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AFM Magazine


The Power Read Run – Add this innovative run to your spread to rack up the yards.

by: Matt Ballard
Offensive Line Coach, Amherst College
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When we made the switch to a spread style offense prior to the 2008 season, our main objective was to maximize our talent at the skill positions while not having to rely on our offensive line to out-physical the biggest and strongest defensive fronts in our league. A variety of bubble screens and zone-read run game concepts helped us to achieve this objective. We also quickly evolved into the up-tempo, “play fast” style of offense that Oregon has popularized and we also use the pistol and off-set alignments for our tailback.

This season, we took our traditional one-back power play and added a read concept to the front side. We felt the play would be more difficult to defend by not allowing the defense to simply follow the tailback flow and the backside lineman into the hole if the QB could now pull the ball and hit the perimeter to the same side.

Our power run scheme involves a combo block at the point of attack with the tailback following a pulling backside lineman through the hole. Our TE drive blocks the man on him when he is to the playside (Diagram 1). The key to the success of the play is movement at the point of attack by the combo block. We teach the combo block to push the defensive lineman vertically to the linebacker level.

Diagram 1.


Against an even front, we will combo the man on the playside guard (PSG) (Diagram 2). The PSG will take a short, up and down step with his inside foot, drive his outside foot through the crotch of the defender getting into a “high leg” demeanor. The high leg demeanor allows us to push the defender vertically while keeping our hips angled slightly into the assigned gap responsibility. If the DT drives into the A gap, or the backside LB tries to run through the A gap, the PSG’s hips are in a powerful position to block either defender. If the DT plays his alignment, then the combo will drive him back vertically. The PSG will make contact on the DT with an outside hand strike through the sternum or use a shoulder lift with the outside arm. We teach both techniques so each lineman can determine for himself which method gives him the most collision power, but also the necessary body control and balance through the block.

Diagram 2.

The playside tackle (PST) in this combo will take a short, lateral step with his inside foot, start downhill with his second step, then drive the third step with his inside foot through the crotch of the DT to also get into a high leg demeanor so his hips are angled to the B gap. The PST will use an inside hand strike through the sternum. If the DT plays as aligned, both the PSG and PST will have high legs through the DT’s crotch, hips together, and drive him into the LB level. If the DT drives out to the B gap, or the backside LB flows over the top to B gap, the PST’s hips are angled to block either defender with power.

Against an odd front, the combo techniques are the same for the center and PSG as they were in an even combo for the PSG and PST (Diagram 3). The one difference is that the center will immediately drive the proper high leg into the nose with his first step. He is not aligned off the ball with depth like our guards and tackles, which gives them time to get two or three steps down before collision.

Diagram 3.


The TE against all fronts, and a PST against an odd front, will both drive block their opponent by taking a short, up and down step with the foot closest to the defender’s leverage. They will step with their inside foot vs. a head-up defender. On contact, they will use a double hand strike with thumbs up and tight elbows through the defender’s inside number.

Our backside pullers are taught to skip pull. Their shoulders should remain as square as possible to the LOS and their path should be tight enough to the playside combo that they brush hips with the outside man in the combo block. The puller’s eyes are locked on the near number of the playside LB and then will collision him through the inside half of his body, like a trap block, to create a crease between him and the combo block.

From the pistol, the tailback will take a lateral step with his playside foot and then come straight downhill with square shoulders. His aiming point vs. an odd front is the inside leg of the PSG. His aiming point vs. an even front is the outside leg of the PSG. From an offset alignment, the tailback will shuffle as necessary to get to the mesh point with the QB, then get downhill to the appropriate aiming point. The QB will open to the playside, ride the tailback through the hand-off, and then sprint to the edge as if he has the ball in a read concept.

When we run power with the read concept, everything is executed the same up front except for the TE. The backfield execution is also the same except now the QB will read the defender who is normally being blocked by the TE (Diagrams 4 and 5).

Diagram 4.


Diagram 5.


While the OL is always blocking as if the tailback is getting the ball, the TE is always blocking as if the QB is keeping the ball. From his normal alignment, the TE will now outside release on the defensive end. If the end has a wide alignment, the TE can release inside. His eyes are on the same playside LB that the backside lineman is pulling for. If the end stays out, the tailback will get the ball and follow the puller as in normal power. The TE may end up double-teaming the LB with the puller, or if the LB completely engages with the puller, the TE can climb to the safety. If the end bends for the tailback, the QB will keep the ball. The puller will not be able to get through the end to the LB, so the TE is there to pin him in as the QB hits the edge. We also teach the TE that if he recognizes a threat entering the area like a “slice” corner, drop down safety, or other edge pressure, he will block the threat assuming the QB has the ball.

Adding the read concept to our traditional power play, has made us much more efficient in the run game. We now have the ability to read backside tackles, ends, and linebackers off of our inside and outside zone plays as well as now being able to read front-side ends off of the power play. Being able to execute this variety of read run plays has given us a fighting chance against the best defenses we face. 






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