Pro Style Running Game

S4 - QB Run Game and Play Action Fundamentals

2012-05-10T10:17:00.000-05:00

Coaching Football. Building Men.

This is my shout out to the National Football Academies. I really think what Darin Slack (the Founder and President) and the NFA are doing is great. Their mission is "Coaching Football. Building Men." They believe that if the only thing you learn from them was how to be a better football player, then they didn't do their job. Besides teaching our youth what is means to be a respectable adult, their knowledge and teachings of the fundamentals of football is hands down the best. The main reason I believe this is because they just don't teach you the "What's" of the mechanics but the "Why's". If you haven't had a chance to visit with the NFA at a camp, clinic, or whatever, I highly advise you to do so.

I would like to talk about the S4 and how the NFA teaches the Quarterback's mechanics in the run game and play action. The 4 S's stand for Set, Show, Snap, Sell.

Below is a video Coach Dub Maddox put together to explain the S4.

Run Game Mechanics

What: Once securing the snap and on the first step, the QB is going to SET the ball into his "Third Hand" (belly button) with his arms/elbows tight to his sides. In addition, he must turn his head around and SET his eyes on the RB before the first steps hits the ground.
Why:

The QB must set the ball in his "Third Hand" because he is the most vulnerable just after the snap to any defender running through either "A" gap. Having the 3 points of pressure with the elbows tight ensure the QB is in the best possible position in case of a run through.
Getting the head around and setting the eye's on the RB ensures that the QB is going to get the ball to his target and he doesn't cause the RB to change his running path.

Show

What: On the second step, the QB is going to SHOW (extend) the ball, with both hands, out to the RB's pocket.
Why:

Showing the ball locks the defense in on the ball. (Helps on PAP's and Counter's)
Keeping both hands on the ball ensures that the ball will make it in to the RB's pocket and that the QB will not fumble the ball in case he gets tripped up or tackled.

Snap

What: Once the far hand touches the jersey of the RB, the QB is going to SNAP that hand to the hip flexor. In addition, the QB is going to SNAP his head, shoulders and back hand in the direction of the RB's path.
Why:

Waiting until the far hand touches the RB's jersey ensure that the exchange will not result in a fumble.
Snapping the hand to the hip flexor gives the illusion that the QB might still have the ball.
Snapping the head, shoulders, and back hand in the direction of the RB's path helps ensure the RB has secured the ball and ensures that the QB does not bump the RB off his path.

Sell

What: SELL that the RB has the ball by holding the Snap position for 2 to 3 more steps before you SELL the pass by booting out of the pocket or setting up for a pass.
Why:

This position will cause hesitation to any defender who can't see the ball. At this point, the defender has to decide if he is going after the QB or the RB. This hesitation can cause the defender to make the wrong choice or be to slow in making the right choice.

Play Action Mechanics

When it comes to play action mechanics, the "Set" and "Show" are the same when going to hand the ball off.

Snap

What: Just before the ball is about to get to the RB, the QB is going to SNAP the ball with his far hand to the hip flexor. In addition, the QB is going to SNAP his head, shoulders, and near hand in the direction of the RB's path.
Why:

Pulling the ball out of the way of the RB, ensure that the RB will not try to reach out for the ball resulting in a fumble.
Snapping the ball to the hip flexor hides the ball from any backside defenders.
Snapping the head, shoulders, and back hand in the direction of the RB's path gives the illusion that the RB has the ball.

Sell

What: SELL that the RB has the ball by holding the Snap position for 2 to 3 more steps before you SELL the pass by booting out of the pocket or setting up for a pass.
Why:

This position will cause hesitation to any defender who can't see the ball. At this point, the defender has to decide if he is going after the QB or the RB. This hesitation can cause the defender to make the wrong choice or be to slow in making the right choice.

Conclusion

Implementing the Set, Show, Snap, Sell terminology with your QB's could help tremendously in your programs QB's fundamentals in the run game and play action passing game. What the NFA has done to restructure the learning process of the fundamentals of each position is great. Just like the "S4" they break up each fundamental into pieces that make it easier for the athletes to learn. In addition, they teach the "Why's". The National Football Academies does an excellent job at teaching our athletes how to be great football players and how to be great men. If you ever get a chance, check them out.

Counting System

2012-02-29T09:21:00.000-06:00

"If you can count to 3, you can play offensive line."

