Power G

A versatile running attack is New Mexico State’s strength,but it’s the Power-G that helps open things up.
by: Barney Cotton
Offensive Coordinator, New Mexico State University
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First and foremost, our offensive philosophy at New Mexico State is to be a physical football team. We believe in running the ball with a mix of power and option, along with a play-action oriented passing game. Our intent is to make a defense defend the entire field, keeping them off balance, while we control the clock, and, most importantly, score points.

An important component of our power package is the Power-G. We feel this is a play for all downs, equally effective as a hammer play in short-yardage or goal line situations as it is versus nickel defenses.

The basic rules for the Power-G are as follows:

1. Double or combo the first defender inside the TE. The combo is responsible for the first defender, the gap inside the defender, to the backside LB;

2. The FB will kick out the man over the TE;

3. The backside G will pull for the play side LB.

The backfield action has:

1. The FB aiming at the outside hip of the play side G to ensure a good kick out angle;

2. The I-Back taking a counter step aiming at the inside hip of the of G, then aiming at
the outside hip of the play side G, taking the hand-off over the top;
3. The QB opening a one-half turn away from the call and taking the ball deep to the I-Back and then carrying out the boot fake.

First, the Power-G will be shown versus the under front: (See Diagram 1)


Diagram 1

The combo occurs on the 5 technique with the FB kicking out the Sam LB. The combo is responsible for the 5 technique, the B gap, to the backside LB. The center must block the back calling down the playside G to cover for him. The pulling G is responsible for the playside LB. The backside T pulls to overtake the 3 technique to protect the A and B gaps with the center, then hinges to give added protection to the QB and the exchange point. The WRs are very critical in the overall blocking scheme. They must account for the 8th and 9th tacklers. An advantage to utilizing the Power-G versus the under package is that the FB will kick a stand-up defender.

Versus the 4-4, the blocking scheme is: (See Diagram 2)

Diagram 2

The combo now occurs over the playside G and it is responsible for the DT, the A gap, to the backside LB. With the T uncovered and with the TE covered head up, the TE releases outside for the first defender inside out.

Against a traditional 4-3 front, the blocking scheme is: (See Diagram 3)

Diagram 3

The combo is responsible for the 3 technique, the A gap, to the backside LB leaving the Mike LB for the puller. With the T uncovered and with a 9 technique over the TE, the TE will head bob to the outside and release inside the 9 technique for the Sam LB.

The Power-G is a very effective play versus goal line defenses. The following shows the play versus a 6-2 goal line defense. (See Diagram 4)

Diagram 4

The Power-G shows its versatility when run out of the shotgun in a no TE set. (See Diagram 5)

Diagram 5

In third and long, the situation enhances the ability of the FB to get a kick out on the DE. In the split back alignment, the I-Back follows a natural course behind the pulling G after an up field step with his off foot.

For offenses that have a dominant blocker at the TE position, the blocking scheme may be changed to accommodate that advantage. When the playside T is uncovered, the TE bases the man on exchanging responsibilities with the FB. (See Diagrams 6 & 7)


Diagram 6
Diagram 7
For the Power-G to be effective, the double or the combo must achieve a great push at the LOS. This will allow the puller to hug the LOS and lead the I-Back into the hole and give the FB an effective course for his kick out.

The Power-G is our hammer play at NMSU. We use it because it is a man-blocked play that allows for a double or combo at the point of attack. Also, it provides a better match-up with the pulling G on the playside LB than does the isolation play.

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