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Getting an Edge on the Blitz

Emporia State University\'s 4-2-5 defense
by: Clayt Birmingham
Defensive Coordinator, Emporia State University
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This past season at Emporia State University we finished with a 9-3 record ending our season with an overtime win in the Mineral Water Bowl. Our defense is based out of the 4-2-5 set. Our defensive philosophy with the eight-man front is to stop the run while having an aggressive blitz package. One of our most efficient blitz packages this past season has been our edge blitz game.

Emphasizing the Blitz
When teaching our blitz game to our athletes, we emphasize four main points: Two Second Blitz, Point A to B, Gap Integrity, and Reading the Quarterback.

First and foremost, each player must realize the purpose and the aggressive mentality that goes along with the blitz scheme. We teach this by using a buzz phrase of “Two Second Blitz.” Meaning that in every blitz we need to get to the quarterback in two or less seconds. Our blitzers and defensive linemen have to realize that we are in man coverage with our secondary and we cannot expect them to cover for long periods of time. As a defense, we will never fault our coverage in the blitz game, but rather take a closer look at our blitz scheme and aggressiveness.

Secondly, we preach “Point A to B.” This simply means that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The first thing we talk about when teaching this is alignment. Many times you will find that the blitzer will round his path because he is misaligned for the proper blitz angle. We want our players to be able to get the target in sight (running back or quarterback set up point) through the gap that they are blitzing.

Next, we teach our players the importance of Gap Integrity. When running sound blitzes we will have every gap covered with a blitzer or a stunter. Each player must understand his responsibility of controlling and going through his gap so he does not get in the path of and knock off one of his blitzing teammates.

Lastly, we teach our blitzers how to “Read the Quarterback” on a dropback pass. Many think this should not have to be taught but we have all seen and thrown our hat down to the matador quarterback who olay’s our blitzer. We teach them three basic reads because we do not want to take away their aggressiveness. First, if the quarterback has his back to you it is a no brainer and you continue full stride hitting him high and raking down on his throwing arm. Second scenario, you are blitzing the quarterback’s front side and he is looking directly at you. We teach that if the quarterback has two hands on the ball and is looking at you he is now more of a run threat, therefore we will breakdown our stride and get ready to make a play side to side. If the quarterback releases his front arm and enters the throwing progression we will again continue full stride through his numbers.

Strengths of the Edge Blitz

With the 4-2-5 base alignment (diagram 1) we will always have a safety (SS or WS) or body in our primary support positions. This alignment allows us to edge blitz very effectively for these reasons. First, the blitz can be very easily stemmed because the edge blitzers are coming from their base alignment. Secondly, it allows us to contain and set the edge very quickly, reducing the field. Lastly, if we are coming off the edge we will have to stunt the defensive lineman inside to cover the gaps. By doing this we will cover the interior gaps, disrupt blocking schemes and free up our linebackers from second level blocks.

Covering with the Edge Blitz


Diagram 1.

There are two different coverage techniques we use with our edge blitzers. The first is simply our “Base” cover and the second is the “Spy and Replace” cover. In “Base,” our edge blitzers (SS and WS) are quarterback players on dropback pass and option. Our Linebackers have the running backs man-to-man as shown in diagram 1. The second way we cover it is with a “Spy and Replace” concept. This is simply a change up by the edge blitzer and the linebacker based on the running back’s path. The only change up where the “Spy and Replace” concept takes place is if the running back flares or runs a pitch path (Diagram 2). In this case the edge blitzer will spy off on the running back and take him man-to-man. Being that the linebacker is now free, he will replace blitz for the edge blitzer. This is a great change up verses option teams and teams that like to throw HOT routes to their running backs.


Diagram 2.



Drill Work


“Edge Blitz” Drill
To teach the edge-blitzing techniques, we use two different drills. The first drill we do places emphasis on all the coaching points that we talked about in the beginning of the article: Two Second Blitz, Point A to B, Gap Integrity and Reading the Quarterback. To set up the “Edge Blitz” drill, first design something to simulate an offensive line with proper splits for the edge blitzers to get proper angles. Garbage cans or play strips work well for this (Diagram 3).


Diagram 3.

