This Zone Blitz out of the 3-5-3 Stack Defense is a low-risk, high-reward blitz. Personally, I am not as aggressive as I probably should be as far as blitzing goes. However, I do love to call blitzes that are low-risk. I try not to blitz just to blitz. I try to blitz statistically. Down & distance, scouting, what hash the ball is on, and overall flow of the game will usually determine how much and where I blitz. I love this zone blitz because it allows us to rush 5 defenders and still keep 6 defenders in zone coverage.
This blitz is excellent on long down and distances. It also works very well against mobile QBs as well. This blitz sends our outside linebackers, who we call dogs off of the edge. They are the primary contain players. Usually our dogs have the flat on pass plays and our stack backers have hook-curl/ contain QB. This blitz just has the stacked backers (R) & (L) switch pass responsibility with the dogs. This gives this blitz an element of deception and it is a great tendency breaker.
Zone Blitz out of the 3-5-3 Stack Defense
Related Content: 3-3 Stack Defense
N: Two Gap A. (responsible for both A-gaps). Shock and anchor.
DT: B-gap. Pressure QB if it is a pass.
DT: B-gap. Pressure QB if it is a pass.
D: Blitz off of the edge, primary contain.
D: Blitz off of the edge, primary contain.
L: C-gap for run, flat on pass.
M: Read and react, Hook on pass.
R: C-gap for run, curl zone on pass. (Because he is to the boundary)
CB: Deep third coverage, secondary force player.
CB: Deep third coverage, secondary force player.
FS: Deep middle third.
Related Content: 3-5-3 Stack Playbook
Coaching Points
- Execute this blitz from the wide side of the field.
- Call this blitz on passing down and distances.
- When the L reads pass, he must open his hips and get to the flat.
- Dogs need to rush off of the edge, but always maintain outside leverage.
- If you are facing a mobile QB you can have the N and DTs anchor and keep the QB in the pocket. If your defensive linemen rush to far up-field against a mobile QB it will create inside running lanes for the QB.
