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]

Re: Run Blitzes

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]

Re: Run Blitzes

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]

Re: Run Blitzes

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

[RogueHominid]

Re: Run Blitzes

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]

Re: Run Blitzes

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]

Re: Run Blitzes

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]

Re: Run Blitzes

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.

[MUSS]

Re: Run Blitzes

Try Delayed blitz. Run blitzing works well for me when I have a pretty good idea they will run.

What I do: I pick my Dline scheme and a play. Then when The offense starts to line up, I get an idea if they will run(especially after playing an opponent after his first drive). I then select delayed blitz appropriate for my Dline scheme and shift LBs and line if neccessary. Seems to work really well, especially if I control a Safety and manually pursue (at least initially, to help him get a better jump).

[teambayern]

Re: Run Blitzes

delayed blitz could be great, but in my experience, sometimes the delay allows a OL to get a block on you before you can even move. Just be mindful of that when you lab these.

[MUSS]

Re: Run Blitzes

delayed blitz could be great, but in my experience, sometimes the delay allows a OL to get a block on you before you can even move. Just be mindful of that when you lab these.

Most Definately. I almost always only delay blitz 1 player and the one who (scheme-wise) should be the most unlikely to be blocked by an Olinemen. Usually its a LB playing the gap behind a legend on the Dline (I always have two-three Legends on Dline, so its not to big of a prob).

[RogueHominid]

Re: Run Blitzes

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.

Yeah, the blocking is consistently incredible on that play, and its the cornerstone of some of our league offenses, so I'm an interested party . If I figure it out before anyone else, I'll post my insights.

[Rocky]

Re: Run Blitzes

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.

I've had alot of success using Cobra's against outside runs. Seems like you should give that a shot.

[LBzrule]

Re: Run Blitzes

There is one play I run, not often, that is pretty damn tough to stop. It's out of a Singleback formation. If you motion the right people, you will get a convoy and if nobody on the defense shoots underneath, GOOD LUCK, You'll NEED IT!!! especially if it is a gold RB. But I set up passes with mine too, so if you want to man up a bunch of guys on the RB then it's trips to that side so I'm gonna have crazy things open. I don't run this play often though. Too easy. I've stayed out of that formation alot lately too.

[CreatineKasey]

Re: Run Blitzes

Re: Delayed Blitz

In my experience delayed blitzes have left my defensive player standing still when I want them to shoot the gap. I've had far more success just plowing in there with straight-up blitzes.