The counting system is very important when it comes to running any type of zone play (run or pass). When running a zone play, the counting system tells the offensive line who they are suppose to block and the covered/uncovered system tells them how they are suppose to block. The counting system ensures that every defender is accounted for in the blocking scheme. When adding the counting system to a zone system, it really only puts a burden on the Center to recognize and call out #0. It is very important for the center to be a smart leader because he is setting the blocking schemes on majority of the plays. The rest of the blockers (offensive line and tight-ends) only have to count out from #0.

How the Counting System Works?

The counting system is very simple. First, the center has to identify and block #0. Everyone else just counts out from #0 and blocks their man. The guards will have the first guy outside of the center's guy (#1), the tackles will have the second guy outside of the center's guy (#2), and the tight-ends will have the third guy outside of the center's guy (#3). #4 can be accounted for in several different ways, like push-cracking with the wide receivers, aligning an extra tight-end to the play side, etc.

Man Blocking Rules

Center - Identify and Block #0
Guards - Block #1
Tackles - Block #2
Tight-ends - Block #3

Here is a basic example with a balanced 2 tight-end set against a 34 Odd front.

Counting Stacks

When counting stacked defenders (a linebacker right behind a down defender), the down defender gets counted first. Here are some examples counting to the right.

Identifying #0

As mentioned earlier, the center's job is to identify and block #0. Generally speaking, #0 is going to be a defender in the "Center Box" responsible for the play side A Gap. If there is no one is the "Center Box", #0 is going to be the first down lineman to the play side. (In the examples below, the linemen will be zoning to the right.)

Real Life Examples

Zoning Left vs. 43 Over

Zoning Right vs. 43 Over

Zone Left vs. 34 Bear (Stack between the MLB and the NG)

Zone Right vs. 34 Bear (Stack between the MLB and the NG)

Zone Right vs. 35 Under (Out Numbered: Check Opposite or Motion Extra Blocker)

Zone Left vs. 35 Under

What would you like to know more about?

2012-01-12T10:20:00.000-06:00

With everything that is going on in my life, I am excite to say that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have been very busy of the past couple of months and can't wait to get back to digging into the pro-style running. Traffic has pick up since on this blog since Brophy Tweeted about the site. Thanks for the love! I hope that in the near future I can resume providing everyone with information they are in search for and the blog can continue to gain popularity.

Post a comment below on some stuff (specif or vague) you would like me to dig into or talk about. Some items I would like to cover in the near future are the counting system for OZ and IZ, gap scheme rules, and fundamentals in the run game

In the meantime, watch these videos from a few year back of the University of Minnesota running there IZ and OZ (Pin and Pull).

Inside Zone

Outside Zone (Pin and Pull)

Again, let me know if there is anything you would like covered.

Outside Zone - The Running Back

2011-11-07T13:55:00.000-06:00

I would like to dive into the running back's responsibility on Outside/Wide Zone. This isn't a Stretch Zone where you are trying to get to the edge but is more of an off tackle play with the possibility of getting to the outside. This play is designed to either go to the outside or it is going to be "Cut-Up". Many times the play looks as though the running back is cutting back but if you pay close attention the running back is actually getting north and south in a hurry.

Alex Gibbs is the grandfather of this play and the master of teaching it at the highest level of football. I have watched countless hours of Gibbs talking about the play. OZ is a very expensive (in terms of time) play to install because it takes everyone on the field to execute it to perfection. As Gibbs says: "You can't run this and run everything else... There just isn’t enough time".

Coaching the Running Back

In order to run zone plays successfully, you got to coach the running back on where to run the ball. Zone plays live and die by what the running back does. If you aren't willing to coach a running back on where to run, then OZ play isn't for you. Many times the running back is the most gifted player on the field and many coaches rely on the running back's ability to make their run game successful. With OZ is it important to make sure the running back knows when and where to take the ball because everything revolves around where the ball is being ran. For example the blocking techniques are based on the path of the ball carrier. If the running back doesn't make his cut where his reads tell him to, the play is going to look ugly and it might appear the blockers weren't doing their job. With Outside Zone, there is a right and a wrong way to run the ball and it needs to be coached everyday and every rep.

