I missed a chance at DVR'ing this week the Army-Navy games on CBS College Football Express. If anyone did this, and is interested in donating them or trading for something, please let me know. Hit me up at thefootballislifeblog@yahoo.com and let me know what you need, or if you want donate something to my cause.
Looking to get back into blogging now that I've had a relaxing vacation and got some good clinic time in with OJW, Coach Hoover and the boys. If you missed out on the free clinic, you missed a TON of great FREE information on the game of football. I would like to extend a large thank you to OJW and his family for having us, putting up with us, and better yet, FEEDING US! It was a great day of nothing but talking and demonstrating football and football techniques. Hopefully we can start making this a yearly tradition!
Just thought I'd switch over the offensive side here for a moment and drop off some passing tidbits in the flexbone offense. I know, the flex is mainly a run oriented offense and most coaches want to hear about veer or midline. However, the flexbone offense can be a very dangerous passing offense as well, when used correctly. I'm going to build on some concepts I discovered while running this offense, and hopefully you can use these as well.
I constantly here the statement by defensive coaches "The idea that the flexbone can attack with four vertical routes is absurd!". Well, I'm here to tell you that the four vertical combination is alive and well in the flexbone offense. Why most coaches who run the flexbone, will tell you that the idea that four verticals is this "magic pill" is somewhat skewed, the threat is always there for this play to be run. Another one I get is that the defense can be ready for four verticals because the offense can't run motion AND run four verticals. What I'm going to show you in this post, is how to make four verticals a more deadly weapon, and how you CAN run four verticals with motion, and even run the play off of playaction!
Run and Shoot Concepts Just because you run for verticals does not mean you have to run the routes straight down the field. There are many good variations on four verticals you can run that it can be mind boggling. The Run and Shoot Streak Package is the best way to work on a defense with four verticals. Heck, you could base your entire passing game off this one concept in the flexbone and not have to burn too much time during the week working on the passing game. This is jut one way to get more mileage out of your four verticals package in the flexbone offense.
Adding Four Verticals to the Playaction Passing Game How I stumbled across this concept, was as usual, by accident. I had a play that I stole from when I worked under a split back veer (SBV) coach, that is shown below.
The A back was usually wide open and a key coaching point was to turn this into a wheel route if the QB didn't throw the ball immediately. In the flexbone the play looks like this:
Same concept, and I had decent success with it, but the play did not seem to time up as well from the flex as it did from split backs. I think this was mainly due in part to the motion by the slots not always being as consistent as the alignment of the halfback in the split back system. Anyhow, one day, I called triple pass with all vertical routes (shown below) and a rookie slot back goes in twirl motion and runs the vertical route away from his normal assignment (blocking outside the B back's block). Well, needless to say the slot was WIDE OPEN, even though he didn't get the ball thrown to him. I got in the huddle and told the offense to run the very same play, but this time I told the QB where to throw the ball. BAM! It goes for a TD, nobody even touched the backside slot. It was an easy pitch-and-catch for a touchdown, and the play we simply called "14 Veer Pass Streaks" was born!
All the receivers ran their normal routes, but the backside slot would go in twirl motion (three steps) and on the snap would wheel around and run his vertical route as well. Now I know what you are thinking "four verticals is supposed to have all four routes on the same level if it is to stress the defense!". Well, when you add in playaction, this is not the case. This is an excellent play vs. defenses that like to rotate their coverage and against overaggressive LB's on the backside of plays. For an interactive look at the play go here, otherwise the play is shown below against a 4-3 defense.
Before
After
As you can see, the playaction holds the LB's and allows the backside slot to "slip" out undetected by the defense. The other reason this technique works so well, is that the corner, seeing the backside vertical by the number one receiver, and having saw the slot go in motion, is now playing off of his divider and cannot play the inside throw. The rotated middle third safety is also out of position and in a quandary. If he rotates back he runs the risk of leaving the front side vertical open, however if he doesn't rotate back or doesn't see the backside vertical, then the back side slot is wide open.
The benefits of this play are two-fold. First, it can be a serious home run for the offense, especially if you don't overrun it during the course of a season. Secondly, this play HAS to hold either the backside safety, which will keep the offense from jumping your motion, or it will hold the backside LB, opening up the triple option once again (which is EXACTLY what every play in the flexbone offense is designed to do). This is a great play, that is "cheap" to add when it comes to time to install and develop this play. Who knew when one backup slot did the wrong thing, it would lead into a very dangerous weapon for the flexbone offense?!
Playaction Four Verticals and the Trips Formation Probably one of the most under used concepts in the four vertical scheme is to throw playaction from the Trips formation. If we remember the Veer "Q" play, this is a deadly double option out of the Trips formation that requires very little time to adapt to your offense. Playaction off of this look is no different, in that it is a very simple addition to the offense, that requires little to no new teaching time to install.
Playaction Screens I have always been a big fan of the screen game. Whether it be quick screens, running back screens, or simply a jailbreak screen, screens have always been a big part of my passing game. Here are some that I have run off of playaction that are some pretty nasty little compliments to the flexbone running game.
Triple Pass Jailbreak The jailbreak screen takes a bit of time to implement, but when you run it off of playaciton, you can really gut a defense's backside. Most defenses are hell bent on getting players across the midline to stop the triple option and this is their downfall, especially those that rotate coverage.
I particularly liked to use this play when I had WR's that could move in space. The QB sells the triple and drops off on the pass and instead of his normal one and a half steps off the mesh, he takes another one and a half steps and turns and delivers the football to the backside receiver. The blocks by the front line do not have to be devastating, but the key coaching point here is to force the defender into an outside release (which is why this play is best run to the three and five side of the defense). Anyhow, again, not a huge time intensive play to add to your playaction passing game.
