How are You Handling Blitz from the Gun

Coach:

Gun equals two.

When we are in the 3-step game, the QB will use a 1-step drop, and we do not feel that any blitzer can get to the QB. The average high school player can run 10 yards in 1.5 seconds. From the gun the ball will be off in under 1.5, with the goal of 1.2, which by the way is that say as from under the center using a 3-step drop.

When in the 5-step game, the QB will use a 3-step drop. We do convert to hot routes with inside receivers. The receivers will yell "alert -alert" while pointing at the potential blitzer. The QB will cross his forearms and nod agreeing with the receiver that if the potential blitzer comes, he can adjust. I believe in two-way communication. If the QB does not acknowledge, then the receiver runs his normal route. This happens quite often when your QB's are comfortable with reads and the route called. Again, if the blitzer comes un-touched the QB has 1.5. We attempt to get the 5-step game (3-step from the gun) off in 2.0 or better. Therefore, the only potential issues are from edge blitzer coming untouched - typically away from the strength. We do not worry about inside blitzers because the blocking schemes pick them up.

The blocking scheme that we (Coach Campbell and I ) teach are built off of the BOB principle, with a double read to the uncovered lineman away from the call. These are detailed in all of our books, "Gun Manual", "Ultimate Playbook", "Complete Offense" etc.

Hope that helped.

Coach Lyle

Versus a few opponent's last year, we had trouble picking up the blitz. They were teeing off on us when our QB would lift his leg.

So, we went to a double leg lift. It worked well.

After the first leg lift, the defense would shift up, so we checked into a better play. It allowed us to continue to run our offense without having to throw the hot route (which is becoming more and more difficult with so many defenses dropping people out to cut the passing lane off for the hot).

Another thing we did..........

We played a team that would show blitz, but once we audibled, they would check out. So, we would call a play that is great for the blitz. If we saw them in a blitz set, we would just run the play. If the came out in their normal set, we would then audible to a zone play.

Hope this helps some.