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


Protecting the Split-Side Running Game

by: Steve Canter
Quarterbacks Coach Norfolk State University
© More from this issue

Click for Printer Friendly Version          

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:

Quarterback:

•  Quarterback must make a great pre-snap read.

•  Quarterback uses his discretion on whether the #4 defender is in a threatening position.

•  Shotgun run game allows for the separation from the RB to take place.

•  QB receives the snap and has eyes focused on the #4 defender.

•  Quarterback must be able to release the ball quickly and make an accurate throw.

•  Quarterback must be trained to do this effectively and throw without the laces if necessary.

Slot Wide Receiver:

    •  Good alignment to start the play.

•  Lining up on the hash causes the #4 defender to align wider at the start of the play.
•  Turn numbers to the quarterback on the snap of the play and expand by backpedaling.

•  Must get expansion to force the horizontal separation for the #4 defender.

•  Once the ball is caught, prepare to expand to the numbers and then the sideline.

Outside Wide Receiver:

•  Good alignment to start the play.

•  Know the coverage (pre-snap). This will give you an idea of who will become the Most Dangerous Man (MDM).

•  “Creep Technique” off the line of scrimmage. This will provide the receiver time to see the coverage unfold and the MDM will become visible.

•  Fit up on the defender and block the outside shoulder anticipating the ball going to the sideline.
The second way we protect the run game to our split-side is with fly motion (Diagrams 4-6). Fly Motion is something that fits into our overall offensive philosophy and we use it for several purposes. Some of the coaching points and reasons we use fly motion include:

Diagram 4. Power


Diagram 5. Counter


Diagram 6. Inside Zone

•  Full speed fly sweep motion toward the split side of the formation.

•  This provides a threat to the #4 defender and he must honor the motion man.

•  If the #4 defender is not honoring the fly motion, the QB should be handing off to the motion man or using a play-action pass to exploit that area.

•  Fly motion is used in addition to the front-side bubble. If the #4 defender is doing a good job of timing the snap and folding in to make the play, then use the fly motion.

•  This takes the pressure off of the quarterback to make a perfect read every time.

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.

•  Slot receiver will still execute the bubble technique.

•  Outside receiver creeps off the line of scrimmage and appears to stalk block inside. Then, he will explode vertically.

•  Outside receiver will use the middle of the field if open. If the middle of the field is closed, determine whether it is a seam or bender.

•  Quarterback will use a rocker step, pump, reset and throw.

•  Use full slide protection.

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
to https://www.facebook.com/AmericanFootballMonthly/






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