DefenseAdvanced

Blitz Timing Drill

Advanced pass-rush timing work that trains blitzing defenders to hit the gap the instant the ball is snapped, rather than a half-count late.

Age RangeAges 15+
Duration12 minutes
Group SizeGroups of 3-5
SportFootball

Equipment Needed

  • One football
  • Cones to mark the line

Mark the gaps

Cones make it easy to mark each rush lane so blitz timing stays disciplined to the gap.

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Setup

  • Set up a line of scrimmage with cones marking the gaps.
  • Blitzers line up in their assigned gaps opposite a center or snap-count caller.
Blitz Timing DrillXXXXQSnap countBlitzers react to the snap, each attacking their own gap

Instructions

  1. The snap-count caller uses a real cadence; blitzers react on the snap, not before it.
  2. Each blitzer attacks their assigned gap at full speed, staying low and disciplined to the gap.
  3. Coach or a rusher-recognition player calls out free-runners so timing can be corrected.
  4. Rotate through several different blitz packages and snap counts.
Coaching Points
  • React to the snap, not the quarterback's cadence - jumping early is a penalty and tips the blitz.
  • Stay disciplined to your assigned gap even at full speed.
  • Get skinny through the gap rather than trying to run around traffic.

Variation

Add a running back whose job is to pick up the blitz, giving the rushers a real block to defeat.