Brain Storming

[Coach Kyle]

I'm just having fun messing around with this scheme. I basically combined the WR spin offense with the R&S and I came up with this:

It's got a new formation:
---7 yards.......................5 yards
...................TE.T.G.C.G.T...............x
y.............FB.....................S
..............................Q

The positioning of the slot depends on how good he is. He should be pretty deep and far off the line, but he can be close. The key feature of the slot is that he needs to make the crack block on the DE faster than the DE can crack up the QB.

QB is in a short shot gun snap of about 2 1/2 to 3 yards deep. In order to preform the basic run and shoot, the FB goes in motion around the QB and then blocks the DE. The left tackle takes a bucket step.

Now, this play is only run when there are six defenders on the line of scrimmage (not including corners). When the offense brings down their OLB or begins to blitz LBs, we want to attack them through the air. If they are not bringing down six, then our nine offensive holes (7 onces someone goes in motion) should have plenty of running options.

Another classic play that can be executed is similar to when the HB would go in motion in the old formation. This time the FB goes in motion, but he passes the QB and keeps running. On the snap, the Slot decides whether to run a quick curl or an out rout, and the WR runs a fly route. First the QB reads the OLB before the play to see whether or not he goes out, and then on the snap, he reads the corner. If the corner comes up to play the running back, we throw over his head. If the corner is dropping back, we hit either the slot or the FB.

The bread and butter main run play is the power sweep. This is done by having the FB go in motion, like he's blocking on a pass, but instead of taking the DE, the slot takes the DE, the WR takes the LB, and the FB kicks out the corner. The QB runs the ball around the outside. The QB should be able to audible to this play at any time when ever he thinks there are six men on the line - unless advised by the coach not to. The line is in GOL blocking.

The next play is what sets up the half spin. This play has the slot go in motion. He loops around the back of the QB and takes the hand off. The QB should snap the ball before he gets there. This time the TE is going to release to the OLB and the FB to get to the DE. the rest of the line will reach block towards the play. The play side tackle needs to make sure the C gap is covered. The Y receiver will try to run off his man or block him. The QB will dart in the other direction, setting up the fake for later.

Both of these plays can be run in a similar way as off tackle plays or plays to the B gap. The line will perform a GOOD blocking scheme, and either the FB or Slot will lead block for the QB to follow through the hole. The wing backs (FB and S) will kick out the DE on each side.

The half spin will look similar to the Slot sweep play. The slot will go in motion, and the QB will turn around to meet him. The fake exchange should happen, and the QB darts in the other direction. While this is going on, the right side of the line and center are preforming a GDL blocking, while the FB and Guard pull around the back side. The guard should kick out the DE, and the FB leads up the hole to the LB. QB keeps and follows up the hole.

Finally the wedge play is run with the FB going in motion around the QB, the QB going a half spin hand off, and the QB darting into the wedge.

And that's the whole play book.


The pros: it's a balanced formation, and I wasn't planning on flipping the linemen. There are better outside plays and better misdirection. The Line is utilized less, and there is no need for a true fullback. All plays will have enough blocking. You will never pass against more than five defensive backs, and you'll confuse them with motion. They wont know if you're running or blocking wit the motion man, so it will warrant respect and that will help the receivers. When they begin to pick up on the fact that he's blocking, you've got them conditioned, and now you'll be able to change it up on them and have that blocker run the ball or go out for a pass.

The cons: the motion is going to be confusing to learn and even more confusing considering the passing game because the defense might move around on us now. On top of that, the QB is basically doing everything. This is no different from before, and I think most any stud could preform the running game as QB in this offense, which is good.

[jholley]

It certainly will make the pass reads difficult.  What will they be?

[Coach Kyle]

It certainly will make the pass reads difficult.  What will they be?

It will be the exact same, but the QB will need to consider that somebody might move from one side to another.

The S and TE will need to get good at getting open. Have the QB focus on one receiver, and if that man decides to run a different route because the land scape has changed, then that's just what the QB will hit. If the QB doesn't like it, he'll run.

Perhaps the Slot could only have the choice between the 10 yard curl, the five yard out, and the slant. If the OLB is outside of him, like in a split 4-4, then the curl would work out well, or if the OLB is on top of him, he could run an out. If the OLB is blitzing, he could run sort of a slant or short curl.

Likewise, the TE would have those same options, but they'd have to work together to figure out what the safety was doing.  If the safety was moving with the motion  man, then then the one on the opposite side could run the corner or stop and go. And that would be a good scenario where they could work with their WR because they'd tell them to run a 3 yard curl and you have a smash concept.


Ultimately the defense can't change too much, and they can only change for the worse. If it's zone, the initial zones wont change much, perhaps the OLB will move over, but they'll probably just drop back or cover the flats. If it's man coverage, we'll really get them. They'll either decide to move a man with the motion man, or they will decide to let that man go, in which case we'll run the flats pass to force them to cover him.

[Big_Coconut]

just something to think about a lot of defensive coaches including me will have an auto blitz programmed somewhere vs an empty set which is basically what you have here.

[Coach Kyle]

just something to think about a lot of defensive coaches including me will have an auto blitz programmed somewhere vs an empty set which is basically what you have here.

That'd be fantastic, so long as they show it.

[mahonz]

K

Good set up for an easy but effective counter play too.

FB or S orbit motion behind the QB and then counter back underneath the QB to the same side they started from....or FB orbits to dangle the sting for the kittens and S runs counter...or S orbits to dangle the string for the kittens and FB runs counter.  We ran flexbone last season...deadly plays were counters off motion. You can do a lot of little varations off that motion.

Your set up is somewhat similar.

