Coaching Football Pass Defense: Overload Zone Pressure Concepts
Overload Pressure Concepts
The overload concept is very simple. It often involves bringing 4 rushers to the same side, forcing a situation where you have 1 extra rusher vs a offensive line and RB. This situation is created through scheme. As part of it, because they bring 4 to 1 side, it is common to drop the DE on the other, so you can play zone with it.
Several of the best teams in the NFL will run the concept. I’ve seen it utilized by great coaches such as Steve Spagnuolo, Lou Anarumo, Steve Wilkes and others.
The Ravens and Giants under Wink use this concept and mix it up on 3rd down but coach the crap out of route recognition and concepts. They bait you into some throws and then rally to the football. They also force slides and attack protection calls. They will often attack the man side in protection with 4 rushers with only 3 players to block it. They can also go in the direction and bring pressure the other. Their overload concepts are extremely difficult to pick up and they often get a free rusher.
These type of pressures are always a big part of the scheme not only for Wink Martindale but several coaches in the league. You will often see him send 4 rushers to a side with a nose guard becoming the contain rusher on the other side.
The KEY is they create 4 over 3 situations to either the zone side or man side of protection!
Let’s start looking at some with both cover 2, 4, 42 and 3. Cover 42 is cover 42 to one side and cover 3 to another.
Cover 2
Here they play cover 2 and run the concept vs the Lions when Wink was there. The Nose MLB will be the contain rusher. They force the Lions into a balanced protection and get the RB on 2 LB. One guy can’t block 2.
They attack the man side of protection with a 4 over 3 scenario. You will also often see the DE and LB drop opposite the blitz.
Here’s the tight film of the concept
Here’s the wide view
Ravens Overload Cover 2 #2
They bring 5 to a side from an odd mug look. They have numerous players standing up which causes confusion identifying players. They bring the overload on the left side and drop the 2 edge defenders on the right.
Film
Chiefs Cover 2
Here is an overload concept vs the Eagles. They bring the 4 rushers to the passing strength, 2 wr side. They drop the DE on the Rt side and willl play cover 2. The deep safeties have half field concepts. They get the free rusher with the overload concept
Here’s the film with the overload pressure look.
Cover 3 Pressures
Bears overload Pressure look.
They attack the zone side in protection. The offense sees it and brings the back across but they still get the 2 for 1. Like so many overload pressures they drop the DE opposite. They get the free rusher vs the 4 man slide protection.
Film
Chiefs 3rd and 3
Chiefs play cover 3 and bring 4 to the strong side of 3x1. They drop the DE to the hook and LB to the curl flat. The Sam hesitates slightly allowing the pass to be completed.
Giants vs the Ravens
Cover 3
3rd and 10
Penny front: Here comes the overload zone pressure(4 to a side). Great scheme and design as the Texans throw hot away from the pressure.
They bring it even with the empty formation. Wink doesn’t care
Nice 3 deep look and design. Wink had Mills on his toes all game. Bringing pressure early forced some quick decisions. They bring the slot safety and the mike and drop to a 3 under 3 deep scheme.
You see the slot come on the left with the Mike LB. They bail a DT and a LB to the right.
You can see the 3 under deep and even though the Giants look like they messed up the coverage. Loose the left side the pressure forces a quick decision
Nice design and here is the clip as they get off the field on 3rd and 10
Utah
They run it from the load front with 2 stand up DE. they bring 4 to the right side and 1 to the left. They drop the DE and LB.
Here’s the clip with it!
2 under 3 deep
The Bengals bring 5 off the right side and play 2 under 3 deep.
Film below!
I hope you enjoyed this clips and some overload zone pressures!