Module Based System

• Module based play calling system • Simple for players • Play calling is significantly more complex for coach but significantly simpler for players

• Interior Linemen learn 5 blocking modules • 4 Run blocking modules

• Kick • Wrap • Down • Wedge

• Pass plays use modified down block. Protect gap, don’t go downfield

• Wide Receivers learn 4 modules • Tailback and Quarterback learn 10 modules

• 6 Run • Power (Zone read Concept w/ Gap Blocking) •Speed (Speed Option) • Wedge • Counter • Dash (Inverted Veer; read playside DE) • Blast

• 4 Pass • Bubble • Slant • Wheel • Pop

Q

Y X H

T

Q

Y X

H

T

Lion

Rhino

Position Alignment

Q Heels are 4 ½ yards from the ball

T Inside foot aligned with inside foot of the Guard; toes are aligned with the heels of the QB

X 6 yards from left sideline (outside edge of numbers)

H Split difference between X and Tackle

Y Split difference between Z and Tackle

Guards 1 – 2 foot split from Center; head aligned on the belt of the Center

Formations

N E E

B

Kick

Wrap

Down

Wedge

Kick

Down

Wedge

Vs Odd Front Vs Even Front

Blocking Modules

N E E

B

N E E N

Wrap is not sound against an even front, use kick.

Wrap

N E E

B

N E E

B

N E E N

N E E N

Q T

Q T

Q T

Q T

Q T

Q T

Q T

Q T

Q T

Power

Speed

Wedge

Counter

Dash

Blast

Bubble

Slant

Wheel

Backfield Action Modules

Q T Pop

Y X H

Bubble

Y X H

Slant

Y X H

Power / Speed / Wedge / Dash / Blast / Wheel

Y X H

Pop

Receiver Modules

Play Calling

• Plays calls are broken down into four parts: • Formation • Blocking Module • Direction • Backfield / Receiver Module

• The play can be called in a huddle, or signaled using boards from the sideline

• To signal plays from the sideline, the following methodology is used: • A picture of an animal is held up to indicated the formation

•Lion or Rhino

• A color card indicates the direction of the play: • Red / Green / Brown = Right • Blue / Black / Gold = Left

• Each blocking module is assigned a category, a picture that falls in that category is held up, indicates the blocking scheme to use:

• A cartoon character = Kick Module • A product logo = Wrap Module • A shape = Down Module • A persons’ face = Wedge module

• 4 digits are displayed in a quadrant. 2 are hot, to are dummy digits. One hot digit indicates odd/even play column on wrist coach. The other hot digit indicates the row on the wrist coach.

Play Calling

• Kick or Wrap blocking are used on the Power, Counter, and Blast modules

• Down blocking is used on Speed or Dash, and all Pass modules

• Wedge blocking is used on Wedge module

• Call Bubble when DB’s cheat into the alley to make them respect the spread

• When DBs jump the Bubble, call Pop. Have quarterback fake to TB, pump fake the Bubble and hit the receiver running the slant

• When you call slant, the QB reads the man covering the #2 receiver. If he plays #2 tight, #1 receiver should be able to settle in hole

• When you call Wheel, leave the playside DE unblocked, he shouldn’t be able to make the play

• For older teams who can execute it, or when wedge blocking is illegal, replace the Wedge blocking module with trap blocking. Try to trap the 3 technique.

Other Thoughts

• In 2009 COY Clinic article, Chip Kelly claims he doesn’t really run Zone “Read” schemes. He says “when you start talking about the read player’s shoulder’s or number, you overcomplicate the play. If the running back is continually getting tackled by the defensive end, the quarterback should be pulling the ball.” You could eliminate the read play and just call Power Give or Power Keep and adjust the play calling based on how the defensive end is playing.

• Run same plays but move the H-Back into the backfield. • The defense could respond in one of three ways:

• If already in a 2-high safety look, the man covering the H-Back will return to the box; • If in a 1 high look, the man covering the H-Back will either drop back to create a 2-High look or follow the H-Back into the box • If in a No-High look, the defender could drop back to play safety or follow the H-Back into the box.

• Best case scenario, you have more blockers than defenders, worst case scenario, the ratio of blockers to defenders remains the same • H-Back could have simple rules:

• If he is playside, he blocks the man he pulled into the box or the first linebacker to playside • If he is backside he pulls down the line and leads through the hole

• Aligning H-Back as a wing opposite of TB would allow you to run the Wing-T buck sweep from shotgun.

• H-Back seals playside DE • Playside split end crashes down on playside linebacker • Linemen down block • Playside guard pulls and blocks force • Backside guard pulls and leads through hole • Could run Jet Sweep action behind this with Z if H and Z are both aligned to same side of field.

Even 0 Power 1 Speed 2 Wedge 3 Counter 4 Dash 5 Blast 6 Bubble 7 Slant

Odd Pop

Wheel Slant

Bubble Blast Dash

Counter Wedge

8 Wheel 9 Pop

Speed Power

Formation

Direction

Blocking

Dummy Digit

Play Column

Play Row

Dummy Digit

Play call board is a large piece of foam board covered in velcro. Formation, Blocking, Direction, and Play Quadrant Pages are printed, laminated and the back has velcro on them. Coach calls play, assistant grabs the pieces from the pile and slaps them on the foam board and holds it up. Every possible play quadrant combination should be printed off and then stacked in piles based on the play. When the coach calls a play the assistant simply grabs the next Play Quadrant page from the stack.