The Running Back's Footwork and Landmark

The running back's toes should be aligned at 7 yards from the ball. The depth of the running back can and will vary depending on the back's athletic ability. Fast backs can align a little deeper and slow backs can align a little closer to the ball. The landmark the RB is going to aim for is the butt of the play side tight-end. If there isn't a tight-end to the play side then the running backs landmark is going to be the butt of a ghost tight-end. The most important thing with the first step is the running back needs to get aligned on a track with his landmark. The footwork between different running backs is going to differ. However, upon getting align with his track to the landmark the running back it going to run straight at the landmark.

The Running Back's Read

Majority of the time, the running back's primary read is going to be the first down defensive lineman from the outside in. Let’s take a look at some examples. Against a 43 Over front (1) the running back is going to read the 7 tech when running OZ to the tight side and the 5 tech when ran to the split side. The same holds true against a 42 Over front (4) except the running back is going to read the 6i tech when running OZ to the tight side. Against the 34 Odd front (2) and the 43 Under front (3), the back is going to read the down defensive lineman and not the linebacker aligned on the line of scrimmage.

The primary read for the running back is either going to tell him to take it to the outside or cut it up north-n-south. This decision needs to be made by the third step on his track toward the tight-end. If the primary read gets reached and sealed, the running back is going to take the ball to the outside (end of story). If the primary read keeps outside leverage or skates toward the sideline, the running back is going to immediately look inside to the next down defensive lineman as to whether he is cutting the ball outside the second read or behind the second read. The running back only gets 1 cut and he has to live with it (this is a very important coaching point). Once the running back starts dancing in the backfield, the running back needs to be pulled off the field and reminded of the "One Cut Rule" because it is going to result in negative yards. If the running starts to make multiple cuts, he will never be able to explode through the line of scrimmage and burst through the backside defenders that are being cutoff.

Let’s walk through this with some diagrams. Below are pictures of 4 scenarios while running OZ to the tight-end side of a 43 Over defense. The rest of the defense isn't shown because they should be getting cutoff from the point of attack. In the first scenario, the running back reads that the tight-end has reached and sealed the defensive end by his third step. This read tells him that he is taking it to the outside. In the rest of the scenarios (2 through 4), the defensive end has keep outside contain or he is skating towards the sideline. After seeing this on the third step, the running back is now going to immediately look in at the 3 tech to see where he is going to make his ONE cut. In scenarios, 2 and 3 the 3 tech has been reach and this now tells the running back that he is cutting the ball up and outside the 3 tech. In scenario 4, the 3 tech has not been reached. In this case the running back is going to cut behind the 3 tech.

Below, pictures some scenarios that could occur when running the play toward the split-end side of a 43 under front. All else remains the same expect that the secondary read become much quicker because the primary and secondary read are right next to each other.

Video Break Down (Michigan State Spartans - 2010)

When watching these clips watch the running back's read. They tell you every time where to take the ball.

1:04
On this play, I don't like how the running back bows his path. Running sideways allows more time for the defense to pursue to the ball and increase the chance of a negative play. I believe a bad first step cause him to have to bow out. The running back needs to make sure to get aligned with landmark and stay on his track until his read tells him to take it outside or until he cuts it up. However he does a great job at reading his keys. The primary read skates towards the sideline and the secondary read get cutoff, allowing him to cut it up north-n-south outside the secondary read.

1:30
On this clip, notice where the running back makes his cut to get north-n-south. It is at his landmark. He does a good at recognizing the DE keeping outside contain. In addition, having the 3 tech get drove down the field make the secondary read whole a lot easier. (Side note: If the running back would have started to dance around in the backfield, the 1 tech would have dropped him for a loss. "One Cut Rule")

2:03
This is hard to see but notice the primary read get sealed. This tells the running back to take it outside. (Side Note: The play-side receiver knows how to "Push-Crack". I will take a 1 on 1 situation with a running back against a corner any day of the week.

3:50
This is a better example of seeing the primary read get sealed and telling the running back to take it outside.

4:10
In this example, the primary read skates toward the sideline (telling the back to look inside to the secondary read). The secondary read doesn't get reached and the running back has to cut it up behind him. In addition, the backside tackle doesn't get his job done at cutting off the backside 3 tech so the back has to cut behind him too. Notice where he is cutting, it is at his landmark making OZ a "Cut Up" play and not a "Cut Back" play.

