Smash-Mouth 3-3-5 Defense:

Implementing Seven Winning Blitz Strategies

By: Joe Arpasi
Defensive Coordinator
Westfield High School
Westfield, Indiana
Phone: (317) 435-9380
Email: coacharpasi@yahoo.com

Implementing Seven Winning Blitz Strategies

Single Zone Blitzes

Traditional Zone Blitzes
Traditional Man Blitzes
Overload Blitzes
Fire Zone Blitzes
Illusion Blitzes
Secondary Blitzes

Why Understand Blitz Strategies?

In the 3-3-5 defense there are tons of blitz possibilities to choose from.
In order to ensure your players can play without thinking too much, a coach
must be selective in what blitzes are put into the blitz package.
The types of blitzes selected must match-up to the forms of offense that you
face each year.
Understanding the concepts of blitzing will allow blitzes to be specifically
designed to stop those offensive systems.
Understanding what each blitz strategy is best for will help in understanding
what blitzes should be used in specific situations.
Sending pressure for the sake of sending pressure is not as effective as
sending selective & specific pressure to match your opponent and the situation
at hand.
You will be able to design blitzes with a greater understanding of how they
work.

Single Zone Blitzes

Single Zone Blitzes

Single zone blitzes are a way to get into other defensive schemes from a 30
front look.

The 3 down linemen allow for different combinations of stunts and LB

pressure to gain the ability of other defensive schemes.
Zone coverages are played in their normal structure.
Flat zone defenders are left in coverage, allowing the players inside to blitz.

The different deep safety alignments dictate what coverages are available.
1 Safety Look Coverages:
3 Deep
2 Safety Look Coverages:
2 Deep
4 Deep
, ,

Single Zone Blitzes 3 Deep

One Inside LB can blitz, with the other

LBs taking the Hook-to-Curl Zones.

Single Zone Blitzes 3 Deep

C
HOOK-TO-CURL

HOOK-TO-CURL

Single Zone Blitzes 3 Deep

C
HOOK-TO-CURL

HOOK-TO-CURL

Single Zone Blitzes 2 Deep

E
S

E
M

One of the LBs can blitz and the other 3 LBs can
handle the remaining under zones.

C
$

Single Zone Blitzes 2 Deep

E
S

E
M

CURL

CURL

HOLE

Single Zone Blitzes 2 Deep

E
S

E
M

CURL

CURL

HOLE

Single Zone Blitzes 4 Deep

N
S

E
M

One Inside LB can blitz, with the other

LB play the Hole Zone.

C
F

C
$

Single Zone Blitzes 4 Deep

N
S

E
M

C
F

HOLE

Single Zone Blitzes , ,

N
S

E
M

One Inside LB can blitz, with the other LBs

playing the Hole and Curl Zone

C
F

Single Zone Blitzes , ,

N
S

E
M

CURL

HOLE

Single Zone Blitzes , ,

N
S

E
M

CURL

HOLE

Single Zone Blitzes

Advantages:
Can generate point specific pressure with safe zone coverage behind

Flexible pressure combinations are available out of multiple coverages

Can be used to generate non-30 front base defenses
Disadvantages:
Picking where and how pressure is applied becomes a guessing game in
hitting the offensive point of attack
Must teach positions multiple pass drops for the same coverage
Must teach LBs different gap fit responsibilities
Best Situations For Use:
1st Downs
Long yardage situations where coverage is the main focus

Traditional Zone Blitzes

Traditional Zone Blitzes

Allows 2 or more LBs to blitz instead of the 1 LB used in single zone blitzes.
Linemen are used in pass coverage to replace the blitzing LBs.

Coverage is still run with the normal amount of zones defended.

QB may see the blitzing LBs and dump the pass off to the area the linemen is
dropping to, allowing the QBs reads to deceive him.
Since most passes get dumped in the underneath coverage, it is important to
use a coverage that has 4 or more under zones.
The more under zones that are in a coverage creates a minefield for the QB
to throw into, and provides the linemen with more help in covering the routes.

Traditional Zone Blitzes 3 Deep

C
DL ZONE BLITZ

Traditional Zone Blitzes 3 Deep

C
DL ZONE BLITZ

Traditional Zone Blitzes , ,

N
S

E
M

C
DL ZONE BLITZ

DL ZONE BLITZ

Traditional Zone Blitzes 2 Deep

E
S

DL ZONE BLITZ

E
M

W
DL ZONE BLITZ

Traditional Zone Blitzes 2 Deep

E
S

DL ZONE BLITZ

E
M

DL ZONE BLITZ

W
DL ZONE BLITZ

Traditional Zone Blitzes

Advantages:
When applied with other blitz strategies, the defense can generate
mismatches with the offense.
Coverage remains in a basic structure that is safe to handle the pass on
3rd down situations.
Disadvantages:

Coaches must teach the punch & read technique to defensive linemen
to ensure they can read the difference between run and pass accurately.
Requires linemen to play pass coverage instead of rush the passer.
Best Situations For Use:

Passing Downs
1st / 2nd Down Run Situations

Traditional Man Blitzes

Traditional Man Blitzes

Defense will always have 5 players committed to covering the 5 eligible
receivers of the offense.

