Linebacker Blitzing Terminology and Technique

Coach Nana explains the football term "blitz," which means applying pressure from an assigned gap, usually for a linebacker but occasionally for safeties or corners. While a linebacker normally has a specific gap responsibility, such as the Sam linebacker in the B gap and the Mike linebacker in the A gap, a blitz call overrides this. The main goal of a blitz is to apply pressure to the quarterback, most likely in a passing down. A linebacker can execute a "creeping" blitz by moving into the assigned gap pre-snap so that they start on the same line as the defensive linemen. Alternatively, a "delayed blitz" means the player would not show the blitz pre-snap and would attack their assigned gap as soon as the ball is snapped, regardless of whether it's a run or a pass play.