No Huddle Shotgun Spread Offense

We can use a switch scheme with the # 1 and # 2 receivers, allowing us to get great angles, as well as chip to the LB'er with the # 3 receiver.

(submitted by Scoresomemore)

The Speed/Load Option Scheme

Submitted by Scoresomemore

1. LOAD OPTION: "WALL"

This is our wall scheme, we use the wall scheme when we know the up front players are more important to take care of rather then the FS. If we feel we can control or slow down the FS with our play action pass, then we use this scheme to ensure we get the 1st and 2nd level defenders blocked.

2. LOAD OPTION: "CLIMB"

This is our climb tag, we use this when we need to make sure we take care of the ILB and FS moreso, a good example is a tighter aligned DE, which can be reached by our PST, so when he doesnt need help, we can call "climb" and get the 2nd and 3rd level's secured on the perimeter.

3. PLAY ACTION PASS: SPEED/LOAD OPTION PASS

This is one of our most productive and quick striking play action passes we used last year. This was always good for a quick strike and good chunk of yardage when we noticed the FS starting to run the alley on our speed option and load option runs. This pass allowed us to slow down 3rd level defenders, which helped us secure the 1st and 2nd level with sheer numbers.

Midline Trap Option

Submitted by Jim Hanawalt

Midline Trap Option has quickly become a key element of our running game. Because we run so much Counter Trey Blocking (GT) with the backside guard and tackle pulling, controlling B gap penetration on either side of the line is critical to our success in running the GT scheme. The Trap option is a great fit in our scheme because it controls both B gap defenders simultaneously, by reading the backside B gap player and trapping the front side B gap defender.

Overview:

1. Fits into our option based ground attack.

2. Not chipping back on the trap gives us an extra blocker.

3. Controls penetrating B gap defenders.

4. Gives False reads to Defensive Line and LB?s

5. Provides Great Blocking Angles.

6. Hits Quickly

7. Hits downhill North & South with the FB or QB.

8. Footwork is the same as GT Option, just reading one man to the inside.

9. Simple rules work against any front.

For the purpose of TRAP, we define our rules based on the defensive alignment on or near our guards.

COVERED: if there is defender anywhere from the B gap to head up on the guard. This would include 2 techs, 3's, and B gap defenders.

UNCOVERED: If there is no B gap, 3 or 2 tech defender, the guard is uncovered. This includes any A gap shade defender, such as a 2i, 1, 0 tech defender.

Offensive Line Blocking Rules: Trap Left

LT: If guard is covered, turn out on DE. If guard is uncovered, block down on the first LB inside.

LG: If uncovered, double NG to backside LB. If covered, best release to playside LB.

OC: If uncovered, direct release to backside LB. If covered, double team with LG to backside LB.

RG: Pull and TRAP first man past the OC.

RT: If guard is covered , turn out on DE. If guard is uncovered (inside shade of guard or A gap/NG), block down on the first LB inside.

Note for Tackles

The Tackles can use a few different techniques when turning out on the DE. Since we throw the football (pass set) and run sweep (reach), we can incorporate these initial steps into the turnout block to make the DE widen himself and create a large running lane.

- Tackles can kick step out to the DE as if on pass protection and invite the DE up the field, letting the DE beat?the tackle up the field, which is the same as technique as used on draw.

- Tackles can take a reach step against the DE who reads sweep and widens. The tackle will reach step and then allow the DE to beat him outside, then the tackle takes command of the inside position and widens the DE.

QB Footwork

The QB will use his same footwork as our GT Option. The QB will read the B gap defender rather than the DE.

1. QB will catch the snap and seat the ball in the basket as he steps back with his foot nearest the FB on a 45 degree angle. While stepping back, the QB will sink his hips and place his weight on the rear leg. As the QB steps back, he must keep his EYES on the read key.

2. The mesh will begin at the most rearward point of the football that has been extended by the QB and it will continue in the basket of the FB until the ball has reached the navel of the QB. As the QB meshes, he is reading the defender for a give or keep decision. This motion will all happen quickly and be fluid in rhythm. There will be a transfer of weight from the foot nearest the back to the foot nearest the line of scrimmage simultaneously as the ball is brought forward during the mesh with the FB.

3. The READ begins when the QB gains control of the snap and ends during the mesh. As the QB extends the ball into the belly of the FB his EYES are fixed on the READ KEY. Reading the Midline is a little different than the GT or Veer read due to the angle between the QB and the B gap defender. We have an imaginary line drawn from the inside leg of the guard into the backfield. If the B gap defender crosses that line, the QB will pull the football and replace the B gap defender. If the B gap defender doesn't cross the line, the QB will give the FB the ball and then step laterally towards the sideline to avoid the collision from the unblocked B gap defender.