4:50 & 4:57
These two plays are great examples of the back running towards his landmark and cutting it up when he gets there. Both the primary and secondary reads skate towards to the sideline, allowing the back to cut it up north-n-south.

Summary

You have got to coach the running back in order to become great at this play. The running back needs to align at 7 yards behind the ball. On the first step, the running back needs to get aligned on a track towards the tight-end's butt. The running back is going to read the first down defensive lineman from the outside-in, making his decision to either take it outside or cut it north-n-south by the third step (One Cut Rule).

Check out Coach Hoover's Running Back drills and the videos posted by Brophy with Alex Gibbs talking about OZ.

Coach Hoover's Running Back Drills

Gibbs - Outside Zone Videos 1-5

Gibbs - Outside Zone Videos 6-8

News: Coach Mike Pope is going to make HawgTuff.net a website for all positions. He hope to have the changes to the website done by January. If you haven't checked out his site, you should.

Let me know if there is anything special you guys would like to see. Enjoy!!!

Michigan State's Run Game

2011-10-18T08:16:00.001-05:00

Here are a couple of videos that break down Michigan State's pro style running game.

Power

Power Variations

Outside Zone

Inside Zone

Here is a link to the full article: Inside the Game: MSU Run Offense

Wide Receiver Blocking

2011-10-17T12:23:00.007-05:00

Importance of Wide Receiver Blocking

Wide receivers have a vital role on all run plays and are some of the most important blockers on the field because it takes 11 guys to make a big play. When watching an explosive run play, you will find that the wide receivers are usually busting their tail to make/hold a block so the running back can spring a big run. Russ Grimm, one of the best gap scheme coaches in the NFL, once said that when introducing a run play to his team he first addresses the wide receivers and their assignments because he knows they are important for turning the 10 yards runs into 50 yard runs. By addressing them first, he hopes it is shows them how important their blocks are in the run game. I believe that as a offensive coordinator or a wide receiver position coach, you need to set the tone that run blocking is the first thing that is looked at when it comes to playing time ("No block, No rock"). Alex Gibbs, the "Grandfather" of zone blocking, cuts very talented wide receivers that don't have the desire and will to block on run plays. Having a great desire and attitude to run block will carry over to other aspects of a wide receiver's game. Run blocking by the wide receivers isn't fun, it takes attitude, and it is very important.

Why Safeties?

"We Don't Block F*cking Corners!" ~ Alex Gibbs

There is couple of main reasons why you shouldn't just line up your wide receivers and assign them to just block the corners. First, when a defense selects defensive back personnel, they usually assign the best cover guys to play corner and their best run supporters to play safety. For that reason, you have to account for them when designing run plays. A great run support safety can come up fast and make a tackle for 0 yards or even for a loss. On the other hand a corner when forced to make a tackle, the ball carrier is probably around 4 or 5 yards down field. Second, safeties are normally better tacklers than corners. A running back has a better chance of breaking a tackle against a corner 4 or 5 yards down field in the open field, than he does against a safety filling a hole at the line of scrimmage.

Assignments

Out of pro formations (receiver to each side), the play side receiver will "Push Crack" on the safety to his side unless the blocking scheme accounts for the play side safety (Force Plays). Examples of plays that account for the play side safety are zone schemes with 4 blockers on the play side or gap schemes that have extra blockers at the point of attack. When the receiver doesn't have to block the safety on his side, he will "Stalk Block" the corner. The back side receiver is also always going to "Push Crack" to the safety on his side.

Pro Formation

Out of twin formations (receivers to the same side), the outside receiver will "Stalk Block" the corner and the inside receiver will "Push Crack" the safety on their side.

Twin Formation

"Push Crack"

The wide receiver's split should be around 12 Yards from the end man on line the scrimmage. The wide receiver is going to come out of his stance (outside foot back) for 3 steps up field and break to a point 3 yards in front of the safety he is trying to block. If the corner aligned over him tries to cross his face, then he will pick him up (A). If the safety is aligned deep, the wide receiver shouldn't need to make any adjustments. If the safety is rolled down or is aligned in the box, the wide receiver has 2 options in order to block the safety. The first option the wide receiver has is to immediately release for the safety (B). Instead of releasing up field, the wide receiver is going to come out of his stance and break to a point 3 yards in front of the safety he is trying to block. The second option is to cut his split down to 9 yards or even 6 yards from the end man on the line of scrimmage (C). Generally, this adjustment can be game planned based on knowing how the safety is going to align, how quick the safety is and how fast he reads the run.

