Sim Pressure
Show blitz one side, rush from the other
Simulated pressure (Sim Pressure) is the art of showing a blitz from one side while actually rushing from the other. The JACK outside linebacker creeps up to the line showing rush, then drops into coverage at the snap. Meanwhile, the WILL inside linebacker fires through the B-gap on the opposite side, and the strong-side DE crashes inside. The offense sees six potential rushers pre-snap but only four actually come — and they come from the wrong side. This stunt is designed to make the quarterback's pre-snap protection call incorrect, sending the slide the wrong direction.
Player Roles
Weak-side edge
Two-gap nose
Crashes inside to create new rush lane
Shows rush then drops into coverage
Strong-side rush
Run fits
Fires through B-gap as delayed blitzer
Strengths
- • Forces the QB to make the wrong protection call by showing pressure from the wrong side
- • Only rushes four, maintaining a full coverage shell behind the pressure
- • The JACK's show-then-drop action freezes the offensive line, creating hesitation
- • Extremely effective on early downs when the offense does not expect pressure
Weaknesses
- • Requires the JACK to be a convincing actor — a half-hearted show is easily read
- • The WILL must time his blitz precisely or the interior OL will pick him up
- • If the QB recognizes the sim pre-snap, he can audible to attack the dropping JACK's zone
- • Vulnerable to no-huddle tempo that prevents the defense from setting up the disguise
Offensive Counters
- • No-huddle tempo to prevent the defense from setting up the disguise
- • Identifying the JACK's pre-snap alignment as a tell (too far off the ball to rush)
- • Quick passing concepts that negate any pressure regardless of direction
- • RB check-release that scans both sides before committing to a route