POWER “O”

Philosophy, Techniques & Installation vs.

Even, Odd & Bear Fronts

Presented by:
Sergio Muniz
Offensive Coordinator
Clovis West High School
sergiomuniz@cusd.com
Philosophy, History & Considerations

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 History
Why Power “O”

• 1 Back background
– Inside Zone, Counter, Stretch, etc.

• Moved up in Divisions – VI to I
– First year 6-5

• Needed more “umph” in our ground game =

POWER “O”
– Following Year League Champions
 Power “O”
Where we learned it

• University of Illinois
– Former Head Coach Ron Turner
– Clinic in Anaheim
– 4 day visitation on just Power “O” and it’s play-action

• University of Wisconsin
– Offensive Coordinator Brian White
 Power “O”
Who else runs it

• Common play for the NFL teams and many college

programs including:

– University Michigan

– University of Southern California

– University of Miami

– Virginia Tech University

– University of Texas
 Power “O”
Types of players needed
• Fullback – Hard nosed player that can block and catch

• TE – Great down blocker with ability to catch

– Must be able to handle 6I defender by himself

• OL – Able to sustain push on double teams, while also

being coordinated enough to come off on 2nd level defenders
(LBs)

• Tailback – Great back would be nice, but not necessary

– Disciplined and patient runner
 Power “O”
Advantages (7)
1. Good versus a wide variety of defenses
2. Good play for various down and distance
situations
3. It’s a tone setting play
A. Forces opponents to play at a high-physical level
4. Sets up great high % play-action
5. Good versus interior blitzes/stunts
6. Great goal line play
7. Straight ahead play vs. fast teams
A. Equalizer
 Power “O”
Disadvantages (5)
1. Base Play
A. Must be an every game play
2. Practice Time
A. Improvement through repetition
1) Practices/Games
3. “Check with me” system
A. Double Tight End Sets
4. Blocking adjustments versus different fronts
A. Even, Odd, Bear, 6-2, etc. etc. – Learning the rules
• Personnel requirements – FB
 Power “O”
The play itself
• General Analysis of Play:

– Off tackle play with two lead blockers for the runner

• 1st blocker kicks out

• 2nd blocker pulls up for responsibility

– Example Next Slide

 Power “O”
vs. Odd Front

Gap &
peel
= RB Read

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 Formations
1. Generally run out of set with a TE and Fullback
A. I
B. Twin
C. Double Tight I

• Can be run out of any formation (2nd presentation)

A. Single back sets w/TE
B. 4 WR Sets (no TE)
C. Empty Sets
 Power “O”
Rules & Coaching Points

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 Power “O” - General Concepts

Fullback kicks out the 1st defender on-to-outside shade of

the play side TE

Playside O-line sustains combination blocks on down

lineman to linebackers

Backside O-line either Pulls around for the play side LB or

blocks “Gap & peel”

Tailback presses the “C” gap and reads the block of his
pulling guard

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 Offensive Line General Rules

Playside (Center to TE)

1. Create as many double teams as possible
– It all starts with the Centers call

– No double team = down block (level 1 to level 2)

(FB = Kick out)

Backside
1. Backside guard pulls for callside LB

2. All remaining backside players block “gap, backer, peel”

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 Offensive Line Points of Emphasis (7)
• Create as many double teams as possible to the play side

• Double teams should be called in priority of inside out from the

center to the call side. Ex. Versus a 3,5,& 9 shades the call
should be “Gate” not “Tango”

• Double teams should get vertical push on DL to invite ILBs to

run through underneath plays

• Double teams should take DL to ILBs

• Do not come off of double teams early

• Double teams should incorporate “4-hands, 4-eyes” principles

• Never allow color to penetrate the LOS to the inside of your
double team (you may come off of a double team to block a threat because of
stunts/blitzes)
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 Fullback Rules

• Blocking responsibility: First defender on-to-outside

shade of the play side tight end

– If responsibility slants inside and gets down blocked by

TE, continue on path to kick the eventual force player

– If run weak, first defender on-to-outside shade of the

play side tackle

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 Runningback Rules
• Aiming point is the inside leg of the playside tackle.

•Receive hand-off with eyes finding the backside pulling guard

• FOLLOW THE GUARD; DO NOT CUTBACK OR BOUNCE!!!!

