New Weapon – More and more offenses are adding a read-option scheme to incorporate the QB into the running game.

In this new age of football, teams are using athletic quarterbacks to add an additional dimension to their offense. I believe the pro-style attack offenses will mirror this trend, whether it’s a specific package or a main part of their offense. We began this transformation this past year.

Last fall, we had a very athletic quarterback that we wanted to utilize in our run game. After implementing this, we ended the season ranked 12th nationally within FCS in rushing and our QB ran for 918 yards. By adding the QB to our running attack, we were able to find the edge that allowed our offense to be successful.

With the success of QBs like Robert Griffin III and Colin Kaepernick, many programs feel the need to implement a read-option scheme and incorporate the QB into the run game. However, I believe that there are other approaches to incorporating a successful QB run scheme into the offense. This past season we integrated our QB into our power run schemes out of the pistol set to help us attack opposing defenses. It is important to create game plans based on strengths. My suggestion is to identify whichever run scheme your program is best at and install the QB run game with what we call “eye candy” added in. Here are five:

I. This is  our counter play called “76 Counter’ (Diagram 1). However, we have tagged it “76 QB” and added a jet motion. It looks completely different than a pro-style tailback counter but it is one of our base plays (Diagram 2).

Diagram 1.

Diagram 2.

We try to keep our run schemes as simple as possible for blocking. For example, this play, “76 QB”, is blocked the same way as our tailback-run “76 Counter” and the main blockers do not change from their base rules. The only variations in the play are the motions and ball carriers. It is imperative that runs and motions match your offensive philosophy and are not just added into your scheme without any base rules. Every motion and run we have in our scheme has a corresponding play-action pass.

II. One play that utilizes our athletic QB is an outside zone/power read. Within this scheme, we are simultaneously running QB power and outside zone while reading the frontside defensive end. This play is simple for our offensive linemen because they block the weakside power (a base play in our offense) while the QB reads the frontside DE off the jet motion. If the DE pinches, in the slightest bit, the QB gives the jet motion/outside zone to the tailback. If the DE widens with the motion, the QB keeps the ball and runs the QB power. With an easy read for the QB and base blocking schemes, we are able to run two plays simultaneously that have proven to be tremendously effective.

III. Jet motions like the ones above also allow for offensives to use QB runs into zone run schemes without running just zone-read concepts. In this play, we use our jet motion to set up our “24 QB Zone.” Up front we are able to keep it simple for the blockers by running our base “24 Zone’ (Diagram 3). The jet motion adds a distraction with the possibility of a hand off to the motion back. Motions and play actions allow offensive coordinators the opportunity for creativity and deception.

Diagram 3.

IV. Another way to add deception to offensive play calls is by adding unbalanced formations. By using our base strongside power scheme, we are able to incorporate our athletic QB into our scheme. By using motion to invite an overflow from the defense, we are able to run our power scheme and create headaches for opposing defenses. Our offensive line was able to block using our standard power blocking scheme and the QB is able to do the rest. This play allowed our QB to run for over 150 yards against a tough defense (Diagram 4).

Diagram 4.

V. A great way to implement your athletic QB into your power run scheme is in short yardage and goal line plays. On this play, which we tag as “Load Power”, we are able to use our heavy personnel and run our power scheme with an extra blocker. With a strong power running QB we were able to impose our force on other teams in short yardage situations. This play is great for teams that overload strong sides to cover eligible receivers because with the QB running the scheme, you are able to add an extra blocker. Against aggressive defenses, this play also sets up great opportunities for play-action and jump passes (Diagram 5).

Diagram 5.

 
There are endless ways to incorporate an athletic QB into both zone and gap scheme concepts. A lot of what you will install will depend on the ability of the players running the schemes. We have both zone and gap schemes in our offense and have been able to incorporate our QBs into those schemes.
 
In college football, especially if you aren’t getting the 4 or 5 star recruits, it is important to add a special dimension to offensive schemes. Whether opposing teams have a great defense or a high-tempo offense, adding the QB into your run schemes can give offensive coordinators the edge needed to win close games. Good defenses and ball control offenses with big strike ability are the characteristics of championship caliber teams. By adding the QB run game into a pro-style attack, we have developed the ball control offense and big play ability that we feel will lead us closer to a conference title.
 

About the Author: Eric Long joined the staff of St. Francis University (PA) as offensive coordinator in August, 2010. He previously served at Mercyhurst College for six seasons. Long began his coaching career at his alma mater, St. John Fisher College. He also served as a graduate assistant at Fort Valley State.

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More articles on this subject:

Quarterback Play – Focusing on Strengths – January, 2011
The Sprint-Out Passing Game for a Smaller,
More Athletic Quarterback – August, 2010
Giving Your Quarterback the Advantage – May, 2007