Coaching Defense: Even Front LB Plug Run Pressures

Plug pressures are pressures I define as a pressure where 1 ILB blitzes and the other acts as an overlap run fitter. On pass, it becomes a 3 under 3 deep situation or just simply the LB not on the blitz drops into coverage. In order for this to happen the LB needs to blitz his play side A or offside A gap. This makes the other LB an overlap B gap player. The goal of this blitz is to get the LB not blitzing involved in the run fit, unblocked.

The New England Patriots under Belichick utilized the concept. Below they run it from their under front.

They send the ILB to the side of the back and the other LB reads it.

The other LB is lag fitting it and waits patiently for the RB to commit.

Film

Penn State Plug Pressure

NG A Gap hard Mike B Gap Will-A to off C

The Will reads it and fills off C unblocked.

The Dt does a great job and they get the overlap LB untouched.

Texans Defense

They send the Will off A gap and the Mike folds back to the B gap on the weakside. The

Film

Plug Blitz with Safety Pressures or Run Fit

I love using LB pressures with safety pressure or fitting behind it. It is very effective, especially when combining them with LB in the pressure. You often get the safety clean when you bring him.

San Jose used a few of these when they played Boise St. They would send the LB and safety to the same side. The LB gets picked up but the RB gets spilled back to the safety.

The safety comes clean off the nice pressure.

Below are 2 clips of their LB safety pressure.