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Research Report: Building the Four-Surface Run Game

Research Report: Building the Four-Surface Run Game

Posted by | Jul 17, 2023 | , , , , , | 0 |

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Researcher/Co-Founder
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikekKuchar

 

 

If you haven’t built your run game around four-surface formations yet this season, now is the time to start. Whether you’re a Pin and Pull, Tight Zone, Gap, or Duo outfit, four surface presentations not only create angles and combinations play side but also create extra cut points for the ball carrier backside. At Northern Illinois and Rice University, the four-surface Pin and Pull created the separation needed to get the ball carrier in the alley. At Rice University, the four-surface pin and pull alleviated the second puller from working to the point, allowing him to work to the high safety. And at the University of Minnesota and Davison University (NC) building in four-surface formations in the tight zone run game, allowed the unblocked defender to be positioned a gap wider from the mesh where he’s reduced to an arm tackle on the bend back. This week, we studied how four programs have built their top runs off four-surface formations.

 

 

Pin and Pull Concepts:

Source: Eric Eidsness, offensive coordinator, Northern Illinois University

 

Mesh Variations:

The Huskies utilize two alignments in its Pin and Pull concept: pistol and sidecar alignments. In both alignments, the ball carriers aiming point is one yard outside the tight end, which includes the wing element in four-surface formations.

The mesh rules for both are below:

 

Pistol Alignment:

  • Open to the play side at a 45-degree angle
  • Get the ball back to the ball carrier by the third step.
  • Drop back three steps after mesh to sell play-action pass (boot)

 

The ball carrier is taught to execute a “V” step, which opens his hips to get downhill. It’s the typical crossover, plant footwork. According to Coach Eidsness, the key coaching point is for the quarterback to keep him online with the D gap aiming point, which he calls “staying high.” “We don’t want to get downhill too fast,” he told me. The backside C gap can be controlled with naked or with motion or a backside tight end.

 

Offset Alignment:

In sidecar alignments, the quarterback sets his toes at 4.5 yards with the ball carrier’s toes at 5 yards. It’s the quarterback’s job to get off the line with a step-back technique or what some coaches call a “clear” mesh. “We want the running back to be able to run laterally and not run downhill and have to bubble back to the perimeter,” said Coach Eidsness. “The quarterback has to allow him to stay flat.” In sidecar alignments, it’s built-in for the quarterback to read the backside C gap defender.

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Drilling the 5 Catch Categories to Enhance WRs Production

Drilling the 5 Catch Categories to Enhance WRs Production

Posted by | Jul 10, 2023 | , , | 0 |

By Eric Miller
Wide Receiver’s Coach
Twitter: @coachericmiller

 

 

There are five types of catches that a wide receiver can make: routine catches; jump balls; body catches; over-the-shoulder catches; and lastly, one-handed catches. Each of those types of catches correlates to either a different body position or hand placement that a wide receiver can be in when attempting to complete a catch. Routine catches are the typical catching opportunities that many of us are mostly aware of. Jump balls are any catch where the receiver has to vertically jump for a ball. Body catches are most useful when having to make a grab in heavy traffic, (i.e. situations in which there is more than one defender in the vicinity). Over the shoulder catches are used for catching more vertical type routes where the receiver must run up under a ball that has been loft high into the air. Lastly, one-handed catches are simply catches made with one hand, regardless of if it is out of necessity or for added flare.

In this article, I want to breakdown the 5 types of catches that occur in game competition. I will discuss methods and techniques for being able to make the appropriate catch for each of the five types as well as pointers on how to best execute each catch. Understanding the different types of catches that a receiver may get and how to apply the appropriate hand and body placement within a given situation greatly increase your player’s odds of being able to consistently make in-game catches.

Below are key coaching points for each of the 5 types of catches that my players work on both during the in-season and the off-season.