Deep help for the 5 players committed to man coverage can range from no
help, 1 safety deep, and 2 safeties deep.
The players that are not committed to man coverage or deep help are freed to
blitz.
LBs that are assigned to cover RBs are freed to follow the flow of running
plays and clean up what comes through the blitz.
Discussed Coverages:
Man
Man Free
2 Man

Traditional Man Blitzes Man

Traditional Man Blitzes Man

Traditional Man Blitzes Man

Traditional Man Blitzes Man Free

C
F

Traditional Man Blitzes Man Free

C
F

Traditional Man Blitzes 2 Man

N
S

E
M

C
F

Traditional Man Blitzes

Advantages:
Good for playing the run since the LBs in coverage can flow behind the
blitz and adjust to how the play develops.
Tight man coverage can disrupt the timing of routes and force the QB to
hold the ball longer, leading to a high success rate of the rush getting to
the QB before the ball is thrown.
Disadvantages:
Blitzers can over penetrate into the backfield and allows cracks in the gap
assignments of the blitz.
Players with man coverage responsibilities can be placed in mismatch
situations when the offense matches a better athlete on a poorer athlete.
Best Situations For Use:
Short Yardage Run Downs
Goal Line / Redzone

Overload Blitzes

Overload Blitzes
Overloads are created by outnumbering the offensive players in a specific
area of the formation.

They are always used with at least one other blitz strategy.
Most commonly used as a pass blitz.
Different pass protections require different types of overloads to effectively
beat the pass protection.

Gap / Slide Based Pass Protection:

Two In A Gap
Two Off the Edge
Man Based Pass Protection:
Overload the Guard

Overload Blitzes Two In A Gap

Identify the RB
Edge Side

Overload Blitzes Two In A Gap

Provide A Rush Threat

for RB To Block

Overload Blitzes Two In A Gap

Send the Nose To Occupy

The Guard Inside

Overload Blitzes Two In A Gap

Send the End To Occupy The

Tackle & Drive Him Back

Overload Blitzes Two In A Gap

The Overload Occurs When A LB Is Sent

Into The Opening Between the Nose & End

Overload Blitzes Man

Two In A Gap Traditional Man Blitz

OVERLOAD

Overload Blitzes Man Free

Two In A Gap Traditional Man Blitz

OVERLOAD

C
F

Overload Blitzes Two Off the Edge

Will Attack The RB In

Edge Protection

Overload Blitzes Two Off the Edge

E
Send the End To Occupy The
Tackle & Drive Him Inside

Overload Blitzes Two Off the Edge

The Overload Occurs When Two LBs Are

Sent To Attack The Isolated RB

Overload Blitzes Man

Two Off the Edge Traditional Man Blitz

OVERLOAD

Overload Blitzes 3 Deep

Two Off the Edge Traditional Zone Blitz

OVERLOAD

N
S

E
M

C
DL ZONE BLITZ

Overload Blitzes Overload the Guard

Center and the Tackles will block the Nose and Ends in Man Protection

Overload Blitzes Overload the Guard

Guards will look to pick-up possible blitzers Inside-Out

Overload Blitzes Overload the Guard

When LB comes in an inside

blitz the Guard will pick up
blitz in man protection

Overload Blitzes Overload the Guard

RB will pick up the outside Blitzer

E
B

N M

E
W

Overload Blitzes Overload the Guard

Or QB will have to throw Hot Read

if RB is set to the other side,
creating the Overload

E
B

N M

E
W

Overload Blitzes Overload the Guard

When outside blitz is shown the Guard will

kick out to pick-up in a man protection

Overload Blitzes Overload the Guard

Or Guard will make a fan call with the Tackle

and they will zone protect the C & B Gaps

Overload Blitzes Overload the Guard

Now the Overload is created when a delayed

blitz is used in the A Gaps

S E
B

Overload Blitzes Overload the Guard

Sending two LBs at the Guard will also create an Overload

Overload Blitzes
Advantages:
Can effectively beat an offenses pass protection

The different blitz combinations available make offenses have to create

new rules to try and block the blitz package.
Disadvantages:
Must be able to breakdown and identify what type of pass protection your
opponent has run on film.
An overload blitz can provide an open gap, making some calls susceptible
to runs.
Best Situations For Use:

Long Yardage Passing Situations

Fire Zone Blitzes

Fire Zone Blitzes

Five man pressure package.
Can run multiple blitz strategies from a Fire Zone Blitz framework.

Pressure package uses a 3 deep, 3 under zone coverage.

Allows the defense an alternative to providing effective pressure with man
coverage behind.
The under zone defenders play a match-up zone style of under coverage.
The coverage puts lots of pressure on the Safety to defend routes up the
hashes.
The zone coverage allows for all defenders to react to run faster than blitzing
in man coverage.

The Fire Zone Blitz strategy provides the most flexible format for blitzing in
multiple play situations.

