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AMERICAN FOOTBALL MONTHLY THE #1 RESOURCE FOR FOOTBALL COACHES
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The Shotgun Spread Wing-T Package : The Next GenerationQB Plays to Counter Defensesby: Lew Johnston Head Coach, Western Branch High Schoo © More from this issue 
We have experienced a great deal of success over the past four seasons running our version of the Spread Shot-Wing-T offense. This package developed from our desire to keep our base Wing-T system yet spread the field against defenses that were “loading the box” on us. The quarterback that we used was a classic pocket passer and could sit in there and deliver the ball to a receiver anywhere on the field. When that player graduated, we found that a more athletic quarterback could not perform the same pinpoint passing skills that the former QB had. We had to find a way of establishing this new QB into the system. What we found was a package of plays that allows this athletic QB to attack defenses primarily with the run and also play action passes. Our philosophy is to utilize base Wing-T blocking rules and plays so that we don’t have to spend an inordinate amount of practice time on implementation. We simply rehearse the plays just as if they are part of our base Wing-T offense. Thus, the Next Generation of Spread Shot-Wing-T was born. Two things have happened that have made this new package effective. One, we have incorporated a lot more motion into this package – a staple in Wing-T play books. Two, the QB as a prime runner has made misdirection even more a part of the package. Motion and misdirection are two of the key fundamentals to the mystique of the Wing-T offense. We have kept the “order of football” that Tubby Raymond first emphasized in his book about the Delaware Wing-T. We have a base play, a counter or misdirection play and a play-action pass off of the base running play. Much like the FB Belly, HB Counter and Keep Pass form the basis for the Delaware Wing-T 80 series, our 80 series utilizes our QB as the primary running back from Spread Shot-Wing-T. The four primary running plays that our QB runs out of Spread Shot-Wing-T are: QB Counter/Trap; QB Lead/Iso; QB Draw and QB Sweep. It is important to note that our bootleg passes can easily be declared as “keeps” and the QB and linemen know that the QB is definitely running the ball instead of having the possibility of a pass. It becomes a much more aggressive play attacking defenses quicker than the regular bootleg pass that could turn into a run.
Our base formation in Spread Shot-Wing-T remains Spread 100/900 (See Diagram 1). However, the HB can move to the slot to his side and you have the “Red/Blue” (400/600) Delaware formation (See Diagram 2).
PLAY #1: QB COUNTER TRAP The use of the FB Belly play in the Spread Shot Wing sets up the possibility that the QB will fake the Belly and keep the ball. We send the playside T to the near LB (same rule as any trap) and block the playside guard gap on. He can make a “gut” call to the T if the DT is in a 3 tech. Thus, the OT will block “down” on the DT and the OG will pull around the T and block the LB. In effect, it is a “switch” in assignments. The C blocks “On Away.” The backside G pulls and traps the first man past the OT’s block. The backside OT steps to protect his gap then releases up to cut off the near LB. The Flex End has a key block. He must drive upfield and take the OLB with him and them stalk him by keeping the defender occupied to the outside.
The backfield action is critical to the success of the play. The QB and FB must make a great ride fake of the Belly. The HB can either block the backside edge to protect against an outside blitz (See Diagram 3) or go in motion (See Diagram 4). The FB fakes Belly and looks to pick up the inside blitz. The QB rides the FB and gets the pulling guard in his line of sight. He comes off of the pulling guard’s hip and runs downhill inside of the trap block on the Defensive End.
The Bootleg Pass off of this play action is effective if the DE closes hard to “blow up” the trap. The guard merely logs the DE and the QB keeps and gets out on the flank (See Diagram 5).
The play can easily be run from a “Red” formation by putting the HB in the slot to the SE side as previously diagrammed. PLAY #2: QB LEAD/ISO We have found a use for Jet Sweep motion in our Spread Shot Wing-T package also. More and more college spread offenses are using some form of Jet Sweep to get a speedy receiver on the flank quickly. Again, the threat of the Jet Sweep forces defenses to adjust. We get in “Red/Blue” and motion the slot HB across the formation going full speed. The QB and HB hook up on a Jet Sweep fake to pull the linebackers out of position. As the HB crosses the QB’s far hip, the QB pulls the ball and runs downhill behind the isolation block of the FB. The line blocks regular 83/87 (FB Belly) rules. We call it “Follow” to distinguish the QB is carrying the ball and folloWing-The FB into the hole. (See Diagram 6).
Motioning the HB out of the backfield is an alternative to the Jet Sweep fake. He motions across the formation to create trips with the Flex End and Flanker and force a defensive adjustment (See Diagram 7).
The action of the HB sets up a nice “hitch screen” to the flanker. The HB motions wide after the jet sweep fake and blocks the Corner. The DE blocks the man on and the flanker runs a “jailbreak” screen path. The offensive line gap protects towards the throw giving the T and G the opportunity to release outside their man and get upfield to block (See Diagram 8).
PLAY #3: QB DRAW With the threat of the pass being such an integral part of this package, a draw to your best running back is essential. Once again, it can be run with a 3 back set in the backfield where both RB’s show pass and then release to block the LB to their side or the HB can motion out of the set and create some confusion on the defense’s part. The QB takes the snap, drops back for one big step, sets, then drives into the line looking for the crease to either side. With both RB’s blocking the LB to their side, everyone in the box has a body on him. The QB can hit the hole on either side of the center. This is an excellent complement to the “Quick-fire” passes that were introduced in the first package (See Diagram 9).
PLAY #4 - QB SWEEP The QB Sweep was discussed in my first set of articles on the Spread Shotgun Wing-T package. It allows you to get your athletic QB out on the flank where he can run or pass. We call it an “Option” to alert linemen not to go downfield. We force the defense to decide if they are going to play QB run or to defend the pass patterns that our Flex End and Flanker are running. The QB simply reads if the Flex End is covered or not and delivers the ball to him or keeps it. The line blocks gap on. The FB is the “personal protector” and will pick up the playside blitz or will escort the QB outside. He blocks the first “most dangerous man” to show (See Diagram 10).
CONCLUSION These four running plays for the QB give him an opportunity to take a direct shot at the line (QB Belly ‘Follow’), use misdirection set up by other running plays first and attack the flank with a run/pass option. The QB Draw is an effective third and long play where the ball never has to leave his hands. Couple these new plays with the old bootleg passes and you have the next generation of the Spread Shot Wing-T offense. |
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