Screens off Rocket Toss Rocket toss is one of the toughest plays in all of football to defend because of how quickly the play attacks the flank of the defense. In order to stop the play, the defense must pursue, and pursue quickly. In order to slow this pursuit down, use the rocket screens shown here.
The first screen is a screen to the B back off rocket action. This is a flow screen that works to counteract the overreaction by the defense to the rocket.
Another good one off of the Waggle play (off Rocket action) is the throwback screen to the slot. Here the QB will sell Rocket, then roll to set up Waggle. Once clear of the "box" he then turns and throws back to the slot that went in motion. Talk about having the defense's head spinning!
These are just a few ways you can "spice" up your passing game in the Flexbone offense. The book should show more of these and go into greater detail on playaction passing in the Flexbone. Anyhow, I'd written about defense enough, thought I would get into some of the offensive side of the football for a while.
I was thinking, with the New Year ringing in, what suggestions would you have for the site? I'm always interested in taking my audiences' temperature, so send me an email at footballislifeblog@yahoo.com and let me know what suggestions you have. Currently I'm still working on the 3-4 defense and the single wing offense. If you have any information you'd like to pass along, drop me an email. Anyhow, here's some links to keep you going until my next post.
Compete in all Things has a good post on the 3-4 defensive line. If you're like me and trying to learn more about this defense, then you will want to read this post. Also if you are like me, finding information on the 3-4 is like finding the Holy Grail! Good post Mariner!
Coach Hoover really hits home with his latest piece on Tim Tebow. I don't get all the haters our there, but to be honest, ol' Hoover goes into depth on what he believes is happening to the Denver Tebows...er...Broncos. I think he's dead on with his opinion here, and I feel the EXACT same way. Maybe I'm a little cynical, but I do believe in the power of belief, and I do believe that one person can make a difference. Such is the way with the Broncos. You cannot deny that the Broncos are not a changed football team. What makes this even better, is how traditional NFL analysts cannot stand how he's able to be successful. I also think there needs to be some kudos to head coach John Fox. He at least had the wherewithal to start Tebow and give him a chance despite all the detractors. Hey, desperate men sometimes do desperate things. I hope the ride doesn't end with a few wins either, I'd like to see the Tebows playoff bound!!! That would be a VERY nice Christmas gift for me.
For those that don't go to Gridnotes to find out your latest update on all your favorite football blogs...GET YOUR FRIGGIN' HEAD CHECKED!!!!! What a great setup over there. You can find whatever you need, whenever you want it, and the site is cleanly done, hats off bro, I'll drink a Sam Adams for ya! Great site, please check it out for all your information needs. There's great links to articles I frequently check out. No more searching through this blog or that, all blog posts are referenced and easy to find, again...hats off!
After our first installment on the B back, we now know what we need for the position, but we now need to give him a job description. I do this with all positions whether offense, defense, or special teams. So, what is the B back's job description? Well, the B back's main role in the offense is the dive back on the triple option. A typical fullback is usually not utilized as a runner, and you will find that blocking is not a top priority of the Flexbone B back. Being able to run option plays such as midline, inside veer (ISV) and outside veer (OSV) are essential (again this goes back to the first post on what we are looking for in our B back). The B back is not a "driller" either, he must be able to cut back and make quick cuts on the zone dive play. I have also utilized the B back as an outside runner on option plays as well. Lastly the B back does need to block some. He will be called on a lot in pass protection as he makes up the 6th in our 6 man protection schemes. He's also the C gap blocker on sprintout passes as well. The B back, for me, has also needed the ability to catch passes as I run the waggle off the Rocket toss play as well as middle and off tackle screens to the B back. As you can see, the B back in the Flexbone must be a pretty versatile player. Let's look closer and some of the common run plays the B back is involved in, and also plays used to keep the B back involved in the game.
Option Runs The B back is involved in several of the Flexbone option runs. These include the following, midline, ISV, OSV and speed option. For those that run trap and trap option, the B back is obviously a part of this as well.
Inside Veer/Triple Option The B back is the crux of the triple option. He is the man that you must get established to make it all go. The defense must honor the give to the B back. Listen to any good circle of defensive coaches, and you will hear the phrase "You must take away the dive". Nobody wants to get beat by a running back (RB) pounding it up the middle on you all night, well, this is EXACTLY what the B back is for. Quickness and toughness are essential to any B back if they are going to helm make the best play in football go!
Midline Midline, is my favorite play in all of football. I don't believe there is another play out there that hits with the quickness of the midline out of the Flexbone offense. This is where the B back's quickness comes into play. Toughness is also shown here, as the B back will be running right into the teeth of the defense.
Outside Veer Though not a staple of many Flexbone offenses, the OSV is one the B back must be able to run. With the modern day twist on defense switching back to that of the odd front, the need is there for a TE flank and the ability to run OSV putting the defense in conflict. The B back's role on OSV compared to ISV is no different, especially the way I run it (for a later post, email me to discuss if you'd like). Nonetheless, the B back still has to utilize his strength and quickness when running the OSV, just as he does with midline and the ISV.
Speed Option Johnathan Dwyer at Georgia Tech made a living on the speed option, due in part to him being such a fantastic athlete. If you've watched Paul Johnson's teams as long as I have, you know the speed option is a great play, when your B back is a home run hitter. A few years back I had a B back that could fly, he was small but super explosive and ran the ball well inside or out. I dusted of the speed option, to a tune of a 7.7 yard per average carry on that single play alone and 9 touchdowns that year. Our QB was a good runner too, so it was truly a double option threat! If your B back is more of a straight-ahead power runner, then the speed option might not be for you. However, if you think your B back would do good out on the edge of the defense, I suggest you run this complimentary play.
