If you want to send a Blitzer from outside the Box, you will likely need to replace them in Coverage.
Here are a couple ways to do it.
Inside-Out
One way to replace a Blitzer from outside the Box is by using a Linebacker who’s aligned inside the Box.
The Linebacker will work laterally to replace the Zone being vacated by the Blitzing Defender.
An important point here is that the Linebacker no longer has a Run Gap, as the Blitzing Defender is adding a number to the Box.
This means that, depending on the situation, the Linebacker can get out early as they are now a “Pass First” player.
A Quick Pause
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Now back to today’s article…
Top-Down
Another option is to replace the Blitzing Defender with a Deep Defender, typically the Free Safety.
This option works well in both Zone and Man-to-Man Coverages, as the Free Safety’s angle allows them to pick up a Receiver Man-to-Man.
Depending on your overall coverage, you may or may not need to Spin a different Defender high to replace the Free Safety.
Dropping Off
A final option would be to replace the Blitzer with a Defender who is lined up on the Line of Scrimmage.
This could be a Defensive Lineman or any walked-up Defender.
Because of the Dropping Defender’s angle, this works best when replacing a Zone responsibility rather than Man-to-Man.
Final Thoughts
There you have it.
A few different ways to do it.
And any Defence that is able to mix it up between all three will have a very dynamic pressure plan.
All the best,
Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
Email: jsvec@stfx.ca
Twitter: @jonsvecx
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