Here is the Midline Trap versus a traditional 44 defense with two 2 technique DT's. The non trapping guard takes the best release to the stacked Linebacker.

Here is the Midline Trap Option against the TNT double eagle look. This play was specifically designed to attack this front. Usually, teams will play this front against teams that pull a lot for three reasons. First, the defense hopes to cause penetration issues on the play side with the DT beating the Tackles down block and jamming up the B gap. Secondly, the same situation applies for the front side Guard against the Nose Guard, the Guard must cut off penetration. Lastly, one of the biggest challenges against teams that pull the back side Guard and Tackle on Counter Trey schemes, is the Center blocking back on the back side DT in the B gap who is taught to penetrate and hug the pulling guard's hip. This can knock the pulling tackle off course if the center is unable to prevent penetration from the DT in the B gap.

The Midline Trap is very effective at defeating the interior of the TNT defense because it takes away the one on one aspect of the defense and uses the aggressiveness of the B gap penetrators against them by reading one B gap defender and trapping the other. The Nose Guard is double teamed up to the Middle Linebacker, who is used to running free in this defense against conventional trap blocking schemes. With the pulling of the Guard, the MLB is influenced into the double team by the Center and backside Guard. This influence further opens the play up should the Quarterback get a keep read.

In keeping with the built in false key aspect of the pulling guard away from the Quarterback keep, we have developed calls that our linemen can use to attack different looks and to influence the play in either direction based on the type of read we are getting.

Swap Call

We use the Swap call on the backside of the play to influence the defender that is going to be trapped and also the Linebacker behind him. This influence pull makes both defenders step out of the hole and creates more running space.

We can also run the Midline Option with conventional Midline and Zone blocking schemes as a change up or to take advantage of fronts that are difficult to trap.

Zulu (Zone) Scheme

Submitted by Jim Hanawalt

The Fullback Position:

The FB is in a 2 point stance with his feet at least shoulder width apart to slightly wider than his shoulder width, his legs are bent and he is in a low balanced football position with his hands on his thighs and his elbows out. His toes are pointed straight forward and he is not staggered, his toes are even with each other. It should look almost like he is in a three point stance without the hand down. We want him coiled and ready to explode in any direction.

The FB doesn't move until the ball hits the QB's hands, he then accelerates straight forward stepping with his foot closest to the Quarterback first (this is one of the reasons for his alignment of 1yd behind and 1yd outside the QB) at the guards crack with his inside arm up forming a large pocket. We teach him to never clamp until he feels the QB "slam" the ball into his gut. This is the procedure for all plays where the Fullback meshes with the Quarterback.

The reason we have the dive going straight forward into the double/triple team is so that he can press up behind the area of movement and cut to air like the zone play, if the air is the normal veer track then that is what he takes. As a result, I feel we are more productive on give reads than if we were to keep a standard veer track as if we were under center. We feel that initially taking the angled veer track from gun isn't necessary and would require either a tighter alignment by the back to the QB, which would hinder our cross flow plays or a step by the back to the inside, which would limit his speed into his downhill track.

Also, being fixed on the old veer track allows the Linebackers to run downhill at an angle to intersect the Fullback and attack quicker than if they have to play against a back that can and will cutback into the A gap.

The Running Back Position:

The RB position is responsible to always be in position to receive the pitch by the QB. He must be in a position 5 yards behind the QB and 3 yards outside the QB, running at the same speed and in the same direction as the QB while maintaining his eye contact with the QB. The RB must be ready for the pitch at any time. When the RB is on the same side as the direction of the play, he will use a ?cowboy? technique and backpedal slightly to the inside of his alignment and be in position to receive the pitch. When the RB is on the opposite side of the play direction, he will use a ?early? technique and go into motion ½ second before the snap of the football. This ?early? release timing will vary by alignment and the speed of the RB.

Offensive Line General Blocking Rules: (Modified by gameplan)

PST: Block first man inside on or off the los. This will result in a combo block with the PSG if there is a down defender in the B gap or head up on the PSG.

PSG: Uncovered, double or triple team NG with Center, Covered, double or triple team DT with OC and/or OT. Versus a TNT look, double team with PST.

OC: Uncovered, A gap threat, no threat, double or triple team DT on the play side, Covered, double/triple team NG with guard(s). Versus TNT look, cutoff the NG

BSG: Uncovered, double or triple team NG with Center, Covered, combo or cutoff (city)with BST. Versus a TNT look, combo.

BST: Uncovered, combo or cutoff (city) with OG, Covered, Sift. Versus a TNT look, combo B gap defender.

Here is a diagram of the Veer being run towards the bubble. We prefer to run this play towards the 1 tech NG, which allows us to get maximum movement on both combo blocks up to the backside linebacker. The key is the front side tackle being able to rip release cleanly and getting square into the Linebackers chest. Should the play side linebacker flow outside to take the quarterback, the play side slot will seal block him.