Complimentary Plays Any good defense is going to take away the B back at some point during the season. Having complimentary plays is what keeps the B back involved in the run game, and a viable threat when running the triple option. I'm going to list some plays you can use to help keep the B back involved in the run game when the defense is taking him out of the triple option equation.
Zone Dive The zone dive is the play that is designed to keep the B back involved in the run game when the defense has done a good job of taking away the dive portion of the triple option. Very simply put, the zone dive is the Flexbone's inside zone play. There is no read, and all the OL zone block, including the PSSB. The BSSB goes in motion just like the regular triple option play and runs his normal pitch course. The B back will take a flat step, instead of a straight ahead attack step as he does on the triple option. This is so the B back can get a good read on the playside guard's (PSG's) block. Once this "read step" has been made the B back squares his shoulders and either stays on track or cuts back, but must NEVER bounce to the outside. The QB will bring the ball back as deep as he can so the ball is in the B back's hands as long as possible to help with the B back's read on the defense. This also helps with the illusion of the play being the standard triple option play. Once the QB disconnects with the B back, he then carries out his option fake.
Iso Iso is a play I got from the University of the Cumberlands staff about three years ago. It is zone dive, and OSV wrapped into one package for them. They have used it with great success in recent years, and I took it and completely removed the Zone Dive from my playbook. Iso blocking was something my players know from running the counter-iso play. So, there was no new teaching for anybody on the offense. The only new teaching came from the footwork of the B back, and the QB not having to read anyone. The QB delivers the ball as deep as he can to the B back, the exact same way the zone dive is run. Once the ball is seated, then the QB and backside slot (BSSB) carry out their option fake. The playside slot (PSSB) folds underneath and blocks first LB to the playside. The OL is iso blocking to the playside and scooping to the backside. The only difference from ISV to the Iso play is the first step of the B back. Instead of attacking downhill, the B back will take a lateral step, and then attack the outside hip of the playside guard (PSG). This allows the B back to read the blocks and be prepared to make a cut quickly, just as the Zone Dive does, but without having to teach zone blocking. This is a very good play, and I recommend that you add it to your playbook...TODAY!!!!
Trap I've never been a big proponent of trap or trap option, however it is a part of many Flexbone schemes. My guards have always been the large immovable objects on my OL, and not usually known for pulling well, so I've strayed away from running trap or trap option. If you have the guards to do so, and you run a lot of midline, I suggest adding the trap in, especially if you are facing a hard to read three technique. The trap puts a "squatting" or "sitting" three technique in conflict as with the trap block it automatically declares the tackle to be a B gap player. Again, if you've got the guards, and you run a lot of midline, I suggest adding trap to your repertoire.
Draw A great play off sprintout action is the sprint draw. In years where my B back was more of a rushing threat than my QB, I have used this very play. It's very successful, and can really crease the defense if you are good at sprintout passing from the Flexbone. The B back sets up as if to block on the play, but then quickly slashes back running to daylight. I have seen huge gains off this play from both the B back and the QB. Even though it's not known as a passing offense, a good draw play is a must in any playbook.
There are many other ways to keep the ball in the hands of the B back, you can use screens and quick passes to him coming out of the backfield. The plays listed above are ones you can use to keep your play maker involved in the game, even though the defense is taking him away from the bread and butter option plays. You can also use the complimentary plays to hurt over-aggressive defenses who are being unsound against your option plays. This ability to keep the defense honest, will allow you to run your base triple option plays successfully.
I certainly hope you enjoyed the installment on one of the key elements to any Flexbone triple option attack...the B back!
Ok, so you've got your B back's, now how to teach them to do what you need them to do...get off the ball quick and run to daylight based on quick reads. So how to do this? It's not complicated, but like anything in football, you must start off with good fundamentals, or the rest of the teaching will be flawed.
Alignment The B back aligns directly behind the QB with his down hand approximately six feet from the heels of the QB. I use this rule, because it's a shorter distance to estimate for the B back. A lot of coaches say put the heels of the B back at five yards from the tip of the ball, I'd rather use the hand method as all of this is "seen" by the B back. The key element here is that the mesh happens FAST. The QB cannot be waiting on the B back in the mesh, or "bubbling" around the QB in the mesh, as this causes problems with the pitch phase of the triple option.
Stance The stance of the B back is the critical part of being able to utilize your players assets you found utilizing the drills we talked about in an earlier post. The stance of the B back is typical to that of a defensive end in a four man front. To start, the B back has his feet shoulder width or even slightly narrower. They can drop their off foot back as well if need be. Now, I've even had them get in a four-point stance if they felt more comfortable doing so. Not what I'd do every time, but there are times when a B back wants to "pop" up out of his stance rather than exploding forward that going to the four-point will help this. Anyhow, once the feet are where you want them, have the player rock forward and put a large majority of his weight on his down hand The buttocks should be higher than the head and the back is straight. Due to arm length, some kids buttocks will not be above their heads, it will be parallel with it, and this is ok. What you don't want is a kid that has his buttocks below his head as this will make him "pop" up, or become what I always labeled a "Jack in the Box". Anyhow, you have just effectively taught the prototypical B back stance!
Start The start is very important to the B back, just like any other position in football. The B back will use a short six inch power step on the snap, stepping in the direction of the play. During this step the shoulders will slightly elevate, but hey should not come straight up. Once the first step is in the ground, the second step will be utilized to gain ground toward the point of attack. I always used the middle of the guard as the aiming point on the inside veer (ISV), so that was where we were pointed once the second step was in the ground. Sometimes you had to correct B backs that were going forward and on the second step changing direction to get in the mesh. This is not good as the QB can bump into or connect too early with the B back, thereby making the play not as effective. The B back and QB should mesh as seamlessly as possible.
