Unbalanced Formation

Running the Inside Veer
by: Thomas Green
Head Coach, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Greenbelt, MD
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Surrattsville High School has been running the Spread Veer Offense for seven years. Surrattsville has the smallest enrollment in our county, meaning there are a lot fewer males to choose from to participate in the football program. The difficulty of having the smallest school is that we are scheduled to play schools that are not just one classification above us but sometimes two classes above us.

We look to find ways to improve our chances for success. We have always run the Spread Veer attack, but based on personnel we’ve tweaked our system every year. Our newest adjustment is to run our base system out of multiple formations including the balanced formation. This prevents teams from using a lot of blitzes. Opponents first have to line up in the correct position, then assign a defender to the quarterback, dive, and pitch. This approach has helped the offense score 37 points per game and make the playoffs for the first time in school history.

The Unbalanced Formation

In our unbalanced formation we line up both slot backs and both wide receivers on the same side of the field. The inside slot is one-by-one from the offensive tackle; the second slot and both wide receivers are seven yards apart.

The Inside Veer is a very hard play to stop no matter what defense you choose to use. The average defensive practice week consists of two defensive practice days to prepare for the Inside Veer which is almost impossible to do. When adding the unbalanced set it makes the Inside Veer even more difficult to contain.

Designed to leave two defenders unblocked helps your situation when playing better athletes. The quarterback reads the first man outside the fullback’s dive path. That defender is considered the handoff key; if the handoff key crashes down on the fullback, the quarterback should pull the ball and continue up field to the pitch phase of the option. If the handoff key does not crash down on the fullback or put himself in position to tackle the fullback, the quarterback should give the ball to the fullback or the quarterback should give the ball to the fullback and carry out his option fake. Then the ball is pulled and the quarterback executes the pitch phase of the option. The pitch key is the second defender outside of the fullback’s path; if the pitch key attacks the quarterback he pitches the football to the slot back; if the pitch key steps out to defend the slot back the quarterback sprints to the goal line. Every time the Inside Veer should look the same regardless of the ball carrier.

Quarterback Check at the Line

The quarterback looks over the weak side of the defense and determines how many defenders are outside the offensive tackle. If there are two or less defenders, he runs the Inside Veer to the weak side. If there is more than two defenders weak, he checks and runs the Inside Veer back to the strong side. Not blocking the handoff and pitch keys gives you an advantage either way you run the play.

Quarterback Rules

After determining which way the play is to go the quarterback executes the triple option by hopping out from under center with both feet getting width and depth from the center. The quarterback must extend his arm deep to the fullback and execute the triple read.

Line Rules

After the QB Determines the Direction of the Play:

Play side tackle - blocks the linebacker head up to the inside.

Play side guard - base blocks.

Center - blocks play side.

Back side guard - scoop block.

Back side tackle - scoop block.

Rules for Backs and Wide Receivers:

Fullback - run veer pitch to called side (butt of the guard).

Inside slot back - pitch back responsibility.

Outside slot back - blocks number three defender from the OT.

Inside WR - double teams the nearest threat

Outside WR - blocks the cornerback.

Included are plays running the unbalanced veer (right) against various defenses including the 4-4, 3-3, and 4-3. Blocking assignments and responsibilities are also included (See Diagrams 1-6 – The diagrams for Eleanor Roosevelt HS are depicted in blue).

Diagram 1: Vs. 4-4, Cover 3

Diagram 2: Vs. 4-4, Cover 0

Diagram 3: Vs. 3-3, Cover 3

Diagram 4: Vs. 3-3, Cover 0

Diagram 5: Vs. 4-3, Cover 2

Diagram 6: Vs. 4-3, Cover 0

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WHAT IF?

Q1. What if you see two linebackers blitz even though you’re in an unbalanced formation? Do any blocking rules/responsibilities change?

If the two inside backers show blitz check to outside veer, the play side line would block down. The fullback dive would be off tackle not off the guard to avoid the blitz. If they don't show the blitz the rules would not change. I expect the linemen assigned to the backers to get on them before they cross the line of scrimmage.

Q2. What if your opponent is consistently running stunts against the inside veer? Do any rules change?

They change only for blitzes and not for stunts. We practice vs. various stunts during the week.

Q3. What if you're playing against two outstanding defensive ends? Would you change any blocking assignments?

No, we would just attack them in different ways. Rules for the veer stay the same. We would trap the defense, load block them, and then double-team them.

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About the Author

Tom Green recently became Head Coach at Eleanor Roosevelt HS in Greenbelt, MD. Coach Green helped Surrattsville to a playoff berth last fall for the first time in the school’s history. In the process, using the Spread Veer offense, Surrattsville gained nearly 3,700 years in rushing and averaged 37 points per game. He has a series of coaching instructional DVDs on the Spread Veer offense available at AFMvideos.com

Questions?
If you have any questions you can email the author at: TomGreen@AmericanFootballMonthly.com

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