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A Big New Play from Pasadena

Statue Play Confuses Defense – Pasadena College shows pass, delays, rushes to success
by: Tom Maher
Head Coach, Pasadena City College
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I selected the Statue play to write about because prep coaches and college coaches alike constantly ask me about it. It is simple to install and it’s a lot of fun.

Statue is a glorified lead draw. It is a deception causing defenders to react to a pass. It is a mis-direction as the ball carrier runs off tackle away from the pass action. There is a significant delay before the ball carrier and quarterback exchange of the ball.

We align in split backs. The QB takes a three-step drop and flags the ball at the backside wide receiver that is running a quick slant route. This receiver acts like the ball is coming to him. After the fake, the receiver executes a convoy block on the deep safety. The play-side WR stalks the corner. The ball carrier takes a lead step and a second crossover step toward the outside linebacker. Keeping his shoulders down over his toes, the ball carrier pivots on his second step away from the line of scrimmage and runs back behind the QB. He takes an “over” handoff. The QB execution and the ball carrier’s steps must time out perfectly.

The back does not have to hurry. A right-handed QB flagging to the right will hand off with his right hand. When the QB flags the ball to his left he will transfer the ball to his left hand to give the ball to the ball carrier. Our QB’s pride themselves on who has the best flagging action.

The weak side statue from split backs versus a 50 front (see diagram 1) requires the ball carrier to read the playside tackles block. The blocking back attacks the tackles inside leg and takes the best release to the weak outside LB. The back should move like he is a pass blocker in control.
Diagram 1.
The blocking back often arrives at his blocking assignment downfield as the LB is realizing that it is a run and not a pass. The play-side tackle quick sets and pushes the defensive tackle outside. The play-side guard quick sets and takes the best path to the weak inside LB. The center quick sets and reaches the nose tackle. He cannot allow penetration.

The back-side guard quick sets and takes the best path to the strong inside LB. The back-side tackle quick sets and blocks the defensive end to the outside. The back-side tight end stabs the strong outside LB and sprints to the FS.

The weak side statue from split backs versus a 40 front gives the ball carrier a natural lane to follow the blocking back. (see diagram 2.)
Diagram 2.
The play-side tackle quick sets and pushes the defensive end outside. The play-side guard quick sets and reaches the defensive tackle. The guard cannot allow any penetration. The center quick sets and takes the best path to the middle LB.

If the defensive tackle is a dominant player, we may have the play-side guard and center double-team him with the guard coming off to the middle LB. The back-side guard quick sets and reaches the defensive strong tackle. The back-side tackle quick sets and takes the best path to the strong outside LB. The back-side tight end blocks the defensive end.

The offensive linemen must take proper angles to cut off LB’ers. The LB’ers read pass and drop into coverage. They break to the WR when the QB flags the ball. The linemen run to a position to cutoff the LB’ers pursuit.

Linemen learn the timing element of the statue. They become run blockers as the play develops. They learn that back-side defenders rise up in reaction to the QB flagging the ball towards them. Play-side defenders seeing the QB flagging the ball will accelerate up field attempting to pressure the QB. When the QB is in shotgun formation he will “under” handoff. He takes the gun snap, quickly sets his feet to flag the ball. The ball carrier will cross in front of the QB. Only run this play in live drills during training camp. It only works when the defensive linemen and LB’ers are reacting full speed.

Statue can be run strong side, but the QB must account for the weak side LB who is unblocked. (see diagram 3)
Diagram 3.
The TE arc releases to the SS when the statue is run to that spot. If the weak outside LB shows blitz we audible out of the play.

We have had weak blitz on strong statue occur. Luckily and comically, the blitzer reacts to the QB flagging the ball right at him. If the blitzer jumps in the air, the play works. If the blitzer is late to arrive, the QB acts as a shield after the handoff. If the QB sees that the blitzer is on course to break up the statue, he fakes the handoff and runs QB draw. The QB can see the weak LB’ers angle best from shotgun.

Statue works very well on long yardage downs. Spread the formation utilizing 4 wide receivers (see diagram 4). If the safeties play high and the OLB’ers walk out, then run single back statue.

Diagram 4.
Our First Team All-American QB Nathan Chandler was an effective runner. He gained 462 yards on boots, scrambles and statue. We utilized a variation of statue using our QB as the primary runner (see diagram 5).
Diagram 5.
As Chandler was breaking every passing record at PCC, his QB statue became very effective. He is at the University of Iowa now. We also ran the shogun QB statue from an empty formation (see diagram 6).

Diagram 6.
Our first team All-American RB, Jonathan Smith is now at Washington State. He broke the national record for All-Purpose yardage, with 260.3 yards per game. He led the nation in rush, All-purpose yards and scoring. He was a very effective statue runner. From the wing alignment, fake a bubble screen to the slot (see diagram 7).
Diagram 7.
The QB takes a one step drop and flags the ball quickly. The wing back quick sets popping backwards a step. He hesitates a moment and turns inside, sprints behind the QB for the handoff.

The statue play-action pass requires that the QB hold the ball. It has produced dramatic touchdown passes for us, but I put it in the “trick play” category. The defensive line cannot be allowed to penetrate and the secondary must feel that statue is their tackle to make (see diagram 8).
Diagram 8.
The play side receiver stalks blocks and releases deep after the corner commits up to tackle. The QB takes a three-step drop, flags to the backside WR and ball fakes to the back. The QB shuffles back looking for the “shake” route back-side. If it’s not there, he bounces up and throws the play-side receiver deep. There is a risk because the delay in releasing the ball is lengthy.

In good times and bad, the statue draw has yielded great results. We run a multiple pro-style (West Coast) system. Statue compliments the passing game. It utilizes our smaller, quicker “scat backs” and drop back passers. It is a draw that helps us on most down and distance, and field position situations.


Pasadena City College:

Mission Conference champions

10-1:
Overall team record

2: First-Team All American (QB Nathan Chandler and RB Jonathan Smith)

515: Number of all-purpose yards gained in one game by Smith, breaking JUCO record held by Jason Sehorn

31: Number of touchdowns scored by Smith, breaking PCC record held by baseball legend Jackie Robinson

6: Number of school records broken by Smith (rushing yards per game and season, most all-purpose yards in a season, most touchdowns in a game and season and most points in a season.

40: Number of consecutive quarters PCC scored in, dating to the 2000 season

4: PCC’s national junior college ranking at the end of the season (JC Grid-Wire)

42.7: Average points per game, first in California JUCO

540: Average yards per game, first in California JUCO

278.4: Rushing yards per game

261.7: Passing yards per game






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