Run Game

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Philosophy Offensive Goals Personnel Mechanics of the Offense Personnel Groups Huddle Procedures Formations and Alignments Motions Run Game Mechanics WR Blocking Rules Zone/Stretch OL Footwork QB/RB Mesh Points Running Game Passing Game Pass Protections Route Names Sprint-Out Passing Game Quick Passing Game Drop Back Passing Game Play Action Pass Game Screen Game

Easiest way to learn the running game is to understand that all of our run plays basically fall into 4 families or schemes. These basic families are: Zone- Reach-Gap-Counter. If you know which of these families or plays fall into, you have a pretty good idea how were going to get defenders blocked.

ZONE Family: Covered and uncovered offensive linemen work together to get movement on defensive linemen, working up to nearest linebacker, stepping play side to do so. Plays: Zone, Read, Indy
REACH Family: All offensive linemen REACH one gap to their frontside gap, looking to reach and overtake a down defensive lineman in front of him or rip-reach and run to flow linebacker. Plays: Stretch, Speed Option, Jet GAP Family: Frontside blockers block one gap inside - looking to double team combo defensive linemen back to the linebackers. We will pull backside guard to lead the play through the frontside hole. Plays: Power, Q Power, Dash, Shovel COUNTER Family: Frontside blockers block one gap inside - looking to double team combo defensive linemen back to the linebackers. We will pull backside guard to kick out the frontside EMOL and tackle to lead the play through the frontside hole. Plays: Counter, Q Counter, H Counter

WR BLOCKS vs 2 Hi Safety

FS

SS

C
X
H

W
E
LT

M
T
LG

S
T E
RT
Y
Z

RG

2 Hi=double crack
T

X and Z=if corner ever crosses face when you are climbing to safety you would pick up corner.

WR BLOCKS vs 1 High Safety

FS

C
X

OLB
H

M
E
LT

S
T
C
RG

OLB
E
RT
Y

T
LG

1 Hi=man on

WR BLOCKS Trips
FS SS

C
X

W
E
LT

M
T
LG

T
C
RG RT

S E

C
Z
A C

Speed Option WR Blocks

FS

C
X

B E
LT

M
T
LG

S
T
C
RG

B E
RT
Y

C
Z

Zone and Stretch Footwork

Zone Family (0,1,2,3) 55
2

Reach Family (8,9) 55

3 2

55

3 2

1
Covered: Zone Scheme 6x2 STEP Aiming point play side number

1
Uncovered: Zone Scheme 6x2 STEP Aiming point between numbers Key near hip

1
Covered and Uncovered: Stretch Scheme. BUCKET STEP Aiming point arm pit if covered & play side number uncovered.

Second step is a vertical step to and through the down defenders crotch (knee to and through the crotch). The linemans base will narrow slightly. It is important to get the second step in the ground as soon as possible. The speed of the second step is crucial to a zone blocks success. Third step will square the offensive lineman up field. Zone Family - It is important to keep the shoulders square. Reach Family work butt to play side side line.

TB/QB MESH
Zone (22/23) / Power (24/25)
QB

Read (20/21), Counter Read (26/27)

Stretch (28/29)
QB

QB T T T

Counter (26/27)
QB

Speed Option (8/9)

QB

H/Teal/Tree/QB MESH
Read (30/31)
H QB H QB

Read

(Q) Counter

Indy
T QB T QB

Zone Family
Zone Read H Read Indy Read Cowboy Reach Family Stretch H Stretch Speed Option (Z)(H) Jet

Gap Family
Power Q Power Dash Shovel

Counter Family Counter Counter Read H Counter Q Counter

22 Zone

(Zone family)

FS C M E
X H

S T
C
RG RT

SS
E
Y Z

T
LT LG

QB: Open at 5 or 7 to call side. Get ball as deep as possible to TB. Wave and look the T by. Carry out Boot away from call. TB: Lateral step towards aiming point 1 yard behind TE, 2nd step crossover and 3rd step square up to line of scrimmage.

H: Slice tag, means to block the backside end..

20 READ
FS C W
X H

(Zone family)

M
#1

S T
C
RG RT

SS
E
Y Z

E
LT

T
LG

We can run Z Trail motion to provide an option pitch man.

#1 Chase Read: End chases flat down the line pull and replace end. End plays normal, give ball to TB.

30 Read
FS C M T
LT LG

(Zone family)

W #1
E
X

S T
C
RG RT

SS
E
Y Z

#1 Chase Read: End chases flat down the line pull and replace end. End plays normal, give ball to TB.

20 Indy
FS C M E
X H

(Zone family)

S T
C
RG RT

SS
E
Y Z

T
LT LG

Indy tells the backside G and T to leave the DT alone. The QB will read him instead of the End like in Read.

#1 Chase Read: Weak DT chases flat down the line pull and replace end. DT plays normal, give ball to TB.

