4 Keys for Running Back Blitz Pick-Up

Nothing ruins a great pass play faster than a running back who can’t pick up the blitz. For most 6 or 7 man protections, this can become a big problem.

And let’s face it, you just run out of time. The Offensive Line can spend half the practice working on pass protection. But where do you find that time for a back who has to learn the run plays, routes, formations, and plenty more within your offense?

With the right pass protection plan, you can do it. Not just the scheme, you have to have a practice plan and game plan that will give your running back a hand in pass protection.

Here are 4 keys to getting better blitz pick-up from your running back.

Make It a Fair Fight

In your game plan, make sure you know who your Running Back can handle. And who he can’t.

Even though I like Slide Protection, we would only use it in the 3-Step game. Defensive Ends are like Offensive Linemen. They can spend half the practice on pass rush. Not to mention being bigger. And stronger.

It doesn’t stop with slide protection. Which Linebacker is the better, more aggressive, more talented blitzer? Use your back to protect the other way. Give that stud to your Guard in protection.

If your Quarterback has the awareness, he can really help you out here, too. The ability to check protections to send the back away from the blitz is huge.

Focus on Big Fundamentals

There are a few principles of pass rush I really hammer into our Linemen. Every day.

Fastest path to the Quarterback is to the inside.

As long as you stay between the rusher and the Quarterback, we’re OK. No big hits.

For the running back, it’s important that he meet the rusher up in the line of scrimmage. Too many backs sit back and wait until the rusher is already inside the pocket.

Focus on those keys. Don’t start micro-managing your pass protection with a running back who has poor blitz pick-up.

Eliminate the If… Then…

This is hard to do. You want to account for everything. But at some point, the Quarterback has to be responsible.

I’ve made this mistake for years. Telling the back to check one Linebacker, then another. Then just to be sure, check another one!

The Quarterback can help a lot on this by adjusting (flipping) protection at the Line of Scrimmage. Or you can use a 7 man or 8 man protection. But don’t give a Running Back too much to think about.

Give him one Linebacker to check. Then release. If you’re using proper route combinations (like the one’s we teach in the Pistol Power Offense System, your Quarterback will have somewhere to go with the football.

Get the Back Out of The Backfield

You’ve got to release the running back. It gives your Quarterback another option.

That also forces your opponent to limit the blitz a little more. Especially against Zone Blitzes.

When you use route combinations that attack the numbers, getting the back out will make sure the Quarterback has a right option to go to.

Your back not releasing is often because he has too much thought. Limit the options and work a good blitz pickup drill to teach him how to get and get into the route quicker.

The Pistol Power Offense features a great passing system. Route protection and route concepts all tie in together. You can get more information and become a PPO System Client at http://pistolpoweroffense.com today!