Here is a diagram of the play being run towards the 3 tech. Although we prefer to run it towards the 1 tech NG, it is still a very good play towards the 3 tech. The key is great movement on the 3 tech by the play side guard and tackle; we must get movement and push the 3 tech back into the linebacker.

Trade Call: On a Trade call, the RB will motion into the backfield and ?trade? assignments with the FB, therefore, the RB will become the Dive Back and the FB will become the pitch back. We use this as a motion tendency breaker to attack the backside of a rotating defense.

Switch Call: On a Switch call, the RB will ?switch? assignments with the receiver and become a blocker. By game plan, his blocking assignment will be determined and assigned but as a base he will seal inside on the Inside Linebacker and climb to the safety against MOFC and he will seam release and block the safety against MOFO. The WR will motion into position to become the pitch back. This is our way of getting superior numbers by unbalancing the formation.

Interior Blocking Adjustments

Based on what we are seeing, we can adjust our blocking schemes accordingly to account for different defensive looks and problem areas.

Outside Call: Against an odd front team that has the DE wash our Tackle down hard and is keeping our tackle from getting to the linebacker, we will use this call. It is a call made by the tackle telling the guard that he is going to outside release to the linebacker. This tells the play side guard to fire out and base block the linebacker, it also tells the center and backside guard to combo reach the nose guard up to the backside linebacker.

Perimeter Blocking on the Options

As a general rule, we will always have our wide receivers stalk cornerbacks that give cushion and run off press corners playing tight man to man. With our play side slot, we will have the slot seam release and stalk the hash safety when the middle of the field is open (MOFO). When the middle of the field is closed (MOFC), we will have the slot seal the inside linebacker and climb to the middle safety if the linebacker isn?t there to block.

When we are running the option to a trips side, the non pitch back will use this rule. The pitch back on the trips side will backpedal (COWBOY) into pitch relationship.

Perimeter Blocking Adjustments

Per game plan, we can make easy blocking adjustments on the option.

Load Block: This is where the play side slot will seal block the edge defender, usually an OSLB or walked up safety. We will then option the next man outside of him for pitch/keep.

Crack Block: This is where we will have the play side wide receiver crack block the first man to his inside; we will then option the CB for pitch/keep. Usually we will do this against cover 2 or 4 looks.

Switch Block: This is where we will have the WR Crack block inside on the safety and have the play side slot arc block the corner back.

Fan Call: Our fan blocking adjustment is used against odd front teams who are playing the option well by having the DE take dive, the OSLB takes QB and the secondary is taking pitch. Effectively, this adjustment turns the veer into a wider version of the midline option. Its design is to turnout on the OSLB that is stepping down to take the QB and take advantage of the hole vacated by the DE when he steps down to take the FB. The secondary is flowing outside to take pitch so this can be a huge gaining play.

Double Fold Blocking the Veer

This is an adjustment that is used when we are getting give reads to the Fullback but the 3 technique is penetrating and causing issues and the front side Linebacker is running downhill into the B gap. On this play the front side Guard will widen the 3 technique and the front side tackle will fold behind him up to the front side Linebacker. The backside Guard widens the Nose and the backside Guard folds behind him for the Backside Linebacker. Ideally, the Fullback will run right between them and be one on one with the Free Safety. This play will AUTOMATICALLY cutback into the A gap IF a give read occurs.

Submitted by Jim Hanawalt

Quarterback Footwork

Below are some photos showing the Quarterback's footwork in step by step sequence.

Stance is good with knees bent, arms in front of body and eyes on the football.

Snap has been caught and the ball has been seated into the basket with the points of the ball facing up and down. With repetition the Quarterback will learn to step forward while the ball is in the air and catch the snap on the move.

On veer the first step is big with the play side foot towards the crack of the guard. Eyes are on the read key.

Here the angle of the ball off the back hip is a little too far back. Note the front shoulder position, the head is forced slightly off line from the read key. Weight is on the rear leg and is transferring to the front while the ball is brought forward.

Ball has been brought forward with the Fullback, notice eyes are back on track with the read key and shoulders have squared up in comparison to the previous photo. Weight is on the front leg.

The two red bags in the front of the picture are the track for the Fullback; they are placed there to prevent the Fullback from swerving off track. The Aim Point for the FB is the crack of the Guards butt, which is just inside the orange cone.

Depending on the Fullbacks quickness, the depth can be slightly deeper than our base alignment of 1 yard behind the Quarterback. Here the Fullback is at approximately 1 yard. The yellow bag behind the Fullback is to prevent false steps.

Contact Information: jhanawa33@yahoo.com