Basic Formation: Single Wing

Position Names

WB – WingbackLE – Long-side EndOT – Outside TackleIT – Inside TackleLG – Long-side GuardS – SnapperSG – Short GuardSE – Short EndBB – Blocking BackTB – TailbackF – Flanker

Gaps

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Power

The defensive Tackle’s alignment on the play side will determine how we will run this play. How we block at the point of attack (POA) depends on the alignment of the defensive tackle. He can be in one of three locations; Fox, Golf or Hotel locations (see first chapter for gaps).

This will be our signature play. It is the play that the other teams will have to stop.

Versus 5-3-3 Defense FOX Alignment:

In this formation, the defensive tackle is in the ‘Fox’ alignment. That means that the DTs nose is between the noses of our inside and outside tackles. The TB should take three steps (left, right, cut on left).

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Position ResponsibilitiesSE Wall BlockingSG Wall BlockingS Good Snap. Wall Blocking.LG Wall BlockingIT Double-team DT with OT.OT Make ‘Fox’ call. Double-team DT with IT.LE Block Middle Linebacker.WB Block $. Take the $ where he wants to go.BB Trap block DEF Run Fly then Crackback on Corner.TB Three steps then cut between OT and LE. Read WB

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Power (cont.)

Suppose the defensive tackle is now in a GOLF alignment. This means that his nose is between the noses of our long end and outside tackle. We will trap the defensive tackle instead of the defensive end. That enables the long end and outside tackle to be available to block linebackers.

The only difference between the GOLF and the HOTEL line calls is that the WB must cut inside of the defensive tackle to get the strong safety ($).

Versus 5-3-3 Defense GOLF & HOTEL Alignment:

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Position ResponsibilitiesSE Wall BlockingSG Wall BlockingS Good Snap. Wall Blocking.LG Wall BlockingIT Swinging Wall block on the pivot of the LG.OT Make ‘Golf’ call. Swinging Wall block on the pivot of the

IT.LE Block Middle Linebacker.WB Block $. Take the $ where he wants to go.BB Trap block DTF Run Fly then Crackback on Corner.TB Two steps (cross over step: L, cut on Right) then cut

between OT and LE. Read WB block.

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Power (cont.)

As you can see below, this 4-4-3 is not blocked differently from the 5-3-3. The left inside linebacker is a little closer than the middle linebacker so the timing of that block by the long end may change. The GOLF and HOTEL version are about the same as with the 5-3-3.

Versus 4-4-3 Defense ‘Fox’ Alignment:

Versus Wide-Tackle-6 Defense Alignment:

Here is the play against the wide-tackle-6 defense. This defense would warrant a ‘GOLF’ line call. It looks a little crowded at the point-of-attack but in reality the tackle will probably come across the line of scrimmage, so he will be blocked about a yard or so into our backfield.

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Wedge Play

The long guard (LG) is the point of the formation. That is because he is at the center of the formation. Everyone to his right steps first with their left foot, everyone to his left steps first with their right foot. Everyone will use a short, quick, power step. It is critical that the TB, WB and F all make realistic sweep fakes when running the wedge play.

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Position ResponsibilitiesSE Wedge block. Inside foot. Most dangerous man.SG Wedge block. Inside foot.S Wedge block. Inside foot.LG Wedge block. Point of formation.IT Wedge block. Inside foot.OT Wedge block. Inside foot.LE Wedge block. Inside foot. Most dangerous man.WB Fake sweep. Academy award performance.BB Direct snap. Be patient. Wait for seam.F Fake sweep. Academy award performance.TB Fake sweep. Academy award performance.

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Sweep Play

The first diagram is used to show who the players block not where the block will normally occur.

Versus 5-3-3 Defense ‘Fox’ Alignment:

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Position ResponsibilitiesSE Wall block 2 sec. Release and find safety.SG Wall block.S Good snap. Wall block.LG Wall block.IT Double team DT with OT.OT Double team DT with IT.LE Block Middle linebacker.WB Block $.BB Kickout CornerbackF Crack-back End.TB Find the alley. Help F set up crack-back.

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Sweep Play (cont.)

Here is a diagram that shows where everyone may be at the time of the crack-back block.

Versus 5-3-3 Defense ‘Golf’ Alignment:

If the defensive tackle aligns in a Golf alignment, we cannot double team him. The outside tackle will have to reach block him. The inside tackle can help if he has no one on or inside him.

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Sweep Play (cont.)

Versus 5-3-3 Defense ‘Hotel’ Alignment:

Here, as with the Power play, the inside and outside tackles pivot the wall into the defensive backfield.

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Wing Reverse Play

The wing reverse is an off-tackle play. As with the long-side off-tackle play the end needs to call out where the defensive tackle is aligned. This time, it is the short end (SE) that makes the call. There are two possible line calls; Bravo and Charlie.

