There are multiple high-risk plays in the NFL. A blitz in football is one of them. So, what is blitzing in football? In simple words, a blitz in football is a single-down play mainly played by the defensive players.
Here, 5 or more players from the defensive team rush to the line of scrimmage. Their main goal is to sack the quarterback.
This kind of play in an NFL match leaves the offensive player open. A blitz in football can end up losing yardage and down. Else, it can force offensive players to make terrible mistakes.
Blitzing in football is one of the most popular strategies conducted by the defense team. However, it is also complicated and specific risks are involved in it. Therefore, this kind of strategy is quite hard to execute.
What Is A Blitz In Football
Football blitzing is basically an attacking strategy against the offense team, mainly conducted by the defense team. When a player rushes to the line of scrimmage, the person doing the blitz has to strike the quarterback faster and more impressively. This will leave the passer exposed.
A Blitz In Football Meaning
A blitz in football means to sack the quarterback during the match. A blitz can be effective in many ways. They can force the passer to do an inappropriate pass, stop rushing back at the scrimmage line, and recover an interception.
The Different Types Of Blitzes In Football
Now, as a football fan, you will be able to see different kinds of blitzes during an NFL match. This defense strategy can be customized easily. So, fans have a chance to notice some unique blitzes in an NFL match.
1. Zone Blitz
Zone Blitz is a kind of blitzing where players from the defense team drop back for playing zone coverage. This strategy will leave the linebacker to run in the forward direction and take over his place on the line. In this problematic condition, the quarterback is confused about the blockers.
2. Secondary Blitz
In a secondary blitz, a safety, cornerback, or secondary rushes down for blitzing. When these players are close to the line of scrimmage, it will confuse the offensive team and force them to do mistakes during the match.
3. Zero Blitz
In a Zero Blitz, the zero players remain in the backfield. A Zero blitz is not like a zone blitz. A zero blitz requires the players from the defense team to grab in-man coverage.
Here, every player from the offense is responsible for the other. This kind of strategy is only used by the defense players when they are expecting a running play. A zero blitz is a strategy where high risks are involved.
4. Cornerback Blitz
The cornerback blitz is just like the secondary blitz or safety blitz. In a cornerback blitz, a cornerback usually rushed after the quarterback. In the meantime, the safeties or the secondaries take the responsibility for the coverage.
5. Conventional Blitz
In a conventional blitz, the players from the defense team provide five or more players after the quarterback. In the meantime, they have to maintain the man coverage on both sides of the field.
The linebackers have to take the main responsibility in a conventional blitz during an NFL match.
6. The Goal Or Purpose Of A Blitz
Now that you know what is a blitz and the different types of blitzes in football, you need to be aware of the purpose or goal of a blitz. Why should the defensive players in an NFL match play with such a high-risk strategy?
Many football fans might think that the players from the defense conduct a blitz just to create pressure on a quarterback to force him to make mistakes. But that is not the only purpose for conducting a blitz. There are other essential reasons as well.
Here they are.
- A blitz is conducted for stopping an outside run.
- By conducting a blitz, players from the defense can stop a run from inside.
- It can create direct pressure on the quarterback from both outside and middle.
Now, each kind of blitz is designed depending on the situation of the match. A blitz can make players lose the down or the yardage. So, the players from the offense feel quite hard to move the ball.
Pros And Cons Of Blitzing In Football
Now, even though a blitz is considered quite effective in an NFL match, it does include some pros and cons.
Pros
- It can sack the quarterback and enhances the morale of the team.
- A blitz can create extra pressure. Therefore, there is a high chance of an inappropriate pass or turnover.
- It can force the quarterback to make a quick decision. So, he fails to anticipate.
- The offensive team remains honest while they are choosing plays during the match.
Cons
- A blitz leaves the players from the offense unguarded or open. Thus, it increases the chance of an easy reception.
- When the cornerbacks play the man coverage well, the players who receive the ball have to move quickly to the QB.
- Tight ends and receivers have a high chance to rack up yards after they catch with fewer defenders while covering the scrimmage line.
The History Of Blitz
The term ‘Blitzkrieg’ is the source of the word blitz in football. This particular word indicates lightning war. This is a military term conducted by the British to depict the airstrikes by the Germans in the 2nd World War.
After 10 years of these incidents, Don Ettinger, or the Red Dog was the first person who conducted blitzing against the quarterback during an NFL match. After that, the word ‘blitz’ became one of the most popular terms in the NFL.
What Are The Reasons For A Successful Blitz?
Well, the reasons for a successful blitz are the smart coverage everywhere in the field and the creation of immense pressure on the QB. the players from the defense have to find out the loopholes of the offensive line.
Only then, they can create a successful blitz. Also, to make a successful blitz, defensive players should decrease the number of holes and maintain the coverage responsibility well.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What NFL Teams Blitz the Most?
- Atlanta Falcons
- Baltimore Ravens
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Chicago Bears
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
- Dallas Cowboys
- Denver Broncos
- Detroit Lions
2. What is the Purpose of a Blitz?
- A blitz is conducted for stopping an outside run.
- By conducting a blitz, players from the defense can stop a run from inside.
- It can create direct pressure on the quarterback from both outside and middle.
3. What Is A Fire Zone Blitz In Football?
Zone Blitz is a kind of blitzing where players from the defense team drop back for playing zone coverage. This strategy will leave the linebacker to run in the forward direction and take over his place on the line.
4. Why is it called a blitz in football?
The word blitz had come from a blitzkrieg, meaning lightning war. So, it indicates the fast attacks on the offensive line during an NFL match.
Ending Note On Blitz
While blitzing, the defense players should be very careful as high risks are involved in the scheme. However, blitzing is one of the fan-favorite schemes used in the NFL.
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