 

ROUTINE CATCH

 

HIGH BALL

  • KEEP PALMS AND FINGERS WIDE
  • HANDS FORM DIAMOND
  • FLEX WRISTS AND ABSORB BALL
  • SQUEEZE IT

 

LOW BALL

  • KEEP PALMS AND FINGERS WIDE
  • THUMBS UP AND FINGERS DOWN
  • ABSORB BALL
  • SQUEEZE IT

 

PROFILE (OVER)

  • KEEP PALMS AND FINGERS WIDE
  • HANDS FORM DIAMOND
  • FINGERS FACING SIDELINE, ALMOST PARALLEL TO GROUND
  • ABSORB BALL
  • SQUEEZE IT

 

PROFILE (UNDER)

  • PINKIES TOUCHING
  • KEEP PALMS AND FINGERS WIDE
  • FINGERS FACING SIDELNE, ALMOST PARALLEL TO GROUND
  • ABSORB BALL
  • SQUEEZE IT

 

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Alternating Middle Safety Inverts in 3-High Spacing

Alternating Middle Safety Inverts in 3-High Spacing

Posted by | Jun 26, 2023 | , , | 0 |

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Researcher/Co-Founder
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikekKuchar

 

 

The versatility of the middle safety in three-high looks allows coaches to teach various insertion points in both zone and pressure coverages. The skill set and acumen of a safety (rather than a linebacker) allows him to rotate into several insertion points from snap to snap, including weak and strong hook, weak and strong flat, strong and weak half, low hole and high hole technique. And now coaches are building their sims around the three-high safety world so that underneath defenders can come from depth. We present the various ways in which coaches are changing the insertion points for that middle safety.

 

Middle Runner Insertion Point:

Source: Manny Rojas, Defensive Coordinator, University of Delaware

 

Best Practices: 2×2 Open Sets

Use Rover as Middle Runner – The corners play thirds with the Rover, while the Bandit and Will play the numbers (flat). In the image below, the Will is playing the numbers technique because of the three-surface formation. According to Coach Rojas, these insert variation is best against 2×2 open sets so that both safeties are in a position to play the hook/curl drop from top down alignments.

 

Best Practice: Immediate Run Support to Both Sides

Answer: Rover as Middle Runner- Along the same lines, the Kat and Field Safety can play numbers (flat) while the Rover plays deep third. The Bandit and Will now can play the Hash (curl). According to Coach Rojas, this adjustment provides better run support to the field.

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Flip Mesh Mechanics in Boundary RPO Concepts

Flip Mesh Mechanics in Boundary RPO Concepts

Posted by | Jun 19, 2023 | , , , , | 0 |

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Researcher/Co-Founder
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikekKuchar

 

 

At this point in the RPO evolution, most defensive coordinators know how to defend mesh with run action away. But when the run action is presented right in the face of defenders and the quarterback opens to them, they have a hard time adjusting to routes thrown over the top of them. Understanding this helps get the quarterback’s eyes in the right spot. So, when defenses are fitting away from the back- as many defenses do- that’s when the QB has to use opposite-side footwork in the RPO component. X&O Labs studied how four programs teach and drill opposite side (or flip) footwork in the RPO game.

 

Boundary Choice RPO System:

Source: David Weeks, Wide Receivers Coach, Fordham University (NY)

 

QB/RB Mesh: “Tight Mesh Alignment”

When you watch Fordham’s offense on film, one of the things that jumps out is how tight the back is to the quarterback. The back is usually less than a foot away with his toes on the QB’s heels.

 

It was something that Coach Weeks learned at UCF under Coach Heupel. The closer distances help the quarterback get his eyes on his read when the RPO is away from the back. Coach Weeks teaches the quarterback two base fundamentals on his mesh mechanics based on if the RPO is two his throwing arm or away from this throwing arm.

  • If the QB’s throwing arm is away from RPO- he just re-adjusts his feet into the ground, plants on his insteps and delivers the football.
  • If the QB throwing arm is to the RPO, he’s taught a “pop” technique, which means he flip hips to deliver the ball.

 

Regardless of his positioning, one thing is certain, the QB cannot drift with his footwork, it’s something that is worked continuously in mesh drills. He cannot get any depth or drift on RPO’s. So, in order to do so, he takes a quarter turn and get his eyes away from the back on his read. “Basically, we tell him to pick up foot closest to back and put it down,” said Coach Weeks. “It’s a 45-degree turn. Now he can get his eyes over there. We want to get his hips to a 45 and get his feet to a 45. It’s a front hip to back hip ride on the mesh.”

