Black Bear
Maine\'s Power Run Game
Running Backs/Tight Ends Coach, University of Maine©
More from this issue
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:
|
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