Outside to Inside Blitz Technique

Regardless of a defensive scheme the situation may occur where the defense wants rush a player aligned outside the box into an inside gap. Here is an example of when the technique might be used in a 3-4 defensive structure.

The Jack outside linebacker is blitzing from an outside alignment into the B gap.

The same technique can apply to an overhang player in a 3-3-5.

Or a SS/Nickel pressure in a 4-2-5.

Here is one approach for teaching the outside to inside blitz technique.

The defensive end takes a wide alignment to get up the field and outside. The blitzer is on a 45 degree track on a path to replace the DE's heels as the DE launches up field. The blitzer is reacting to the block of the OT.

OT Blocks the DE 

If the OT blocks out to the DE, the blitzer stays on his track to control the B gap.

If the guard is zone blocking into the B gap, the blitzer must be ready to react and maintain B gap leverage.

If a FB is lead blocking in the B gap the blitzer will spill the block (NEVER KICKED). Spill = hit the blocker thick on the inside half and pry up the field.

If there is a puller on the blitzer's track into the B gap, the blitzer will spill the puller (NEVER KICKED).

OT Blocks Down

If the OT blocks down, the blitzer will stay on his 45 degree track and control the B gap from behind the line of scrimmage.

If the OT is blocking down and there is a puller, the blitzer will spill the puller (NEVER KICKED).

If the OT is blocking down and there is a FB lead block, the blitzer will spill the lead (NEVER KICKED).

If the OT is blocking down and there is a puller and lead block, the blitz will spill the puller. The goal is to get a 2 for 1. 

OT Blocks Down with an Option or Read Scheme

Against a down block by the OT, the End will handle the outside threat while the blitzer will handle the inside threat.

Against veer option, the inside threat is the dive. The blitzer will stay on his track and tackle the dive. The End will take the outside threat and handle the QB.

Against zone read, the RB is the inside threat. The blitzer will flatten and chase behind the LOS tackling the RB. The End is playing for the outside threat and will tackle the QB.

Against read power, the inside threat is the QB. The blitzer will tackle the QB. The blitzer must be ready to spill the pulling guard (NEVER KICKED). The End will play the outside threat in this case the sweeping RB.

OT Blocks Down with a Naked or Boot Scheme

Against any naked scheme the blitzer can chase the run because the End is outside for contain against the naked. 

The blitzer must be ready for a puller on boot. The blitzer will spill the puller (NEVER KICKED) and pry up field. If the QB continues outside, the DE will apply pressure and contain. If the QB attempts to pull up inside the guard's pull, the blitzer will apply pressure.

OT Blocks Blitzer

If the OT tries to block the blitzer, the blitzer must control the B gap. The blitzer should have his hands ready to shock the OT and play into the B gap.

OT Pass Sets

If the OT pass sets, the blitzer will pass rush through the B gap. The DE is up the field outside for contain. The DE CANNOT use a counter move to the inside.

Here is a good example of a Nickel blitzing using this outside in technique.

Against a full slide protection the blitzer and DE will bracket the RB. The blitzer is inside the RB's block and DE is outside for contain.

This outside to inside blitz technique can be a nice compliment to traditional edge pressures.

New England Patriots Dime Pressure

Here is a simple 5 man dog from a dime personnel used by the New England Patriots last season. This is a dog the formation based on the alignment of the TE backed up by man free coverage. The Patriots called this pressure in a hurry up end of game situation on 2&10. 

The Rush:
Ends - Work to inside pass rush lanes
Nose - Rush the midline
Dime - Rush outside to the TE (closed side), you can see the Dime trade with the TE trade in the film
LB - Rush outside to the open side (away from the TE). The front was already set when the Dolphins traded the TE to the defensive left. The LB adjusted and rushed to the new open side of the formation following the TE trade.

The Coverage:
Corners - Man #1
Nickel - Man #2
SS - Man the TE
FS - Free
LB - Man on RB

What makes this dog work is the usage of a dime personnel by the Patriots.


The Dolphins chose to release the running back into a route. The RB could be a check release player in this situation. If he is in the protection the likely scenario that would keep him in protection is 2 extra rushers to his side. Since that did not happen, he released. Regardless of it is a free release or check release by the RB, the end result was a quick release into a route. 

This left the 5 offensive linemen to pass protect. The OL is forced to assess the 5 most dangerous potential rushers. In this case it is the 3 defensive lineman and the two inside linebackers. The Dime is less likely to be a rusher than the 5 identified threats and more likely to be in coverage on the TE in this situation. If that Dime was a Rush Linebacker type or even an Inside Linebacker the OL would be more aware of him as a rush threat. Take for example the reaction of the OT once the LB walks up outside on the play. The OT is pointing it out to the Guard and communicating the LB as a rush threat off the edge. The OL does not react the same way to the Dime being walked up outside the TE and near the line of scrimmage.  

The establishment of the 5 most dangerous rushers was also helped by precedent. In the big picture of scouting report and tendencies a Dime is much more likely to cover than rush. Also on the previous play the Patriots were in the same Dime personnel and rushed both inside linebackers.

This is another 5 man dog backed up by man free coverage. Both LB are in the rush. The weak side LB and End are working a twist stunt. Bringing a rush with both inside linebackers only reinforces the precedent that the 3 DL and 2 LB are the most dangerous rush threats.

These two calls bring up very important points about developing and utilizing a pressure package. 

The calls in a pressure package are interrelated not simply a group of calls. Each call has to stand alone as an effective call the defense wants to use but the calls should also be complimentary. With these two calls the Patriots called the 2 LB dog on 1st down. Establishing the LB's as rush threats helps make the 2nd down call bringing the Dime more effective. The calls are not being made to "set up" another call but the calls in the package naturally create conflicts for the offense. 

Simple can be very effective. Neither of these dogs is overly exotic. One resulted in an incomplete pass and the other in a sack for -13.

Subtle changes can have a big effect on a pass protection. A Dime as the outside rusher is very different in the OL's identification than a rush linebacker, inside linebacker, or defensive end. Understanding how changing defensive personnel can effect the offense is critical to having an effective pass rush plan.