Being one of the biggest leagues in the world, the NFL is a pretty straight forward game to understand for the viewers. However, there are some terms that might not resonate well with the fans or those who have just started to soak in the gridiron thrill. One such term is ‘Blitz’. Tuning regularly into the football games, the word ‘blitz’ is almost certain to pop up several times.
While it might be a bit confusing, here is everything you need to know about a blitz.
What Is A Blitz?
The term Blitz originates from the German word ‘Blitzkrieg,’ which means ‘lightning war.’ Initially, this term was used to aptly describe the rapid and fast-paced attacks executed by the German military during World War II. Similarly, in football, when a sudden pressure is applied on the athlete carrying the ball, the play is known as a Blitz.
The Chiefs are one of the highest blitzing defenses in the NFL at 31% … anybody want to come to the chalk board and explain what Dak does against the blitz pic.twitter.com/XM3OjFfN0K
— J Tuck (@jtuck151) November 18, 2021
In NFL terms, a Blitz is a play in which a team’s defense deploys five or more defensive athletes into the opponent’s attacking zone to target the ball carrier, often the team’s quarterback.
How Is A Blitz Helpful In Football?
The main purpose of Blitz is to disrupt the momentum of the attacking team. When a swarm of defenders attacks the ball carrier, the rhythm often changes, allowing the opponent to capitalize and force a quick turnover. The biggest qualities a defender must have to perfectly execute a Blitz are speed, strength, and proper game reading.
There have been many instances of athletes successfully executing the Blitz in the NFL. However, no one was as successful as the legendary linebacker of the New York Giants, Lawrence Taylor. His incredible presence of mind and ability to pounce on his opponents made him a legendary defender in the NFL. Owing to his incredible form, Taylor was awarded the NFL Most Valuable Player back in 1986.
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There have been many instances of athletes successfully executing the Blitz in the NFL. However, there was no one as successful as the legendary linebacker of New York Giants, Lawrence Taylor. His incredible presence of mind and ability to pounce on his opponents made him a legendary defender in the NFL. Owing to his incredible form, Taylor was awarded with the NFL Most Valuable Player back in 1986.
How Many Types Of Blitzes Are There?
There is no set pattern to execute a perfect Blitz. They can be carried out as zone defenses and also as man-to-man defenses. In the case of a zone defense, the oncoming defenders will look to target a specific area of the field. However, in the case of a man-to-man Blitz, the onrushing defender will target one particular offensive player from the opponent team. Here are some popular Blitz explanations.
- Outside Linebacker Blitz: In such a play, an outside linebacker will be responsible for attacking the opposing quarterback from outside. This is very effective against a quarterback who usually plays by rolling out of the pocket.
- Insider Linebacker Blitz: This is one of the most popular plays in the NFL. In such a case, an inside linebacker goes up to the middle to apply pressure on the quarterback. In the meantime, the other inside linebacker falls back to provide added coverage.
- Double Outside Linebacker Blitz: This play requires both outside linebackers to pressure the quarterback from the outside. When such a Blitz is executed, the opponent’s offensive tackles are under a lot of pressure to block both incoming linebackers at once.
- Secondary Blitz: A secondary Blitz is a little different than the other three. Here, a defensive back is sent to blitz the QB, which catches the opponent by surprise and causes significant confusion in the backfield.
How To Counter A Blitz?
Well, there is no doubt that the Blitz is an effective and risky defensive play. However, there is always a way to beat even the most effective strategies. Similarly, one of the ways in which a Blitz can be countered is quick passes. A good quarterback must be able to predetermine an incoming blitz. Thus, with proper game reading, the QB can instantly throw the ball to the open receiver, who can then utilize the open space.
Rams running 'Storm,' which has become a popular way to attack 12p/21p formations in the NFL.
— Cody Alexander (@The_Coach_A) November 16, 2024
Strong rotation Cover 3, then blitz the Safety off the edge.
Roll to Cover 2 behind it.
— pic.twitter.com/yAFdr5MPd4
Another popularly used method to counter a Blitz is the max protection scheme. Under such a situation, the additional players stay put on their block instead of rushing forward. Here, the QB can ask the tight end and the running back to slow down the blitz.
Thus, with Blitz having a significant impact on an NFL game, it now remains to be seen how well the tactics can be executed to the fullest advantage by the teams in the future.
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