Learning to Use the Zone Blitz

This is an excerpt from my eBook on Zone Blitzing. The book is an inexpensive, yet comprehensive look at the zone blitz and how you can use the zone blitz in your defensive scheme. It also includes diagrams of over 100 Zone Blitzes from multiple fronts.

This is a look at what the zone blitz is, and why you will want to use the zone blitz in your game plan. It is also a look at the formatting of the eBook, since I literally cut-and-pasted it! (cut me some slack, the National Championship was on!)

Want to learn more about the Zone Blitz? Buy Dominating Football Defense with the Zone Blitz!

What is the Zone Blitz?

You should have a little bit of an idea about why we want to use the Zone Blitz in our defensive scheme now. But we have not gotten in to exactly what the Zone Blitz is.

Zone Blitzes are a 5 man rush package that features a zone coverage behind them. The starting point for a zone blitz package is a blitz with four defensive linemen and a linebacker (if you are an even front) or three defensive linemen and two linebackers (for odd fronts).

Most Zone Blitz packages use a 3 under, 3 deep zone coverage behind them. This creates safety because you always have players behind the receivers to make a tackle and line up again if the offense does have success. In man blitz schemes, you are subject to the deep ball and big plays, more so than the Zone Blitz.

Some teams also use a 4 under, 2 deep zone coverage behind their Zone Blitzes. Coupling this with the 3 deep zone coverage creates even more confusion for the offense, if your players can handle it.

From the starting point of basic one-linebacker Zone Blitzes, we can expand the package. Zone Blitz packages can include blitzes by multiple linebackers, safeties and corner backs.

Linebackers and even Defensive Linemen can get involved in the coverage package. This creates more opportunities for confusion for the offense (and for your defense if not taught properly!). It also lets you get your athletes in to a number of different positions during the course of a single defensive series.

When to Use the Zone Blitz

One of the goals of this book will be to teach you not only a variety of Zone Blitzes, but when it is best to call these blitzes. Certain calls will be more effective in certain situations.

Again, do not make calls just to make a call. Going in to a game, I only want to take a maximum of three different zone blitzes. There is just no reason to take more than that. Offenses can only do so many different things to you.

Every Zone Blitz you use should have a specific purpose. Think about what you are trying to accomplish.

• Are you trying to force the Offense to change their game plan?
• Are you trying to pick on a particular player on the offense?
• Are you trying to put your most dynamic player in multiple positions to cause havoc for the offense?

If you are using a Zone Blitz as an answer to the offense, keep in mind that you are probably letting them dictate to you. This is not the mentality we want to have.

While I will talk about some guidelines in using various types of Zone Blitzes in certain situations, the ultimate success of your package will be based on how well you game plan for your opponent. Offenses are so varied today, and the individual talent of our defenses, that we cannot get cookie cutter answer to “when to Zone Blitz.”

Learn more about Dominating Football Defense with the Zone Blitz

To learn more about the Zone Blitz, check out this Zone Blitz video from ChiefPigskin.com.