20 Read H/Z Cowboy

FS
#2

W
X H

#1

SS

E
LT

T
LG

T
C
RG RT
Y

E
Z

H: Your cowboy route may get as deep as 6-8 yards. You must be behind the line to catch the ball and we want you to catch the ball at full speed.

#1 Chase Read: End chases flat down the line pull and replace end. End plays normal, give ball to TB. #2 Bubble Read: Alley player stays on bubble tuck the ball and run to open grass. If alley player presses line towards you - throw bubble.

(Zone Family) W M S M T
LT LG C

S T
RG RT

SS

E
LT

T
LG C

T
RG RT

E
Y

E
Y

W E

M T E
Y

T
LT LG C

N
RG

E
LT

T
LG

N
C RG

T
RT

E
Y

RT

W E
LT

M T
LG C

N
RG

S T
RT

M E
Y

W
X

E
LT

T
LG C

N
RG

S T
RT

E
Y

ZONE Family Rules

Covered Rule
~100%

{Oline & TE}

Uncovered Rule:
~100%

of the time you will step with play side foot. ~Always attack and hit the play side number. ~Align your nose on play side #, and bite it. ~Works hips vertically up the field.

of the time you will step with play side foot. ~Work with covered OL in the direction of the play. ~Attack the middle of the #s and work to take over the block. ~Key near hip of defender. If it disappears, climb to 2nd level.

Length of SLIDE step is determined by the alignment of defensive lineman. Length and depth of SECOND of step is determined by alignment of defensive lineman. The SECOND step must be quick!!!

* PRIORITY is to work at first level and work to 2nd level. Let the Lber come to you.

28 Stretch
FS C M E
X

(Reach family)

S T
C
RG RT

SS
E
Y H Z

T
LT LG

QB: Open up at 4 & 8 to call side. Get ball as fast and wide to TB as possible. Fake play pass. TB: Lateral step and chase spot 3 yards outside TE. Read block on Def. End. If he gets width you can bang it into C gap. If we get a soft edge, explode to the open grass.

19 Option
FS

(Reach family)

C C

W
E
X Z

M T
LT LG

S T
C
RG RT

SS
E
Y

QB: Catch snap and chase spot 3 yards outside TE. Take your eyes to alley player for pitch key. TB: Maintain pitch relationship with QB.

49 Jet
FS C M E
X

(Reach family)

S T
C
RG RT

SS
E
Y Z

T
LT LG

QB: Catch the snap and extend ball for the receiver, let the momentum of the hand off to turn your hips and shoulders and make Belly Read fake to TB and then carry out Boot Fake away from play.

Stretch
W E
LT

(Reach Family)

M T
LG C

S T
RG RT

E
Y

E
LT

M T
LG C

S T
RG RT

SS

E
Y

W E T
LT LG C

M N
RG

T
RT

E
Y

E
LT

M T
LG

S N
C RG

T
RT

E
Y

W E
LT

M T
LG C

S N
RG

M T
RT

S T
LG C

E
Y

W
X

E
LT

N
RG

T
RT

E
Y

REACH Family Rules

Covered Rule:100% of the time you will BUCKET step with your play side foot.
Aiming Point is defenders play side armpit. Align your nose on defenders armpit and bite it. 2 hand punch to aiming point. Work hips vertical up field.

{Oline & TE}

Uncovered Rule: 100% of the time you will BUCKET step with your play side foot. Work with covered OL in the direction of the play.
2 hand punch to aiming point.

Attack the defenders far #, and work to over- take the block.

Length and depth of BUCKET of step is determined by alignment of defensive lineman.

* PRIORITY is to work at first level and work to 2nd level. Let the Lber come to you.

24 Power
Backside guard will make a you or me call with the center on who is pulling and leading up on the linebacker. General rule:Who has the best angle to block the def Tackle.

(GAP family)

FS M E T
LT LG

S T
C
RG RT

SS
E
Y Z

TE: Arch release for alley player if play side tackle is uncovered. QB: Same footwork as 22 Zone. Carry out Power Pass Fake
T

Play side tackle covered, you will combo to backside linebacker.

14 Power
FS C M E
X

(GAP family)

S T
C
RG RT

SS
E
Y Z

T
LT LG

QB: Catch snap and sell fake to tailback. Patience!!! Allow backside guard to get to the hole and find daylight.

14 Power
FS C M E
X H

(GAP family)

S T
C
RG RT

SS
E
Y Z

T
LT LG

QB: Catch snap and take 1 lateral step to help give the guard time to pull. This is just designed to hit a little quicker without misdirection.

14 Dash
FS C M E
X H

(GAP family)

S T
C
RG RT

#1

SS

T
LT LG

E
Y Z

MESH
T Q

QB: Catch snap and mesh with TB, take 3 lateral shuffle steps while reading End. If End widens, pull and replace him.