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Teaching Face Read Fundamentals in Mug Presentation Pressures

Teaching Face Read Fundamentals in Mug Presentation Pressures

Posted by | Jun 5, 2023 | , , | 0 |

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Researcher/Co-Founder
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikekKuchar

 

 

For years, DC’s have taught a long stick fundamental in pressure scenarios. But recently they have made the shift away from traditional first-level horizontal movements and have now gone to “face reading” linemen to vertically affect gaps in pressure scenarios. When taught correctly, these face reads can not only alter protections but can also generate free rushers at the line of scrimmage. In this report, X&O Labs highlights six programs (Illinois State, Indiana, Baylor, Austin Peay, Angelo State, University of St. Thomas) and how each of them teaches the face read fundamental in its pressure packages.

 

“Face” Read Fundamental:

Source: Travis Niekamp, Defensive Coordinator, Illinois State University

Here is where the advancement of the scheme comes in. Illinois State doesn’t rely on any long-sticking in its zone pressures. Instead, all players are taught a “face technique” for both first and second level defenders. The footwork is more lateral in nature and is used any time the front is being moved. Rather than having a gap mindset, first level defenders will read the next interior offensive lineman for the following reads:

  • If the offensive lineman blocks down, he’s off his ass.

 

 

  • If the offensive lineman is out, he works across his face.

 

 

According to Coach Niekamp, this has been one of the most efficient tweaks they have made to the scheme and it’s done across the board with both first and second level defenders. “Some coaches prefer long sticking to the pressure side and gap fitting away from the pressure but we are a face technique with all of them now,” he told me.

He prefers not to put a lot of responsibility on his front three defenders. They just get good at reading the demeanor of offensive linemen. The benefit comes not just in the pass game but in the run game as well. “It’s really good vs. gap schemes because you’re facing all guys up front and creating issues with movement and you still have a hard spill and contain player (both rushers),” he said. “Often times we’ll bring two off the edge and send the ball away, getting guys chasing the ball from behind with two linebackers that can scrape and fit.”

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5 Sequences to Protect the Open Side Mid Zone

5 Sequences to Protect the Open Side Mid Zone

Posted by | May 22, 2023 | , , , , | 0 |

By Mike Kuchar with Brian Callahan
Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach
University of Minnesota
Twitter: @Callybrian

 

 

The two-surface mid zone continues to be a staple in Minnesota’s menu for good reason- it had the back in Mo Ibrahim who understood how to run it- and when the Gophers build its 12/13 “Elephant” personnel groupings, defenses across the Big 10 had to over shift their structure to account for it.

 

So, for run game coordinator/offensive line coach Brian Callahan the answer was simple: create a mid-zone concept to exploit the bubble of the defense. Teams like Penn State, Illinois and Iowa all majored in Under front reductions, so the scheme could easily exploit a three for three matchup to the two-surface.

 

It became the bread-and-butter concept for Coach Callahan and the offensive staff in Minnesota. Not only was it efficient, but it was explosive. It was generally mixed with tight zone from the same grouping, which we worked with Coach Callahan on previously (insert link).

Because of this, the concept generated explosive runs that hit to the front side. In fact, five different running backs ran for over 100 yards in a game in ’22 and the majority of them came in these mid-zone concepts.

We’re going to take a look at how programs like the University of Minnesota are able to protect the play side Tackle from penetration in the mid zone and how you can use these same tools to heighten the efficiency of the concept in your system.

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Same Side Mesh Mechanics in Pin/Pull Runs

Same Side Mesh Mechanics in Pin/Pull Runs

Posted by | May 15, 2023 | , , , , | 0 |

By Mike Kuchar with Sanders Davis
Offensive Line Coach
Rice University (TX)
Twitter: @SandersDavis225

 

 

At Rice University, the offensive mindset has shifted from being a pure outside zone team to being more pin and pull based. It’s essentially supplemented wide zone and has been the perfect complement for the tight zone concept, the Owls top run scheme since head coach Mike Bloomgren took the program over in 2018. Because of the success of tight zone, which averaged nearly six yards a carry last season, there became a continual presence of tight 3-techniques at the line of scrimmage working straight through the Guard’s sternum and getting vertically. The Pin and Pull advantage are having angles with those defenders on pin blocks. “Teams start to play a lot more aggressive, a lot more downhill and thicker through offensive lineman,” said offensive line coach Sanders Davis. “People want to dive into the C or D gap, so we take advantage of that by pinning them and separating the defense. It takes advantage of how they want to try to attack our inside zone stuff.”

