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South Florida\'s Zone Blitz Package

by: Wally Burnham
Defensive Coordinator, University of South Florida
by: Troy Douglas
Secondary Coach, University of South Florida
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We would like to a take this opportunity to share some of our thoughts and beliefs on our zone blitz package at The University of South Florida. We realize there are many different zone blitz philosophies, but our staff and players are very confident in what we do schematically. Through researching other successful programs and combining it with our experience as coaches, we developed a system that we feel confident we can execute on game day.

We began our teaching process with our base defensive concepts. We then implemented the same system into our Nickel, Dime and Okie personnel groups. Our goal was to keep our system simple, fundamentally sound and to maintain consistent terminology and technique in all of our defensive packages.

Zone blitzing does three fundamental things that our defense believes must be done in order to be successful. Number one, it forces you to be aggressive in stopping the run game. Our first priority as a defense is stopping our opponents’ running game, thus making them one-dimensional. Our second goal is to pressure or affect the quarterback by disrupting his timing and rhythm. Finally, we believe zone blitzing is solid against the passing game because we can keep a three deep secondary and still have solid underneath coverage with our adjustments.

Below are our base zone blitz concepts and adjustments against 2-back sets. We always begin our teaching progression with ‘I’ or ‘Split-Back’ sets (See Diagrams 1 and 2). Then we progress to ‘1 Back’ (See Diagrams 3 and 4) and ‘Double Twin’ formations (See Diagrams 5 and 6).

Assignments (Diagrams 1 & 2):

Nickel: Contain blitz off edge, D Gap player.
LE: Speed shuffle to A Gap.
NT: Rock to the offside A Gap.
DT: Slant through inside hip of OT, work to contain.
RE: Read run or pass; on pass drop to the top of the numbers.
MLB: Go behind LE into B Gap, spill all blockers.
WLB: Work to replace MLB and to #3 WR.
SS: Seam to flat player.
FS: Burst MOF player.
LC: Deep 1/3 player.
RC: Deep 1/3 player.

NOTE: LE goes first in Diagram 1 while the MLB goes first in Diagram 2.

Diagram 1: I-Set-Dallas

Diagram 2: I-Set-Deuce

Assignments (Diagrams 3 & 4):

Nickel: Contain blitz off edge, D Gap player.
LE: Speed shuffle to A Gap.
NT: Rock to the offside A Gap.
DT: Slant through inside hip of OT, work to contain.
RE: Read run/pass drop to middle hook.
MLB: Go behind LE into B Gap; spill all Blockers
WLB: Seam flat player.
SS: Seam to flat player.
FS: Burst MOF player.
LC: Deep 1/3 player.
RC: Deep 1/3 player.

NOTE: LE goes first in Diagram 3; the MLB goes first in Diagram 4.

Diagram 3: 1-Back Set: Dallas

Diagram 4: 1-Back Set: Deuce

Assignments (Diagrams 5 & 6):

Nickel: Contain blitz off edge, D Gap player.
LE: Speed Shuffle to A Gap.
NT: Rock to the offside A Gap.
RE: Contain rush.
MLB: Go behind LE into B Gap; spill all blockers.
WLB: Read run pass; pass drop to 3.
XC: Seam flat player.
SS: Seam to flat player.
FS: Burst MOF player.
LC: Deep 1/3 player.
RC: Deep 1/3 player.

NOTE: LE goes first in Diagram 5; the MLB goes first in Diagram 6.

Diagram 5: Double Twin Formation-Okie Dallas

Diagram 6: Double Twin Formation-Okie Dallas


WHAT IF?

Q1. What if you’re facing a trips situation to either side. What adjustments and responsibilities do you make with your defense?

We run the blitz to the trips. We cheat the Will LB to #3 and he carries #3 vertical. The strong safety must take back any under/shallow crossers.

Q2. What if you're in a situation where you know the offense is going to run a screen pass? What changes, if any, do you make in your zone blitz package?

If it is a tailback screen then we peel the back. Any jailbreak screens we handle with our underneath coverage. If your guy is the screen player, then you handle the wheel; if your guy is the blocker, then you handle the screen.

Q3. What if you face a double tight end formation? Does that alter your defensive assignments?

We run the blitz. The seam/flat player carries the vertical until he gets a threat in the flat. Play the vertical from outside leverage because we are in Cover 3 and we have a MOF player.






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