Blitzing Technique

The thing that isn't coached much is WHAT TO DO if you achieve penetration to one side & the ball goes away.

We tell kids (if they blitz left & see the play go right, etc.) not to penetrate beyond heel depth of O-Line - then, get on a pursuit angle (NOT a chaser position on the ball) to filter back thru the first opening in & get back on the proper pursuit angle aiming in front of the ball carrier. DRILL IT!

Here are the stunt techniques we used in our old 5-2 defense (we no longer run a 5-2):

5-2 OKLAHOMA STUNTS:



A) "C"

TACKLE: Line up exactly as 5-2 Regular. As the ball is snapped, charge hard at the juncture of the neck and shoulder of the offensive guard. Play the guard's head. If the guard blocks OUT on you, flatten your course, staying close to the line of scrimmage so the guard cannot block you out. If you watch his head carefully enough you will be able to adjust your course quickly so that the guard will have trouble getting in position to block you out. If the guard does not turn out on you, penetrate on the original angle and get to the ball as fast as possible.

LINEBACKER: Line up exactly as 5-2 Regular. As the Tackle charges fast to the inside, shoot the gap directly over his original position. React to the movement of the tackle as you shoot. Normally the tackle will be blocking on the lineman, and you will be able to penetrate quickly into the backfield. As you shoot, adjust rapidly to the course of the ball. If it is coming your way, be sure that you do not overrun the play. If the ball is going away from you, adjust quickly and move with it.



B) "B"

TACKLE: Line up exactly as 5-2 Regular. As the ball is snapped, shoot fast to the outside of the offensive tackle, attempting to get penetration through the gap between the offensive end and tackle. Be sure the tackle does not block you in. Having penetrated, react quickly to the ball.

LINEBACKER: Line up exactly as 5-2 Regular. As the ball is snapped, shoot the gap fast between the offensive tackle and the offensive guard. React quickly to the ball.

MIDDLE GUARD: Line up exactly as 5-2 Regular. Protect to the side of the stunt so that you will be in position to stop the play if the ball should be run between the offensive center and the offensive guard. There is no Linebacker in position to support this hole when the Linebacker shoots. Therefore, it is necessary for the Middle Guard to lend some support to this area.







C) "A":

MIDDLE GUARD: Line up exactly as 5-2 Regular. Slant to the offensive guard. If slanting to the left, charge hard at the face of the offensive guard to your left. As you make this charge, watch the head of the offensive guard, making sure that the guard is never able to block you in. If the guard is coming at you, flatten your course and work to the outside around the guard's head.

LINEBACKER (Left in this example): Line up exactly as 5-2 Regular. As the Middle Guard is charging to his left, the left Linebacker must shoot the gap very quickly over the spot where the center was lined up. As you make this charge, you should react to the block of the center and then pursue the ball accurately.

LINEBACKER (Right): Play normal 5-2 Regular assignment.