So Goes the Line,
So Goes the Game
I would like to thank the American Football
Coaches Association for giving Bethune-
Cookman College the opportunity to share
some offensive line philosophies. I would
also like to thank my head coach, Alvin B.
Wyatt (1998 MEACCoach of the Year) for
giving me an opportunity to coach on the
Division I-AA level, as well as the rest of the
offensive staff: Kirt Mastromatteo, Raymond
Gross, Greg Ross and Jeff Fagan.
I was asked to write on a subject that
plays an important role in the offense and
that is the offensive line. Here at B-CC the
statement is, “so goes the line, so goes the
game.” The past two years we have had
some success with our offense. We have
averaged over 350 yards of offense per
game and 4.6 rushing yards per play. The
most important statistic is the 51 rushing
touchdowns in the last two seasons. The
pride of the line is having two different posi-
tions rushing for a 1,000 yards (quarter-
back and singleback). If the offensive line is
playing as one, blocking and successfully
working together, the line should be able to
lead a team to victory.
At B-CC, we call our offense the
Wyattbone. The Wyattbone is a form of the
Brad Bernard spread option package. The offensive line
has a huge responsibility when blocking for
Offensive Line Coach the spread option. The line must block for
the run and provide pass protection for the
Bethune-Cookman College quarterback. In this article, I will share our
views on how the offensive line must per-
Daytona Beach, Fla. form both physically and mentally.
Our offense is based on the triple option
or veer offense. We basically run five run-
ning plays and use different variations off
each play. When blocking for the run, the
line should be down in a three-point stance
with 65 to 68 percent of weight going for-
ward with knees bent slightly, light under
the heels and the feet should be shoulder-
width apart heel to toe. The back should be
straight with a slight bend in the arm. The
head needs to be up to focus on the land-
marks. This stance allows a player to come
off the ball and establish a new line of
scrimmage. When coming off the ball, a
player should use arms and legs simulta-
neously when making contact against a
defender. After contact has been estab-
lished, the feet must take short quick chop-
py steps while drive blocking a defender.
The offensive line must provide pass
protection for the quarterback. The same
stance is used for running and passing
plays so the play is not given away before
the snap. We have three different types of
• AFCA Summer Manual — 2000 •
pass protection. They are play-action,
sprint-out and dropback. Each require a dif-
ferent blocking scheme. For play-action,
we sell the run with aggressive pass pro-
tection on play side and step hinging on the
back side. For sprint-out, we gap protect.
For the dropback, we use a basic big on big
and back on linebacker protection. In all the
protections, we try to stay as simple as
possible. In pass protection, you must have
a “bad case of the wants.” You must not
want the defender to get past you and
reach the quarterback.
In the Wyattbone offense, the line splits
play an important role in the game. The cen-
ter guard split is two to three feet and our
guard tackle splits are three to four feet. The
purpose of having large splits is to make the
defense create natural holes and it also
requires the defender to cover a large amount
of area. The alignment with the line of scrim-
mage is off the ball as far as possible. This
alignment gives room that is needed when
pulling and sealing the backside (Diagram 1).
Diagram 1
An offensive lineman must present him-
self as an athlete who includes toughness,
willingness to give extraordinary effort and
must be a technician. In order to play a
national level style of football, being a
tough player on the field is a priority. The
way one plays tough is playing each play
in the game one at a time and as aggres-
sively as one possibly can. Alineman must
be willing to put forth an extraordinary
effort which means a lineman must out
work the other team from beginning to end.
Every team we play has quality athletes,
the difference is which team is going to out
execute the other team on Saturday.
Knowledge of the technical aspect of the
position is the key toward gaining the edge
over your opponent. We must be willing to
study the techniques and be willing to work
on improving it. Athleticism is not just a
genetic trait, but an acquired one. We want
to line up with lineman who have the atti-
tude of athletes. The image is they must
react athletically to any movement or
action a defender may give them, whether
it is a defensive lineman, a linebacker or a
defensive back. It is true that athleticism is
a genetic trait, but is also a trait that can be
nurtured and developed with proper
emphasis and concentration.
I would like to share with you one of the
plays B-CC has been successful with on
the field. I refer to this play as our “bread
and butter” play. It is the triple option or
veer option. This play is designed to show
the physical nature of the game. As a
coach, I have to sell to the offensive line-
men that this play can work against any
given defense (Diagram 2). I teach my
offensive line when executing this play,
they must follow certain rules. The playside
tackle slams and seals the playside line-
backer. The playside guard bases. The
center steps playside. The backside guard
and tackle are stepping to playside sealing
the backside. There is an exception to this
rule. If the guard is uncovered, the tackle
will go around and seal the playside line-
backer. It is imperative that the offensive
line come off as a unit creating a new line
of scrimmage.
Diagram 2
At any given time on this play, we can
make adjustments to a more dominant
defensive player. An example of an adjust-
ment might be double teaming the nose-
guard. We would do this if the guard is
uncovered. The most important aspect of
this is selling it to the offensive lineman and
making sure they know the rules.
An offensive lineman must possess cer-
tain qualities. When recruiting players, I
look for the ability to come off the ball, good
hip movement and the ability to have sec-
ond and third efforts. Tackles must have the
ability to go get linebackers on running
plays and also need to be the best pass
protectors. Guards are the work horses in
this Wyattbone attack. They must have the
ability to base block, pull and make deci-
sions on the run. Centers have to possess
leadership qualities and have the ability to
set a noseguard going to playside to back-
side linebacker. I have discussed what
qualities each individual offensive lineman
must possess but they must also learn to
work as a team.
In conclusion, “so goes the line, so goes
the game.” The offensive line is the heart
and soul of the offense. If you are ever in
sunny Daytona Beach, Florida, please stop
by B-CC and talk some football with us or
please feel free to call. A special thanks to
AFCA for being a great asset to the game
of football.

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• AFCA Summer Manual — 2000 •