Playbook: Power O

Power O is possibly the most ubiquitous running play in football history. It is popular at every level of the game, mostly because it works. For example, below you'll see a screen cap of the Ravens using Power O last season. But if you click link #7 in Outside Resources, you'll also see a PowerPoint presentation from a high school coach who installed Power O as his base run play. It's that widely used.

In this play, each lineman down blocks (seals off the back side) while the backside guard pulls to the play side and attacks the SAM linebacker. It's a demanding assignment for the guard, who needs to be quick-footed and athletic to get around to the play side and then attack the linebacker in space. Some offenses also use a fullback as a lead blocker to kick out the end man on the line of scrimmage (E; below). Finally, to make Power O work, teams need a back who can explode through the hole with timing and the ability to cut off of his blocks.

Here's a look at it on the chalkboard:


















When it all comes together, Power O has a number of advantages. It's good against a variety of defensive looks, it can be used on multiple downs and distances, and it's great for setting up high-percentage play action passes later in the game. The Ravens even used it from the shotgun at times, as in the play below:

Like its name implies, Power O is just good, old-fashioned power football. No misdirection, just smart blocking and patient running.

Outside Resources

1) Explanation and Cut-ups of the "Power O" Run Play
2) Want to Learn the Base NFL Run Game?
3) NFL 101: Introducing the Power Running Game
4) The Coach's Corner: Utilizing New Power-O Innovations in the Spread Offense
5) The "Power O" Play
6) Playbook: Wisconsin's 'Power O' Scheme
7) Power "O"
8) One Back Power Game: Separating the Defense
9) More "Bang" for your Buck with the Power Scheme 
10) Football Fundamentals: Power O Blocking Primer 
11) Football Fundamentals: Power O Blocking (Part II)
12) POWER Variations Series 
13) Power Variations #2 - Super Power 
14) Power Variations #3 - 1 Back Power 
15) Power Variations #4 - Power Arc 
16) Football Fundamentals: RB and HB Blocking
17) Football Fundamentals: The Many Iterations of Power O

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

Playbook: Wham

"Wham" is a counter to standard gap or zone rushing plays that generally utilizes an inside trap element from a full- or H-back.

FB Vonta Leach (#44) with a "wham" block on NT Casey Hampton

Often times the "wham" will come against a nose-tackle (as above).  The center (Birk) uses an "olay" block (ignores the man aligned over him, climbs to second level) allowing Leach to trap the nose tackle.  It is an effective way to occupy a 2-gapping defensive lineman with one player instead of double-teaming him.

A draw-up of an H-back Wham on a 1-technique DT.  Courtesy of Coach McElvany

The success of this playcall tends to arise from its unpredictability.  Defensive lineman who have seen wham on tape are taught to collision the wham-blocker creating an undesirable amount of traffic at the point of attack.  However, a play-action compliment to this play can also be effective.

A variant of Wham that uses play-action to get the H-Back into the flat

Outside Resources:

1. Complimenting the Inside Zone with Wham
2. What is a Wham Block?
3. Playbook Session: The Base NFL Run Game
4. Draw Up: The 49ers and the Wham Play
5. Film Study | Because We All Need A Little More WHAM in Our Lives
6. All 22 film breakdown: How the 49ers found their offensive identity versus the Rams
7. A Multiple Run Game with the Zone Scheme
8. Film Review: OSU Tight Zone Wham vs. Oregon

Playbook: Inside Trap

Generally speaking, traps are quick-hitting runs meant to gain a few tough yards. 

Traps compliment plays like the Zone Read and Power O to achieve a well-rounded ground game. And anyone on the offensive line can run a trap: one OL leaves his man intentionally unblocked, only to be picked up by a different lineman - often unseen by the defender.

The inside trap asks one guard (in the image below, LG A.Q. Shipley) to leave his man intentionally unblocked and move immediately to the second level. The other guard (below, RG Marshall Yanda) "trap" blocks, or comes around behind the center and takes on the defender vacated by the first guard. 

The rest of the line tries to block out - away from the middle of the field - to give the running back as much space as possible.

Outside References

1) Inside the Clemson Offense: The Trap

2) Inside the Clemson Offense: HB Power/Trap

3) Inside Trap (34/36 Trap)

4) Power, Traps, Counter, and Zone: Breaking Down the Colts Running Game

Playbook: Texas

"Texas" is a route, usually from a running back out of the backfield that is defined as "run 1 yard outside [tight end], plant outside foot on [line of scrimmage], break at a 45 [degree] angle. Cross [linebacker's] face, keep going vs. man or zone" via the 2004 Shanahan playbook.  Texas is also considered a playcall with specific complementary routes from proximal receivers.

In order to isolate a slower middle linebacker on a running back in the middle of the field, the slot receiver above takes the nickel back out of the play by running an "out."  The Texas route initially pulls the linebacker toward the sideline and the inside cut forces the linebacker to trail the running back.  Its a flexible route combination vs. man and zone but works best against man coverage.

 

Via the Shanahan playbook, the running back uses a "Scat" (i.e. free) release and is commonly the first read in the quarterback's progression.

