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AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


Dashing the Defense

by: Dan Dodd
Offensive coordinator, University of New Mexico
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AS DEFENSES HAVE CONTINUED to downsize in an effort to get more speed on the field, the offense has had to find creative ways to change the quarterback's launch position in the passing game. And although the drop-back passing game is still a staple, we utilize our Dash series to move the QB in the shotgun.

PROTECTION

The field offensive tackle's rule is to block the B Gap defender. The OT's technique is the same as a down block. He will "seal" a 3 technique defensive tackle (Diagram 1)


Diagram 1


Diagram 2


Diagram 3


Diagram 4

The running back's job is to "load" block on the 5 technique. We have taught both the cut block and the stay high shield block and will tailor the RB's block to his abilities (Diagram 2).

The field offensive guard's rule is to pull and protect the QB from outside-in. He should check defensive back blitz to linebacker scrape. He will pull behind the TB's block on the 5 technique. We will ask our QB to get out of this play if he senses defensive back pressure before the snap. But if a DB comes from the OG to kick him out, the QB may have to pull up and throw (Diagrams 3 and 4).

The center, boundary guard and boundary tackle will block their playside gap and if that gap is threatened, they will block that defender. If that gap is not threatened, they will fall and feather, or block the most dangerous defender to their backside (Diagram 5).


Diagram 5

The only adjustment to this protection is versus 50 defenses when we have a 5 and 9 technique. We will adjust our protection by giving the offensive tackle a two-man outside rule. When faced with a 50 front, the OT will lock on to the 5 technique (high reach) and block the RB on the 9 technique (Diagram 6).


Diagram 6

Most often, this will result in the QB being pulled up, but it is better than blocking the OT in the air and trying to block the OG on the 9 technique.

ROUTES

Just about all your two receiver concept routes are applicable to your dash game. We have two constant rules - the backside routes on the dash game are a 10-yard cross by the No. 2 receiver and a straight-line post by the No. 1 receiver. The cross is a good "get out of trouble" throw for the QB (especially if he gets pulled up). We like the straight-line post because we want to effect the free safety or the backside half player if there is one (Diagram 7).


Diagram 7


Diagram 8

If we are in a 3-by-1 formation (Trips Open), then we adjust the No. 3 receivers route to a streak, and again we do this to hold a FS in the middle of the field (Diagram 8).

We choose to keep the backside rule consistent for the boundary receiver, but a "tag" could put him on the cross route for a get-out-of-trouble throw. By giving the boundary No. 2 receiver the constant of the cross (in a 2-by-2 set) and streak (in a 3-by-1 set), then you can use any of your two receiver concept routes.

The first route that we will install in the dash series is the Smash route. It is a great man/zone route and is usually in everyone's drop-back game. On the Smash, we have the field No. 2 receiver run a 10-yard corner route. Our aiming point for the corner route is at 25 yards on the sideline. We teach the No. 2 receiver to get a pre-snap man/zone read and vs. man cover, we will try to collapse the DBs cushion, turn his hips to the inside and run to our 25-yard aim point on the sideline. If the DB is so far over the top of the No. 2 receiver that we do not feel that time allows for us to collapse the cushion and run the route in a timely manner, we tell the receiver to run his corner at 10 yards and make the QB responsible for a throw that will keep the ball away from the DB. The field No. 1 receiver sells hitch with his release, inviting the corner to close on his route (allowing the QB to throw the corner route). But at the end of his seven yards, the No. 1 receiver will look back inside and run his option route off of the first defender to his inside. If the flat defender sinks, the No. 1 receiver will turn his rear to the sideline and back away (Diagram 9).


Diagram 9


Diagram 10

If the flat defender buzzes to the flat, we will teach the No. 1 receiver to still turn his rear to the inside, but now he will cross the flat players' face, coming inside under control as not to run into a flow linebacker (Diagram 10).

The Smash route is also easily adapted to a 3-by-1 formation, with the No. 3 receivers rule being on a Streak route. This can be a good addition vs. cover 2 shell defenses as the Streak route can hold the half player to the field (Diagram 11).


Diagram 11

The next route we will instill in the Dash game is our Curl Concept. The No. 2 receiver will run a 3-yard out route. The No. 1 receiver runs a 15-yard straight line curl. We want this route to resemble our Streak route and at 15 yards, we want the receiver to plant on his outside foot and drive back to the QB. An important coaching point is to have the curl route runner not glance back to the inside until he has planted his outside foot and is coming back downhill. If his eyes come back to the inside during the running of the route, it will clue the DB as to his intention. We want instead to have eye-to-eye contact with the DB until the curl break is made (Diagram 12).


Diagram 12

The QB will read this route low-high as we will accept the out route to the No. 2 receiver if the defense gives us this throw. This is another route that fits quite well in the Trips Open set with the No. 3 receiver just running his route (Diagram 13).


Diagram 13

Another route that we like out of our dash package is the double comeback. The No. 2 receiver runs his route at a depth of 12 yards. We give him a landmark of no tighter than the hash. This landmark allows him to work out and also allows for better horizontal stretch on the flat player (the QB's read). The No. 1 receiver also runs a cornerback, but we push the depth of his route to 16 yards. We give him a landmark of the top of the numbers as this gives him some room to work on the outside as well (Diagram 14).

This route will also fit in a 3-by-1 formation with the No. 3 receiver running his rule route (Diagram 15).


Diagram 14


Diagram 15

This is not only a great way to change the launch point of your QB, but it is also a great way to get a mobile QB on the edge with a way to threaten the defense with a pass-run option. The QB will take a 10-yard arc on all of these routes and if he can't find an open receiver, he can attack the LOS and has a chance to still make yards on the run.

Over time, the University of New Mexico's Dash series has become a very flexible part of our offense and it has fit very nicely into all down and distance situations. It has been a valued part of our two-minute offense.






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