Video Break Down (Wisconsin Badgers - 2010)

1:19

At this mark in the video, the offense is running a power play to the split end side of the formation. The receiver to that side appears to have cut his split down to the about 9 yards. The receiver does an excellent job at breaking for a point 3 yards in front of the safety to his side. The safety doesn't come up so the receiver breaks down attacks the safety. Try to imagine the receiver if he blocked the corner. The safety would have been in perfect position to make the play and the running back wouldn't have gotten the extra yardage.

2:03
At this mark in the video, you can see a perfect example of how blocking out of a twin formations works. At the start of the play, you can see a corner rolled down on the tight side and a deep safety over top of the tight end Leaving a deep safety and corner over the twins. The offense runs an IZ to the twins side and the "Push Crack" by the inside receiver and "Stalk Block" by the outside receiver spring the back for a long run.

2:22
At this mark (it is hard to tell because the play is already started); you can see how blocking the safety is more important than the corner. The play is an inside zone play. The receiver comes down and blocks the middle of the field safety and this springs the running back. Watch the video and see the run support of the corner. He comes in at about 8 yards down field and misses the tackle from the side. With out the receiver blocking the safety, the safety would have been in better position (head-on) to make the tackle.

3:41
At this mark in the video, the offense is running an inside zone play to the split end side of the formation. The play side receiver "Push Cracks" the safety to his side and springs the running back. Watch the video and see the run support of the corner. He comes in at about 4 yards down field and misses the tackle from the side.

5:12
At this point in the video, you can see an excellent job at the back side receiver "Push Cracking" to the safety on his side.

7:02
Here both receivers do an excellent job "Push Cracking". Notice the receiver at the bottom of the screen. His safety is rolled down and he releases directly for the safety. This is an excellent adjustment. He gets the Crack on the safety and springs the running back to the outside where it is one on one with the corner. The corner isn't in a good position for run support and the back breaks a big play.

8:16
This is an example of a "Force Play". The blocking scheme accounts for the safety allowing the play side receiver to "Stalk Block" the corner. The back side receiver still "Push Cracks" to the safety on his side.

Conclusion

Wide receivers play an important part in an explosive run game. Their assignment are very vital to overall success of a play. Take a look at your running game and the responsibilities you put on them. If you don't have your receivers blocking the safeties, you should reconsider. Changing the wide receivers assignments on run plays could turn your 4 to 6 yard gains into 20 or even 30 yard gains becasue you are accounting for the better secondary run supporters.

10 Tips for Success in Coaching

2011-10-14T09:22:00.001-05:00

While I work on my post for installing a pro-style running game, I am going to leave you with a piece on coaching philosophy that I found over at Coach Mike Pope's website - HAWG TUFF. You can find a lot of valuable information on his website.

10 Tips for Success in Coaching

Keep your priorities in order- communicate the program priorities to the people involved with the program. For us, its Faith, Family, Education/Employment, Football

Surround yourself with people who can’t live without football, hire good people, coach them so they can coach the kids, let them coach.

Lead, motivate, be enthusiastic and positive - never allow yourself the luxury of feeling sorry for yourself (I e "we don’t have any talent, we don’t have nice uniforms, we don’t have tall receivers, we don’t have a big line"). Focus on the things you can control and celebrate the participation by every person in the program. Build those relationships.

Follow the guidelines spelled out in F-E-D-U-P

Fundamentals- you have to block and tackle well
Execution- you must have near flawless execution
Discipline- you must have a disciplined approach, disciplined staff, disciplined team.
Unselfish- coaches put aside egos, kids put aside personal selfish goals and focus on the team and what's best for the program
Prepare & Perform- use time wisely, prepare for perfect performance. Remember that it’s a game, keep things fun, have a sense of humor but never allow it to interfere with hard work and intensity. "You Lead by Example, Always!"

Evaluate your talent and intensely examine combinations of lineups that give the team the best chances for success. Accept the input and evaluations of all people on staff. Get the kids in their best spots by the third day, leave them there. (3 day rule) and Coach Them Up!

Work Well With Others- you want and need support. Get the parents, admin, faculty, staff, other coaches, refs etc on your side. Build those relationships. Earn their support. Earn Their Respect!

