The Best Blitzes — Real-Football Blitzing From a Former NFL Linebacker

Principles over glitches, from a Belichick-coached linebacker. The point of every blitz: bring more than they can block and force the ball out in under two seconds.

When to send it

• Pass dogs go against OPEN sets — tight end detached, five out, backs scat-releasing. Bunch, tight open, empty: blitz them.
• Don't blitz closed sets — TE attached + offset back is a protection look; chips and slides offset your numbers. If you must, expect it slow. (Closed sets are where you send RUN dogs instead.)
• Personnel: blitz your fastest, most physical linebackers — never put safeties/DBs on the line as blitzers; they can't disengage a block once picked up.

Green-dogging the back

Whoever is manned on the RB blitzes the moment the RB stays in to block — that's the free extra rusher.

1. Pre-snap, hover over "your work" (your man).
2. The instant the RB blocks, go.