Robert Manchester: Defensive Blitz Packages

with Robert Manchester,
Georgia Military College Head Football Coach & Athletic Director;
former Louisiana Tech University, University of Kentucky, and Tulane University defensive graduate assistant;
played at the University of Kentucky in college; was a walk-on his first three seasons and was awarded a scholarship prior to his senior season

Coach Robert Manchester of Georgia Military College (GMC) gives a complete overview of the blitz package used in the Georgia Military College 3-5-3 defense. Included in this presentation are not only the individual blitzes, but how the calls are made and how the front, blitz, and coverage is coordinated.

Man Blitzes

The presentation begins with Coach Manchester diagramming the various man blitz concepts used at GMC. Man blitz concepts are divided into 4-man, 5-man, and 6-man concepts. Each concept is married to a coverage and can feature multiple blitzers. Several examples using game footage are shown of each concept against both the run and the pass. Manchester demonstrates how to construct blitz patterns using different defenders, how to create calls for blitzes that are not overly complicated, and how to create overload blitzes without tipping off your strategy to the offense.

Zone Blitzes

Next, Coach Manchester diagrams several zone blitz concepts that feature 3-man, 4-man, and 5-man blitz concepts. He also shows how each blitz concept is married to a particular coverage concept. 4 under 3 deep, 3 under 3 deep, quarters, and quarter quarter half coverages are diagrammed with the corresponding blitzes. Each concept can feature multiple blitzers and can be sent from anywhere on the field. Some of the blitz concepts covered are:

• The bird, ammo, and storm packages that feature five rushers.
• The "grey" package that allows the defense to designate several defenders as the fourth rusher while playing cover 3 zone.
• The "orange" and "gold" packages that feature a four man or three man drop eight scheme with either quarters coverage or quarter quarter half coverage.

The huge variety of blitzes available to the defense in the 3-5-3 defense has struck fear into the hearts of offensive coaches for many years now. With the help of Coach Manchester, you will be able to install a simple, but effective blitz package that will keep the opposition on its toes!

40 minutes. 2021.