If you are seeing a lot of zone-centric gun runs, the "Cross" path is best-practice pressure to carry on early downs.
Below, the Saints attack the Center "turn" with the LB opposite the RB.
In most zone schemes, the Center will "push" away from the RB.
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How do wide splits erode an elite run defense?
When static, Corey Hetherman’s Miami defense snuffed out runs to a tune of -0.371 EPA/play (#2 in the P4).
But when he brought 5-man pressures on early downs, efficiency plummeted to a neutral -0.027.
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💯 ... & you get better layering & backstops with Weak 3.
CP will get them right.
Clip 1 illustrates the standard "Will 6" scheme, placing the Cover 2 "rotation" to the Wing alignment (YY).
In Clip 2, the Saints utilize a "double" C2 call, placing triangles over the Wing and the two-receiver stack.
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The pressure is designed to work across his face and funnel the RB into a phone booth using a traditional "Cross-Dog" fit.
For more on this pressure, check this out: www.matchquarters.com/p/attacking-...
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Video
The culprit: Wide Nickel alignments created spatial issues on time-to-target in the backfield.
It was the Hurricanes’ #1 pressure tool in ‘25.
Inside the paradox of Miami's Bench Front & use of overhang pressures: www.matchquarters.com/p/miami-benc...
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See how Indianapolis attacked early down offenses in this week's clinic: www.matchquarters.com/p/anarumo-co...
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