The Split 4-4 provides great angles for stunting and blitzing which can apply an enormous amount of pressure on an offense’s blocking and protection schemes. There are over a hundred blitz combinations in which to create a comprehensive blitz package for your Split 4-4 defense. We try to play our base defense and coverage as much as possible. We have found that the flexibility of our base defensive front and the unusual angles and alignments put a lot of pressure on the offense’s blocking schemes without blitzing. We have also found that if our linebacker play is good we do not need as many blitz combinations. If the linebackers, particularly the inside linebackers, play the open and closed windows properly, we get a lot of run throughs resulting in tackles for loss. To the offense it appears we are blitzing, but we are really playing base and playing over closed windows and running through open windows.
We use primarily cover 1 (“dogs”) and cover 0 (“blitzes”) in our stunt package, but with the flexibility of the front you can also implement simple zone blitz concepts. “Dogs” are five man pass rushes (one linebacker and four defensive linemen) used in conjunction with Cover 1. The following diagrams illustrates four of our “dogs” which typically are stunts from the weak side unless a zone blitz scheme is used:
By
jrtitan at 2009-02-24
The following diagram illustrates six blitzes we use with Cover 0. Blitzes usually have either Will or Rover blitz from the weak side in combination with a blitz from either Sam, Mike or the free safety to the strong side. The corners play man coverage on #1 to their side, the free safety generally covers #2 to the passing strength, the remaining linebackers either blitz or cover the first back to their side. The tackles are used to pinch or slant into the uncovered gaps.
By
jrtitan at 2009-02-24
It’s always good to change the gap assignments in your stunt and blitz packages because it prevents the offense from getting the same look in video or during the game. For example, there are a number of combinations that can used with the tackles and inside linebackers in a “plug” blitz.
By
jrtitan at 2009-02-24
We can also change up our blitz pattern by using a zone blitz scheme (fire zone). In the zone blitz scheme, the free safety is kept in the middle of field free, the corners are man coverage on #1 receivers, and three defenders from the tackle box are dropped to underneath zones (strong, middle, and weak):
By
jrtitan at 2009-02-24
The defenders dropping to the underneath zone combine coverage responsibility to cover the tight end and the two running backs. Advantages of the zone blitz scheme:
- Pass protection must account for all eight defenders in the box causing them to be more conservative and keeping more receivers in to block.
- Since we may drop defensive ends into coverage, this may cause some linemen to block air.
- Gives a defense more flexibility in blitzing linebackers to get a five man rush
Pattern ReadsStrong ZoneThe defender dropping strong zone should drop to a position that will allow him to maintain outside leverage on the #2 receiver (usually the TE). He keys the #2 receiver to the #3 receiver (usually a back). If #2 runs a route to the flat, he should jump him immediately and cover him man-to-man. If the #2 receiver runs a vertical route and #3 runs a route to the flats, the defender should gain depth and squeeze #2 inside. He should wait until the #3 receiver crosses his face before he widens to the flat. If #2 runs a vertical route and #3 blocks or runs an inside route, the defender should lock on #2 and expect help from the safety. If # 2 runs a crossing pattern, he should alert the inside linebackers with a “Middle-Middle” call and continue his drop focusing on backs releasing his side.
Middle ZoneThe defender dropping middle zone should drop to a position that will allow him to maintain inside leverage on the #2 receiver (usually the TE). He also keys the #2 receiver to the #3 receiver (usually a back). If #2 runs a vertical route, he should gain depth maintaining inside leverage and look up #3. If #3 blocks or runs a route to the flat, he locks on #2. If #3 runs a crossing pattern (crosses his face) he should release #2 and cover #3. If #2 runs a crossing route, he should jam him and make him deepen his route and give an “IN-IN” call. He should lock on #2 unless the weak zone defender echoes the “IN-IN” call and the weak side #2 (usually a back) crosses his face. If the #2 receivers run crossing patterns the middle zone defender and the weak zone defender switch coverages.
Weak ZoneThe defender responsible for the weak zone should open up and drop to a position that will allow him to cover the #2 receiver to the weak side (usually a back) from an inside out position. If the #2 receiver runs a crossing route, the defender should jam him and lock on unless he his given a “IN-IN” call from the middle zone defender. If this occurs, the defenders should switch coverages. He should cover the weak side #2 receiver on all other patterns.
The diagrams below demonstrate the application of this concept
By
jrtitan at 2009-01-20
The following diagrams illustrates some examples of zone blitzes that can easily be incorporated in the Split 4-4:
By
jrtitan at 2009-02-24
As we discussed previously, our preference is to play our base defense as long as possible without adjustments and blitzes. We spend a lot of time teaching our players how to blitz. We do not blitz just to cover a gap. We blitz to make plays. If a play is towards a blitzer’s side, we expect them to make the tackle. On plays away, the blitzer is expected to take the proper pursuit angle and get in on the tackle. We stress to our blitzers that they react to their keys and the blocking scheme as they normally would if he were in a base technique. They must keep their eyes on their keys and read on the run. Other key blitzing principles we stress:
- Blitzers should disguise their intentions as much as possible. Rover, Mike and Will, who blitz frequently, should occasionally give the offense a false key by showing blitz pre-snap and playing base at the snap.
- Blitzers should be attacking and penetrating the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.
- They must not allow themselves to stay blocked. Do not keep engaged with blockers. Blitzers must keep their feet moving, use their quickness to avoid blockers, use their hands rather than their forearm when attacking a blocker and maintain separation.
- We can turn a six man blitz into an eight man blitz on the fly. If a player is assigned a back to cover and the assigned back blocks, that player should become a blitzer.
See archive for further discussion
http://dumcoach.com/viewthread.php?tid=3672