Fire Zone Blitzes 3 Deep, 3 Under

C
F

Fire Zone Blitzes 3 Deep, 3 Under

Overload Blitz Overload the Guard

OVERLOAD

C
F

Fire Zone Blitzes 3 Deep, 3 Under

Overload Blitz Overload the Guard

OVERLOAD

C
F

Fire Zone Blitzes 3 Deep, 3 Under

Overload Blitz Two Off the Edge

OVERLOAD

C
F

Fire Zone Blitzes 3 Deep, 3 Under

Overload Blitz Overload the Guard & Traditional Zone Blitz

OVERLOAD

C
F

DL ZONE BLITZ

Fire Zone Blitzes 3 Deep, 3 Under

Overload Blitz Overload the Guard & Traditional Zone Blitz

OVERLOAD

C
DL ZONE BLITZ

Fire Zone Blitzes

Advantages:
An effective blitz strategy for run and pass situations.

Can employ multiple blitz strategies with the Fire Zone Blitz format.
Disadvantages:
Under zone coverage areas area stretched verse the Spread Offense.
2x2 formations put a lot of pressure on the Safety to defend the deep
hashes.
Best Situations For Use:
2nd & Long Situations
3rd & Medium / Long Passing Situations

Illusion Blitzes

Illusion Blitzes
Illusion blitzes are variations of Traditional Man Blitzes.
All eligible receivers around the LOS are accounted for in man coverage.

All of the RBs or one of the RBs will be covered by a Spy Rush player.
The Spy Rush player can be a DL, LB, or DB.
The positions used for the Spy Rush player can be different on each side of
the blitz.
The Spy Rush player will give the illusion of rushing/blitzing, while running a
spy/mirror coverage on the assigned RB.
This allows for maximum number of defenders to rush the offense.
Most commonly used as passing down blitzes.

Illusion Blitzes Man

Overload Blitz Overload the Guard & Two Off the Edge

SPY RUSH

SPY RUSH
OVERLOAD

Illusion Blitzes Man

Overload Blitz Overload the Guard

SPY RUSH

SPY RUSH

OVERLOAD

Illusion Blitzes Man

Overload Blitz Overload the Guard

SPY RUSH

SPY RUSH

OVERLOAD

Illusion Blitzes Man

Overload Blitz Two In a Gap

SPY RUSH

SPY RUSH

OVERLOAD

Illusion Blitzes Man Free

Overload Blitz Two Off the Edge

SPY RUSH
OVERLOAD

C
F

Illusion Blitzes
Advantages:
Provide maximum amount of pass rushers to overload the pass
protection.
Good at defending RB slip screens when C Gap rushers play the Spy
Rush.
Disadvantages:

By not having LBs assigned to cover the RBs like Traditional Man Blitzes,
there is no one left to flow behind the rush. This puts Illusion Blitzes in a
bad match-up to defend the run.
Outside Spy Rush players will have a hard time covering the sneak route,
and inside Spy Rush players will have a hard time covering the swing route
when combo/swap rules are not applied.
Best Situations For Use:
2nd/3rd & Long
3rd & Medium When Pass Is Expected

Secondary Blitzes

Secondary Blitzes
Secondary blitzes are a high risk, high reward blitz strategy.
Most commonly used against the pass, but secondary blitzes can be useful
against the run in specific situations.
Most pass protections dont assign players to account for defensive backs.
When the blitz is timed up late the pass protection doesnt have time to adjust,
and the only option is to throw a hot route.

If coverages are effectively disguised in combination with a secondary blitz,

the QB will be forced to hold the ball longer and allow the blitz to get there.
The biggest concern when blitzing a defensive back is the crease that is
created in the zone coverage.

Secondary Blitzes 2 Deep

Single Zone Blitz

DB BLITZ

N
S

E
M

C
F

Secondary Blitzes 3 Deep

Single Zone Blitz

DB BLITZ

N
S

E
M

C
F

Secondary Blitzes 3 Deep, 3 Under

Fire Zone Blitz & Overload Blitz Two Off the Edge

OVERLOAD DB BLITZ

N
S

E
M

C
F

Secondary Blitzes Man

Illusion Blitz & Overload Blitz Overload the Guard & Two Off the Edge

SPY RUSH
OVERLOAD

DB BLITZ

Secondary Blitzes
Advantages:
Offensive pass protections cant effectively account for defensive backs
in the rush.
When secondary disguise calls are also used in the defense, it adds to the
confusion level of the QB in reading the defense.
Disadvantages:

When zone coverage is used there will be creases in the coverage that a
good QB can exploit.
It is hard to practice effective timing of the blitz in a game speed climate
where the blitz is not shown too soon.
Best Situations For Use:
Long Yardage Passing Downs
Opponent Specific High Passing Down Tendency

Smash-Mouth 3-3-5 Defense:

Implementing Seven Winning Blitz Strategies

By: Joe Arpasi

Defensive Coordinator
Westfield High School
Westfield, Indiana
Phone: (317) 435-9380
Email: coacharpasi@yahoo.com