Blitzing the pass – if at all possible, the blitzer does not get tied up with an offensive lineman. He must try going around him. But, once the blitzer comes in contact with him, he must then use pass rush techniques that a defensive lineman would use. They are as follows:

1. He must work his hands inside and get ^_separation.

2. “Read the pass protector”. If he has too much weight back on his heels, bull rush him. If he has too much weight forward, pull him forward and get around him. If he opens up too soon, head and shoulder fake to the outside and break underneath him. If he is too slow to “set up”, speed rush him to the outside.

3. Another thing the blitzer must not do, is stop!

4. The blitzer must focus on the blocker first. If the blitzer fixes his gaze on the QB, he makes it an easy block for the pass protector.

5. The blitzer must have a plan of attack. He formulates that plan through study of his opponent during the week. This takes a little extra time, but is well worth it if he is to be successful.

Blitzing the run – Ordinarily we blitz in order to put pressure on the QB and the passing game. But, the blitzer doesn’t just rush in blindly hoping to run into someone. He must recognize the run as well.

1. As he is blitzing and he sees the offensive linemen coming off the ball to the second level, he must recognize the run.

2. In getting this “low pad” read, he then must maintain the gap he is in and fight pressure from any run block.

3. He does the above by getting under the pads of the run blocker. If he needs to get on the ground to accomplish this, by all means do so.

4. Oftentimes the best tacklers are the big rear ends of offensive linemen. In this case the blitzer becomes the “plugger”. This action keeps those big guys on the line of scrimmage. What he must not do is stand up and get blown back!

5. Don’t ever be offside– the greatest advantage the offensive linemen have is knowing the snap count. The blitzer must look in at the ball and go on the snap. It’s okay to anticipate, but don’t guess. He never listens to the QB’s cadence. In this regard he plays deaf. Again, by studying his opponent, the blitzer can pick up little “keys” that help him to get the jump.

6. Don’t run by a ball carrier - unless you’re absolutely positive he doesn’t have the ball. One of the plays that offenses use to counter the blitz is the draw. Again, blitzers don’t rush blindly in ignoring everything but the QB. Once he recognizes draw, he lets the world know. He then breaks down and “retraces” his footsteps.

7. Disguise the blitz– If the blitzer doesn’t do this, it gives the QB time to check to another play. Don’t set a tendency for your opponent to read. Sometimes line up tight and go. The next time do the same thing, but drop. Like a pitcher in baseball, always have a “change up” to keep the offense guessing. A good blitzer will study his own tapes to see if he is giving anything away.

8. Read the offensive player – The blitzer, before the snap, tries to get a run or pass read. Many times offensive players will give the play away by where they look, hand placement and/or stance.

9. They must keep their feet moving – They can’t stop their feet at any time during the play. The difference between a good blitzer and a great blitzer is their level of intensity. A great blitzer is relentless in his pursuit to the ball and takes foot movement.

10. They must avoid getting “cut” – A good blitzer will never get cut blocked. He will either get his pad level down and try and run over the blocker, or he will head and shoulder fake and run around him, or hurdle him. But, under no circumstance will he jeopardize his future by letting a blocker into his knees.

11. Blitzers avoid blockers by using quickness and athletic ability – He must believe he is a quicker, better athlete than the blocker. Once he understands this, he should play with great confidence.

12. Blitzers understand, to be effective, they don’t always have to sack the QB - Oftentimes, if he just comes close, he will make the QB throw early and the pass will be intercepted. The player that intercepts the ball may get all the credit, but the real hero was the pass rusher.

13. Ablitzer knows when to get his hands up and leave his feet – As long as the blitzer has a chance of getting to the QB, he stays in his rush mode. But, as he is rushing and he sees there is no chance of getting to the ball, he then gets his hands up and jumps to try and knock the ball down. However, he doesn’t leave his feet on just a head fake.

14. Blitzers know when to pick up a fumble or fall on it – If the blitzer is late to the “pile”, he looks for a fumble caused by a teammate. –This happens quite often with QB’s as they’re trying to throw–. If the ball is out in the open, he picks it up and tries to score. If the fumble is in a “crowd”, he then falls on it.

15. A blitzer knows how to tackle the QB – he preferably tackles the QB from the top down.m –Much like peeling a banana–. This prevents late throws. If he starts from the waist down, a strong QB will still be able to get the ball off. But, generally speaking, it’s whatever gets the job done.