In the Mesh Once the B back is in the mesh, or if you are a no mesh team, once he's on his veer path, the B back's pads should remain low, rising no more than 12 inches or so from their original position. The B back makes the traditional pocket that running back's (RB's) do with his inside arm up. In a ride and decide system, the B back will feel the QB seat the ball in his belly. He MUST NOT clamp down at this point, however as the QB is still in the process of making his dive read. Once the B back feels the QB apply pressure to the B back's abdomen (this means the QB has straightened his arm and has stopped the riding process), the B back must clamp down on the football. In the milliseconds while the read is happening the B back should be reading the guard's block to his side, especially if running the ISV to a three technique. This allows the B back to cut or run to daylight when the QB gives the football. Once the football is secure, the B back then makes his cut and gets in what I call the "crease".
If you are a no mesh, or Point Method guy, the B back, while on his crease path, makes his normal pocket for the QB. Once he feels the football, he clamps down on it immediately as he knows if the QB leaves the ball out there, by the time the B back gets the football, it's his. The same reads apply for the B back in that he should be reading the guard's block as to where to cut to once he has the football given to him.
In both mesh and no mesh systems, if the QB does not give the ball, the B back should be in a great position to absorb the hit coming from the handoff key (HOK). The back should look to take this tackle on low and hard, and even step into the tackle if possible. This will keep the HOK occupied so he cannot slip off and play both the QB and the B back. The B back should keep his arms in front of him, as though he got the handoff and should barrel ahead into the tackle. If the QB misreads the play, the B back should run through the crease and look for the first opposite colored jersey he sees and block it.
Running with the Football Once the ball is given, the B back is not a prototypical runner at this point. He must make his cut and stick with his decision. "Dancers" are not allowed at the B back position. These guys must be able to make a quick cut and go. This is less imperative if you do not run ISV at a three technique as more than likely, the B back will be able to stay on track, and run the crease. One effective technique on both ISV and midline is to have the B back "bend" back in behind the HOK, as there is a natural void there due to the HOK not squeezing down to take the B back.
Please...no dancers...
The B back should keep two hands on the football at all times when in traffic. If he breaks out, then he can tuck the ball away with one hand. This is important as the B back's first five to ten yards are going to be in the belly of the defense where there are plenty of opportunities to get hit and fumble the football. Another coaching point is the B back NEVER looks back! If he feels the QB pull the ball and knows it was a fumble, he must keep running. This does two things, it gets a body out of the way so the QB can find and jump on the football, and it looks, to the HOK, like the B back still has the football. This part is sometimes easier said than done, but by explaining to your B back's they are like a missile on every play, they should get the idea that they are to not look back once they take off.
Problems and Coaching Points
Mesh is too slow/QB bubbling off mesh- Move the B back up closer to the QB. Too close and you don't have a good mesh angle. If you have to move the B back more than a foot, he should be playing offensive tackle.
Mesh too quick, QB not getting a good read- While I argue this is a moot point and your QB should learn to read it quicker, you can back the B back up a bit, but again, one foot is the mark. If moving him back doesn't work, find you a new QB.
B back bending into the mesh- This happens a lot with younger, more inexperienced players for some reason. Look at the B back's feet and make sure he's stepping with his playside foot first in the direction of the aiming point. Sometimes younger players rely on their dominant hand or foot and you will find that they tend to run the play good in one direction but not the other. If this is the case, rep your back doing it do his weak side twice as much to his strong side.
Ball being placed too low on B back's body- This comes from your B back running upright. One good place to rep your B back's are in the linemen chutes (if you have them). This teaches them to come out low and hard, with the best application being a "battleground chute".
Fumbles in the mesh- This problem can go two ways, as it could be your QB. The first thing to look at is, does the B back seem to be pulling or tugging at the ball in the mesh. If so, he's not understanding what he's supposed to be feeling. Mesh drill is a good way to work on this, but slow it down if having problems. Let the B back know it's going to be a give or a pull and have the QB follow your instructions so they can both feel how each is supposed to feel.
B back off track- This happens quite a bit, even when utilizing a fire hose for your linemen splits. The best thing is to build a "Mesh Board" as I call it. It's two pressure treated 2x6's made in a V. They are attached at the V with a bolt, two washers and a wing nut (for easy removal and storage). About midway up is a piece of chain, measured to the right length to accommodate your linemen's splits. These boards are only four feet long and when laid on the ground form a "V". The B back places his hand in the middle of the V (see mesh drill video above) and runs along the board to stay on course.
B back stops on contact- There are going to be misreads, or even close reads where the B back is going to get hit or partly hit by the HOK. If the B back is stopping on contact, work the gauntlet drill continuously or work the veer drill with an offensive tackle and defensive linemen to simulate "live" situations. This may also be the player, and you may need to reevaluate whether or not this player is suited to play B back.
The B back's initial alignment, stance and get off are imperative to the success of the triple option in the Flexbone offense. Do not leave these details alone, and "hope" they will get coached. If you see problems arising, work on them immediately as the success of your offense hangs in the balance!
For the next installment, I will discuss the B back and his role in the running game in the Flexbone offense.
Going to do a couple of posts on the B back in the flexbone offense. I get several questions via email and phone calls on the nuances of the Flexbone offense, and one question that comes up time and time again is the fullback position, or what most of us "die-hards" refer to as the B back. This first post is going to be dedicated to what it is you are looking for in a B back and drills you can use in practice to facilitate your search.
Prototypical B back To be honest, at the high school level, it's hard to hammer things down into what many would consider a prototypical B back. I guess, if all were equal, the B back would be the size of a traditional blocking fullback, but with the speed of a tailback. Basically put, he would be the cliche that you most often hear during NFL and college games, "he's a tailback in a fullback's body".
