3rd Down Study: Load Front Pressures,Line Stunts, Schemes and Coverages

It’s important to have an identity on 3rd down. Some teams will use 4-2 mug fronts, others will use 3-2 dime packages and sometimes you will see the penny front/ You will also teams use a load front where 3 defensive lineman are lined up on the same side.

I ‘ve been studying the 49ers load front as well as the Saints and Titans. Let’s look at some of the pass rush games and concepts you will see on 3rd down.

The load front is good for several reasons:

• Create 1x1 matchups for their best rusher

• Run some games and pick plays

• Force the protection in one direction and bring pressure in another

Here are several examples of load front games and pressures from the three teams discussed above.

49ers