Building Tracer Inserts into Duo Runs

By Mike Kuchar with Brian Scott
Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Tennessee Tech University

Like most coaches, Coach Scott teaches the backside as the play side in Dou runs because chances are that is where the ball is going to end up. It’s a gap scheme mentality at New Hampshire where the play is built off massive double teams on the backside. And bringing these tracer elements across to insert on the backside (albeit play side) helped protect the play from defenders who would either “plus” their leverage or bring defenders across the formation. “Teams have started bringing the corner or safety across with him but that is a long way to go to make the play,” he said. “And often times our back is better than that corner or safety.”

RB Mesh and Reads:

As in most Duo schemes, the ball carrier will still read the backside linebacker at the point of attack, but at New Hampshire his aiming point is the inside leg of the play side Guard. While Coach Scott will use both offset and Pistol alignments, the play is most efficient from under center mesh points because it sets up the play-action elements that are shown below.

Offensive Line Push Rules:

One of the premier coaching points that Coach Scott teaches is how to identify the point linebacker to the backside of the concept. New Hampshire builds in certain calls based on whether or not defenses are back gapping the play. The benefit of bringing a tracer as in insert blockers is it allows the offensive line to make push calls to account for defenders on the backside. But when second-level defenders start to see that post-snap motion, they may trigger and back gap the play. This is why Coach Scott teaches his offensive line firm rules based on the location of the backside linebacker. “If there is a linebacker is in the A gap we use a plus call because he has more of a threat of back gapping,” said Coach Scott. “If he is in the B gap, we don’t plus it out.”  This is tagged into the play call so that players know where they are bringing that defender from.

Backside Hinge Technique:

One of the more interesting coaching points that Coach Scott teaches is a hinge technique by the Tackle on the backside of the concept. Similar to a technique he would use on the backside of true gap schemes, it allows him to cut off the B gap from any penetration. It helps him be more physical than having him use a pass set as other programs do.