Be a Student of the Game- you don’t know it all, nobody does, remain humble and open minded. Understand that there may well be a better way to do things you have always done. Get better today is a good place to start every day.

Know What You Coach & Coach What You Know- Be the best at it, work to be the best of all time at it. Whatever it is you do, DO IT TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY. If you are the "punt tee coach" then do that to the best of your ability. When you know your stuff, be the best teacher of that material. Work harder to teach your material than your students are working to learn it.

Make the Big Time- Where ever you are now; the grass isn’t always greener somewhere else working with or for someone else. Every situation is different, accept the one you are in and do SOMETHING to make it better today. ANYONE CAN COACH THE ALL STARS but it takes a special coach to take the worst of the worst and improve them. It takes a special person to convince others that THIS IS IT - THIS IS OUR TIME!

Red - White System

2011-10-10T10:56:00.003-05:00

Having an easy and efficient way to game plan is an extremely valuable asset to have on your side. It can help cut down on the amount of headache, time, and energy needed to effectively come up with a way to move the ball against your opponent. In addition, having an extremely efficient way to game plan can help you out when an opponent does something that wasn't expected. Just like the passing game and defensive coverage, you can have plans to attack certain defensive fronts in the run game. A valuable tool to do this is the "Red - White System".

Red - White System

The "Red - White System" identifies wide (white) sides and reduction (red) sides of a defensive front. In the easiest terms, you are looking to see if the B gap is open or closed to a side of a defensive front. The B gap is closed and considered a red side if there is a defensive lineman either aligned in a 3 tech, B Gap tech, or a 4i tech.

The B gap is open and considered a white side when there is not a defensive lineman aligned in either one of those techniques. Generally, a white side has a defensive lineman playing a 1 tech over the center and 5 through 6i tech over the tackle.

A defensive front can consist of a red and white side, two red sides, or two white sides. For examples, a base over (1a) or under (1b) front consist of a red and white side, a base odd front (2) consist of two white sides, and a base bear (3) front consist of two red sides.

How is The System Used?

The "Red - White System" can be used in multiple ways. It can help in designing your offense's run game, game planning how to attack your opponent’s defense, establishing audibles at the line of scrimmage, and designing a system of "Check (√) With Me's" in your run game. The system is founded on these two things. First, some runs are better ran against a white side and some runs are better against the red side. Second, it is very hard to be able to become GREAT at running each of your run plays against a red and white side of a front because there isn't enough time to get enough reps against both.

As mentioned before, some run plays are more successful against certain side of a defense front. For example, a FB Trap is better ran to a 3 tech (red side) than it is to a 1, 2, 4 or 5 tech (white side). The reason is that a FB Trap is designed to be a quick hitting play just outside the guard. If you are trapping something other than a 3 tech, the attack point changes or the play will be drawn out. The same thing can be said about Inside Zone (IZ). The running back's land mark is usually somewhere between the guard and tackle. It doesn't make since to run IZ at a 3 tech because the 3 tech majority of the time will give your running back a cut back read and that defeats the purpose of downhill zone running play if your back is making cuts in the backfield. However, this doesn't mean IZ can't be ran or can't be successful being ran to the red side of a defense, it just means that because of the play design the play should probably be ran to the white side of a defensive front. The rules and concepts of a run play should hold up when applied to both a red side and white side of a defensive front.

To truly become GREAT at running a certain play, your team needs to get as many good reps as possible of actually what is going to occur in the game. Let's use IZ (a white side run play) for this example. Say you are planning on running IZ about 15 times in a game and you allot 30 reps during the week of practice. You plan on running IZ both to the tight and split side evenly against an over front. This means you get 15 reps against the red side and 15 reps against the white of the over front. However, you can't forget to run them both to the right and left. This cuts down the reps even more. Each side of the line is only getting about 7 to 8 reps against the red and white side at the point of attack. You have just made your offensive line a jack of all trades and a master of none. Using the "Red - White System" the amount of reps double by just running the play to the white/split side, giving you all 30 reps to the white side. Now cut it down by going right and left and the offensive line is getting 15 valuable reps compared to the 7 or 8.

