Laser Blitz out of the 5-3 Defense

The Laser Blitz out of the 5-3 defense is a great way to take away one side of the field. Laser indicates that the defensive linemen (on the left) and linebackers all slant left. This is a great blitz for when you know or feel confident that the offense is running to your defense’s left. This Laser Blitz will also free up your left outside linebacker and allow him to read and react to the play. There are also a variety of different coverages that could be played behind this blitz. You can play man to man coverage or even zone coverage because there are still defenders left for pass coverage (non-blitzing defenders).

Laser Blitz out of the 5-3 Defense

(Download) 5-3 Defense Playbook 

Nose Guard: Dip and rip, slant left A-gap.

Defensive Tackle (Left): Dip and rip, slant left C-gap.

Defense Tackle (Right): Dip and rip, slant right B-gap.

Defensive End (Left): Contain player.

Defensive End (Right): Backside contain player.

Rip Linebacker (Right outside): Read step backside C-gap, then pursuit to the ball carrier.

Mike Linebacker (Middle): Creep up as the QB begins his cadence, blitz B-gap on ball movement, shock and shed any blocker.

Leo Linebacker (Left outside): Read step C-gap, pursuit to the ball carrier. This defender should be free to run and make a play.

Cornerback: Man to man coverage on widest receiving threat to his side. Deep third if you are playing zone coverage.

Cornerback: Man to man coverage on widest receiving threat to his side. Deep third if you are playing zone coverage.

Free Safety: Deep middle third.

Coaching Points 

• Make sure you slant your defense to the side the offense is likely to run. If you execute this slant the wrong way it could end up bad for your defense. However, if you execute this slant/blitz to the play-side you should eat up the play. 
• Slanting defensive linemen need to dip and rip through blocks, they can’t slant themselves out of their assigned gap.
• The Mike Linebacker must creep up as soon as the QB begins his cadence. You don’t want your Mike blitzing from 5 yards off of the ball.
• You can elect to play man to man or zone coverage behind this blitz. You will have 4 free defenders that can be committed to defending the pass.

(See Also) 5-3 Defense “Pinch” Call