Thursday, July 31, 2014

Playbook: Lead

Lead, or lead draw, is one of the most recognizable running plays in football. There are many variations, including HB Lead, FB Lead, Lead Strong, Lead Weak (or Open), etc., but all are meant to be quick-hitting running plays.

The blocking is man, meaning every OL, TE, and RB will have an assignment. This is a basic play that requires no "window dressing," as Matt Bowen puts it. The offense simply lines up and executes, leaving it up to the linebacker to be quick enough to fill the gap.

















Here's another example. The play below is FB Lead Strong. FB Vonta Leach is the lead blocker (hence the name) through the 2-hole. Leach, along with C Gradkowski and LT Monroe, will take on the linebackers while the other linemen block out. RB Bernard Pierce will look for a quick opening and take the ball right up the middle. With the right blocking, this play will effectively gain solid yardage, though it's unlikely to go for a big gain.





Outside Resources

1) Playbook Sessions: The Base NFL Run Game
2) Want to Learn the Base NFL Run Game?
3) NFL 101: Introducing the Power Running Game
4) Football Fundamentals: Iso Primer 
5) Football Fundamentals: RB and HB Blocking