In all cases, their line of attack will take them to the B gap (unless it’s a called stunt). That’s what we do, be blow up B to B. We don’t think they are fast enough to get to our C gaps. Even if it is the RB’s landing spot, with the DE sealing B we have the OLB to force (moving up to force the RB to commit to the inside or outside), with help from the CB to help maintain the outside contain. if the RB commits to cutback, the DE and ILB are there to prevent that. And lastly, the other LBs are in pursuit mode by this point, as well getting a run-stop commit by the FS.

Since the LBs are keying on gap-to-key (F or H backs), we can pretty much run-blitz favorably, and force the RB to make a landing zone commit prior to reaching the LoS.

On the TE side, the DE is heading up-field with a tight inside leverage of the Tackle. Even if the RB is already beyond him (headed for C or D), he has backside seal for B/C. The ILB to the TE side has C, but he is reading through the B to his backfield key (formation dependent). If ball-on (the RB is not yet to his outside), he will blow to the C inside the TE while the S is wide, forcing the TE to commit inside or out. Meanwhile, the NT is blowing up strong A. Since the MLB (or offside ILB in 4-LB packages instead of our 5-package) is ball-off, he his taking a pursuit role down the LoS as long as the RB has not yet crossed the LoS. If the RB cuts back, the MLB will make the force, with the others converging (pursuit) and sealing.

This varies during the course of a game, as I get input from the D-line and LBs about the offense’s tendencies and strengths/weaknesses. If necessary, we’ll shift from our default alignment to more heavily favor the offense’s weighted side, and even use stunt/bltiz packages to exploit the T/TE on the strong side.

After that long-winded explanation … the basic rule for the DEs is get penetration into the B, his technique or shading notwithstanding (as that’s governed largely by the offense’s formation and weight), it is his explosiveness into the B that is all-important. How he is engaged by the O-line will determine the run-pass blitz combo that will force/seal the RB.

Because of our LB keys and our roles based on ball-on or ball-off, this prevents susceptibility to draws, counters and misdirection (reverses, etc.). Since we run- and pass-blitz every play, it also takes play action away from the offense. In fact, draws and play-action style plays play into our blitz scheme, ditto for middle screens. In fact, having an aggressive attack-oriented philosophy generally makes plays that take time to develop very counter-productive for the offense.

Again, great job!