It’s also been a good complement to Power, another Bloomgren favorite. With a wide 9-technique outside a tight end/wing formation, a simple answer would be to let the tight end block out and fold the F underneath for a safety.

 

Call System:

One of the challenges in varying the back alignment is communicating the back alignment. For Rice, which is a West Coast system, the call system is a two-number system. The first digit tells back where he is aligning- whether it be in Pistol, in “I”, coming across the quarterback or on the same side. The second number is the direction of the concept, while the third number is the play concept. For example, “96 Power,” denotes the back being in Pistol (9) running to the right (6) in the Power concept. So, when the back alignment is altered, so is the numbers in the call.

 

First Puller Rules:

One of the complexities in the Pin/Pull scheme is determining who the first puller is. The first puller is responsible for the kick, the second puller is responsible for the point.

Base install will denote the following:

  • If play side Tackle blocks down- Guard is the first puller
  • If the Tackle is pulling, he’s always first.
  • If there is no 3-technique, the Tackle knows he’s the first puller.
  • If the Center is pulling, he’s always second.

 

So, essentially, it’s the Guard who needs to figure out if he’s the first or second puller. “Pullers need to know if they are the first puller or the second puller and if they are responsible for the point or plus one of the point,” said Coach Sanders. “If you know those two things, you can block this play a ton of different ways.”

 

Play Side 9-Technique Methodology:

Defenses work tirelessly to produce a hard edge at the D gap, which forces the first puller to recognize and block force quickly. Rice has two answers to these issues. The first of which is the hard “G” play, telling the first puller to kick the 9-technique while the second puller works inside the kick to the point linebacker.

 

Another build-in is switching responsibilities of pullers. It’s done with a “Hard 9-technique” call so that the first puller now blocks the point, and the second puller blocks the plus one defender. Of course, this can only be implemented with the confidence that the tight end can handle the D gap defender by himself.

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Opposite Side Mesh Mechanics in Boundary Glance RPO’s

Opposite Side Mesh Mechanics in Boundary Glance RPO’s

Posted by | May 7, 2023 | , , | 0 |

By Mike Kuchar with Ryan Maiuri
Offensive Coordinator
Central College (IA)
Twitter: @coachmaiuri

 

 

In 2021, Central College lived off the boundary Glance route in the RPO game. It helped produce 54 points a game and over 394 passing yards per game leaving one opposing defensive coordinator to say “we didn’t have an answer for it.” In most cases, the quarterback will signal the hitch, out, slant, go or stop route based on the leverage he is seeing. “We’re working off corner leverage,” said Coach Maiuri. “Our base rules is to read the triangle, which is corner, overhang safety to the high safety.  We will be able to see pre-snap how they are aligned  and how they will play coverage but they only get a quick second to look. We will see them play coverage a couple ways- trap coverage, bracket coverage, thirds coverage.”

 

In most cases, the Glance worked best because it best took advantage of the overhang defender and high safety fit in quarters coverage.

 

Run Action:

The complementary run action is a mid-zone concept and when the run action is produced directly to second level defenders it gets them to fit a little harder, opening up windows in the RPO game. Defenses are used to expecting same side mesh in the RPO game.

 

In most cases, the overhang needs to see the quarterback’s back to him to trigger in the run game. “We want linebackers to stay in middle ground and not commit if run is away from him,” said Coach Maiuri. “With the linebackers seeing run away from them, they can hold on the RPO element.”

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Gallop Footwork in Pin and Pull Runs

Gallop Footwork in Pin and Pull Runs

Posted by | May 1, 2023 | , , | 0 |

By Mike Kuchar with Brian Gabriel
Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach
Monmouth University (NJ)
Twitter: @CoachGabeMU

 

 

“Field vs. Boundary Methodology”

Much of Monmouth’s Pin/Pull runs are utilized to the nub side of the formation. Makes sense, considering most of the time the first puller gets matched up on a smaller corner in support. But in talking with Coach Gabriel, he asserts that field configurations are always better than boundary when it comes to using the Pin/Pull scheme. “We prefer it one way and that is to the field,” he told me. “It gets very expensive against Odd looks.” That comes at the expense of boundary linebacker run throughs that can ultimately affect the efficiency of the play. “Pulling the backside Guard is a problem to the boundary, so we will get out of the play and run something else.”

