WHILE A ONE-BACK, spread offense can pile up the yards and the points on an opposing defense, its one flaw can be a vulnerability to the blitz.
We had the same problem until we developed a drill that helped our squad only surrender 12 sacks in 319 pass attempts while giving our quarterback enough time to toss for almost 4,000 yards and 48 touchdowns.
Pressure Recognition
To stop the spread offense, defenses will blitz and pick up sacks by aligning the outside linebacker or strong safety over the slot receiver. Many times this defender will creep in at the last moment and blitz the QB from the outside.
Teams can also play a Cover 2 or Cover 1 and cover the blitzer with a safety on top of the receiver. However, using this drill will get your QB and receivers on the same page when it comes to recognizing a blitz from the front or backside of the slot receiver.
Dynamics Of The Drill
This is a simple drill, but it must be run daily in order to instill in your players how important it is to recognize this blitz.
I To make the drill as realistic as possible, have the center snap the ball to the QB at a shotgun depth (5 yards). Put two cones on either side of the center to represent the other four interior offensive lineman.
I The receivers should take turns aligning at the slot position, 5 to 8 yards from the tackles and 1 yard off the line of scrimmage.
I The outside linebackers and secondary personnel line up in a man-coverage position over both slot receivers.
I A coach takes his position 5 yards behind the QB and signals which defensive backer will blitz off the slot receiver.
The coach can opt to send both backers at the same time. To change the drill, the coach can also not send either backer to allow the slot receivers to run through the man coverage and beat their man down the field for a big play.
DIAGRAM 1. DB Blitz From Both Sides.
I Defenders have two ways to simulate the blitz.
1. They can show man coverage, then at the last moment creep inside the receiver and get a jump on the blitz to confuse the QB.
DIAGRAM 2. Blitz Defender Shows Early.
2. The defender can show man press at the snap of the ball and blitz the QB at full speed off of the corner for a different look to the original drill set-up.
DIAGRAM 3. Blitz Defender Delays Stunt.
Don’t Deck Him
Don’t let the rushers hit or prevent the QB from throwing. The defender is to rush full speed but make sure that he only runs or brushes by the QB while simulating contact. The drill is not designed to hurt the QB, but rather to teach him how to keep from getting hurt.
However, encourage the defender to attempt to get in the passing lane and jump to knock down the pass.
Slot Receivers’ Responsibility
The slot receivers must be aware of the possibility of a blitz by their defender, especially if the defender is aligned on the short side of the field.
If their defender leaves to blitz the QB, the slot receiver should convert any route into a 3-step hitch as quickly as possible while showing the QB his number. It’s important that the receivers not wander in the route but set their feet and expect the hot pass.
QB’s Responsibility
Your QB should expect to throw the two vertical routes and learn to feel the blitzer, especially from the closest-hash defender.
Upon seeing the blitz, the QB should deliver the ball in the direction of the blitzing defender.