Breaking down X's and O's, along with the intertwining of mad football coach's mind. This site is just a little slice of the greatest team sport on Earth!
One of the hottest plays that spread teams are currently running is the INVERTED VEER, or Power read. Spread teams from around the country have spent time developing and implementing two of the most successful plays in the history of football: the POWER and the VEER. The idea of the Invereted veer is so put the "5 tech" in conflict. Does he choose to run with the RB, or does he stay home on the QB?
Below is the same play run against the four most popular defenses across the country. The blocking rules do not change for the O-Linemen no matter the front. This simplifies things, and allows the play to hit faster and more aggressively.
v. Under (4-3)
v. Over (4-3)
v. Stack (3-3)
v. Odd (3-4)
The great thing about the IV, is that the O-linemen have angles. Each O-lineman is able to come down on an angle, and get on their assignment. For teams that run Power, the blocking does not change, which is also a huge advantage for the O-line.
*** Key part= Speed at the RB *** The RB has got to be able to take off, turn the corner, and be a threat to break each run.
When reading the 5, the QB has the option to keep the ball and run with. Like the old Veer, if the 5 turns his shoulders, that is an easy read for the QB. A great example is below.
Here is a great look from the end zone. Notice how the 5 gets upfield, turns shoulders. It is an easy read for the QB.
When the 5 stays tight, squeezes down, it is an automatice give.
At all levels, simple = more efficient. This play is a combination of two simple concepts put into one. Coming up: Formations with Inverted Veer, compliment plays with Inververted Veer, and how to defend Inverted Veer.
Quads formations (or 4x1) have become more popular in the past few seasons because of the predicament it puts defenses in. Putting four receivers to one side causes the defense to become very vanilla, taking away their coverages and blitzing schemes.
Quads defined is any offensive formation that puts 4 eligible receivers to one side of the formation. Quads are mainly run by spread teams looking to get an advantage and take what the defense gives them.
Here are some advantages to quads:
5 man box for QB runs
Single coverage on single side
4 on 3 deep to quads side
Below are the two base formations for Quads:
And.....
Even though you would think you a limited to ways to change up the quad formation, you are not.
Quads can be run out of a bunch....
Running bunch out of Quads allows for single coverage on both outside receivers!
Quads can be run out of a diamond formation...
Diamond Quads are great for running bubble and spacing concepts.
Quads can be run with a TE....
Adding a TE beefs up the running game out of quads
This is the basic start of a quad offense. Coming up, running and passing games out of quads. It is going to be square.
It's hip to be square
The football season has started and is in full swing. This is the BEST time of year. Teams have spent the last 8 months preparing, and now it is their chance to prove what they have on the field. I want to wish everyone the best of luck throughout the following season, stay healthy, keep your focus, fill your heart, and hit'em hard!
Continuing to build off of the Dan Mullen / Urban Meyer Spread Running Game basics is the trap game. There are three main plays: trap, wrap, and counter.
Play #1: The Trap
10/11 Trap
The 10/11 Trap is based off of the old fullback trap of the I and wing-t teams, one of their most effective plays. This play is a quick hitting killer, punching the ball right up the gut of the defense.
The reason that the trap is so effective out of the Mullen/Meyer spread is because it give the same backfield action as the Zone Read. The quarterback is still going to read the DE and follow through on his fake to freeze that DE, allowing the OT to be an extra blocker in the play. The unique twist on the Mullen/Meyer trap is how the PST also does not block the DE, allowing him to get to the second level and block a linebacker/safety.
When trapping, the player that will be trapped is the 3 technique, or the man outside of the offensive guard.
10/11 Trap to the 3-tech:
C - Blocks back
PST - Pass set, rip through the inside shoulder of end, to the 2nd level first threat
PSG - Rip through the 3 technique to the Mike
BSG - Traps the 3-tech
BST - Sifts up to Mike
QB - Step up and make exchange look like zone read, and carry out the fake. Hold the DE.
RB - Step up and at the center's near leg, run downhill and take handoff, reading
trap block.
WR - Block man on with inside zone rules
An adjustment that can be made to make this a quicker hitting play is to cheat the QB & RB up their alignment slightly. A great 3rd down play when teams are expecting pass.
13/14 Trap to the 1-tech:
Defenses have a way of finding tendencies, and teaching their players how to read what is going on with the offense. A lot of defensive coordinators will let their team know that the offense will trap to the 3 technique only. Mullen/Meyer answered this problem with extending their trap to the 1 tech side, and trapping out to the 5. Below is the example, keeping the backfield action the same and adjusting the rules for the linemen.
13/14 Trap to the 1-tech:
C - Blocks back to the 3-tech
PST - Rip through the inside shoulder of end and down to the playside Mike
PSG – Blocks back to the 1-tech
BSG - Traps the 5-tech
BST - Sifts up to Will
QB - Step up and make exchange look like zone read, and carry out the fake. Hold the DE.
RB - Step up and at the center's far leg, run downhill and take handoff, reading
trap block.
WR - Block man on with inside zone rules
Play #2: The Wrap
15/16 Wrap
Mullen/Meyer Spread Running game’s goal is to continue to put the defensive in conflict. The offense specifically is putting the DE, or 5-tech into conflict. It is tough to play that 5-tech when you are working against the zone read, holding the edge for the defense, or being asked to rush outside and contain the QB, and all of a sudden the Offensive Tackle over you is influence blocking you out. Putting that 5-tech in conflict causes major problems and the defense’s worst nightmare: HESITATION.