Yeah...this guy!
This is all fine and dandy if you are in college where you can recruit, however those of us at the high school level are not afforded the luxury of hand picking our players (well, most of us anyhow). So, what are you looking for in your B back, especially when you cannot recruit him? Here's the list:
Physical Toughness: Yes I know, coaches use this "catch phrase" all too often, however with this position toughness is a MUST! The B back in the Flexbone offense will get hit on every play, whether he has the ball or not. The B back must be able to get up from every collision and be able and willing to go and do the exact same thing again. A B back that cannot withstand this punishment will wither and not be as strong in the fourth quarter, when you need your B back the most. Look for players who "take a licking and keep on ticking". This is the first step in finding the right player to play B back in your offense.
Quickness: B backs must possess a great first step and be able to get off the ball quickly. I have had B backs who turned right around on defense and played defensive end (DE) or defensive tackle (DT). A quick get-off is a must for a B back as the base play (the inside veer) must be run with an explosive B back.
Tackle breaker: Sounds simple, but this is very important too. The B back HAS to run through arm tackles. If you have a back that goes down on first contact, regardless of his toughness or quickness, he is NOT a B back. A B back that can run through contact is a MUST for a young triple option QB just learning the system, as there will be misreads. If you don't want to be looking at second-and-ten, then find a B back that can run through tackles.
Ok, that's my list. Many coaches' lists are longer, but remember you are looking at your team for a kid that fits a certain criteria. The more attributes you add, the more you narrow your search down. I figure if a kid is tough, quick and can run through arm tackles, we can use him. Size is NEVER a qualification. Since you cannot recruit, I don't feel that size is something you are looking for. The first year I ever ran this offense I had two kids that played this B back position. The starter was a body builder looking guy who was 5'9" and 198 pounds. This young man was a state qualifier in weight lifting and a beast on the football field. His backup was a little runt, at 5'6" and 150 pounds, however he was the most explosive kid on the football field and had what many scouts call "closing speed". In our first year the starter rushed 159 times for 779 yards and 13 touchdowns. The backup rushed for 565 yards on just 84 attempts and had 7 touchdowns. We rotated them by series as both played defense as well, and they were tough to handle. Both fit the above criteria. I've had them come in all shapes and sizes with the smallest being the young man mentioned above and the two largest were 6'2" 200 pounds and 5'8" 225 pounds. This is why I say size matters not, if the player is tough and can take a pounding, has a quick, explosive first step, and can run through tackles, play him at the B back position.
Finding the Right Man for the Job Looking for the three qualifications listed above takes some doing, but it's not rocket science. I'm going to take you through some drills we utilized to help us find our B backs during pre-season camp.
Circle of Life/Oklahoma/Eye Openers: What??? Yes I know, doesn't sound like a list of drills where you find a fullback does it? Well, hear me out! Circle of Life is a drill I stole from Urban Meyer at the University of Florida (he's used it everywhere he's been) and it involves circling the team up and pitting two players against each other. The idea is to do whatever it takes within the game of football to get the opposing player out of the circle. It's intense and the players love it. What I look for here is guys that continually win, or want to keep going. This is a tough character, because this drill will wear you down. Oklahoma is no different. The guys who continually want to go, love contact, and are tough. These are the first qualification to being a good B back. Eye Openers is the same thing, if you have a guy who wants to run the ball a lot in this drill, give him a look at B back, he might just surprise you.
Short Sprints: I used the ten and 20 yard sprint to see who my quickest guys were. Change of direction quickness drills don't measure what you need when looking for your B back, as most plays for the B back in the Flexbone offense are straight ahead. Run these with a stopwatch on and see who your quickest 3 players are. A tip is to put your backs in the linemen chutes so they have to stay low when coming out of their stance and still be quick.
The Gauntlet: I've been fortunate to have one of these most everywhere I've been, but if you don't use your running backs to hold dummies and let the ball carrier run through them. Have them try to knock him down with the pads when he runs through them. If you have a gauntlet then run them through and look at these two factors:
Overall speed through the drill- Time each back to help you with this, and go so far as recording this data. This lets you know who runs within their pad level and has good tackle breaking ability.
Movement through the drill- Some of my best B backs hit the gauntlet and never slowed down coming all the way through in what looked like one seamless motion. This is your guy! At worst he should stutter a moment upon contacting the gauntlet and be able to stay upright through the length of the drill.
These are just a few drills you can use to help find you a B back for your offense. More often than not you find that if you are changing from a one back or pro style offense, one of these guys is your tailback. Find AT LEAST two, preferably four of these guys, as they do take a pounding. Rotate them to keep them fresh as well.
In Addition Lastly, a criteria I did not add to the first list, but is one everyone looks for in a good running back, and that is ball security. The Flexbone offense requires a great deal of ball handling, and the B back must be able to carry the rock. I did not add this to the original list because in my opinion, this is a qualification for any player who possess the football. If you have a guy that fits all three criterion, but fumbles, he cannot play B back. The B back is NOT a fumbler, and neither should ANY of your running backs be known as a fumbler.
Mentally, I would add that most B backs I've had, are not selfish ball players. They are usually guys that love playing the game for what the game is all about, running and hitting. They usually care little about stats, and just want to play. I know that's not a criteria, but as you find these players, this usually seems to be the trend.
The next post is going to be teaching the stance, and the start on the Flexbone's base play...the Inside Veer!
Midline, is probably my favorite power play in all of football. It combines the power running game of the I formation and the option reads associated with triple option offenses. Midline can frustrate even the best defensive coaches and teams. Midline gives the option offense the "in your face" right at you power offense that some option offenses seem to lack. If you already run the triple option, then midline is a must in your offense.