As far as Even fronts go, the preference is an Over look because it allows the Guard to be the first puller. If you get into some sort of 3×1 closed formation, the slot and Guard are both able to block support. “It becomes a combo game with the Guard and slot,” said Coach Gabriel.

 

The first puller has immediate leverage on play side linebacker allowing the ball to get into the alley quickly.

 

This 4-2 box also allows the Center to identify the backside linebacker as the point and because he has leverage is able to work directly to him on a slip block without pulling.

 

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The “Comeback Hitch” and its Potency in Bunch Concepts

The “Comeback Hitch” and its Potency in Bunch Concepts

Posted by | Apr 24, 2023 | , , , , , , , | 0 |

By Mike Kuchar with Pete Sterbick
Offensive Coordinator
Colorado School of Mines
Twitter: @coach_sterbick

 

 

Colorado School of Mines has been a 10 personnel outfit for quite some time. And they’ve spent the last couple of seasons at the top of Division 2 statistically in total offense and passing offense. Offensive coordinator Pete Sterbick has an extensive package of concepts from compressed formations and in order to break tendencies he’ll hit the reset button each week to build around them. “I like the diversity of where we are with bunch leverage wise,” he told me. “It takes teams out of having to play man. They have to move people around and matchup. And it  gives advantages to under speed teams.”

 

Formation Verbiage:

Essentially, CSM will operate out of the following formation structures in its bunch and compressed menu:

 

Bunch:

 

Bunch Empty:

 

2×2 Stack:

 

Any “track” added to the verbiage signifies an unbalanced, 4×0 formation.

 

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Boundary First Reads in the Quick Game

Boundary First Reads in the Quick Game

Posted by | Apr 17, 2023 | , , , | 0 |

By Mike Kuchar with Luke Schleusner
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
University of Idaho
Twitter: @LukeSchleusner

 

 

Idaho builds it pass game off field and boundary concepts. While Coach Schleusner designs his pass game based on field and boundary routes, he’s built a simple boundary progression read for his quarterback. These progressions are combined with quicker reads and shorter throws which helps get the ball out more quickly. During the course of the season, these have become terrific two-minute throws and can be run with both tight ends and wide receivers.

Coach Schleusner calls these concepts his Baltimore series. They consist of the following designs:

  • “Ripken”- Fade/Out concept
  • “Baltimore”- Smash concept
  • “Maryland”- Inverted smash concept
  • “Spoon”- Sail concept

 

Quarterback Progression:

These are all boundary first reads for the quarterback and it’s the first read in his progression. “We’ve gone away from picking a side,” said Coach Schleusner. “He knows where to go with his eyes as soon as we break the huddle.” So, regardless of the coverage, the quarterback starts his eyes to the boundary. And because Idaho will get a myriad amount of coverage variations to the boundary, Coach Schleusner talks less about coverage and more about whether or not the route is open. On these boundary concepts, the quarterback is told to speed up his drop, particularly if he knows he’s throwing the hitch. He calls it “gun plus three,” meaning it’s not a one step drop.

On any token or run action fake – which many of these are built off of – the launch point is not deeper than eight yards. So, the quarterback is taught “pop” footwork which means to not crossover after the fake. He just flips his hips.

 

Fade/Out Concept (Ripken):

At the core of this boundary package is the fade/out concept. Coach Schleusner prefers a 10-yard out from number two with a mandatory outside release by number one.

 

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Building Perimeter Blocking Tags in Power Read and Bash Runs

Building Perimeter Blocking Tags in Power Read and Bash Runs

Posted by | Apr 3, 2023 | , , , | 0 |

By Nathan Brown
Offensive Line Coach
Southern Nazarene University (OK)
Twitter: @CoachNABrown

 

 

Southern Nazarene calls its pin and pull run game “Buck”, which is a double pull concept alerting both Guards to pull regardless of the front. Day one install tells the quarterback that he is responsible to read the backside C gap defender and pull the ball if necessary.

