How to Block 7 Against Heavy Blitzes
Spam blitzers are annoying. They send the house every play — and if you don't have an answer, you're getting sacked or throwing picks all game.
Here's the fix: Block seven concept. It's simple. Keep seven guys to block their rush. Send three routes that beat man coverage. Done.
This works because math. They can't send more than seven rushers AND cover your routes. If they do — somebody's wide open.
The setup: Any play action concept works. I use PA Slants from the Arkansas State playbook in Gunwing Trips formation. But you can steal this idea for any playbook.
The process:
- Call your PA play
- Remove the play action (unnecessary vs blitz)
- Block your halfback
- Drag your slot receiver
Now you have seven blockers and three routes. All three routes beat man coverage. The user can't take away everything.
This isn't some magic bullet. But when guys are sending mid blitz zero every play and getting instant pressure — this stops it cold.
When to Use Block Seven Protection
Use this when you're facing heavy man blitzes that you can't block with normal protection.
Perfect situations:
- Mid blitz zero spam
- Any blitz sending 6+ rushers
- When they're getting instant sheds on your line
- Pass rushers beating your blocks consistently
Works great against: Man coverage blitzes. Still works against zone blitzes — just not as dominant.
Don't use this: Every single play. Mix it up. If you become predictable, they'll adjust.
Also don't use it when they're playing normal coverage. You're wasting receivers for no reason.
Why Block Seven Concept Works
Simple math.
They send seven rushers. You block seven guys. Your line SHOULD win that battle.
Meanwhile — they only have four guys left to cover your three receivers. And your routes are spaced out perfectly to attack man coverage.
The user can't be everywhere. If he takes away the comeback route, the drag is open. If he sits on the drag, throw the slant or comeback.
Route spacing matters. Your three receivers need to be spread out enough that one user can't cover two routes.
This concept forces them out of their blitz. Once they stop blitzing — you go back to normal plays with four and five receiver concepts.
The Psychology Part
Blitz spammers want easy sacks. When you start blocking their rush and completing passes — they get frustrated. They'll try different blitzes. Block those too.
Eventually they'll drop back into normal coverage. That's when you hit them with bigger route concepts.
How to Execute Block Seven Step-by-Step
Formation: Gunwing Trips (Arkansas State playbook)
Play: PA Slants
Pre-snap adjustments:
- Remove play action — tap Y (Xbox) or Triangle (PlayStation)
- Block the halfback — hold RB + press A
- Drag the slot receiver — hold RB + flick right stick toward sideline on your slot guy
Post-snap reads:
- Quick slant first — usually open vs blitz
- Comeback route second — good vs man coverage
- Drag route last — safety valve underneath
Mix up your route combos: Don't run the same three routes every time. Change the outside receiver to different routes — comeback, hitch, out route.
Example variation: Keep the drag. Change the outside guy to a comeback. Now you have drag/slant/comeback instead of drag/slant/slant.
What Counters Block Seven Protection
Smart opponents will adjust. Here's what they might try:
Cover 2 Man: They'll drop a safety into coverage instead of blitzing. Now they have five defenders on your three routes.
Your counter: Go back to four and five receiver concepts. If they're not blitzing heavy, you don't need seven blockers.
Zone coverage: They might switch to zone blitzes instead of man blitzes.
Your counter: Block seven still works vs zone. Just read the zone coverage instead of expecting man-to-man matchups.
Bracketing your best receiver: They put two guys on your #1 option.
Your counter: Take the underneath stuff. Drag route should be wide open.
Common Mistakes with Block Seven
Using it every play: Don't. Once they stop blitzing, you're wasting receivers. Mix in normal concepts.
Poor route combinations: Don't put all your receivers in the same area. Spread them out so the user can't cover multiple routes.
Not reading fast enough: You have time now, but don't hold the ball forever. Make your reads and throw it.
Wrong formations: This works best from trips formations or bunch concepts. Single receiver formations don't give you good route spacing.
Keeping play action: Remove it vs blitzes. Play action makes you hold the ball longer — exactly what blitzers want.
The Biggest Mistake
Thinking this is your only answer to blitzes.
Block seven is ONE tool. You also need quick game concepts, hot routes, and better pre-snap recognition.
But when guys are spamming the same blitz over and over — this shuts them down fast.