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Play Action to Complement your Spread Option Offense

by: Nathan M. Cochran
Asst. Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, Blackburn College
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At Blackburn College, we employ the Spread Option offense made famous by teams like the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Naval Academy. This offense fits our program due to three main factors: time constraints due to our work program (Blackburn College is a “Work College” – all students have a job on campus), size of the athletes we can recruit at Blackburn (Division III), and the type of high school programs in our general recruiting area. Since the Spread Option offense is predominantly run-oriented, we spend most of our practices perfecting the Triple-Option. Due to our limited practice time, we try not to complicate our passing game. Also, the use of play action passes keeps our blocking schemes simple for the offensive line. In this article you will learn several play action passes that have worked well for us.

To understand our play action passing, one must first understand the running scheme that sets up the passing game. Our key play is the triple option. Without this play our offense would not be successful. Therefore, the “ACE” formation (See Diagram 1) is the perfect configuration to run and pass. Also, since the triple option provides an offense with three plays in one (See Diagram 2), there is no need for an extensive playbook. In regards to blocking, the frontside wide receiver and slot back execute what is called a “Read Crack” block. This is done mainly against teams who play two safeties deep (2-deep coverage). In 2-deep coverage, the playside wide receiver usually blocks the cornerback in the flat. This can be a long and difficult block. Therefore, the wide receiver is released to the safety allowing the playside slot back to block the cornerback. When facing a team with one deep safety, the slot back seals on the linebacker to free safety and the wide receiver base blocks on the cornerback (See Diagram 3). These perimeter-blocking combinations are the keys to our play action passing game.

Diagram 1: Ace Formation

Diagram 2: Triple Option vs. Two Deep Look

Diagram 3: Triple Option vs. One Safety Deep Look

Based on our “Read-Crack” blocking scheme, Diagram 4 introduces the Post-Wheel Combination (See Diagram 4). The objective of this play is to take advantage of an undisciplined safety who over plays the run. With the triple option fake in the backfield, the QB is taught to make the following reads: 1) first post, 2) then wheel, and then look to the 3) backside drag. When this play is called with an over-aggressive safety, it has been a home run pass for us.

Using play action and the “Seal” block, the fade combination (See Diagram 5) is very successful against the one-deep safety. This pass provides a one-on-one match up of the wide receiver on a cornerback. When the receivers run quality routes, the big play is assured.

Diagram 4: Post-Wheel

Diagram 5: Fade Combination

Coaching Point: For those teams not blessed with a speed wide receiver, the go-route is changed to a 12-yard out. With the backside receiver running a 10-yard drag route, the Fade Combination also provides a “Hot” seam to the slot back if the defense sends a blitz. Also, the slot back can run a flair into the flat to provide the quarterback an additional outlet.

When defenses begin to adjust by rolling their coverage toward the motion (See Diagram 6), play action can counter this as well. The backside slot back goes in “Twirl” motion, and then runs a wheel-route to the backside. The frontside slot back runs the seam while the front side wide receiver runs an 8-10 yard hook route. The backside wide receiver runs a post route. The quarterback is taught to read: 1) the Seam, 2) the Hook, 3) the Wheel, and 4) then the Post.

Diagram 6: Countering Adjustment of Motion

Diagram 7: Gap Protection

On each of the passing plays, the offensive linemen are taught “Gap” blocking (See Diagram 7). An offensive lineman is responsible for the backside gap. The fullback and QB execute a “Ball-Flash” mesh. The fullback is responsible for the end man on the line of scrimmage. The backside slot back goes in motion, just like during a regular triple option, but is then responsible for blocking the area outside the fullback.

These play actions have helped us at Blackburn College to have a simple and successful passing game even though we run the football over seventy percent of the time. The play action ensures the defense stays honest and doesn’t overload against our runs as well as giving our offense a big play capability in the passing game.





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