The Goalline Sam Blitz is a play that can not only slow down the run, but it also can bring some solid pressure on the quarterback. Today, SportsGamer's going to break down exactly how to create instant pressure on your opponent when using this defense. The great thing about setting up the pressure on the Sam Blitz is that it's very easy to do. Read below to find out how to turn this play up a notch.
Goalline - Sam Blitz
Quick Setup
Step 1 of 1 - Pinch the defensive line (LB + down).
Step 2 of 2 - Pull the inside left defensive end a couple yards off the line of scrimmage..
Step 3 of 3 - Slide the outside left defensive end in one notch to the left.
Play Breakdown
Figure 1 - The Minnesota Vikings have come out in the Sam Blitz. As you can see, this is a man to man defense with no safety help over the top. Fortunately, we're going to show you another change later in this breakdown that you may want to consider using to help guard against the deep ball. First, let's take a look at how the pressure is created.
Figure 2 - In this image we've taken the first step with the Vikings by pinching in the defensive line.
Figure 3 - Next, we manually pull inside left defensive end Darion Scott off the line about a yard or two. This is the defender that will wreak havoc in the backfield on most occassions.
Figure 4 - The last change that we make is sliding outside left defensive end Jayme Mitchell over one notch to the left. Now the pressure is set to come after the snap.
Figure 5 - This much closer view of the line of scrimmage gives you a good idea of what your defense should look like before the snap. Take a look at Figure 6 to see how the pressure unfolds.
Figure 6 - As Green Bay Packers' quarterback Brett Favre drops back to pass the pressure starts to develop up front. Both Scott and Mitchell start running towards the opening just to the right of center Scott Wells. Right guard Junius Coston is responsible for preventing one of these two players from getting through the A-gap. Typically, Coston will pick up the outside defensive end, allowing the inside defensive end to shoot the gap. However, sometimes the outside defensive end will shoot the gap too quickly, forcing Coston to block the inside defensive end instead.
Figure 7 - Coston makes the block on outside defensive end Jayme Mitchell. Meanwhile, Darion Scott explodes through the opening in the line to get after Favre.
Figure 8 - Favre has no where to go with the football at this point in the play.
Figure 9 - Scott takes down Favre before he could even get to his second read.
Figure 10 - This time we've made a slight change by manually controlling right defensive end Kenechi Udeze during the play. We can run around wherever we want to with Udeze without messing up the pressure. If you are concerned with getting beat deep, then we would suggest running back as far as possible wth your right defensive end before the snap to try to make a play.
Figure 11 - This picture provides you with another close-up of the line of scrimmage. However, this time you can see that the right defensive end has been pulled off the line.
Figure 12 - The play develops exactly the same after the snap as Scott attacks the A-gap once again.
Figure 13 - Scott gets up close and personal with Mr. Favre one more time.
Figure 14 - Scott drives Favre into the ground for a second time.
Final Thoughts
The Sam Blitz will generate consistent pressure, as well as slow down a number of different running plays. The two weaknesses that you will have to guard against is the deep ball and the mobile quarterback. Manually controlling the right defensive end gives you the ability to take away one of these two weaknesses. However, it also makes you slightly more susceptible on running plays to the left. Regardless, this play will force your opponent to have to find a weakness, and find it quickly because of the constant pressure that you'll get. Head into practice mode to check it out!.
