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Protecting the Split-Side Running Gameby: Steve CanterQuarterbacks Coach Norfolk State University © More from this issue There are ways to account for a defense’s flat player by using the front-side bubble,fly motion, and the bubble and go. As football has continued to evolve and change over the last decade, teams at all levels are lining up in more open formations on offense. The removal of the fullback and the tight end from formations has forced offenses to find other ways to effectively run the football. Many teams are forced to have answers for defenses that are making it difficult to run the ball to the split-side of the formation. We define the split-side as a two-man surface (guard/tackle), or the side of the formation without an attached tight end. When the tight end and fullback are absent from the playside of a run, someone must account for the defenses’ #4 defender or flat player. The reasons we must account for the #4 defender are: 1. He could blitz the playside of the run game concept and you don’t have a blocker for him. 2. He could cheat the box enough that he can fold in and make the play for a minimal gain after the snap. We have devised a few ways that we can successfully account for the #4 defender that fit into our overall offensive philosophy. The first way is the front-side bubble (Diagrams 1 - 3). Diagram 1. Power Diagram 2. Power (alternate) Digram 3. Counter We have the ability to tag our split-side runs with a front-side bubble. That will give the QB the ability to throw the bubble if the #4 defender is in a threatening position prior to the snap or just as the ball is snapped. The rest of the offense still carries out the run that is called and they do not know whether the QB has thrown the ball or not. Some coaching points for the players involved with the front-side bubble include: Diagram 4. Power Diagram 5. Counter Diagram 6. Inside Zone • Full speed fly sweep motion toward the split side of the formation. The third and final way that we protect our split side game is the bubble and go (Diagram 7). As you have success with the front-side bubble to the split-side, teams will begin to be more aggressive as they rock down to fit the bubble throw. This will give you an opportunity to exploit their secondary with the bubble and go. Some of the coaching points for the bubble include: Diagram 7. Bubble and Go • After you have thrown enough bubbles, the safeties and defenders will begin to fit the bubble even faster and more aggressively. You must take advantage of this. These techniques and schemes are the reasons we are able to run our two-back run game to the split-side as well as to the tight end side. We pride ourselves on being able to line up in multiple formations that threaten the defense with both the run and passing games. Just like any other technique and scheme, these techniques work versus many different fronts and coverages but will struggle against teams that bring constant edge pressure and play man coverage behind it. In that case, I suggest you secure your edges with attached tight ends to run the football. About the Author: Steve Canter enters his third season and second stint on the staff of Norfolk State. He serves as both Quarterbacks Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. Canter coached tight ends at NSU in 2008 before becoming a Graduate Assistant at his alma mater, Virginia Tech. Canter lettered as a fullback at Virginia Tech and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from there. Coach Canter answers your questions on Facebook - just go |
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