Designing a defense that disrupts offenses snap after snap is tough—How do you install blitzes that hit hard and keep your players one step ahead without overcomplicating things?
Coach Daryl Ely has put together a solid teaching progression at Mount Union with four must-have blitz types that turn his defense into a nightmare for quarterbacks and offensive coordinators alike.
That’s why today we’re diving into The Four Types of Blitzes You Need in Your Defense—straight from Coach Ely’s playbook—and showing you how they can transform your team into a relentless unit!
Learn more about the specific coaching points in each type of blitz with: The Mount Union Defense – The Complete Series
The Four Types of Blitzes You Need
Teaching a defense to attack with precision doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Coach Ely boils it down to four key blitz types that dominate in any situation. Here’s how he does it:
- War Pressures: A five-man pressure with Cover 1 behind it. The post safety locks down the middle, while an underneath defender keys the running back. He engages if he blocks, clearing screens if he releases, then crashing the quarterback. Perfect for 50/50 downs!
- Contain Blitz: The outside rusher reads the offensive tackle. Run at him? He posts and boxes it inside. Run away? He’s ready for boot or reverse. Pass? He attacks the upfield shoulder to keep the QB in the pocket so that nothing escapes!
- Edge Blitz: The next man in from the contain rusher. Run away, he flat chases with contain outside him. Run at him, he spills it one gap over. On passes, he penetrates inside his blocker because he’s got backup outside
- Crash Blitz: The aiming point outside hip of the end man on the line. Tackle bases out? He posts and sits. Tight end bases out? He stones him inside, spilling the ball with a contain rusher outside. Pass? He targets the QB’s downfield shoulder with aggression.
Coach Ely ties these together with simple techniques and “U” games—like a looping five-technique or penetrating three-technique—to keep offenses off balance. It’s one reason why Mount Union’s defense is so tough.
Get all the details and tricks you need to unlock the full potential of your defense with The Mount Union Defense: The Complete Series
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