AFM RSS Feed Follow Us on Twitter       
AMERICAN FOOTBALL MONTHLY THE #1 RESOURCE FOR FOOTBALL COACHES
ABOUT |  CONTACT |  ADVERTISE |  HELP  



   User Name    Password 
      Password Help





Article Categories


AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


Protecting the Quarterback – Pass protection schemes for the sprint-out passing game.

by: Dale Anderson
Head Coach, Southwest High School (KY)
© More from this issue

Click for Printer Friendly Version          

In the first article on the sprint-out passing game in AFM (Issue No.8, 2010), we explained the basis of this passing game with some basic routes. In the sprint-out game, the quarterback will sprint to the call side and attack the perimeter of the defense. This is not a roll out. The quarterback must sprint and attack the outside and put pressure on the defensive perimeter. The quarterback will either throw or run the ball, but he will continue to attack the defense downhill on the perimeter to the call side. This is a quick passing game that puts pressure on the perimeter of the defense. The pass protection for the sprint-out game is set up to get the quarterback on the perimeter with a lane to run or pass quickly. In this article, we will explain two blocking schemes we have used to block for the sprint-out game.
  

  The sprint-out passing game can be blocked in various ways. In over 30 seasons of running some type of sprint-out game, we have blocked it many different ways. Some were more successful than others. We are going to talk about the two main ways we have been most successful blocking for this package. Both of these protection schemes uses area protection and not man blocking. One way we have blocked the sprint-out game is with the straight REACH block, where the line will block the gap area to the call side. This has been the most successful for us over the years. The second scheme we have used is the BACK block, where the line will block the gap away from the call side. Both of these schemes have been used with success. It all depends on the size and ability of your line and your running backs. You must use a scheme that will be successful for your personnel. 
   

The first scheme we use to block for the sprint-out game is the straight up reach block by the offensive line (See Diagram 1).


This technique can be very effective but it must be taught and practiced every day. To teach the straight reach block, the coach must make sure his linemen know that they are blocking an area and not a man. The rules are simple for the offensive line – on the snap of the ball, the entire line will reach step to the call side. Each lineman is responsible for the gap to the call side between him and the next lineman to his call side.
 

   The first step needs to be quick and about 6 inches to the call side and slightly upfield. The first step needs to be an aggressive attacking step to gain position and leverage on the defenders. The first step is followed by a quick shuffle step to the play side. During the first step and shuffle, the linemen will punch with their play side hand and turn their hips to close this gap. There is a simple rule for the linemen – once they step and shuffle, if they come in contact with a defender, they will stay on that defender and work their hips around to put themselves between the defender and the quarterback. The offensive line must learn to step as a unit and work together to help get the quarterback on the perimeter quickly. The line will step and shuffle together. If a lineman does not contact a defender on his first step and shuffle, he will check for an inside linebacker blitz. If there is no linebacker blitz, the lineman will then turn back away from the call and look to help the next lineman, if needed. If there is no blitz and no help needed, the lineman will peel back and try to pick up any rusher coming from the backside. When teaching this reach technique, the line can learn in a step-by-step progression (like a dance step). We number the steps and the coach can call out the numbers having the linemen step in unison to the numbers. For example, 1=short reach step; 2=quick shuffle step; 3=check for linebacker; 4= check away to help; 5=peel backside. They can practice on air and then you can practice against a defense with slants and inside blitzes. 
    When teaching the reach sprint-out block, the call side tackle is a key block. The tackle must not over-step on his reach and shuffle. The call side tackle is sometimes inclined to chase the contain defender and leave a gap between himself and the call side guard. The call side tackle must learn to only block a defender that he can reach and seal inside on his first step - he cannot chase outside. 
  

