The Shot-Run Offense

I have had two 1,000-yard rushers at quarterback and one who rushed for 700 yards and threw for 2,300 yards. Both of the 1,000-yard rushing quarterbacks also threw for 2,000 yards. Obviously, I like to utilize the quarterback in the running game. If you have a quarterback who can run, but maybe is not the best at the zone read play, I have some very effective and simple running plays for the quarterback. The running plays will also help slow down the defensive line’s pass rush.

Quarterback Tackle Trap
The Quarterback Tackle Trap has always been our quarterbacks’ favorite play. If executed properly, it is extremely difficult to stop. It is a great complement to the inside zone. If linebackers are constantly keying on the running back, then the misdirection aspect of this play will cause them to hesitate.
The play-side tackle will pass set in order to influence the defensive end upfield. The defensive end will do one of three things – he will come upfield, slant down inside or bull rush. If he comes upfield, then the tackle will get inside leverage on him and keep him up- field. If he slants down inside, then the tackle will react and drive him down hard. If he bull rushes, then the tackle will drive him off the ball. The play-side guard and center will combo-block on the defensive tackle to either the Mike or back-side LB.
It is better to run this against an inside shade on the guard, but we still run it vs. an outside shade. The back-side guard man blocks the back-side defensive tackle and cuts off any inside penetration. The back-side tackle pulls and reads the block of the play-side tackle on the run. We would prefer to run in the B-gap. We tell the pulling tackle he is just like a full- back leading up through the hole and he is looking for the play-side LB or the most dangerous man. After the running back fakes, he will come right off the hip of the pulling tackle and block the defensive end. The key to this play is the ride-and-read of the quarterback. He must be patient as he rides-and-hides behind the running back and stays inside-out while reading the LB area and following the pulling tackle. Oftentimes the quarterback will run out the back-door if the back-side LB flows hard over the top (See Diagram 1).

Quarterback Draw
The Quarterback Draw can be extremely effective especially when you have a running back that the defense keys on. I like to do a few different things with the running back. We will send the running back on a flare or arrow route as a decoy, lead him up on the LB, or combine the running back flare with the quarterback draw and the let the quarterback read the play-side LB. The offensive line blocking scheme will be the same every time. We want the offensive line to pass set and look just like our 5-step protection. If there are two LBs in the box, then the offensive line is responsible for the back-side LB. The running back will take care of the play-side LB with either his decoy route or by blocking him. If there is only one LB in the box, the offensive line is responsible for that LB. If we are combining the flare and the quarterback draw, the quarterback will take a quick three-step drop, read the play-side LB and throw the flare if he sits, or run the draw if he runs out with the running back. The play can also be game-planned based on what defenses do against a back-out. It can be very effective against LBs who like to blitz off the edge. If a LB runs with the running back, then run the draw, if the LB comes hard off the edge and leaves the running back, then throw the flare. No matter what the defense does, they are always wrong (See Diagram 2).

Double or Speed option
The third play is the double or speed option. I would prefer to option the outside LBs who come up on the LOS and blitz off the edge as opposed to optioning the defensive end. This gives the quarterback more time to make a decision and allows him the option to keep the ball instead of always pitching it. It also allows the offensive line to block this play just like they would the outside zone, so we don’t have to work on a new scheme. I am a big believer in keeping the schemes up front as simple as possible with both our run plays and pass protections. I will also call this play and option the slot area defenders any time we feel like we can gain an advantage with our formation and/or numbers.
This is also a great play inside the red-zone when defenses bring more pressure off the edge. The quarterback will attack the outside shoulder of the LB coming off the edge and force him to make a decision. If the LB slow-plays the quarterback, then the quarterback will give him a quick pitch fake and turn it upfield and out-athlete the LB. If we are optioning the slot area guy, the quarterback will try to get outside and cut upfield since most defenses will put the slot area defender on the pitch man. This play often turns into a quarterback outside zone and we block the slot area defender with the running back’s pitch path (See Diagram 3).

These three quarterback running plays are a great complement to each other. If the defense adjusts to stop one play, you have something else to go to. If the defense doesn’t adjust at all, you can run all three the entire game. They are simple to run, but extremely effective. They force the defense to not just focus their attention on the running back in the one-back offense. If you are looking to put in some quarterback running plays, I highly recommend you put in these three plays. When run at the right time vs. the right defense, they are difficult to defend if executed properly.

About the Author

Max Hawsey took over duties as Grinnell’s head coach in January 2008, replacing longtime coach Greg Wallace. Hawsey came from Colorado College, where since 2003 he had served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He previously served seven years as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Austin College in Texas.

Questions? If you have any questions you can email the author at:
MaxHawsey@AmericanFootballMonthly.com