Next place a cone five yards behind each offensive tackle position simulating a pass set by the offensive tackle. Next, either the coach or a shifty work team player should simulate the quarterback. We usually use our shiftiest work team quarterback to get the proper drop and then let him try to break contain sometimes. Coach the quarterback to go through different situations, such as: five-step, three-step, sprint-out, bootleg, scramble, etc. Our strong and weak safeties will align in base position stemming a zone coverage. At the snap of ball both will blitz off the edge. Coaches should look for proper speed (2 second blitz), proper angles (based on alignment), proper aiming point (which is the upfield shoulder of the quarterback), proper quarterback reads (of when to breakdown and when to run through), and to make sure of containment on the quarterback.

“Spy and Replace” Drill
Once we teach the proper techniques of coming off the edge we move into a drill to teach the “Spy and Replace” coverage. The “Spy and Replace” drill is set up the same as the “Edge Blitz” drill except now you add two running backs in the backfield and the linebackers are incorporated. There are five basic situations that we will always get repetitions at, including the zone bootleg, dropback pass with running back stepping up to block, dropback pass with running back flare, sprint out and the option. We will run these five different plays from an I-formation backfield set or a split-back shotgun set. We will work in the base formations and plays for the opponent we are facing that week.

In the “Spy and Replace” blitz coverage, both the edge blitzer and the linebacker must key the running back. Only on a flare path by the running back will the “Spy and Replace” concept come into effect. If the running back takes any other path it is treated like our “Base” coverage.


Diagram 4.

Situation One - Zone Bootleg (Diagram 4)
With a quarterback to running back mesh, we will teach the frontside blitzer a knife Technique. The frontside edge blitzer will plant off his outside foot, redirect, and knife inside to fit up on the running back. Remember, he is the edge setter and the containment on the ball. The backside blitzer will continue on his path aiming for the upfield shoulder of the quarterback and has containment on the bootleg.

Situation 2 - Dropback pass with running back blocking (Diagram 5)


Diagram 5.

Both edge blitzers will aim for the upfield shoulder of the running back that steps up to block them. This is an important aiming point because the edge blitzers are now the contain players that must keep their outside arm and leg free at all times. In this situation, have the quarterback try to break contain on occasion to force the edge blitzers to keep the edge. You can also have the running backs release into the flat to make the linebackers work on their man cover techniques.


Diagram 6.

Situation 3 - Dropback pass with running back flare (Diagram 6)
With a flare release by the running backs, it tells both the linebacker and edge blitzer that there will be “Spy and Replace” coverage. The edge blitzer will now spy off on the running back as the Linebacker replaces his blitz. Linebackers must realize they are now contain players on the quarterback. Again, have the quarterback drop back and try to break containment to make sure the linebackers are setting the edge and keeping their outside arm and leg free.


Diagram 7.

Situation 4 - Sprint out pass (Diagram 7)
In the sprint out pass the frontside blitzer must rip through or defeat the cut block of the running back to keep contain on the quarterback. His main concern is to keep contain on the quarterback and to make the quarterback set up in the pocket sooner than he wishes. This is very important for the backside blitzer. By making the quarterback set up in the pocket sooner, it makes the distance for the backside blitzer a shorter distance to travel, therefore getting to the quarterback quicker. Linebackers must remember to respect the running backs in case they slip into the flat for a pass route.


Diagram 8.

Situation 5 - Option (Diagram 8)
Frontside blitzer and linebacker will read a flare release by the running back, which will switch their option responsibilities to a “Spy and Replace.” The edge blitzer will now spy off and take the pitch player and the linebacker will roll over the top for the quarterback. The backside linebacker will then help on the dive player since it is full flow. The backside edge blitzer will then pursue at the depth of the ball looking for reverse or cutback.

Overall, in any blitz drills we use, it all comes down to the basic fundamentals that we preach daily: Two Second Blitz, Point A to B, Gap Integrity and Reading the Quarterback. Remember, a job worth doing, is a job worth doing right! Best of luck to you all.

About the author

Clayt Birmingham


Clayt Birmingham is entering his third season with Emporia State after spending the 2000 season at the Division I-A level while at Western Michigan. The Broncos were 9-3 overall that year and won the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. In 1998-99, Coach Birmingham was a graduate assistant at Northern Michigan after spending the summer as the head coach of Stockholm’s Swedish National Championship team in the European Federation of American Football.





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