The Basics
Midline has many variations (as we'll see) but in a nutshell, it is an option play that hits in either the A gap or the B gap of the defense. The quarterback (QB) will read the first down lineman from the A gap out as the handoff key (HOK). The QB will give the ball to the fullback (FB) every time unless the HOK comes down to take the FB. If the HOK does take the FB, then the QB will replace the HOK and run the ball into the B gap. The aiming point for the FB is the "brown spot" (use your imagination fellas) of the center. If he gets the football he should be taught to "bend" the ball back in behind the HOK. If the play results in a pull read, he is to absorb the HOK as he runs his dive course. The perimeter blocking is where the bulk of the variations lie with the Midline play, however Midline may be run as both a double and a triple option.
The blocking for the offensive line is very simple, and here is an excerpt from an option playbook on how the offensive line should block the play:
Playside Tackle (PST)- On to the outside (don't allow defender to cross face).
Playside Guard (PSG)- Inside gap, Ace to backside linebacker (LB).
Center- On, backside gap, Over.
Backside Guard (BSG)- Scoop (Inside gap to backside LB).
Backside Tackle (BST)- Hinge, protect B gap run-through.
The Many Faces of Midline
For me, midline was not just one play, but one play with tons of variations. I'm going to elaborate on the many variations to one of the greatest plays in all of football.
Midline Blast
The blast play is often times referred to as the midline lead play. This is option football and power football meshed into one. On the blast play, the reads for the QB and the path for the FB are unaltered. The perimeter blocking for this play is what is key. Both slots will insert themselves into the B gap. The backside slot back (BSSB) will go into "tail" motion and will lead through the B gap, and is taught to block the outside 1/2 of the B gap, or the B gap to the outside (however you prefer to teach it). The playside slot back (PSSB) will insert or fold into the B gap, and will block the inside 1/2 of the B gap. The blast play is a great short yardage play and is also very effective on the goalline. This is the first midline play I install in my Flexbone offense.
Midline Blast
Midline Seal
Many defenses have their LB's key the slot back's movements and react accordingly (you can go here and here to learn more about how the 4-3 defense does this very thing). This can really make running the blast play, mentioned above, very trying for the offense. So what is the offense to do? Give the LB's false keys! All the rules for blocking are the exact same except for the slot backs'. The BSSB, will still tail motion and insert into the B gap, however he has the entire B gap to himself. The PSSB will, instead of folding, load, or seal block the playside LB. This keeps the playside LB from being able to collapse down inside and clog up any inside running lanes. The Midline Seal is a very simple and easy addition to the Midline run game.
Midline Seal/Load
Midline Fold
The fold play is another variation of the Midline that plays on the keys and reads of the LB's and secondary. Some secondaries will have their safeties cross key the slots, and when they see a slot insert, the safety will also insert himself into the inside run gap. With the Fold play, the PSSB will fold or insert into the B gap, blocking the first threat to show in the B gap. The BSSB is simply a decoy, he will go into tail motion and on the snap will simply run the pitch course, thereby drawing the safety outside and away from where the ball is being run. This is a great compliment if you run a lot of midline triple option (or as some call it mid-veer). This is also a great play to run with "twirl" motion to counteract any defenses that like to jump the motion associated with the Flexbone offense. Again, as you can clearly see, the Fold play is an easy addition to your Midline arsenal, by simply changing a few rules, you can really distort a defense's reads and keys.
Midline Fold
Midline Triple
The Midline Triple Option, or mid-veer as some refer to it, is one of the hardest plays in all of football to defend. This is a great play against odd front defenses that choose to use the Double Eagle, or Double 4I look to take away the Inside Veer (ISV) play. Mid-veer is so quick, it's perimeter component resembles that of the Rocket Toss play. Here are the rules for the Mid-Veer:
PST: Playside LB to near safety (easiest release veer or loop).
PSG: Inside gap, playside LB, backside LB to safety.
C: On, backside gap, backside LB.
BSG: playside gap, on, over.
BST: "Smart scoop".
PSWR: Stalk block.
PSSB: Arc block #3 in the count.
BSWR: Cut-off block
BSSB: No motion, run pitch course be ready for quick pitch.
FB: Midline path, run through playside cheek of center. If the ball is given, get in behind the HOK. If there is an auto-disconnect, lead up and block the near LB.
QB: Step away at 1/11 o'clock with first step. Read the first down lineman from the A gap out for the
handoff key. Give the ball every time unless the HOK takes the B back. If you get a pull read read the
PK whether to keep or pitch it. More than likely this will be a pitch. If PK on the LOS read PK through HOK and be ready to disconnect and pitch immediately.
As a side note, the term "smart scoop" is a term used by some Flexbone teams which simply tells the backside tackle to protect the B gap with zone blocking instead of hinge blocking.
Mid-veer
My favorite part of Mid-veer is that there is no motion. This is an even better play when run with twirl motion, as you can catch the defense rotating in the opposite direction from where you plan on running a triple option play!
The drawbacks to the Mid-veer are that the pull-n-pitch by the QB can be instantaneous. This can be a quick, and very tough read. The Mid-veer is a high risk, high reward play, that if executed properly, can lead to some big gains for the offense.
So, there you have it! Midline is not only one of the best plays in all of football, with a few tweaks it can also be one of the most versatile plays in all of football. If you are only running one version of the midline, you are sorely missing out on some grand opportunities at one of the most versatile plays in all of football!
Being a DB coach, the secondary is undoubtedly my baby. When defending the Flexbone, all players must have a tremendous sense of discipline and yet still remain aggressive. The Flexbone offense will test your secondary both in the run game and run support and their reads and reactions to the playaction passing game.
