the QB.
Executing Double Safety Blitz
Facing a 3rd and 6 at the A&M 12 yard line, Alabama is in 11 personnel and A&M brings in their 3rd down sub package. DE Tyree Johnson, Michael Clemons, and DeMarvin Leal are on the line. Aaron Hansford and Andre White are at LB. CB Jaylon Jones is aligned to the boundary and Tyreek Chappel is to the field. SS Leon O’Neal, NB Antonio Johnson, and FS Demani Richardson are on the field.
At the snap, Clemons speed rushes strongside. Alabama run slide protection right, away from the tight end. LT Evan Neal has to block Clemons one-on-one because slide protection is away from him. LG and C zone right to handle Leal’s weakside slant, opening a gap between the LG and Neal picking up Clemons. Andre White charges through the gap but is picked up by RB Brian Robinson as the most dangerous man. White’s blitz forces Bryce Young to step to his left, away from slide protection. Leon O’Neal timed the snap and blitzes right next to White. Robinson picks up White to his right so O’Neal comes from his left and buries Young on the sack. Antonio Johnson loops in behind O’Neal to clean up. O’Neal is the first safety blitz, Johnson is the delayed safety blitz.
End Zone View – Double Safety Blitz
The end zone view gives a clearer picture of how the slide pass protection right and Richardson’s blitz of the strong B gap opens the door for O’Neal’s sack. If Richardson doesn’t get to Young, O’Neal does. If O’Neal somehow misses, Johnson is there to clean up. The play design is to bring pressure with six defenders, force the QB to roll to his left away from protection, and then sack him there.
Result of the play is a QB sack and an 8 yard loss.
