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Blitzing vs. No Blitzing - Youth Football Defense
Let the great debate begin! Blitzing is the most debated topic on youth football defense. Every coach has an opinion regarding blitzing.
Some coaches blitz on every single play. Some coached blitz multiple players, on the same play. Other coaches never Blitz.
I have a unique perspective from the past 20 years. I have been coached teams running the Bears 46, Zone Blitzes, 10-1; Base 40’s and base 30’s. I will make a case for the coach who likes to blitz
- Tackles for loss
- Pressure in the backfield
- Confuse the opponent
- Game turning turnovers
Theses all sound convincing, but let us now take a look at the advantage of not blitzing
- Never over pursue
- Stay disciplined
- Defense stay in position
- Less likely to give up the big play
I hear every year from the Blitzer’s that it is time to “bring the heat”; while the oppositions say, blitzing is a “sign of weakness”.
I liken Blitzing to the Full Court press in basketball. When playing a team with less talent you can press the heck out of them with great success. As soon as you press equal or better talent, it can backfire. Better teams will break the press and make easy baskets on the other end.
Blitzing is the same thing. When you play a garbage team, you can blitz all day and look like an unbeatable machine. When you play a well-coached team of equal skill, or a team with better talent, you run the risk of them exposing your blitzes. When that happens, it is never good for your team.
I am not a big fan of situational blitzing since it is always obvious. I do like to have my defense read and react, while leaving the penetration to the defensive line.
In the NFL, where passing is so common, the blitz can be more effective, but this is youth football.
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