Setting Up Your Running Game

In addition to gaining valuable reps, the system can help to make sure you have a balanced running attack in your offense. First, break down the run plays in an offense. Let’s take for instances a pro-style running game consisting of inside zone, outside zone, power, counter, and toss. The second thing to do is to break the run plays up into plays that attack a white side and plays that attack a red side. Inside zone and counter would be the white side plays, outside zone and power would be the red side play, and toss would be ran to both sides since it is a perimeter play. When the "Red-White System" is applied to a pro-style running game, the number of runs is balanced to both sides. If an offense has too many runs to one side or the other, the design of the offense's running game needs to be reexamined in order to balance the running attack.

Game Planning

With a well thought out and balanced running attack, you can now start to apply the system to your film study and how to attack a defense. The easiest way to do this is by game planning. For example, say you are playing a defense that runs a base 34 odd defense and shifts into a 34 under defense on short yardage situations. The odd front presents you two white sides and the under front presents you with a red side to the split side and a white side to the tight side. When making your call sheet and practice scripts, use majority of your white side run plays to attack the defense against their base 34 odd front, making sure to run both to the split and tight side. In addition, use your red plays to the split side and your white plays to the tight side in short yardage situations to attack the 34 under front. Now you have a easy system for game planning that won't take as much time and energy to put together.

Audibles and "√ with Me's"

To take it a step further than just game planning, the system can be used to check in and out of plays at the line of scrimmage to make sure the offense is getting into the best play possible. Using the system to check in and out of plays takes a coach to trust the quarterback to make smart decisions. "√ Opposite" might be the easiest of the audibles/freedoms to give your quarterback. For example, say you except an over front and call IZ to the split/white side. However, the defense calls a under front with a red side to the split side. At the line of scrimmage, the quarterback should see the B gap is closed on the split side and "√'s Opposite" and now you are running the play to the white side of the defense. "√ with Me's" can be a good call against multiple defense. In this situation, the quarter is going to come to the line of scrimmage and pick the best side of the defense. If the offense is running IZ, the QB is going to look for the white side and audible to that side. Another example of using the system and audibles is to use "Zone √'s". Say you have an All-Conference right guard and All-State right tackle, it forth and short, and you want to run behind them. Instead of calling an exact run play that might get checked to the other side, you can call "Zone √ Right". Now the QB is going to come up to the line check the right side of the defense. If the defense aligns a red side he will check to outside zone and if the defense aligns a white side he will check to inside zone.

Conclusion

The "Red - White System" can be a valuable tool to an offense. Many things can be done with it to assure that the best play is being ran. Below, is a link to a document to further describes the "Red - White System". The document will give you more examples. Also, it covers how to identify the red and white side of an defensive front that presents itself as a dual white sided defense (odd front) through the use of secondary indicators. Some advice: This is great to know but keep is stupid simple (KISS) for the players and leave it at "Is the B gap open or closed?"

Red - White System

If there is anything that you would like me to discuss further let me know. I am open for topics to cover as well. Hope you enjoyed the information on the "Red - White System".

Communicating Defensive Fronts

2011-10-10T10:55:00.003-05:00

Having a way to clearly and precisely communicate to everyone (players and coaches) within your team's organization is vital to the team’s success. A communication system from team to team can and will vary, but it is important to have a system to make sure everyone is on the same page when it counts the most. The communication system within your program needs to cover everything that can be communicated on a day to day basis. From day 1, the communication system needs to be introduces and variances within the system should not be allowed. Variances within the team's communication can lead to someone never knowing what is being communicated. This in return could hurt the team if you are trying to communicate in the heat of the battle. It is important that the communication system is covered for both players and coaches. You can't assume that they know or you will find out that they don't know when it counts the most.

Defensive Front Techniques

It is critical for an offensive staff and offensive players to be able to communicate where exactly a defender is lining up in the defensive front. If there isn't an exact terminology for the defensive techniques, then there is going to be problems communicating within your system. There are many ways to go about assigning the techniques however this is the way I think is easiest for the offense to remember.

