Blitzes can disrupt almost any offensive play, so it’s important that you learn how to handle them and discourage your opponent from blitzing every play – or make him pay.
When the defense blitzes, it’s “selling out” and overloading the rush, meaning they’ve left something vulnerable somewhere. The key is knowing where that vulnerability is, and having the time to exploit it.
First of all, what NOT to do.
- Don’t run reverses or draws (draws can do great, but more often lose a bunch).
- Don’t throw deep.
- Don’t use Play Action.
- Screens are iffy. If you’re lucky, a screen cando great, but it can also lose huge.
- Same with Flea Flickers and Halfback Passes. They’re risky.
The best thing to do is to throw short passes, and run routes which put the receiver in a spot left open by a blitzer.
If the middle linebacker’s blitzing, run Trap plays. Right when he thinks he’s about to tackle the back, he gets decked, and you probably get a good gain.
For the gutsier coaches: if your offensive line’s good enough to protect you, then throw deeper. If you can complete it, you probably just scored 6 points.