Coach -

Simulated pressures, also known as "sim pressures," have become a vital tool in modern defensive football strategies. Eric Kasperowicz, head coach of Mars High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, provides a comprehensive overview of this technique and its advantages for a defense.

What are Simulated Pressures?

If you are reading this, you are certainly familiar with “sims,” but we will define it for our newbies. Simulated pressures present the illusion of a blitz, typically suggesting that six or seven defenders are rushing the quarterback while bringing only four. This strategy creates confusion for the offense, compelling them to adjust their protection schemes unnecessarily, often resulting in hurried throws and suboptimal offensive plays.

Benefits of Simulated Pressures

1. Coverage Flexibility: Since only four defenders rush, the defense can maintain robust coverage with the remaining seven players. This versatility allows defenses to run a variety of coverage schemes, including Cover 2, quarters, and Cover 3.

2. Disruption of Offensive Rhythm: Offenses often respond to simulated pressures by keeping additional players in pass protection, reducing the number of available receivers. This limits the offense's ability to execute their intended plays and forces quicker, less effective passes, particularly on medium to long downs.

3. Exploitation of Protection Schemes: Sim pressures are designed to attack and exploit offensive protection schemes. By overloading one side and then bringing pressure from the opposite side, defenses can create advantageous one-on-one matchups and often find unblocked rushers.

4. Versatility in Defensive Fronts: Utilizing simulated pressures allows defenses to vary their fronts, such as transitioning from an over-front to a three-down look. This variability keeps offenses guessing and enhances the defense's adaptability during the game.

5. Substitution Opportunities: Sim pressures provide a platform for incorporating sub-packages, enabling more players to participate in the game. This is particularly useful for teams with depth at specific positions, allowing backup players to contribute meaningfully in situational roles.

Here is Coach Kasperowicz sharing his thoughts on Sims in this video:

Video: What are SIMS?

Implementation of Simulated Pressures

Coach Kasperowicz explains that simulated pressures can be executed from various fronts, such as a 4-0-4 (Bear front), 5-0-5, or even a Boss (Bigs on the Same Side) look. Here is a detailed breakdown of a simulated pressure from a Bear front:

Bear Front Configuration for Sims

Front Setup: Two 4i defensive linemen, a head-up nose tackle, and two wide stand-up linebackers.

Pressure Execution: 

• The nose tackle rushes away from the running back.
• The three-technique defensive lineman (aligned as a linebacker) blitzes the A gap toward the running back.
• The 4i linemen contain through the B gaps.
• The stand-up linebackers "tickle the tackle," engaging the offensive tackles briefly before dropping into coverage.

Coverage and Adjustments

Coverage Scheme: Typically, this setup allows for a Cover 2 or any preferred coverage since the defense retains seven players in the back end.

Adaptability: The defensive players maintain their gap responsibilities if the offense runs the ball. For pass plays, they transition seamlessly into their coverage responsibilities, maintaining pressure on the quarterback while safeguarding against big plays.

Practical Example

In a practical example, Coach Kasperowicz illustrates the effectiveness of this approach against a Trips gun-strong look (4x1 formation):

Formation: 4i, 0, 4i front with stand-up linebackers.

Execution: The stand-up linebackers engage the tackles momentarily to draw their attention, creating one-on-one matchups for the interior rushers.

Result: Despite rushing only four defenders, the defense successfully generates pressure, forcing the quarterback to release the ball prematurely or into tight coverage.

Here’s the video illustrating this SIM:

Video: Bluff 2 vs. Doubles

Conclusion

Simulated pressures are a potent weapon in the defensive arsenal, enabling teams to apply pressure on the quarterback while maintaining solid coverage. By understanding and implementing these techniques, defenses can disrupt offensive game plans, create turnovers, and improve their effectiveness. 

Coach Kasperowicz's insights provide a valuable guide for coaches looking to enhance their defensive strategies through simulated pressures.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. Coach Kasperowicz has a bundle of his resources here: Defend Today’s Offenses with the 4-3 (11 presentations - 44% off)