We talk extensively on here about defending exotic formations or using simulated pressure to create an advantage in the pass rush, but some parts of defense are as much psychological as they are physical. Simulation Eight is a creeper designed to mentally overwhelm the QB. Terminology differs across football and Simulation Eight is just what I call this creeper. Another coaching staff or another writer may use different terminology, and that is perfectly fine. Like many creepers, this sim pressure is as much about what the QB thinks he sees as what he actually sees.
Simulation Eight Play Concept
The normal goal of third down pressure packages is a QB sack or tackle for loss. A secondary goal is to force a throw to a hot receiver short of the yardage needed. Simulation eight convinces the QB everyone is covered leaving only one open receiver.
The defense shows three down linemen, only one actually down in a stance, everyone else standing. There are six defenders (three DL, two LBs, one safety) on the line of scrimmage representing six possible rushers. At the snap, WDE rushes C gap, NG rushes weak A gap, SDE rushes strong B gap. The idea is two-fold: bring pressure from the weakside to force protection over there, and force QB to look strongside where he has three possible targets (RB, TE, WR). Coverage weakside is three DBs on two receivers that is not an option. Strongside there are five people in coverage (two LB, three DBs) on three receivers so that is not an option. The eight men in coverage is why this is simulation eight.
The QB’s only option is to throw to the fifth receiver, the RB on a swing pass.
Executing Simulation Eight
We are looking at 3rd and 8 on A&M’s 15 yard line. At the snap, DeMarvin Leal rushes the weak A gap, then drops into spy. Michael Clemons rushes the weak C gap but is picked up by the LT and LG. Tyree Johnson rushes the strong B gap and takes on both the RG and RT. MLB Aaron Hansford drops into the middle flat. Nickelback Antonio Johnson drops into the right flat. Auburn receiver Kobe Hudson is passed from Johnson to Hasnford as they cover their zones. WLB Edgerrn Cooper stays at the line, spying on QB Bo Nix and reading his eyes. Nix sees the two-deep coverage playside with five covering two. Nix opts for the swing route to RB Shaun Shivers. Cooper hunts him down and tackles him for no gain.
Backfield Camera View
Backfield camera view gives a better angle to see what Nix is seeing in real-time, and why he opted for the swing route to Shivers. A&M’s simulation eight creeper convinced Nix he only had one open option for a pass, and it resulted in no gain for the offense.
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