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Out With the Old, In With the New – Today’s tight ends have become an integral part of every offense.

by: Aaron Best
Offensive Coordinator, Eastern Washington University
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Today, tight ends have become a fusion of a wide receiver, running back, and offensive tackle. Due to their athletic limitations, the old-school tight ends were always attached to the offensive line with their hand on the ground. The defense knew this and could call defenses accordingly. The new school tight ends are lining up in the backfield and flexing out both as slot and outside receivers to cause matchup issues. Many teams are now doing this with two or more tight ends in the game at the same time. This strategy greatly limits a defensive coordinator’s personnel and schematic options.  These defensive limitations allow offenses a multitude of play call opportunities.

We rotate in as many as four different guys at tight end that all bring something special to the scheme. This year, we have utilized our tight ends much more than in years past due to our re-dedication to running the ball. The larger bodies have helped our once-struggling running game in becoming something we can hang our hat on again. The formation used the most is a two tight end and two wide receiver balanced set (Diagram 1).


We love to run the ball out of this formation and have seen success. Inside zone is a common play run these days that includes the tight ends blocking the defensive end one-on-one. With the new school tight end being able to handle the defensive end, it allows the zone play to create seams in the defensive front (Diagram 2).


Out of this formation there are many different passing combinations to beat multiple coverages.  A common play out of this formation is four verticals. The two wide receivers run fade routes which will occupy the corners. The tight ends widen at the line of scrimmage and continue up their hash. If there a single high post player, then the tight end should end up with the ball in his hands (Diagram 3).


If tight ends are effective in the vertical passing game and the inside zone concept, it will open up the play-action pass. The play-action pass consists of a multitude of route combinations. Here is a play-action concept that is effective vs. a single or two high safeties (Diagram 4).



The new school athletic tight ends make an offensive coach’s play calling duties much easier. His athleticism puts defenses in a bind in terms of what they can do to matchup. If a tight end is able to establish all of these concepts, the offense will have a nice flow and help create nightmares for a defensive coordinator. 

About the Author: Aaron Best just completed his 16th season on the staff of Eastern Washington University including four as an All-American Center (1996-1999). He also completed his fourth year as EWU’s Offensive Coordinator. Best spent the 2007 season as an assistant coach with the Toronto Argonauts.

Coach Best answers your questions on Facebook - just go to https://www.facebook.com/AmericanFootballMonthly/


Want More Articles on this Subject?

Multiplicity – Using Personnel Groupings to Enhance Your Offense and Player Morale – May, 2012
Open Opportunities: Get Your Tight End Involved in the Option Pass Game – April, 2012
Drills Report – Tight End Run Blocking: The Reach-Scoop Drill – April, 2011







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