To start, let's look at the Flexbone offense and why it presents a nightmare for your secondary. The basis of the offense is around the old Run-n-Shoot double slot formation. This formation is balanced, so you, as a defensive coordinator (DC) need to be balanced as well. For more on balancing of your defense go here. The offense also has 4 immediate vertical threats at receiver. Even though 2 of these are RB/WR hybrids, they can still get vertical immediately down the seams, presenting the DC with some issues.
The advantage the defense has over the offense, is most Flexbone teams are still 3 back offenses. Even if he slots are hybrids, they are utilized more in the run game than the pass game. Secondly, if you are forcing a Flexbone team to drop back and throw, you better be winning. Most Flexbone teams are run heavy (we faced one last season that was 89% run, 11% pass) and therefor do not have complicated passing concepts you have to handle. I compiled data from reviewing previous years films I had collected over the year of high schools and colleges running the offense, and interviewed a handful of Flexbone coaches I had come to know over the years either talking on forums such as the Huey Board, or The Option Football Society, or that I had coached against personally. What I came up with was the following:
72% of these teams passing game was playaction off inside veer (ISV), midline, and rocket.
The remaining 21% of the passing game was sprintout action, rolling mainly into trips (67%) or doubles/twins (23%).
Only 7% of these teams passing games were dropback action, 5% of this was 3 step, and the remaining 2% was 5 step.
I did not find a single Flexbone coach who taught a 7 step drop passing scheme.
So, look at the bulk of what you have to defend, and that is playaction. However, this is how Flexbone teams get you! As a former Flexbone OC here's what I looked for in your coverage schemes:
Are they a 7 man front/middle of the field open (MOFO) defense, or an 8 man front/middle of the field closed defense (MOFC)?
If they are a 7 man front, do they break this 2 deep shell on motion (rotational cover 2/3).
If they are an 8 man front, do they rotate the middle of the field (MOF) player on motion?
The first question was more tied into the setting up the run game, but I also wanted to know "if" we had to drop back, what could we try to exploit. Against rolling, even coverage shells, how aggressive is the invert player? Can we throw behind him? How does he read? What is he reading? And lastly, against the 8 man front MOF defender I looked for how aggressive he ran the alley on run plays. I also looked if he was pattern reading our slot who did not motion, or was he rotating back and playing a deep 1/3 (when I refer to motion, I mean arc motion typical of Flexbone offenses). Could we throw behind him, or under him? These were all questions my staff and I used to ask of our opponent when breaking down film and game planning.
Arc Motion
So what passing concepts are you going to see? Very simply put, Veer Pass is one of the top passes you will see, along with what most Flexbone coaches call Veer Switch Pass. This is the passing scheme I will focus on for defending this offense since it us such a vital part of the Flexbone passing game. OC's in this offense try to make their routes look as much like their blocking schemes as they can. We ran Veer Pass vs. 8 man front teams, where our playside slot back (PSSB) would be loading down inside on a inside linebacker (ILB). The slot would release inside as to block the ILB and run what some call a "whip" or "pigtail" route back to the flat. His read was to get over the flat defender and expand if the flat defender was narrow (close to him) or squat if the flat player had expanded. The playside wide receiver (PSWR) would run a takeoff route with a stutter as he attacked the corner, attempting to make the route look like a stalk block (typical block found in our perimeter load blocking scheme). The backside wide reciever (BSWR) would run a sail route, which looked just like his across the field blocking technique. Against MOFC, we tried to have him hit the MOF and turn upfield. Against MOFO, we had him split the safeties, and against rotation, we had him square this route off into basically a dig route. Veer Switch Pass looked just like out "switch" blocking scheme where the PSSB arced to the corner, and the PSWR cracked the FS. We simply ran post/wheel with the backside sail route. The backside slotback (BSSB) in both cases either blocked outside the playside tackle's (PST) block, or ran a swing route (pitch course). If we had an aggressive flat player, we kept him running the swing, this allowed us to throw behind the flat player.
Load scheme
Veer Pass
Switch Blocking
Veer Switch Pass
So, how do you play your secondary Duece? Well, I've always been partial to the rotational Cover 3, and I'll tell you why. Like I stated earlier, the top goal of any defense when facing this offense is to get more bodies across the crease than the offense can block. The other thing is you must attack certain points of this offense to reduce blocking angles and create defensive leverage. The secondary is critical of this attacking philosophy. I wanted the safety to the pitch side, being able to be aggressive and not have to worry about if #2 went vertical or not. So I had my safeties cross read the slots. There are numerous arguments for or against this, and I'm really on the fence with this one. The reason I cross read, is that, when polled, most of the kids in the system told me motion caught their eye anyway, and it was hard to focus on a slot that did not motion, when the other one was moving (ahh...the high school mind). This made sense to me, so rather than "forcing" (no pun intended) something on them that was difficult, I gave them the easier read. However, Cover 3 is can be weak vs. the threat of 4 vertical receivers. How do you play rotational Cover 3 AND still be sound vs. 4 verticals. The answer is to play two coverages in one. This was based around the motion that is ingrained in all Flexbone offenses. They cannot hide this fact, they MUST motion a slot in a majority of their run game. When they do this, they eliminate one of the 4 vertical threats. So, vs. motion, we rotated into Cover 3, rotating the safety to the motion side, down to play flats/force and the safety away from motion to the middle 1/3. Vs. no motion, we played our standard or base 2 read/quarters scheme, where we pattern read the release of the #2 receiver. Basically it's the best of both worlds. The drawback is that you have to rep the reads of the secondary constantly so they become second nature when facing this type of offense. So what were our safety reads? Well, if your slot motioned, you thought pitch, and their eyes stayed on that slot for the duration of the play. The safety to motion, would screw down to linebacker (LB) depth, and would work to stay in outside leverage on the pitch player. If he saw the pitch (rocket) he immediately attacked his force point, so as to create a poor blocking angle for a pulling guard or arcing slot. If it was not an immediate pitch he worked to the line of scrimmage (LOS) keeping his peripheral vision on the QB as to his intentions (run/pass). We didn't want him to "fly" to the LOS if the pitch was not immediate for the simple reason I mentioned before. OC's that find this player aggressive will try to throw behind him. The closer to the LOS this player gets the harder it is for him to recover and defend the flats.
