AFM RSS Feed Follow Us on Twitter       
AMERICAN FOOTBALL MONTHLY THE #1 RESOURCE FOR FOOTBALL COACHES
ABOUT |  CONTACT |  ADVERTISE |  HELP  



   User Name    Password 
      Password Help





Article Categories


AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


The Situation

© More from this issue

Click for Printer Friendly Version          

You’re on offense late in the first half with just two minutes to play with a third and five on your own 10-yard line. The score is tied and you want to convert this third down play and not have to punt. You come out in a Pro Set offense with the tailback and fullback lined up behind the QB and both the tight end and wide receiver on the right side. Your opponent is in a basic 4-3 defense with one corner lined up on the WR at the LOS.

What play do you call to attack this defense and get a first down?

Mike Mason, Head Coach, Lindhurst HS (CA)
AFM subscriber since 1999

I would use play action boot left with right guard pulling left on lead and TE running 5-7 yd. drag to left for pass. Both backs would fill for guard and TE. WR on left would run a post-corner route while WR on right would run a seam to decoy SS. QB read is FS. If FS comes up, QB looks to WR in left corner. If FS stays back, QB looks to TE on drag.


Play Action Boot Left


Ed Roesler, JV Coach,
Sewanhaka HS (NY)
AFM subscriber since 2004

I’m running a counter option that we call 37 Whirlybird, where we dive the FB to the strong side of the formation and the QB and RB carry out the option to the weak side. I’ve never seen it get less than 5yds and I feel it is an excellent play against most blitzes. In our conference and county we see mainly Cover 3 w/ a monster-back playing some form of strong safety, since your situation didn’t mention the coverage to that level of detail this is what I set the offense up against. The QB would step away-side riding the FB and turn back inside to get on his pitch path and pick up a hard charging DE sooner than if he reversed out. The PST would block down, PG and C would combo for the MLB, ASG and AST would block Rule. The ASWR would throw a Tony Demeo 2 for 1 block on the Safety and corner by running hard at the CB and breaking like he was on a post for the safety. The FB would continue on his dive path and not show block until he was through the DL and block OLB to SS. PWR will stalk block the corner. TB takes a counter step with maybe an extra second of pause on it and then stays flat on his pitch path. The misdirection of the play sets up most of the blocks, is good against most blitzes and then you add the option off the DE. The play can go for big yardage let alone 5yds without the same amount of risk as a pass.

37 Whirlybird Option

Paul Layton, Junior High Coach, Auburn (IL)
AFM subscriber since 2006

The FB would be put into motion up and to the right. Once he is clear of the TE, the snap would occur and an 8 hole pitch to the TB would be made. The WR would feign a block and then perform a 7 yard out. The TB would have the option to throw to the WR, run for the first down, or throw out of bounds (worst case).

Tailback Option

Mike Boyer, Offensive Coordinator,
Boyertown Area HS (PA)
AFM subscriber since 2003

I motion my flanker down towards the TE and run boot action away from my strength (TE). I have my WR run a 5 yard crossing route and look to pick / rub from my flanker who is running a crossing pattern to the QB’s boot side. The coverage appears to be “man” so my QB should know to look for the Flanker coming out of the box at about 6 or 7 yards ahead of his defender. QB knows it is a one man pattern and if he can’t get the ball on the flanker crossing, then run for what he can get. My flanker is my best receiver who is in motion prior to the snap with man coverage. Hopefully he can gain space through the wash in the middle of the field or rub off his split end pattern. I’m looking to throw the ball into the flat for a “one timer”.

QB: Boot fake to roll right, look for crosser coming out of the “BOX”. Option to throw or run; KNOW GAME SITUATION.
HB: Base fake to BS. Look to pick up ILB coming through “A Gap”. Carry fake to LB. SELL GOOD FAKE!
AB: Lead through BS “C Gap”. Look for ILBer on a run through. Hug BS OT’s block.
ZB: “Short” motion to snap. Cross behind ILBers at 5 - 6 yds looking to get to opposite flat. KNOW GAME SITUATION.
YE: Slam release on DE. Must release inside of the DE. Occupy Strong Safety with a Fade route.
XE: Cross to middle of the formation. Look to “RUB” ZB’s defender. Force defender to come under you if possible.
BS OT: Responsible for first down lineman outside of OG. Cut if necessary.
BS OG: Pull PS and look to Log Block the DE. May be able to assist PS OT if engaged with DE. Must seal the DE.
C: “Combo” with PS OG. Responsible for “1 Tech” and MLBer. Eyes on Mike for an “A Gap / B Gap” run through.
PS OG: “Combo” with PS OG. Responsible for “1 Tech” and MLBer. Eyes on Mike for an “A Gap / B Gap” run through.

Left Pro Queen 'Short' Boot Rigth 'Z Flat'






NEW BOOK!

AFM Videos Streaming Memberships Now Available Digital Download - 304 Pages of Football Forms for the Winning Coach



















HOME
MAGAZINE
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE COLUMNISTS COACHING VIDEOS


Copyright 2024, AmericanFootballMonthly.com
All Rights Reserved