 

It’s been an extremely efficient concept for a program that lacks the size up front to base in tight zone runs and pure gap concepts. “We seem to get more agile linemen in the recruiting process,” Coach Brown said. “So it became better to build our offensive line around a running quarterback.”

The quarterback is the centerpiece of this system and many of their explosive runs come off pulls. But what makes the plays truly explosive is how the staff- under the direction of head coach Dustin Hada- builds in perimeter blocking tags to out leverage the defense.

 

Puller Rules:

Before delving into the tag system it’s important to note that Coach Brown doesn’t teach the Pin/Pull run like others by emphasizing and blocking the point. Instead, he treats it more as a gap scheme, where the second puller reacts off the first pullers block. “He will fit inside or outside based on the first puller’s block,” he said. “We talk about reading the head of the defender. If the first puller logs, we replace. The backside puller reads where the offensive lineman head placement is on the defender.”

 

Power Read:

Southern Nazarene will build these same perimeter blocking tags on its power read concepts as well.

 

Terminology:

While everything is signaled in Southern Nazarene’s system, there are numbers to denote which player is the horizontal element in the bash game.

  • For example, any “50” terminology denotes the running back is the horizontal element.
  • Any “70” terminology denotes the slot is running the jet horizontal element.
  • Any number ending in “04/05” denotes the read concept is off power read.
  • Any number ending in “01/02” denote the read concept is off buck sweep.

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Creating Backside Cut Points in “Extra” Personnel Tight Zone

Creating Backside Cut Points in “Extra” Personnel Tight Zone

Posted by | Mar 27, 2023 | , , , , | 0 |

By Mike Kuchar with Brian Callahan
Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach
University of Minnesota
Twitter: @Callybrian

 

 

The Origin of “The Elephant”

Those that follow college football have witnessed the Gophers line up in six and seven offensive line personnel groupings the last few seasons. What started as a tool in 2018 to combat the ability of Wisconsin’s defensive ends and has since developed into a common grouping for Minnesota. The genesis of it was in 2018 when start offensive tackle Daniel Faalele transitioned into a starter. It allowed for another lineman to be a true Y with an eligible number.

Then in 2019, the Gophers evolved into more 12 personnel and 11 personnel groupings by selecting an offensive lineman over a true tight end with eligible numbers. “We had one guy that can play every position but Center,” said offensive line coach Brian Callahan. “I moved other people around but locked in Daniel. It (The Elephant personnel) became more prevalent. Next, in 2020 Minnesota used an offensive lineman to play tight end which was better for run purposes than putting an additional tight end in. Essentially, it gave them two versions of 12 personnel and two versions of 11 personnel.

Finally, in 2021 the Gophers lined up with six or more offensive lineman in 291 snaps, which equated to 32.7 percent of snaps the most in college football. They got into more of a 13 personnel package with two offensive linemen playing tight ends and one true tight end. That’s created the super elongated shelf that you’ll see the Gophers utilize much of its run game from.

This is the 12 Personnel Version of it:

 

This is the 13 Personnel Version of it:

 

 

Advantages of “Elongating the Shelf”

The premise of extending the backside is to give the back a variety of possible cut points on the tight zone play. And Minnesota had the running back with the vision to be able to do that. “By condensing everything down we elongate the shelf,” said Coach Callahan. “This way you get more movement on the down lineman to cram it inside. We like the stress it puts on defenses. You don’t know how teams will align to it but you know they will cover every gap.”

“When we add people backside to our two man surface it elongates the space and adds gaps,” he said. “Defenses will have a body for every gap but the unblocked player will be further away from where the mesh happens. Hopefully you get enough dent to where either you get the ball up inside on an arm tackle or if you bend it back towards the unblocked player and you’re getting positive yardage.”

When the concept doesn’t hit front side, it produces a myriad of possibilities backside on the over pursue. And when defenses start to counter, that is where the explosives hit. “We get a lot of overplay to the backside because teams know that is where it goes so the ball starts to hit front side,” said Coach Callahan. “If you’re good enough to create a longer shelf it may not be a home run but you’re going to get positive yardage.”

