ROBUST T BASE PLAYS: FROM EARL BRUCE VIDEOTAPE

Play: Off Tackle Power

Bruce’s Play Description and Notes: This is the base play in the Robust T. This is very basic football. Emphasize getting
movement at the POA. Can be run on the goal line (see diagram versus 6-5) or in the middle of the field (see diagram vs 50).
Variation against 50 defense is to have PSG/PST double team a 3/4i technique DT. QB can boot away or to playside. Many blocking
adjustments possible depending on opponent and game plan.
Assignments/Coaching Points
BSE Cutoff inside gap to LB PSE Down
BST Cutoff inside gap to LB PST Base/combo to PSLB
BSG Pull and seal PSG Odd: block down on NG; Even: base
CTR Odd: On/combo to BSLB; Even: block back FB Kickout 1st past PSE’s block
BSHB Carry: open step, hit the seam between kickout PSHB Go right at PSCB and block him wherever he wants
and the pulling BSG to go
QB Open to BSHB, handoff deep, boot
vs. 50 vs. 6-5

1
ROBUST T BASE PLAYS: FROM EARL BRUCE VIDEOTAPE

Play: Fullback Dive (Iso)

Bruce’s Play Description and Notes: Must get movement at the POA. Variation against 50 defense: PSG and PST double team a 3
or 4i defensive tackle.
Assignments/Coaching Points
BSE Cutoff PSE On-out (No. 3)
BST Cutoff PST On-out (No. 2)
BSG Cutoff PSG Combo No. 1 to LB
CTR Combo No. 1 to LB FB Run at PST, read his block
BSHB Pitch route (option: dive backside) PSHB Run at PST, isolation opposite tackle’s block
QB Reverse out, ride and give, fake option
vs. 50 vs. 6-5

2
ROBUST T BASE PLAYS: FROM EARL BRUCE VIDEOTAPE

Play: Power Sweep

Bruce’s Play Description and Notes: Must have speed at halfback on this play. A 4.4 or 4.5 player (college) will make this play
succeed. Much less successful if you only have a 4.7 or 4.8 athlete running the sweep.
Assignments/Coaching Points
BSE Cutoff PSE Reach DE, kick him if necessary
BST Cutoff PST Reach
BSG Cutoff PSG Reach
CTR On/combo FB Lead/seal 1st past PSE
BSHB Run wide or cut upfield into seam PSHB Direct path to block on CB
QB Open to HB and hand off quickly, boot away
vs. 50 vs. 6-5

3
ROBUST T BASE PLAYS: FROM EARL BRUCE VIDEOTAPE

Play: Load Option

Bruce’s Play Description and Notes: Double option off the action of the FB Dive. Concept is to block the defender that would
normally be responsible for QB and option the next man out. This play should be run on 3rd and short, i.e., when defenses gang up on
the FB.
Assignments/Coaching Points
BSE Cut PSE No. 3 (DE)
BST Cut PST No. 2 (DT)
BSG Cut PSG No. 1 (DG), combo with CTR
CTR Combo No. 1 to LB FB Drive to inside leg of PST, block LB
BSHB Pitch PSHB Run at PSTE, read his block, go opposite his block
to seal PSLB/SS
QB Open step, ride FB, option
vs. 50 vs. 6-5

4
ROBUST T BASE PLAYS: FROM EARL BRUCE VIDEOTAPE

Play: Trap
Bruce’s Play Description and Notes: This is the same trap that everybody runs. Variation is to drive a playside 1 or 2 technique and
trap a man wider, but it is preferred to go right up the middle. Can also wedge block the play. Sets up the Trap Option.
Assignments/Coaching Points
BSE DE PSE DE
BST Linebacker over or inside PST LB over or inside
BSG Trap 1st past CTR PSG Release to MLB or LB away
CTR Block back FB Run
BSHB Dive over tackle PSHB Dive over tackle
QB Reverse out, handoff to FB on midline, run option
path
vs. 50 vs. 6-5
(Not diagrammed)

5
ROBUST T BASE PLAYS: FROM EARL BRUCE VIDEOTAPE

Play: Trap Option

Bruce’s Play Description and Notes: If No. 2 comes upfield, trapper kicks him out and QB keeps (replaces No. 2). If No.2 comes
down, trapper seals him inside and option goes down the line.
Assignments/Coaching Points
BSE Cut PSE Inside release to LB
BST Cut PST Gap to LB
BSG Pull and trap No. 2; if he comes down, seal him PSG Gap On
inside
CTR On/back FB Trap fake to block on LB away
BSHB Pitch PSHB Seal/collision DE
QB Reverse out, fake trap, option
vs. 50 vs. 6-5
(Not diagrammed)

6
ROBUST T BASE PLAYS: FROM EARL BRUCE VIDEOTAPE

Play: Counter Iso

Bruce’s Play Description and Notes: This play is simple but effective. Corners crashing present problems for the Robust T. This
play can break big if the corners vacate and the ball carrier can break it outside.
Assignments/Coaching Points
BSE Drive No. 3 PSE Drive No. 3
BST Drive No. 2 PST Drive No. 2
BSG Drive No. 1 PSG Combo No. 1
CTR Combo No. 1 FB Fake dive away
BSHB Counter step, run PSHB Isolation block on PSLB
QB Fake dive away, handoff, boot away
vs. 50 vs. 6-5
(Not diagrammed)

7
ROBUST T BASE PLAYS: FROM EARL BRUCE VIDEOTAPE

Play: Play Action -- Flood

Bruce’s Play Description and Notes: Basic play action pass off the power play action. Aggressive pass blocking.
Assignments/Coaching Points
BSE Back PSE Inside release to corner route
BST Back PST No. 2
BSG Back PSG No. 1
CTR Back FB Hook playside DE
BSHB Fake power PSHB Run thru DE to flat route
QB Fake power, roll playside to 6 yards behind PSE
vs. 50 vs. 6-5

8
ROBUST T BASE PLAYS: FROM EARL BRUCE VIDEOTAPE

Play: Play Action -- Bootleg Away

Bruce’s Play Description and Notes:
Assignments/Coaching Points
BSE Inside release to deep crossing route PSE Inside release to back corner of EZ
BST No. 2 PST No. 2
BSG Pull and hook DE PSG No. 1
CTR Back FB Backside DE
BSHB Around DE, then to middle area PSHB Fake power to backside
QB Fake power, boot
vs. 50 vs. 6-5

9
ROBUST T BASE PLAYS: FROM EARL BRUCE VIDEOTAPE

Play: Drop Pass

Bruce’s Play Description and Notes: Looking to throw the ball back to the left half of the formation (left is playside). Concept is to
stretch the defensive RCB and middle safety.
Assignments/Coaching Points
BSE Drag at 6 yards PSE Streak (Optional: crossing route)
BST No. 2 PST Left C gap rusher
BSG No. 1 PSG Left B gap rusher
CTR Left A gap rusher FB Pass block right, look inside to outside
BSHB Right flat PSHB Run flat route, then break upfield
QB 8-9 yard drop behind right G/T area
vs. 50 vs. 6-5

10