What Is A Blitz In Football? (Explained)

A blitz in football is easy to define.

Simply put, it's a play call by a defense that's designed to rush the quarterback with more defenders than there are blockers.

For example, if there are 5 blockers on an offensive play (the 5 offensive linemen), then a blitz would be a play that has 6 players rushing the quarterback.

Pretty easy to define, isn’t it?

But just because a blitz is an easy concept to understand doesn't mean that it's easy to execute properly.

In fact, there are a few different types of blitzes as well as a few different reasons why you’d want to call a blitz.

A good defensive coach will know the best time to call a blitz and what particular blitz to call in that situation.

When a defense calls a blitz, it's a risk they’re taking.

By rushing an extra attacker, there will be fewer defenders who’ll be dropping into pass coverage or fewer defenders to help out if a runner gets behind the blitzers.

With a blitz, the defense is sacrificing conservative play for the opportunity to put extra pressure on the offense at the line of scrimmage.

Let's take a closer look at why you’d want to run a blitz and what type of blitzes you can run.

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