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Front Side RPOs: Slot Fades Slant Switches from Pin/Pull Action

Front Side RPOs: Slot Fades Slant Switches from Pin/Pull Action

Posted by | Mar 27, 2023 | , , , , , , , | 0 |

By Mike Kuchar with Joe Spagnolo
Head Coach
Iona Preparatory School (NY)
Twitter: @Joespags12

 

 

At this point in the RPO evolution, most defensive coordinators know how to defend mesh with run action away. But when the run action is presented right in the face of defenders and the quarterback opens to them, they have a hard time adjusting to routes thrown over the top of them. “That’s how you can get 16 year-old kids to stop following their keys and freelancing,” said Coach Spagnolo. And that’s when you get the big gashes in run and pass game. Especially when you’re running it with Tempo.”

 

Manipulations:

In Coach Spagnolo’s system, every scheme has first, level and third level attachments to it. These can get manipulated from week to week.

First level Reads: If linebackers are not flowing with pin and pull run action, the backside defensive end can be read. With two false pulls, the quarterback works out the backdoor. If they don’t flow, the Tackle can work to the play side LB on his block.

Second Level Reads: These are tagged with in-cuts from slot receivers.

Third Level Reads: These are pre-snap and dual reads. The inside linebacker is an alert. If he blitzes we can’t block him. If he doesn’t blitz we can read third level.

 

Protection:

While some coaches shy away from utilizing Pin and Pull RPO’s because of the nature of man scheme protection, Coach Spagnolo relies on them heavily to stress the defense. In his system, the backside of the scheme is working man protection when tags are implemented in the play call. Essentially it becomes a “lock” vs. “not lock” scheme.

 

Vs. Odd Fronts:

Both Guards will automatically pull against Odd fronts, matching the Center on the Nose. The Tackle locks on the 4i technique defender.

 

The quarterback is responsible for the Sam linebacker, who can’t be blocked against second or third level RPO’s. “Can’t block the third guy past the Center,” he said. According to Coach Spagnolo, it’s a great concept against a two-gap Nose, who doesn’t slant for risk of knocked off either of the Guard’s pull.

 

Vs. Even Fronts:

Against Even looks, both Guards are still able to pull to get second level movement. Against a 3-technique play side, the Tackle can block down while the Guard works to log the 5-technique. The Center blocks back on the 2i, allowing the Guard to pull. “We just talk about if we are play side blocking down if we have a defender in our gap,” said Coach Spagnolo. “It’s a good protection against a Shade play side so that your Center can pull.”

 

Vs. Bear Fronts:

Any Bear fronts will eliminate potential pullers because of the individual blocks at the line of scrimmage. While Coach Spagnolo mentions the scheme isn’t recommended against Bear, the run action can still move second level defenders.

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Knifer and Looper Rules to Attack Protections in Bear Fronts

Knifer and Looper Rules to Attack Protections in Bear Fronts

Posted by | Mar 20, 2023 | , , , , | 0 |

By Jeff Long
Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Moravian University (PA)
Twitter: @CoachLongMUFB

 

 

The bear front has become a staple for our defense over the last 6 years. It started out as our preferred defense for goal line and short yardage situations, but has morphed into a front / pressure that we have incorporated into gameplans on a weekly basis on 3rd down and base down and distances as well.  Today we are going to look at the bear front and show you three ways we manipulate it to attack opponent pass protections.

 

Bear front pressure is a tool that allows you to create one on one matchups with your defensive front and the opposing offensive line. In pass protection, it limits the variations of protections that an offense can use.  The 2 most common answers to dealing with a bear front pressure are:

  1. Man Protection (Big on Big) – this protection will have the 5 offensive linemen identify and lock on to one of the 5 rushers in their assigned gaps. If the tailback is involved in the protection, then he will sort the 2nd level threats (rushers not on the LOS) before check releasing once no threat is identified.

 

 

  1. Slide protection – this protection will be the changeup for an offense if they believe there is a high likelihood of twists from your bear front. Some teams will incorporate a full slide and have the tailback set the edge away from the slide. Some teams will split slide (4-man slide) then the TB will insert B gap away from the slide and keep the backside tackle locked on the edge.

 

 

Identifying how the opposing offense will deal with a bear front is imperative to building your pressure plan to attack the protection.  Below, we will show you 3 ways you can attack both of these protections schemes out of the base bear front pressure.

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