Coaches Corner: Blitz packages

Michigan Defense Blitz Packages

We have been getting a lot of e-mails regarding the blitz packages Coach Shafer and Michigan will be using this year.

Coach Shafer did not specifically discuss his blitz packages, but we can talk about those we saw this spring. Michigan did very little blitzing out of the 4-3 base. They did use a middle linebacker strong side blitz and weak side linebacker off the edge blitz out of base.

We are certain Michigan has other blitzes available in base to include safeties and strong side linebacker blitzes, but just did not show them during spring ball. Most of the blitzing Michigan did this spring was out nickel package. Let us start by saying that Michigan never used any sort of cornerback blitz in any of the packages, base, or nickel.

In press coverage, it is very difficult to bring the cornerbacks. They are at a terrible angle to blitz and even at times angled away from the quarterback. What we saw out of nickel was weak side linebacker and middle linebacker lined up in B gaps in two-point stance and either blitzed B Gaps or twisted in stunts with defensive line.

Another blitz was line up weak side linebacker and middle linebacker in B Gaps and at snap drop into coverage with either nickel or strong side linebacker coming off the edge. Michigan also showed a safety blitz, strong safety blitzing the B gap.

During practice, we watched Michigan work on a few very base blitzes. Little angle blitz with nose tackle angling one direction say left, and middle linebacker than blitzing A gap to the right. As season unfolds, we will get a better idea of exactly where Coach Shafer is taking the defense, and what he wants to accomplish.

written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine

Thanks for stopping by http://gobluemichiganwolverine.blogspot.com/
If you have any questions please e-mail erocwolverine@gmail.com