Zone blitz
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Zone Blitz is a common method of defensive pressure applied in American football, usually at the collegiate and professional levels. It exists in nearly limitless permutations, all of which share the common theme of confusing the offensive line by dropping pass-rushers into coverage, while at the same time blitzing players who would usually cover receivers.
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[edit] Father of the Zone Blitz
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator, Dick LeBeau is widely regarded as the inventor of the zone blitz. LeBeau popularized the zone blitz in the early 90's, earning Pittsburgh the title of "Blitzburgh". Though the zone blitz has become popular throughout the NFL, Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense - 3 defensive linemen, 4 linebackers - lends itself particularly well to this style of play, and LeBeau continues to utilize it today.
[edit] Base Formations
The Zone Blitz is usually executed from one of two zone coverage formations.
[edit] Cover Zero
In the coverage typically referred to as cover zero, each member of the secondary is responsible for man-to-man coverage on an eligible receiver. The remaining receivers are covered man-to-man by a linebacker.
[edit] Cover One
Cover one is identical to cover zero with one major exception. One player, typically the weakside or "free" safety is left with no man responsibilities, and can instead roam the intermediate to deep zones.
[edit] Cover Two
In cover two, each safety (free and strong) covers a deep half of the field, while the two cornerbacks cover the flats (from the line of scrimmage to about 15 yards deep on each sideline). Three linebackers (weak side, middle, and strong side) drop into coverage, with each patrolling 1/5 of the middle field.
[edit] Cover Three
Cover three relies on the same basic principles as cover two. The basic difference lies in the responsibilities of the secondary. The free safety plays "center field" while each of the cornerbacks covers a deep third, or one third of the field on each side. The middle of the zone is once again covered by the three linebackers, with the strong safety covering the remaining, far fourth of the middle field.
[edit] The Blitz
The blitz itself relies upon confusion among the offensive linemen. The linemen assume that the defensive ends and defensive tackles will rush the passer. By using a zone blitz, the defense throws off the blocking assignments of the offensive line by switching the responsibilities of a defensive lineman with those of a linebacker or defensive back.
For example, in one of the most common zone blitzes, a defensive end will drop back into coverage, playing one-fourth of the middle zone, while the weak side linebacker, who would normally cover that area, rushes the quarterback in place of the end.
[edit] Advantages
The zone blitz provides several key advantages for the defense. In a man-to-man blitz, all four defensive linemen will rush the quarterback, as well as one or more of the linebackers or a defensive back. However, this leaves cornerbacks and safeties on "an island," meaning they must be perfect in man-to-man pass coverage. The zone blitz eliminates this problem by allowing the defense to remain in zone pass coverage, while still bringing added pressure to the offense by confusing offensive linemen and other blockers.
Quarterbacks who anticipate a blitz by a particular linebacker frequently check off, or make a last-minute play change, to a pass route. Generally, the nearest wide receiver to the anticipated blitzer is instructed to run a short pass route (a slant) to where the linebacker is currently. If the linebacker does blitz, then his original space is left initially undefended and the quarterback has an easy completion opportunity. The zone blitz, however, allows a defensive lineman to drop directly into pass coverage against the slant. The quarterback often fails to account for this assumed rusher and passes into coverage, frequently resulting in an interception.
