← Glossary

Simulated pressure

Show blitz, rush four

The pre-snap picture screams blitz — five, six, or seven defenders walked up, linebackers mugged in the A-gaps — but at the snap only four actually rush and the rest bail into coverage. The lie is the presentation: the protection slides to ghosts while the real four come free.

When it applies

Every down against spread teams; pairs with two-high shells that can spin behind it.

+ StrengthsProtection cannot find the real rushers; coverage stays intact behind it.
− Trade-offsNo free runners — the four have to win fast or the quarterback is comfortable.

Filed under: Pressure — blitzes & stunts