Understanding BOB Protection vs. the 3-4 Part 2

This post is a continuation of a previous post on Understand BOB vs. the 3-4. The focus of this installment is on understanding the protection schemes that use a dual read by the OL in conjunction with a dual read by the back to help account for 7 potential rushers with only 6 blockers. Simple math makes it impossible for the offense to block all 7 rushers with only 6 blockers, therefore a 7 man pressure will still create a hot throw or a sack. The goal of this protection is to account for the most common 3-4 pressure schemes and allow the offense to throw drop back concepts without having to throw hot off of 5 man or 6 man pressures when the offense has enough blockers to account for those pressures. As in all Big on Big schemes the OL has the down linemen.

The OT's would have the DE's and the Center would have the nose with no blitzing linebackers. The guards would look to give help either to the Center or Tackle. Most 3-4 teams however, do not rush 3 and drop 8 on every snap. The guards will read the inside linebacker to their side. If the ILB is NOT blitzing the Guard looks to the outside and it is 2 on 2 (OG & OT for DE & OLB). If neither the ILB nor the OLB are blitzing the Guard is back to helping the Center or Tackle with their DL.

If the inside linebacker IS blitzing the Guard and Tackle are now 2 on 2 for the ILB and DE. The running back is reading straight down the middle keying both ILBs. The running back will look first to the side of the first inside linebacker to show blitz. This allows for the offense to be able to pick up 5 man zone pressures like the NCAA concept.

The same rules when the defense brings 1 ILB and both OLBs.

If both inside line backers show blitz the running back will step to the side he has determined to be most dangerous.

If both sides are danger the RB will protect the QB's blind side and the QB must be ready to throw hot.