  Another important part of the sprint-out pass block is the blocking of the running back. The real key to success is the ability of your backs to seal the defense so the quarterback can have an alley to throw or run through. The first running back will attack off of the outside hip of the offensive tackle on the call side. The first running back will always be the one closest to the call side tackle. The back will attack downhill right at the outside hip of the call side tackle. The running back must realize that the offensive tackle will step and shuffle to the call side and adjust his downhill angle. His job is to pick up the first contain man outside the call side tackle. The tendency is for the back to try to loop outside and try to get outside leverage. We do not want the back to loop out, because a good defender will widen out when he reads the outside loop by the running back. We want the running back to attack the defender downhill immediately. If the running back attacks straight at the defender, the defender will read a power-type block and stay tight to take on the back’s block. The blocking technique for the running back is to block the outside hip of the defender with his inside shoulder. The running back will be taught to throw an aggressive block sealing the outside hip of the contain defender. 
  

  We would like the running back to knock the defender down. We call this a sprint block. If there is a second back in the backfield, he will use the same technique but his point of attack will be off the outside hip of the first running backs block. He will help the first back if needed and look for an outside linebacker blitz. The key for the backs is to use an attacking block on the defenders. If there is an outside blitz from a walk off flat defender, the back will attack his inside hip and will kick the defender to the outside so that the quarterback may be able to turn up inside of his block and still be able to throw or run (See Diagram 2).



The running backs must be drilled on this blocking technique and get repetitions on various inside and outside blitzes. The reach blocking scheme has been very successful for us through the years.  
  

  The second blocking scheme is the back block technique for the sprint-out pass (See Diagram 3).


On this technique, the linemen will block back away from the called sprint-out, sealing the gap to their inside. The rules are simple on the back block - the linemen will turn back away from the call side and block the first man to their away gap. This blocking technique is again an area block. The line will block the first thing that shows in the gap away from the call. If there is no down linemen in their blocking area, they will search for an inside blitz by any linebacker. The running backs will use the same blocking technique that they used on the reach blocking scheme. They will use their sprint-out technique. They will still attack the outside hip of the call side tackle. The first running back must realize that the tackle is blocking back and that the back will be responsible for the first man head-up to the outside of the call side tackle. He will use the same attacking sprint block and take the outside hip of the contain defender. The second back will again attack off the outside hip of the first back. 
   

The back block technique puts more pressure on the running backs to seal the contain defenders. Again, if the defense gets upfield quickly to try to contain the sprinting quarterback, the running back must adjust and attack the inside hip of the defender and kick him to the outside. The running backs must be very physical blockers on the sprint- out blocks to give the QB a clear path to attack the perimeter of the defense. 
   

The sprint-out game is a quick passing game. The quarterback must be ready to throw on his fourth step or be ready to run the ball. The key for a successful sprint out passing attack is for the running backs and line to give the quarterback a window to throw or run through. Two things are important for the quarterback to remember – make his read and throw the ball on time or take off running and to attack the perimeter on the run and not to pull up or slow down.  
 

   There are many complementary plays we use with the sprint-out game to attack an over-aggressive defense. There are three very important complementary plays that we run on a consistent basis to counteract an over aggressive defense. One is the sprint draw off of the sprint-out pass. The second is a sprint-out shuffle pass back underneath the sprint-out action. The third is a sprint-out throwback screen away from the sprint-out. The sprint draw is an excellent counter against a defense that wants to attack outside and upfield quickly to contain the sprint out. The shuffle pass is excellent against a defense that likes to loop their inside linebackers to the outside on the sprint side. The throwback screen is a great play if the defense has a fast backside defensive end or linebacker they want to send to catch the quarterback from the backside. In the next article we will describe these three plays and how to use them against various defensive pressure schemes. We will also talk about the sprint out passing game from the shotgun or pistol formation.






NEW BOOK!

AFM Videos Streaming Memberships Now Available Digital Download - 304 Pages of Football Forms for the Winning Coach



















HOME
MAGAZINE
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE COLUMNISTS COACHING VIDEOS


Copyright 2024, AmericanFootballMonthly.com
All Rights Reserved