Versus 5-3-3 Defense ‘Bravo’ Alignment:

If the defensive tackle is aligned between the SE and the SG, the SE will make a ‘BRAVO’ line call. The ‘BRAVO’ line call means the SE and the SG will double team the defensive tackle. All other linemen will wall block. It is critical that there be no line penetration as this is a slow developing play.

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Position ResponsibilitiesSE Make BRAVO line call. Double team DT with SG.SG Double team DT with SE.S Good Snap. Wall block.LG Wall block.IT Wall block.OT Wall block.LE Wall block.WB Hard step with outside foot. Pivot and look for hole (DO

NOT look for ball).BB Hard step with outside foot. Pivot and kick-out contain

man (most likely DE).F Crack-back on long-side DETB Receive snap and hand-off to WB. Continue fake.

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Wing Reverse Play (cont.)

Versus 5-3-3 Defense ‘Charlie’ Alignment:

The defensive tackle may be in a ‘CHARLIE’ alignment, that is, between the SG and the Snapper. In that case, those two players double team the tackle and the SE blocks the most dangerous man other than the defensive end.

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Position ResponsibilitiesSE Make CHARLIE line call. Block most dangerous man

other than DE.SG Double team DT with S.S Good Snap. Double team DT with SG..LG Wall block.IT Wall block.OT Wall block.LE Wall block.WB Hard step with outside foot. Pivot and look for hole (DO

NOT look for ball).BB Hard step with outside foot. Pivot and kick-out contain

man (most likely DE).F Crack-back on long-side DETB Receive snap and hand-off to WB. Continue fake.

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Wing Reverse Play (cont.)

Versus 4-4-3 Defense ‘Charlie’ Alignment:

Note that we have a wall that swings at the double team on the right defensive tackle. The swung wall does not have zero line splits. Those players can be several feet apart and probably should be. The Right Outside Linebacker is in the hole. If he stays home the SE will have to block him whichever way he wants to go and the WB will have to read the block and cut off it. But this probably not such a good play if the ROB is staying home.

Versus wide-tackle-6 Defense:

The hole looks crowded in the diagram. In fact, as with most trap blocks, the defensive tackle and defensive end will probably penetrate across the line of scrimmage. They are initially totally unblocked. When they penetrate, they will take themselves out of the hole and then the BB will keep him out because when he turns to look for the ball he will be hit by the BB. As with the long side off-tackle play, this play benefits from the SE taking a ‘nasty split’ to widen the hole.

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Sprint-Out Run-Pass Play

This is a sister play to the sweep. If the pass defenders – namely the play-side cornerback, strong safety and free safety - come up too fast to defend the run we will keep them honest by being able to pass out of our sweep action. This is a run-pass option.

Versus 5-3-3 Defense:

I prefer the TB to RUN. Pass only if the defense forces you to.

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Hitch Pass Play

If our flanker is not covered by a defender, and he can catch, we will throw to him. We will not call this as a play. Only the tailback and the flanker need to know. This will be a ‘silent-audible’. The flanker can signal to the TB that he knows the pass is coming by facing inward. Normally, the flanker faces across the line of scrimmage.

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fake

Fake Reverse Play

This play is the same as the wing reverse except the TB fakes the hand-off, keeps the ball, and then hangs a right. At that moment the flanker is cracking on the DE with his helmet between the defender and the TB. The TB cuts right behind the block.

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Kickoff Team

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LE LT LG RG RT RE4.5 yards 4.5 yards4 yards 4 yards5 yards 5 yards

LH RHM9 yards 9 yards

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Fullbacks on hashes at max range of kicker. DO NOT ALLOW BALL TO GO OVER HEAD.

Kick Return Team

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Kick Return Team (cont.)

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Gap-8 or Gap-Air-Mirror Defense

Position Names and Responsibilities:

Right/Left Guard – ‘A’-gap responsibility. Drive low and as deep as the ball. Low line charge.

Right/Left Tackle – ‘B’-gap responsibility. 1 yard penetration & breakdown. Protect gap.

Wide/Short End – Has Containment and must stop the sweep from getting outside. Ball depth. Trail play away. Responsible for QB eligible.

Wide/Short LB – Responsible for off-tackle gap on run. Pass coverage of TE or if no TE on his side 2nd widest receiver. If receiver is on the line play bump-n-run, if off the line play in walk-off position.

Cornerback – Line up on receiver farthest from ball. If none, closest running back. Stack behind LB is RB is between the offensive tackles. Warn E of crack-back block.

Middle Lineback/Free Safety – 4-6 yards off the ball. Read FB. Inner-most receiver if offense in trips formation. Come up strong on run support. Nothing gets behind you on pass.

Basic Alignment / Line Charge & Coverage

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Double Wing

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I-formation

Common Formations

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Trips

Common Formations (continued)

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