Rocket Toss
Safety reads vs. ISV
If the motioning slot inserted (midline follow/true iso) then the safety to motion still screwed down, to LB depth and played force looking for the spill by the inside defenders. There was no new teaching here, as this was the safety's normal read in our 2 read/quarters scheme anyhow. If the motioning slot, redirected (what Flexbone coaches call "Twirl" motion), then the slot was to yell "Counter" and he redirected and rolled back to the MOF as the middle 1/3 player. This sounds like a lot of moving, but to be honest I have rarely seen a Flexbone team twirl motion, and throw back to twirl motion. Not saying it can't happen, I've just never seen it.
Twirl Motion/Counter-Iso
The safety away from motion, basically became the middle 1/3 player. The thing I drilled in his head was to key that opposite slot, because if he folded back inside, we wanted that safety to "freeze" and look for counter coming back at him. The other item we wanted him to be able to get to was the seam by the slot that didn't motion. He had to be able to wreck that route, anything else was "gravy" (as we call it in the South).
If there was no motion, on the snap, the safety's eyes would flash to the near slot. Vs. no motion, we were playing our base 2 read/quarters coverage scheme. The reads then were pattern based, reading the #2 receiver to the side the safety aligned on. This read allowed us to be very sound vs. the Flexbone's 4 vertical receiving threats. Since we based out of this 2 read/quarters scheme, there was no new teaching to be done with the pattern reads, we had been doing them since day one of fall camp!
Cornerbacks
I'm not a fan of corner force, even though in my earlier days I was a pure squat 1/2's Cover 2 guy. The thing I'm opposed to with corner force is the fact the offense can displace the corner so far he can become ineffective. I tried all kinds of things to combat this, such as moving the corner hard and to the inside vs. a wide split, as well as turning his back to the wide receiver (WR) so as not to be cracked. However, these techniques never yielded me much success (not saying it can't be done, my goodness look what Iowa did to Georgia Tech with Cover 2). So what I'm going to talk about is what I did that had the most success defending the Flexbone.
As I stated earlier, I played a rotational Cover 3 scheme, so the corners were always secondary force players. However, Flexbone OC's will see this, and will begin to crack your rotational force player. When a corner recognized a crack block by the WR, he yelled "rat" which was our term for a crack block. The corner screamed off the backside of the crack and traded responsibilities with the safety. In essence, the corner and safety did exactly the same thing as the defensive end (DE) and outside linebacker (OLB) do when gap exchanging (block down/step down). The safety, upon hearing the "rat" call, settled his feet and would open laterally to the blocker, and work over the top of the blocker becoming the secondary force player to that side. We had the safety open at the receiver for two reasons, the first being we wanted him to see the block, so as not to get earholed. Secondly, we wanted him to be able to work to a corner route if that was what the WR was doing.
Rotational Cover 3 vs. Switch Blocking
Now, I know what you are thinking, most backside WR's in the Flexbone will cut across the face of the corner heading for the near safety on runs away (known to Flexbone coaches as the "across the field technique"). I still had my corners keying the #2 receiver as they always would in our standard 2 read/quarters scheme. The corner only yelled "rat" if the slot to his side motioned. If there was no motion, we were playing our standard 2 read/quarters scheme, so he needed his eyes on #2 anyway. Again, multiplicity with simplicity!
Across the field technique
Other than crack-and-replace, the corner had a very easy job, don't get beat deep! They played their deep 1/3 technique and we often told them they were to be heavy to the post, unless the #2 receiver released outside. Remember the corner was looking for motion too, as this told him whether he was pattern reading #2, or bailing out and taking his deep 1/3.
In my opinion this rotating secondary scheme gave you the best of both worlds. It handled the 4 vertical threat by playing 2 read/quarters to 4 receiving threats if none of these receiving threats went into arc motion. It played rotational cover 3, so the safety to the motion side could be aggressive vs. the run, and not have to worry about if the #2 receiver went vertical.
Last, the simplistic nature of all this, was built into our defense from day one. We based out of 2 read/quarters, and always mixed in rotational Cover 3 as well. Our kids knew how to do this, so it was nothing new come the week we were facing a Flexbone team. This is very important when facing this type of offense. I have been a part of staffs that tried to put in the "defense of the week" vs. a Flexbone team, and frankly, it never works. I build defending the triple option into my base defense, because in my opinion it's the most difficult of all offenses to stop.
I'm not done yet folks! I have yet to illustrate some other key points. However I've talked on the Flexbone enough for now. Later I will talk about:
The 4-3 vs. other Flexbone formations- Flexbone teams don't just stay in double slot, you need to be ready for all the adjustments out there for the various formations such as Trips, Over, and Tackles Over.
Drills for defending the Flexbone- Build these into your defense from day one! Don't say "we don't see that offense" and let the Flexbone rear it's ugly head in the playoffs...you need to be ready to face this "basketball on grass" offense from day one!
And finally, Some other schemes I've played/been a part of defending the Flexbone- Not all of us are 4-3 guys, I will talk about what I've been a part of and what I've had done against me as a Flexbone OC so the 3-3/4-4/3-5 guys can get something out of this discussion as well.
