UConn\'s Play Action Passing Game

by: Rob Ambrose
Offensive Coordinator, University of Connecticut
© More from this issue

          
In the ever-evolving world of college football, the play action pass is one of the most threatening concepts as it has the ability to keep the defense from being able to ‘key in’ on any particular aspect of an offense. At the University of Connecticut we believe that one of the key elements to be an effective, attacking offense is the efficient integration of the play action passing game based on our most productive run plays. We attempt to keep the pass version of these concepts as simple as possible while being consistent with run actions and the protections used to execute these plays.

Specifically, there are certain routes that are more effective vs. certain coverages. The Post-Dig Combination is highly effective vs. the 3 deep zones. This tight end side run play that we work off of our draw play effectively attacks both the front and cover of this defense. We will use ‘full flow’ draw footwork by the QB and both backs. The offensive line will ‘slide protect’ with draw set technique that sells the run action of the play. After the QB-RB draw fake mesh, the QB will find the single high safety and his relation to the front side post and then work backside to a high-low with the dig and TE drag. The backs are for check down and escape (See Diagram 1).

Diagram 1: Post-Dig Combination

Another 3 deep zone beater is the Front Side Out Route accompanied by full flow action at the flat defender. This split side run that we work off our gap run schemes specifically attacks the teachings of the front side flat defender. By down or gap blocking the front side tackle and sending both backs down hill, we effectively simulate the front side of our gap run game thus affecting the drop of the alley player. After the QB-RB run fake mesh, the QB will find the depth and leverage of the alley player in relation to the out route and then work back horizontally to the seam read and deep turn (See Diagram 2).

Diagram 2: Front Side Out Route

One clear way to attack quarters coverage is to use the standard Curl Flat concept but to incorporate a clear route to remove the front side deep safety and give the curl route more space in which to work. Working off our front side zone blocking scheme we can simulate our aggressive run play action while attacking the technique of the play side flat defender. After the QB-RB run fake mesh, the QB will high/low the front flat side defender with the Curl and TE Flat. He then works back through the clear route to a high/low backside with the Dig and RB check down (See Diagram 3).

Diagram 3: Curl/Flat

You can put stress vertically on a defense in quarters coverage with a post-out combination that incorporates draw footwork action. This play can be run either to the split or tight end side, wherever you are working your draw series. With a post by your #1 receiver on the front side and an out at least 10 yards by your inside receiver, you put stress on both the corner and safety. This is usually a field play leaving a lot of room for the defense to defend both horizontally and vertically. Again, draw footwork and technique by both the line and the backfield help secure a very convincing run look while giving the deeper routes time to express themselves.

After the mesh, the progression read is from post to out, high/low dig and burst combination to the trailing wheel (See Diagram 4).

Diagram 4: Post Out Combination

Beating man coverage is all about technique by the WR’s but there are things that we can do to help our wide outs be more successful. In an attempt to unlock the coverage we will use WR motion across the formation if someone will run with us. It is important to remember to use the motion in the run game as well, thus keeping the picture of what we are doing in the run and pass game the same. Versus the single safety man coverage we will use the post-dig combination as we did vs. the 3-deep coverage but we will cross the formation with the two inside receivers making it hard for them to follow. In terms of line play we will use both zone and draw techniques depending on the opponent. As with the original post-dig combination we will still find the single safety and his relation to the post after our play action mesh. In this case, however, we will have two crossing routes from which to choose after our dig look (See Diagram 5).

Diagram 5: WR Motion

NEW BOOK!

Digital Download - 304 Pages of Football Forms for the Winning Coach