34 Shovel
Backside guard will make a you or me call with the center on who is pulling and leading up on the linebacker. General rule: Who has the best angle to block the def Tackle.

(GAP family)

FS M E T
LT LG

S T
C
RG RT

SS
E
Y Z

TE: Arch release for alley player if play side tackle is uncovered. Play side tackle covered, you will combo to backside linebacker.

Gap Family
W E
LT

M T
LG C

S T
RG RT

SS

E
Y

E
LT

M T
LG C

S T
RG RT

SS

E
Y

W
E T
LT LG

M
N
C RG

T
RT

E
Y

E
LT

M T
LG

S N
C RG

T
RT

E
Y

W E
LT

M T
LG C

S N
RG

M T
RT

S T
LG C

E
Y

W
X

E
LT

N
RG

T
RT

E
Y

Gap Family Rules

PSOT: If PSOG is uncovered ~Combo INSIDE with TE from man on you to backside Linebacker. If PSOG is covered ~combo with PSOG to backside Linebacker. PSOG: If center is uncovered ~Combo INSIDE with PSOT from man on you to backside Linebacker. If center is covered ~combo with center to backside Linebacker.

Center:

Block man on or first man away from the play on the defensive line.

BSOG:

Pull and turn up tight to run over playside linebacker.

BSOT: Y: H:

Zip step and check gap penetration. Gate if there is no gap threat. Versus a 3 tech, CUT! Play side: If PSOT is uncovered~ arc release to outside linebacker. If PSOT is covered ~Combo with PSOT to backside linebacker. Lead the play and kick out end man on the line of scrimmage. You must get inside the defender and drive him out.

26 Counter
Backside guard will make a you or me call with the center on who is pulling and kicking out the Def. End. General rule:Who has the best angle to block the def Tackle.

(Counter family)

FS M S SS

C
X

E
LT

T
LG

T
C
RG RT

E
Y Z

H Q

TE: Arch release for alley player if play side tackle is uncovered. QB: Same footwork as Read, but TB will cut behind you and the handoff will occur off your back hip. Carry out boot leg fake.
T

Play side tackle covered, you will combo to backside linebacker.

26 Counter Read
Backside guard will make a you or me call with the center on who is pulling and kicking out the Def. End. General rule:Who has the best angle to block the def Tackle.

(Counter family)

FS M S SS

C
X

W
H

E
LT

T
LG

T
C
RG RT

E
Y Z

QB: Mesh with TB and read End. If he chases the backside tackle, pull the ball and replace him.

TE: Arch release for alley player if play side tackle is uncovered.

Play side tackle covered, you will combo to backside linebacker.

26 Counter Read
Backside guard will make a you or me call with the center on who is pulling and kicking out the Def. End. General rule:Who has the best angle to block the def Tackle.

(Counter family)

FS M S SS

C
X

W
H

E
LT

T
LG

T
C
RG RT

E
Y Z

QB: Mesh with TB and read End. If he chases the backside tackle, pull the ball and replace him.

TE: Arch release for alley player if play side tackle is uncovered.
T

Play side tackle covered, you will combo to backside linebacker.

16 Counter(Counter family)
Backside guard will make a you or me call with the center on who is pulling and kicking out the Def. End. General rule:Who has the best angle to block the def Tackle.

FS M S SS

C
X

W
H

E
LT

T
LG

T
C
RG RT

E
Y Z

TE: Arch release for alley player if play side tackle is uncovered.

QB: Mesh with TB, pull the ball and follow the butt of the backside offensive tackle.

Play side tackle covered, you will combo to backside linebacker.

Counter
W M T
LT LG C

(Counter Family) SS

T
RG RT

E
Y

E
LT

M T
LG C

S T
RG RT

SS

E
Y

W E

M T E
Y

T
LT LG C

N
RG

E
LT

T
LG

N
C RG

T
RT

E
Y

RT

FS

W E
LT

M T
LG C

S N
RG

M T
RT

S T
LG C

FS

E
Y

W
X

E
LT

N
RG

T
RT

E
Y

COUNTER (Counter Family Rules)

PSOT: If PSOG is uncovered ~Combo with TE from man on you to backside Linebacker. If PSOG is covered ~combo with PSOG to backside Linebacker. Solid Call gap block man inside. If center is uncovered ~Combo with PSOT from man on you to backside Linebacker. If center is covered ~combo with center to backside Linebacker. Solid Call gap block man inside. PSOG:

Center:
BSOG: BSOT: TE: H:

Block man on or first man away from the play on the defensive line.
Flat pull and kick out end man on line of scrimmage. Skip pull and turn up tight to run over PSLBer. Play side: If PSOT is uncovered~ arc release to outside linebacker. If PSOT is covered ~Combo with PSOT to backside linebacker. Look to cut the End lined up over the pulling BSOT.