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Black Bear

Maine\'s Power Run Game
Running Backs/Tight Ends Coach, University of Maine
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As offensive coaches, we constantly search for “safe” plays that can be run against multiple defensive fronts. Edge blitzes or double-eagle fronts can often dictate what plays an offense will run. Defensive coordinators scheme to limit or control the scope as well as the success of the opponents run game. This challenge led us to employing the gap scheme in our run blocking philosophies. By designing the play to be run to the tight end or split end side. Out of multiple personnel groupings, and with a variety of tags, the play became an effective offensive weapon.

SPLIT END SIDE POWER

The first, and most important part of running and excelling at the power play is getting your players to understand the concept of a “gap scheme.” Then we teach our players gap scheme, they must understand the base idea that they are responsible for blocking the gap directly inside them if they are a frontside blocker on the line. The center must “gap back” and secure the release of the backside puling guard. The pulling guard is most simply responsible for the playside linebacker box. The backside tackle must “gap hinge” to clean up the gap directly inside to the gap directly outside. This blocking scheme is somewhat universal to 2-back power offenses. Our approach in teaching the scheme and in presenting it in a multiple fashion to the opponent has helped us to have a great deal of success with the play in recent years.


Diagram 1. Tight End Side Power


Diagram 2. Spit End Side Power


Diagram 3. Power In It's Simplest Form

The power play, in its most basic sense, can be presented very simply. The entire front side of the play (TE or SE side) must gap down and stay directly on their track or path, blocking whatever appears. This philosophy, when learned by your line, will help greatly with line movements and linebacker blitzes. You can even present and rep the play early on without a defense to get this point across. Later on, you can present a defensive with strange shades and alignments to reinforce the necessary discipline.

POWER IN ITS SIMPLEST FORM

A good disciplined offensive unit running a gap scheme can now block almost anything that is lined up in front of it. Obviously you will attack your opponents even or odd fronts with specific double teams but your ultimate goal is to “track” and clean up your respective gap.

The next phase of the power play comes from the backfield. In our offense, we will use a fullback, H-back, second tight end, or even a receiver to seal the edge to the playside. Obviously, some fronts, and the desire to run the play to the split end side create the need to use the fullback exclusively. The “edge” blocker learns the gap scheme concept in a similar fashion to the front. This blocker will kick out or seal out the inside number of the first thing outside the block of the widest playside lineman or tight end. He must have a tight course through the inside leg of the second lineman inside so the defense cannot “spill” him and send the play east and west. His block will seal the inside run lane for the tailback.

The final member of the backfield is the ball carrier or tailback. The gap scheme or power run play is not a difficult read for the tailback. It is, however, crucial to the success of the play that your back is disciplined and understands the lane the football is designed to run in. We see countless teams running the power play in the C and D gaps with minimal success. In order to fit your tailback in with the scheme of the play, you must give him something to “key” and tell him where to fit. In our system, that key is the “hog in the hole” or the pulling backside guard. As the tailback clears the QB, his eyes go directly to the hog to tell him where to fit. Based on the pull of the guard, the play can hit anywhere from the A through D gap. Keeping your tailback tight, however, will protect you from edge blitzes and safety play.


Diagram 4. Pull Indicates Run Lane


Diagram 5. Regular


Diagram 6. With H-Back


Diagram 7. Big People


Diagram 8. Speed On Field


Diagram 9. Goal Line


Diagram 10. Slam


Diagram 11. Arc


Diagram 12. H-Back Slam (SE-Side)

PULL INDICATES RUN LANE
MAKING THE SCHEME “MULTIPLE”

We want to be able to run the power play a number of times during a football game. In order for our offense to have success, we want to establish this run to both the tight and A & D split end side of the football. In order to do this, we must be “multiple” in our personnel groupings, formations, motions, and even blocking adjustments. We can run the power play out of at least 5 personnel groupings and formations per game. This helps to disguise the play and keep the defense on its “heels.”

The final key to our gap scheme power run play is the use of multiple schemes on the front side of the play is the use of multiple schemes on the front side of the play to help your TE/FB combinations. In our base scheme, the TE blocks through the C-Gap and the fullback blocks through the D-Gap. We will, however, tag or scheme the play to help these players achieve success. There are (3) different tags we can add to the play to not only show a different look to the defense, but to find ways to create a run lane for the block.

THE “TAGS” AND ADJUSTMENTS

The “slam” call will tell the tight end to engage with the defensive end for a “two” count before releasing to the first linebacker over to outside of him. This is a great tool against an excellent DE because it gives him a difficult surface and puts two bodies on him.

The “Arc” call will tell the tight end to step directly to the first threat outside (the OLB is an eight-man front or the SS in a seven-man front. ) This will create a different look playside for the defense and help the tight end that is struggling with an excellent defensive end.

The H-Back “Slam” tag or call creates a different surface for the SE-side power play and helps your fullback kick out a heavy “spill” defensive end. The H-Back will work through the outside number of the defensive end before working to the primary run defender (SS). As the H-Back comes off the defensive end, the fullback is there to kick him out.

The power play, split end or tight end side is a great weapon to have in your run game arsenal. With practice and repetition, your players will gain confidence in it, and you will see the success of the play increase. Our staff, from Bobby Wilder, our offensive coordinator, calling the play to each respective position coach on our staff teaching the play, feel great confidence in this scheme. This play, with its adjustments and variations, has helped us to create a run game which has helped us to back to back Atlantic 10 championships. “Be Multiple” / “Get on Track” / “Stay on Track” / Follow the Hog!”

If you liked this article, here are three others just like it:

1. Running Out of the Shotgun, May 2002
2. Smash, Oct. 2001
3. Kentucky’s Running Game, Sept. 2000

About the author
Jeff Cole


Jeff Cole, 29, begins his fifth season as an assistant coach at the University of Maine. Cole’s duties in 2003 include running backs and special teams coordinator responsibilities.

In 2001 and 2000, Cole coach-ed the wide receivers and tight ends. Cole served as the tight ends coach in 1997. His recruiting areas include southern Maine, eastern Massachusetts and upstate New York. In 2001, under the direction of Cole, tight end Chad Hayes earned All-America honors. Hayes later signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs after taking Offensive MVP honors at the Rotary Gridiron Classic all-star game.

For more information, email:jeff_cole@umit.maine.edu






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