How to Negate the Blitz in Football

Picking up the Blitz is Crucial to any Football Team.

As you drop back to pass, you barely have time to release the football before three different defensive players are hammering you to the ground. One of two things is happening: you have no offensive line, or the defense is sending a blitz. By using these strategies you can negate the blitz effectively, no matter how many defensive players blitz.

Instructions

1. Cultivate an effective running attack. This is the number one way to negate the blitz, and should be the first priority of every football team. If you can run the football effectively, then the defense will be hesitant to blitz due to over-running the running back at the point of attack.

2. Keep in two running backs to block. This method is effective to slow the blitz, but it takes away the number of players the quarterback has available to throw to. Still, if you are being blitzed constantly, this can help to combat it.

3. Coach your wide receivers and quarterbacks how to use a hot route. The wide receivers and quarterback should have an emergency slant or hitch route available to go to if they are blitzed and the quarterback needs to get rid of the football quickly. This can also be a running back if the wide receivers are being bumped at the line.

4. Practice and develop an effective screen play. Have your running back fake like he is going to block, then drift out in the flat for a quick dump off. Release your linemen early to go out and block for the running back as well.

5. Use an effective draw play to fool the defense. Since the blitzing defense is rushing in to get the passer. Have the quarterback drop back as though he is going to pass, and then hand the ball to a running back at the last moment. This is a wonderful way to negate the blitz.

6. Change to a shotgun formation. This formation is quite effective at giving the quarterback a couple of extra seconds to get the pass off. It can also be used to run screens and draws from a different formation.

7. Stretch the defense with a long pass off of play action. A defense will often loosen up the blitz if you burn them once or twice with a long pass. They must go back on their heels if they feel that the secondary cannot cover the receivers without help from the linebackers and safeties.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the element of surprise to stop the blitz.

• Practice the running game religiously, even if you are primarily a passing team.

• Never attempt to force the football when a blitz is coming.