For an offensive concept to make its way into our system, it must meet certain criteria. In general, we want a running game concept to be able to do the following:

• Be run from multiple formations
• Utilize multiple personnel groups
• Be run to a tight end side and split end or open side
• Have an added dynamic when motion is utilized

The plays we utilize that meet that criteria for us are inside zone, outside zone, power, counter and pin and pull sweep. While we usually favor three to four of these in any particular season, these runs are in our menu because we can use them in multiple ways to attack any defense.

Let’s look at the power concept to illustrate our thought process. For us, it starts with defining each run. Power is a one- or two-back gap blocked play designed to attack the A-gap out. It is used to create angles and displace gaps versus penetrating situations.

Our definition itself allows for multiplicity in that whether we are running the play from under center, pistol or shotgun with either one or two gaps, we are able to block it in a uniform manner. We don’t have to create separate rules for the backfield set. This has huge advantages for the offensive line. To them, it really doesn’t matter what is happening behind them. Regardless of backfield set, formation or motion, they are doing the same thing over and over. This is how consistency and effective execution is developed in the running game.

Here is an example of the play run from 11 personnel (1 tight end, 1 running back) in a trips formation.

We can utilize two tight ends and two receivers for our one back power as we do here. 

 

Adding a back and going under center does not affect what the line does.

 

Removing a back doesn’t affect the blocking design either. Here is quarterback power from a personnel grouping with two H-backs (blockers) and a tight end in the game.

 

From the viewpoint of organizing our offense, we start there with backfield set. Our concept design and rules must account for having one back or multiple backs in the offense.

Not having a tight end or operating from a spread set doesn’t affect our running game either. We can utilize all of our runs with or without a tight end. The video below shows the power being run from a 3-by-1 formation.

 

 

Motion can add another dynamic to the running game. Moving a blocker across the formation to add a blocker and force the defense to run fit differently helps gain an advantage for the offense. We do that in the video below.

 

In this set we spread the defense and motion our H-back into the backfield. We present a spread one-back set but end up in a two-back set with an extra blocker at the point of attack.

We utilize our most athletic receivers in the running game as well. We will use them in motion that makes them part of a running play in giving the ball to them on a sweep play. With the threat of the receiver taking the ball outside, we effectively create a misdirection series within our running game without adding a single blocking scheme for our offensive line.

Here is our “orbit” motion in which the receiver will take his path behind the running back and fake sweep as we run the power scheme inside.

Here is “fly” motion that puts the receiver in front of the quarterback faking sweep inside. In this example, we utilize a fullback, tight end and motion while running the power play to the split end side.

 

These examples show how we can add a blocker and compress formations, remove a blocker and spread the defense, motion and shift strength and motion to create misdirection. Each is a different way to stress a defense.

Setting up our offense in this manner makes game planning easier for us in our approach. Our thought process doesn’t involve “which plays are we using.” It’s more a matter of how will we utilize our personnel and formation to attack with our play concepts. While we may face a different front or set of stunts and blitzes, our line has confidence coming in every week that they will be doing what they learned in August and simply applying their rules and executing.