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AFM Magazine


Tech Personnel Run/Pass Combo

by: Brent Brock
Tight Ends Coach, Middle Tennessee State University
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On behalf of Middle Tennessee State Football and Head Coach Rick Stockstill, we would like to present to you our Tech Formation: two tights/one back/two wide outs (12 personnel). We value our 12 personnel formation as we can not only dictate defensive alignment but also become a hybrid team with movement from both tight ends to allow mismatches in the run and pass game (See Diagram 1).

Diagram 1

We basically try to plan for two things on a game-to-game basis: run inside zone or throw Curl/Flat. Obviously what the defense presents itself is usually a week-to-week plan to stop our tendencies. We want to run the inside zone first anticipating seven in the box that includes two high safeties (See Diagrams 2 and 3).

Diagram 2

Diagram 3

If we get eight in the box and one high then we would like to check to a 5-step drop, Curl/Flat, depending on the down and distance. If we are third and short in which game management dictates run at all costs, we can add a lock call to the play selection and stay with the run (See Diagrams 4 and 5).

Diagram 4

Diagram 5

As you know, the next thing we encounter is the pre-snap disguise with spin down safeties. If we feel we can dictate that strategy we will make a gut call and throw Curl/Flat. If defenses do a great job of hiding the tendency and/or spin down after the cadence begins, we can go to our ‘Freeze’ call/cadence to let the defenses show their hand. Then it becomes dealer's choice (a sideline call); that is, run away from the eighth player or throw Curl/Flat. Another sideline call we have in short/medium distances is our Naked Pass (See Diagrams 6 and 7).

Diagram 6

Diagram 7

A good reason we like the combo package of Zone and Curl/Flat is it allows great teaching progression because of consistent rules. The base game and 7 man protection scheme is based on an ‘on-count’ system. A look at the count for Zone and Pass pro is shown below (See Diagrams 8 and 9).

Diagram 8

Diagram 9

We also combo the play selection with Zone opposite calls and a pass check. The quarterback will huddle call with a base right opposite check. We will run the play, or the opposite call, the direction vs. the 2 high to the 3 technique even front or the 5 technique in the odd front. Also we have incorporated combo assignments to take care of today's defensive movement, stunts and blitzes. Rules from inside/out are as follows (See Diagrams 10 and 11).

Diagram 10

Diagram 11

Even front rules: from inside out the center and playside guard have a combo call to double team the 3 technique to the Mike linebacker; playside tackle and tight end have a combo call to double team the Sam backer and defensive end. Backside guard and tackle have a combo call to double team #1 away to the Will backer. Backside tight end cuts off the defensive end. As a coaching point, if the backside tight end sees the safety spin down, he will cut off to sift. In other words, the backside tight end works the defensive end to spin down safety, taking care of the most dangerous defender.

Rules for odd alignment: center reaches the nose guard with a combo call with the backside guard to backside backer. The playside guard and tackle have a combo call to the frontside backer. The playside tight end has a drive block on the defensive end. The backside tackle cuts off the defensive tackle and tight end away hooks the defensive end. Again, be prepared for the spin down safety. Then the backside tackle and tight end will work a backside combo call to take care of the defensive end to the spin-down safety, whichever is most dangerous.

The QB will open deep, hand the ball at tailback depth and bootleg after the mesh point is completed. The tailback aligned at seven yards of depth will open, crossover, plant and read the first covered O-lineman to the playside. His choices are Bang it, Bend it or Bounce it. If the defensive lineman widens the gap the TB will bang the hold. If the D-lineman plugs and penetrates the gap he will jump cut, eyeball the backside gap and bend it backside. The tailback will bounce if the defensive lineman slants inside or leverages inside (See Diagrams 12, 13 and 14).

Diagram 12

Diagram 13

Diagram 14

The WRs close their splits and block the most dangerous coverage. If two high, block man on; if in man cover, run off; if he spins down, spin down, dig out safety (See Diagrams 15, 16 and 17).

Diagram 15

Diagram 16

Diagram 17

If we get a dose of one high coverage we will check Curl/Flat. This is our 7 man protection Curl/Flat series; we set our primary tight end (Y) and (Z) receiver to the field. Rules from outside in: Z runs a 16 yard curl route working back to the QB; the tight end (Y) runs a six yard flat; the backside receiver (X) runs a middle route underneath the free safety while the backside tight end (A) is in protection. The QB drop is five steps and he then reads the flat defender. TB protects and is assigned strong outside linebacker to secondary blitz. Again, up front we are ‘on count’ and allow for combo area blocking for twists, blitzes and movements. Diagram 18 shows the play vs. a typical 4-3 front with 1 high coverage.

Diagram 18

A look at some of the possible combo protection rules for movements, etc. is shown in these two diagrams (See Diagrams 19 and 20).

Diagram 19

Diagram 20

This is basically our normal plan from week to week. But as a change up, we will also use the ‘Freeze’ cadence with the sideline call to get into our naked game to the field. We will fake inside zone to the boundary and naked boot to the field. Rules are as follows:

Sell the inside zone to the boundary, pads low, being very aggressive. The playside tight end (Y) to the field will sell cutoff for a three count then flat release three to five yards. The backside TE will zone step into the boundary and go under the first linebacker and over the second linebacker while running an over route 14/16 yards. Once he gets the proper depth he should flatten and work down hill to shield the defender's leverage of defense. Also, if a defender jumps him as he clears LB depth he needs to step vertical and then break off the over route to increase separation from the defender. The playside WR (Z) will run a takeoff while the backside receiver (X) will run a backside post. The tailback will sell zone away and force a tackle. If not tackled, he will pick up a free defender away. The quarterback will seat the ball, boot with depth and work downhill. Progression read is flat, then over route to take off route (See Diagram 21).

Diagram 21

These are just a few things we believe simplify the game for our players. As defenses play differently with stacks, stemming and perimeter stunts, we also prepare for these situations.

It's been a pleasure and thanks for allowing us to share what we consider an easy plan to implement for any offensive style: the MTSU Tech Personnel Combo Package.






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