Starting from the Center out:

0 Tech - Plays head-up on the Center
1 Tech - Plays on either shoulder of the Center
A Gap Tech - Plays in the gap between the Center and Guard
2i Tech - Plays on the inside shoulder of the Guard
2 Tech - Plays head-up on the Guard
3 Tech - Plays on the outside shoulder of the Guard
B Gap Tech - Plays in the gap between the Guard and Tackle
4i Tech - Plays on the inside shoulder of the Tackle
4 Tech - Plays head-up on the Tackle
5 Tech - Plays on the outside shoulder of the Tackle
C Gap Tech - Plays in the gap between the Tackle and Tight-end
6i Tech - Plays on the inside shoulder of the Tight-end
6 Tech - Plays head-up on the Tight-end
7 Tech - Plays on the outside shoulder of the Tight-end
D Gap Tech - Plays anywhere to the outside of the Tight-end

The same techniques can be used also to describe aligning off the line of scrimmage. The only difference is you add a "0" to the end of the technique. For Example, a linebacker aligned head up on the guard would be a "20 tech". A linebacker aligned to the inside shoulder of the tackle would be a "40i tech".

Five Basic Fronts

Most defensive fronts can be categories into 5 fronts. For this reason, it is a good idea to make sure that majority of your runs and pass protections are sound against all five. With the basic fronts, the exact techniques of the defenders doesn't matter that much. What matters the most is weather the center is covered and/or which guards or covered.

In an even front, both of the guards are covered by a defender and the center is left uncovered. The techniques of the defenders could be two 2 tech's, two 2i tech's, two 3 tech's, or 2i tech and a 3 tech. For simplistic reason's all of these fronts can be categorized as a even front. In an over and under front, one of the guards and the center is covered by a defender. In an over front the strong or tight side guard is covered and in a under front the weak or split side guard is covered. The techniques of the two defenders could be a 0 tech and a 2 tech or a 1 tech and a 3 tech. In a odd front, the center is covered by a defender and both of the guards are left uncovered. In a bear front, the center and both guards are covered by a defender.

Naming Fronts

When naming a front, I like to start with the personnel. The first number represents the number of defenders with their hand on the ground (defensive lineman) and the second number represents the number of defenders without a hand on the ground (linebackers). For example, a defensive front numbered 43 has 4 defensive lineman and 3 linebackers. Some of the most common defensive personnel grouping are 43, 34, 33 (or 35), 52 and 42. In addition, I also like to add the type of front (Even, Odd, Under, Over, or Bear) the defense is in. Only including the personnel of the defense doesn't give you a clear picture of what the defensive front is. For example, a defense with 34 personnel and easily align in a Odd, Over, Under, Even, or Bear front. The last thing that can be added to the front is a tag that describes adjustments to the base front. Some of the most commonly used tags are Stack, Tuff, Tight, and Wide. Stack refers to the linebackers being stacked behind the defensive lineman. Tuff refers to the tight-end and tackle being covered. Tight and wide refers to the alignment and of the defensive lineman. 43 Over Wide would mean that the defensive linemen are aligning closer to gap techniques instead of shades. Tight would mean the defensive linemen are aligning closer to a head-up technique instead of a shade. With these 3 things (personnel, front, tags) you can get a very clear picture of how the defense is trying to align.

Conclusion

As stated before, each program can and will have a different communication system. It is important to make sure everyone is on the same page. I have introduced what I believe is the easiest and clearest way to communicate a defensive front. If you have any questions feel free to comment on the post and I will try to answer them as quickly as possible.

Introduction

2011-10-07T14:38:00.001-05:00

This is my first attempt at a blog. I am by no way an expert, but I am choosing to past long information I have collected over the years and to share my thoughts. My goal is to have majority of the people that read this to get at least one thing out of the blog. If there are certain things you would like me to cover, please share and I will do my best to cover it.

I would like to dedicate majority this blog to the running game and more specifically a pro style running game. The pro style running attack utilizes a mix of zone and gap schemes that complement each other very well. The advantage of using these two schemes as your base running game allows an offense to be very multiple. By adding tags/tweaks to the base zone and gap schemes, you can create a new look the defense has to prepare to stop. In addition, an offense can be very multiple with personnel, formations, and motions because these two schemes can be ran out of just about any formation. I am excited to start to dig into the pro style running game.

To get started, I would like to devote the next couple of post to get some background information established. We will first dive into how to communicate and categorize defenses fronts. Second, I would like to look into how a pro style run game should be installed. Lastly, how you can simply your game planning for the run game by the use of the Red - White system.

Again if at any time you would like to hear about a topic or have any feedback, please feel free to chime in. I am in no means an expert. However, I would like to pass along any information that could help a fellow coach.