Run Blitzes

[RogueHominid]

Okay, folks, after watching some NFL Live, I started thinking that my blitz scheme is much less purposeful than it should be. There are one or two blitzes that I really understand well, know how to coordinate with my line calls, and am reasonably sure will generate pressure.

One thing I'm not doing currently, though, is thinking of the blitz as a run-stopping tool. Run blitzes work in the NFL, so why not here? I know the purpose of the pass rush blitz is to overload a side or a gap, but the purpose of a run blitz is to cover every gap with a single defender.

Are there plays and line call combos that you find particularly effective as run blitzes? I'd love to compile some community knowledge on this point, though I realize it'd mean sharing some of our secrets .

I'm going to lab one or two in my next online games and will post my contributions here.

[studbucket]

Since I'm at work, I don't have the plays in front of me now, but I can think of one play I try from time to time, and it hasn't been bad.

In a 4-3, I have my DL crash left and choose a play with my MLB and the ROLB (generally the SAM) blitzing. Before the play, I shift my DL left and my LBs right.

There are definite holes to that, but it puts 6 men in the holes, and with a good DT and MLB could probably succeed often.

[RogueHominid]

Quote: Originally Posted by studbucket

Since I'm at work, I don't have the plays in front of me now, but I can think of one play I try from time to time, and it hasn't been bad. In a 4-3, I have my DL crash left and choose a play with my MLB and the ROLB (generally the SAM) blitzing. Before the play, I shift my DL left and my LBs right. There are definite holes to that, but it puts 6 men in the holes, and with a good DT and MLB could probably succeed often.

That's exactly the play I was thinking of and intending to lab in my next games. That play seems to be designed to hit runs to the left hard. I'm gonna have to tinker with the line calls to figure out which ones give you the best gap coverage.

[Rocky]

Many run blitzes feature safeties. I like some of those corner blitzes to stop the outside run.

[RogueHominid]

I'll have to look at those. Here's a complicating factor: I've noticed that on some blitzes, CPU players will run right by ballcarriers. For example, if you call a goal line blitz and your opponent runs a QB sneak or FB dive or something, blitzers to those gaps will sometimes not recognize that it's a run and will consequently overrun the play. It's almost as though players with a blitz responsibility are keyed to the quarterback, not to the gap or play. I'm not sure if I'm 100% correct on that, but it's an observation that I've made and it may be relevant.

[CreatineKasey]

Good topic! I am hit and miss with run blitzes. The biggest tackles for loss I get are on gap plays where opponents run outside. Run blitzes work best against inside runs in my experience. If you KNOW an ISO is coming and you blitz your ILB it gives him a head start in taking away the FB in the backfield.... things like that really help. Against power if you blitz the OLB on the side the power is going to oftentimes it will get blown up. Beware if you blitz away from the run it leaves GIANT holes in your defense. I've given up SO many huge runs from this.

Here's an example, call cover 3 robber with 1 ILB already blitzing, sent the other ILB in the A gap to take away the inside run. If an iso comes your SS is already running to the middle of the field and there is also a chance your ILB's will blow it up in the backfield. A counter to this blitz would be running toss or power, counter would get blown up too.

Blitzes where ALL your linebackers are sent, or even 3 of them in a 3-4 seem to be ineffective overall against runs. They leave big lanes and there's no pursuit.

[RogueHominid]

In particular, I'm looking to figure out blitzes to counter a select few plays. For example, there are a handful of toss plays that if you just run a regular defense, are pretty tough to stop, even if you slant the line that direction.

Specifically, you can run a toss from a single back left with one or two TEs on that side, and unless the blocking is atrocious, it's a very tough play to stop. It's an offensive staple for some folks, so I'm trying to think through other ways to stop it besides slanting the line or manually controlling the LB (which can get caught fairly easily in the wash of 4-5 blockers). The run blitz just sort of came to mind as an antidote, but I haven't labbed it versus that play.

[CreatineKasey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Trojan Man

In particular, I'm looking to figure out blitzes to counter a select few plays. For example, there are a handful of toss plays that if you just run a regular defense, are pretty tough to stop, even if you slant the line that direction. Specifically, you can run a toss from a single back left with one or two TEs on that side, and unless the blocking is atrocious, it's a very tough play to stop. It's an offensive staple for some folks, so I'm trying to think through other ways to stop it besides slanting the line or manually controlling the LB (which can get caught fairly easily in the wash of 4-5 blockers). The run blitz just sort of came to mind as an antidote, but I haven't labbed it versus that play.

That play torches me too. It seems as though the blocks just don't miss on that play. I might need to figure out a run blitz or a way to better pursue it.