Mike Blitz
Sends the middle backer straight through an A-gap on the snap.
Concept: Mike reads the center and fires the open A-gap while the nose occupies the pivot.
Grows with your players
Same play, more layers as they age up — teach it once and build on it every season for a consistent program.
- 10UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
- 12UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
- 14UAdd pressure: Layer in the called blitz — one timed gap-shooter on the snap. Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass. Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.
Every position's job
Occupy the center (the pivot) so Mike has a clean lane through the open A-gap.
Hold the strong B-gap and occupy your blocker.
Hold the weak B-gap and occupy your blocker.
Set the strong C-gap edge as contain.
Set the weak C-gap edge as contain.
Read the center's block direction and fire the open A-gap straight downhill on the snap.
Cover the strong hook/curl or the back out of the backfield since Mike is gone.
Cover the weak hook/curl or the back, replacing Mike underneath.
Cover your receiver man or play your deep third.
Cover your receiver man or play your deep third.
Single-high over the top to cover the middle Mike vacated.
How to teach it
- 1Mike reads the center: he fires the A-gap away from the center's block for a clean lane.
- 2The nose must occupy the center so he can't pick up the blitzing Mike.
- 3Sam and Will must account for the back and the middle hook Mike leaves.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Mike blitzing the wrong A-gap into traffic; fix by drilling the center read.
- !No one covering the middle hook; fix by rotating Sam/Will and the safety to fill it.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.