The 2012 Ravens combined the Drive concept with the Texas route, a combination referred to as "Follow"

 

Ray Rice (orange) has a fantastic match-up versus a linebacker in the middle of the field.  With Dennis pitta running the underneath "drive" route, Rice follow him and use the vacated middle of the field to pick up yards after the catch.

Alternate terminology for the Texas route includes 'angle.'

Outside References

1) The "jerk" route and "follow" concept from bunch
2) All-22: Film Study on how the Ravens rebounded against the Giants 
3) The TEXAS concept in the West Coast Offense
4) Texas Passing Concept
5) The Texas Concept: Using Your RBs in Base Routes

Playbook: Spot

"Spot" is a three receiver route combination that is found in every NFL playbook.  It is run out of a three receiver side (backs and tight ends included) and consists of a corner route, a flexible intermediate route (curl,whip, in), and a flat route.

This combination places pressure on a number of defensive looks.  There is a horizontal and vertical stretch component that makes this sequence of routes so lethal.

To a defense that hasn't strictly prepared for this playcall, the proximity of the routes can cause hesitation in the defensive back's judgement.  For example, a "cloud" or rolled up corner back (as in the Cover-2 scheme) can easily get "Hi-Lo'ed" by the flat and curl routes where a hook defender (W, above) can be stretched laterally.

Often times the reads for the quarterback go from 1) corner, to 2) curl, to 3) flat.  Although this changes based on defensive scheme and field position.

 

"Spot" is a fantastic call in the redzone.  It floods zone defenses to one side or can utilize a "pick" element against teams using man coverage.

Alternate terminology for Spot includes "Snag."

Outside References

1) Snag, stick, and the importance of triangles (yes, triangles) in the passing game
2) Three routes you must stop to win in the NFL
3) An inside look at the Packers' 'Spot Route'
4) Coach Maisonet's Spot Route Concept
5) Simplifying Passing Concepts
6) Brady and Manning All-22: Spot Passing Concept
7) Snag Route: Noel Mazzone
8) Detroit Lions All-22 Breakdown: Pistol Spot Passing Concept
9) Snag and Scat Revisited 
10) A look at the 'X Spot'
11) All-22: Snag, Tempo and the Eagles

Playbook: Counter

Counter is one of the staple "power" running plays at every level of football. The back fakes one direction after the snap but then takes the handoff the opposite direction, following a pulling guard through the hole. The guard will either kick out the end man on the line of scrimmage or lead the back through the designed hole, depending on the defensive front:

The counter is designed to trick the defense, which often keys on a running back's first step. If the first step is a false one, the defense will begin flowing to the wrong side of the field. Any hesitation or misdirection in the defense is a win for the offense.

In the play below, RG Marshall Yanda is pulling, and RB Ray Rice will follow him through the hole.

Outside References

1) NFL 101: Introducing the Power-Running Game

2) Want to Learn the Base NFL Run Game?

3) Power & Counter Runs
4) Adding Multiplicity with a Flexible Run Scheme - The Counter Play 
5) COUNTER - The Ying to Power's Yang
6) Football Fundamentals - Counter H/F Primer
7) Steelers "Counter OF"

Playbook: Mesh

Mesh is a common pass play in a number of systems.  It involves two opposite inside receivers crossing paths forming a natural pick against man coverage.

 

One receiver is designated as crossing over the other while the opposite receiver runs underneath of his route.  The "traffic" that is caused by multiple defenders and receivers gives the quarterback defined reads after the receivers break to the opposite side of the field.

 

Against man coverage, the two defenders are forced to chase from behind and are likely to get picked or rubbed while chasing.

The "mesh" terminology is common in the Air Raid playbook, but the play exists in the West Coast Playbook as well.  Against zone coverage, the receivers read where the defender's areas begin and end, and sit in between them. 

Outside References

1) Better Know A Pass Pay - Mesh
2) Air Raid Playbook - The Mesh
3) Texas Tech Air Raid - Pass Play 92 (Mesh)
4) Jets 92 Mesh
5) Mesh Play, Shallow Package - A Simple Yet Devastating Attack
6) Mesh Variations
7) Valdosta State Air Attack
8) The shallow cross, drag, and drive in the west coast and spread offenses
9) Oregon vs Michigan State Preview: Ducks Vertical Passing Game 
10) Rethinking "MESH" 

Playbook: Flanker Drive

Flanker Drive (or "Z Drive") is a West Coast staple where the typical strong-side wide receiver ("Z") runs a "drive" or "shallow" route that progresses all the way to the opposite side of the field.

The drive route (red) is designed to remain shallow throughout the play while a 10-12 yard dig route (yellow) forms behind it by the in-line tight end.  The weak-side receiver ("X" or split end) generally occupies the cornerback to make space for the drive route which will reach a depth of 4-6 yards by the time it reaches the far numbers.

Flanker drive puts stress on the middle linebacker (M) as he needs to choose whether to drop to cover the tight end or to collapse onto the drive route.  With good rapport between QB and receiver, the drive and dig routes will sit in between zones and get up-field immediately upon catching the ball.  On the weak side, the X and W will occupy the corner, nickelback and free safety.

