Playbooks
Breakdown
Inside Blitz out of the 46 Normal set brings a five-man interior pressure package with all four down linemen and an additional blitzer crashing straight downhill through the A and B gaps. The diagram shows the interior rushers stacked tight with two defenders looping and crossing paths just past the line to confuse blocking assignments and free up a lane up the middle. This is a run stopping, pressure oriented blitz rather than a coverage based call, designed to collapse the pocket before the quarback can find a hot route or beater.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, look for a tight offensive line split and a running back aligned directly behind the quarterback, both of which suggest a designed run this blitz is meant to stop. Watch the center's helmet and hand placement, if he is sliding to identify the blitz early the interior rushers may get picked up cleanly. Post-snap, key any immediate crossing action from the guards or center, that shows the offense is sliding protection toward the blitz. This call is vulnerable to quick screens and RPOs since the interior rush leaves the second level thin, so respect bubble screens if the slot receiver sits at the snap. Against empty or spread formations, expect quick game man or zone beaters to punish the vacated underneath zones before your rush gets home.
Usage Tips
Call this on short yardage or third and short when you expect the offense to run between the tackles or throw a quick game beater.
Check the offensive formation pre-snap for heavy personnel or tight splits, which signal an inside run the blitz is built to blow up.
Use the crossing interior rushers to your advantage by manually spying the running back with your remaining linebacker if the offense shows shotgun spread.
Pair this call with Cover 1 Contain on the following down so the offense cannot key on the same pressure look twice in a row.
Avoid calling this against empty backfield sets since the interior rush lanes will be wasted with no back to attack.