– Read the Guards rear-end; it will point the direction you should go

• Once through the hole, if forced to bounce running hash,

number, sideline

• Give go calls

• Always go 100%; whether you have the ball or not (Power

Read)
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 Quarterback Rules

• “Get the ball to the back as deep as possible”

– Get snap from center
– O=Open up with play side foot at @ 5 o’clock (right), 7
o’clock (left)
– Work for width and depth, allowing the fullback to clear
– Once cleared, extend the ball with both hands to the I-back
– See the ball being placed into the RBs gut
– Pull both hands back together while simultaneously
“popping” up to simulate play-action pass
• Eyes should go to the flat defender to give the QB
a hint when play-action is called/needed

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 Wide Receiver Rules

• Playside receivers block “Man-on”

• Backside receivers Cut-off

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 Power “O”
vs. Even Front

Gap &
peel
= RB Read

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 Power “O”
vs. Odd Front

Gap &
peel
= RB Read

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 Power “O”
vs. Bear Front

Gap &
peel
= RB Read

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 Power “O” – The Play

FILM CUTS

sergiomuniz@cusd.com
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 POWER “O”
Application of Power "O"
to
Multiple Offensive Systems

Presented by:
Sergio Muniz
Offensive Coordinator
Clovis West High School
 Topics

3. Play-action:

Power Pass

4. Running Power “O” from

Shotgun

Spread/Empty Sets

Double Tight Sets

Wing Sets Back to Main Menu

Power Pass

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 Power Pass
The play itself
• General Analysis of Play:

– Simulation of off tackle play to take advantage of over

aggressive support players on Power “O”

• 1st back out = Flare

• TE – Stick Route

– Example Next Slide

 Offensive Line General Rules

Line will slide opposite of Call (RB/QB action)

Slide/Gap protection
Come off hard and low

Responsible for color to their respective gap

Do not chase twists

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 Skill Player Rules

Playside
#1 = Vertical Clear

#2 = (TE or WR) “Stick” Route

#3 = Flat

Backside
#1 = 3 step Slant

#2 = Slant

Tailback = Block first man on-to outside shade of call side tackle.
Get his hands down. Back to Main Menu
 Quarterback Rules Power Pass
• Receive snap
• Open @ 5 O'clock or 7 O'clock with ball in pouch
• Once FB clears extend ball with both hands towards TBs back
hip
– Appearance is the same as if going into TBs gut
– If off-set FB extend ball right away
• Pull ball back with eyes to flat defender
– “POP” hips with two quick balance steps to left
• Throw opposite of his movement to
– CV 3 = Flat to Stick
– CV 2 = Vertical-Flat/Stick
– Weakside overload blitz, QB may throw 3 step slant

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 Power Pass
vs. Even Front / 3 Deep

= QB Read = RB Responsibility
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 Power Pass
vs. Even Front / 3 Deep

= QB Read = RB Responsibility
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 Power Pass
vs. Even Front / 3 Deep

= QB Read = RB Responsibility
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 Power Pass
vs. Even Front / 2 Deep

= QB Read = RB Responsibility
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Power “O” Read

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 Power “O” Read - General Concept

•Very similar traditional Power “O”

– Blocking rules
– Physical emphasis same

•Differences

– Backside Tackle Rules

– Receiver blocking techniques

– QB & Tailback Mesh

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 Offensive Line Rules
• Backside Tackle
– “Gap, Up”
• Do not block EMLOS
• Responsibility is backside “B” gap. Block any
threats…if no threats on level 1 Go Up for BSILB
• Be sure to step hard into the “B” gap first
• Versus Bear = If the shade taken by center go up
to BSILB

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 Quarterback Rules
Power Read
• Read Backside “C” gap defender, generally the defender on the
BST

1) If defender turns shoulders or runs down the line = pull the ball
– If the read says pull then carry the ball “High & Tight” and proceed
to run hash numbers, sideline while simultaneously giving “GO!”
calls

2) If the defender slow plays, or if you have any uncertainty =

hand the ball off and carry out your fake
– Carry out all fakes and never look back

• Always go 100%; whether have the ball or not

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 Wide Receiver Rules

• WR Power Read Rules

– Playside receivers block “Man-on”

– Backside receivers block “Keep-rules”

• Push up field and throttle down on the outside # of the

defender on you

• Be alert for “GO!” calls

• Use the inside hand for leverage and the outside hand as the
“Punch” hand

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 Power “O” Read
Power Read

Gap & Up

= RB Read
= QB Read
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QB Power “O”

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 Q-Power
QB Power “O”

Gap &
peel

= QB Read = RB Responsibility

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 Q-Power
QB Power “O”

Gap &
peel

= QB Read = RB Responsibility

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Double Tight Power “O”

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 Power “O”
Power “O” – Check with me

Gap & peel

= RB Read

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Wing Power “O”

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Wing Power “O”
Power

Gap & peel

= RB Read

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