Against man coverage, the drive route will run away from the corner assigned to him.  With the corner on his back, the Z receiver can catch the ball in full stride.

The QB's reads will depend on the perceived coverage, but the reads are often drive, to dig, to check-down (running back swing).  Variants of this play can place the drive route on the opposite side of the tight end drag (Hi-Lo Opposite) or use double drive routes from opposite sides of the field (Mesh) that creates a natural pick.

Outside References

1) St. Louis Rams Shallow Cross Concept
2) Georgia Bulldogs Passing Concept (Shallow, Y-Corner)
3) Play Diagram - Flanker drive explained
4) The shallow cross, drag, and drive in the west coast and spread offenses
5) West Coast Offense Playbook: Brown Right F Short 2 Jet Flanker Drive
6) Classic WCO play - Flanker drive
7) Lions vs Packers All-22 Drive Concept
8) The Pass Concept that Changed My Life
9) West Coast Offense.pdf

Playbook: Dragon

Dragon is a quick hitting West Coast route combination where the quarterback gets the ball out after 3 steps.  The term "dragon" comes from the tight end's "drag" route and the #1 (outside) receiver's "in" (i.e. slant route).

The tight end's "drag" route is defined as "drag 3-5 yards, if no ball sit 3 yards from sideline" (via the Shanahan 2004 playbook).  The tight end "drag" route should not be confused with a "drive" or "cross" that has also been referred to as "drag."

The outsider receiver runs a quick three yard vertical stem and breaks at a 45 degree angle inside.  He can convert this slant to an "in" if a zone dropper occupies his original destination:

The primary read is the drag.  The secondary read goes to the slant/in and the half-back (H; above) acts as the third/checkdown read.

A slight variant of "dragon" asks the outsider receiver to make his initial break at 5-8 yards (called "Drag Slant").

Outside References

1) West Coast Offense
2) Pass Concepts
3) Josh McDaniels and the Slant-Flat Concept in Superbowl XLIX

Playbook: 2-Man

A common way to play man coverage in the NFL is use two deep-half safeties with the underneath defenders playing "trail man" technique.

The deep safeties will drop to the top of the field numbers as their landmark.  Here they will drive toward deep and/or out-breaking routes.  The underneath coverage defenders use a "trail man" tactic where they will sit on the inside hip of their assigned receiver and break on any inside breaking routes.  This trail position forces difficult throws to vertical routes between the man defender and collapsing safety.  Cornerbacks have the option to play press coverage as they have help over the top.

Outside References

1) Film Session: Packers '2-Man' vs. the Bears
2) 3-4 Cover 2 Man Under Defense
3) Understanding coverages and attacking them with the passing game
4) 4-3 Cover 2 Man
5) NFL 101: Breaking Down the Basics of 2-Man coverage

Playbook: Tare

"Tare" is a short yardage route combination from a "trips" (i.e. 3 receiver side) alignment consisting of a 9-route by the outside receiver, a quick out/flat by the #2 receiver, and a "stick" or "option" route by the innermost receiver:

The outermost receiver (#1) takes an outside release to lift the cornerback from the flat area.  The 9-route here will rarely be thrown to; it is meant to clear the defender.  The #2 receiver takes a quick release to the flat and takes his coverage assignment with him.  The primary read is #3 who runs the "stick" route.  Often times the #3 receiver to one side can force a mismatch with a linebacker or a strong-safety.  Versus man coverage, a bursting out-cut at 3-4 yards forces the defender to chase from the inside out.  Versus zone coverage, the #3 receiver can sit between two zones and catch the ball for short yardage.

A variant of this combination can stretch the defense vertically by releasing the "flat" route with no depth (quick flat) and running the "stick" combination between 5-8 yards.  This forces underneath zone defenders to declare which receiver they will cover based on their depth.

Outside References

1) Breaking Down Woodson versus the 'Tare' route
2) How did Stafford, Calvin Johnson beat the Raiders?
3) NFL 101: Introducing the Basic Red-Zone Combinations
4) NFL Preseason 2013: Takeaways and Key Plays from Week 3

Playbook: Route Trees

Both the Ravens' old system, the Air Coryell, and their new one, Kubiak's version of the West Coast offense, use numbered route trees to denote the various routes that receivers will run.

The trees vary slightly from team to team, but generally speaking, even numbered routes break inside and odd numbered routes break toward the sideline.

Here's a look at the West Coast route tree:


This image shows typical routes for both the X and Z receivers. The numbered routes also have commons names:

0: Hook
1: Flat
2: Slant
3: Out
4: Curl
5: Hitch
6: Dig or In
7: Flag
8: Post
9: Go

The Air Coryell route tree looks similar, if a little more basic:


















Here, you see the similarities (and the differences) between the Coryell and the West Coast systems. With more intermediate and horizontal routes, the West Coast offense tries to stretch the field horizontally more-so than vertically, like the Coryell system does.

Outside Resources:
1) West Coast Offense
2) The Spread Multiple West Coast Offense
3) Saints Football 101: Receivers, Routes, and Personnel