The football blitz can be an effective way of stopping the offense from gaining yards or scoring. Most blitzes are designed to either force the quarterback out of the pocket or cause him to make quick decisions that lead to mistakes. Some other blitzes are meant to stop the run play. A successful blitz will usually leave an opposing player with few immediate options.
Double Edge Zone Blitz
A double edge zone blitz creates a defense that rushing defensive plays from both sides of the field. For this play, your outside linebackers should blitz around the ends. Your ends should also blitz but toward the inside of their blockers. Your right tackle should also blitz to the inside, while your left tackle drops back into pass coverage. Your middle linebacker will also drop back into pass coverage. Both safeties will also stay back in zone receiver coverage. However, if you feel certain this is a run or short pass play, blitzing your free safety up the middle is an option.
Single Edge Zone Blitz
A single edge zone blitz is meant to pressure the quarterback into running toward the shorter side of the field. This will leave him with few options offensively. The players on the side of the field with the most running room are the players you should have blitzing. If the football is set up on the hash marks on the right side of the field, then the blitz should come from the left, and vice-versa. Your blitz side end and tackle should rush to the right side of their blockers. The middle linebacker and outside linebacker on the blitzing side should rush towards the quarterback to the outside of the end and tackle. Keep your free safety and strong safety in the middle of the field for zone coverage in case of a pass. The nonblitzing end should also drop back into short pass coverage and watch for the run.
Inside Zone Blitz
An inside zone blitz is most effective against run plays up the middle. But it can also force the quarterback out of the pocket during a pass play. Both your tackles, middle linebacker, and right outside line backer should blitz toward the middle. Your right end should drop back into a short pass coverage zone, replacing the middle linebacker. Your free safety should also cheat in closer and cover the middle of the field. All other players should cover their assigned players and zones.
Lineman Blitz
A lineman blitz is a four-man blitz that works best with quick defensive players. For this zone blitz, your ends should blitz around the outside of their blockers and force the quarterback to stay in the pocket. Your tackles will rush up the middle towards the quarterback trying to contain the run. Your line backers should also blitz in toward the quarterback while the safeties come in for a zone pass coverage. If the offensive line is unable to pick up their blocks, this play will likely lead to a sack or a loss of yardage by the running back.
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