The play is designated WRAP because the backside tackle "WRAPS" up and through the hole, leading on the linebacker.
15/16 Wrap:
PST – Influence block the 5-tech
C & PSG - Combo shade(1-tech) to backer
BSG -Base 3-tech
BST - Pull and Wrap to frontside backer
RB - Cross QB and take ball, read “wrap” tackles block and accelerate through hole
QB - Give ball to RB and follow fake through to backside DE
WR - Block man on with inside zone rules
Play #3: The Counter
15/16 Counter
Mullen/Meyer’s counter is based off of the old “Nebraska Counter” or “Counter Trey.” This refers to the offensive line rules, and requires the backside guard and tackle to pull. The guard is to kick out and the tackle is to lead up. Mullen/Meyer have taken this principal, and applied it to their spread offense. The key, is the RB’s ability to take the handoff, plant, and change direction to follow the OT’s lead block. This is not something that all running back can do, and requires a lot of athletic abilities.
15/16 Counter:
PST – Down block the 3-tech
PSG - Down block to LB
C- Block back on shade(1-tech)
BSG -Pull and trap 5-tech
BST - Pull and Wrap to frontside backer
RB - Cross QB and take ball, cut and follow “wrap” tackles block and accelerate through hole
QB - Give ball to RB and follow fake through to backside DE
WR - Block man on with inside zone rules
Variations of Counter
With this cut being hard for all running backs to be able to perform, Mullen and Meyer expanded their offense using different formations and two back sets. Below are some cutups of how they have used these trapping plays at Florida. Notice in the first play, Florida is in 11 Personnel (1 RB and 1 TE) and motion to 21 Personnel (2 RBs and 1 TE), then running the Counter to the weak side.
Coming up next.... the Option game out of the Mullen/Meyer Spread!
Be sure to check out www.chiefpigskin.com
Happy New Year! I have spent the winter break enjoying a relaxing time with family and friends, and enjoying a TON of college football. My plan is to break down the running and passing games of certain coaches and colleges for the next few months. Each team and coach has a unique twist on the offense that they run, providing new wrinkles and adaptations.
Starting off the new year, I am going to focus on Mississippi State’s drubbing of Michigan (and possible ending of the Rich Rodriguez era). Mississippi State’s head coach, Dan Mullen, is an Urban Meyer disciple. Mullen’s career included stops at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida following Meyer, as they both developed their brand of the Spread Offense, which I will entitle the Zone Read Spread.
The Zone Read is not a brand new offense, but is one of the trendier offenses in college football. The majority of the major programs have some type of Zone Read in their playbook, specifically if they run out of Shotgun. The philosophy behind the Zone Read Spread is to attack the defense every play. Force all of the defenders to cover the entire field, protecting against the run and pass.
The base play for the Zone Read Spread is the 14/15 Zone Read. This play is very tough to stop when the team has an athletic quarterback and running back tandem. It is very easy to teach, and provides the quarterback with options running the ball and setting up the Zone Read Option.
Below is the diagram for the base Zone Read Play vs. a 4-2 defense (or 6 man box) with a 1 High Free Safety.
14/15 Read
With the inside zone read play being the base play, most of the run plays use the same blocking schemes. Therefore base zone rules are used.
Responsibilities for the Players
PST - Base block the 5-tech
PSG/C - Combo the 3-tech to the mike, the Center can make his reads and scoop directly to the Mike.
BSG - Base on Nose
BST - Has to block the B-Gap defender. He may make a "man" call which will block through the DE to Strong Outside LB.
RB - Aiming point is the outside leg of the PSG, reading the 1st DL passed the Center, always look for the cutback lane.
QB - Open and read backside C-gap defender. If End is blocked give, then carry out Fake.
Receivers: If on frontside of play, blocks as if the play were inside zone. This means the WR must block nose to inside number. If on the backside of the play, block as if the QB is keeping the ball.
QB Read
QBs are taught to read the “5 Technique” which is the defensive end, or the end man on the line of scrimmage (EMOLS).If the 5 technique squeezes the tackle’s release and chases the running back the quarterback is meshing with, the QB will pull the football and replace the 5 technique.This is a way of reminding the QB to get downhill.If the 5 tech does anything else, the QB gives the ball and carries out a downhill run fake to hold the pursuit.
The QB’s technique is as follows:
1.As the QB receives the snap, the QB will take a flat step toward the back.This is called SHORT STEP, FLAT STEP.
2.The QB reaches the ball deep into the RB’s basket, snapping his eyes to his read.
3.The QB rides the RB through while making his read.If the 5 Technique follows the RB, the QB keeps it and runs with the football.The rule behind this is “Squeeze and Chase, Pull and Replace”
The key to this place is securing the line of scrimmage with the offensive linemen and the quarterback making the proper read.
Teams that run the Zone Read practice the QB's reads over and over, using the Mesh Drill. Below is an example of a Mesh Drill.
The Mesh Drill gives the QB an opportunity to receive the snap, read the DE, and work on ball handling with the RB.
I was not able to find cut ups of Florida/Mississippi State Zone Read but the following clip below is Zone Read cutups from the 2008 Oregon v. Oklahoma State Holiday Bowl, only of Zone Read Plays. Enjoy!
Please do check out chiefpigskin.com for some of the best football coverage on the internet, and a chance to see my picture! I plan to move into more of the base running plays out of Mullen/Meyer's Zone Read playbook in the upcoming weeks.