Coach Mike

[Coach Kyle]

K

Good set up for an easy but effective counter play too.

FB or S orbit motion behind the QB and then counter back underneath the QB to the same side they started from....or FB orbits to dangle the sting for the kittens and S runs counter...or S orbits to dangle the string for the kittens and FB runs counter.  We ran flexbone last season...deadly plays were counters off motion. You can do a lot of little varations off that motion.

Your set up is somewhat similar.

Coach Mike

I like that, and as an added twist, you could have the slot motion, then cut back and preform the block that the FB had before. Now you've got trips left rather than twins on each side. If they ever start to expect the motion, they'll be caught with their pants down.

Where can I find a good flex bone play book?

[mahonz]

I like that, and as an added twist, you could have the slot motion, then cut back and preform the block that the FB had before. Now you've got trips left rather than twins on each side. If they ever start to expect the motion, they'll be caught with their pants down.

Where can I find a good flex bone play book?

K

I'd attach mine but you asked for a good flexbone playbook. 

Since you are brain storming go to you tube and search jhanawa and you will see some stuff. Then the light bulbs will start to flicker. He runs the flexbone out of the gun spread. Watch how he blocks his GT series really close. Good stuff. Its TKO without a TE and he picks up the backside with some clever thinking.

We ran a TKO scheme with one TE for all counters...ohhh moma!  Its one of the few things we did right and was inspired by Coach Jhanawa's style. That what prompted me to chime in when I saw your formation.

We ran a more traditional flexbone on the advise of Jr Titan who I do believe runs his suff out of the gun now....or was thinking about that last summer when he was training my brain for option.

Coach Mike

[Coach Kyle]

K

I'd attach mine but you asked for a good flexbone playbook. 

Since you are brain storming go to you tube and search jhanawa and you will see some stuff. Then the light bulbs will start to flicker. He runs the flexbone out of the gun spread. Watch how he blocks his GT series really close. Good stuff. Its TKO without a TE and he picks up the backside with some clever thinking.

We ran a TKO scheme with one TE for all counters...ohhh moma!  Its one of the few things we did right and was inspired by Coach Jhanawa's style. That what prompted me to chime in when I saw your formation.

We ran a more traditional flexbone on the advise of Jr Titan who I do believe runs his suff out of the gun now....or was thinking about that last summer when he was training my brain for option.

Coach Mike

I see what you're talking about! This is great stuff. One thing I notice though, is that they always play against teams that are running either the 3-3 or the 4-4. My guess is that there is logic to that. If they ever ran into a group that ran a 50 front they'd probably dominate them with passing alone.

I want to try to craft this offense into the DC R&S. I definitely like the two twin receivers. It forces you to cover every receiver, and if you move all your LBs out to cover these receivers, you're to leave huge holes in coverage. You could just run quick slant routes and get 3 to 10 yards ever play.

Something like this:


y......................o..o..0..o..o..z
.........s...................................................x
................................Q............fb

Have the base play be FB around the back, and the rest is the regular R&S.

Then have the S and X receivers run a lot of different motions. You can still run the power sweep or option. You can fake the sweep and do some counters to the fb, you've even got a TE to help seal the back side DT.

I'll think more about it latter. I've got to go right now.

[mahonz]

Kyle

I do believe that he coaches 7th and 8th graders…he also coaches at the HS level.

What I have learned running spread formations is that you have to have a couple of game plans as the kids get older.

The 30 and 40 fronts will shut down the passing…the 50 and 60 fronts open up the passing …so if you are going to spread you need to be able to both run and pass.

The little guys really struggle with these formations…the bigger guys not so much…so he is playing against opponents that respect what he is doing would be my assumption.

The $64K question is…do they change from their base for that one week they play his team?

It’s the number one reason I have been able to figure out how to implement a pass first offense at the youth level…the opponents are typically rather weak at defending the pass which makes sense because its not what they really need to do well week in and week out.

Threads like this is why I like this forum too...I get that what I like to do is abby-normal but at least here I dont feel like Im talking to myself...which I do enough of in person. 

Coach Mike

[jem]

Threads like this is why I like this forum too...I get that what I like to do is abby-normal but at least here I dont feel like Im talking to myself...which I do enough of in person. 

Coach Mike

Jem is Mike talking to himself again...
Jem, I am not sure, but I think so.
Hmmmm, well Jem I sure am glad I am not like that...
Me either Jem
 

[Coach Kyle]

So far I'm really liking this flex bone gun option stuff. I don't like one aspect of it though, the FB basically tells you which side the ball is being run. I think everything could be run from a pistol. The QB could even turn around to meet the receivers, rather than them passing in front.

I'm basically thinking a formation like this:

o.................o.o.0.o.o.......................o
.............o.....................o
.........................o

.........................o

Then the bread and butter is the jet sweep. The slot motions around the QB, the Qb turns around and hands off. The opposite slot will block the DE, the WR take the man in front of him, and the Fb takes out first contain.

Then you run counter off of that. You could also run the half spin with the FB leading off tackle in the other direction if you don't have a good FB or you have some Tebow like QB.

You could run the Vermont option. Which is the triple option, the slot takes the force player on the edge again, and the QB takes the contain. The WR takes the man in front of him.

jhanawa gets a lot more complex with it, and his formation is different. I like simplicity though. The wide outs only have one blocking scheme. The linemen have 4. There's only two types of motion and they look almost exactly the same.

One possible play is a flats pass. A couple of ways you could do it are to motion the WR inside, fake the hand off and then turn in the opposite direction and throw a flats pass to the RB. It works because they're so used to seeing a run play when ever we motion.

Another idea is to motion one of them to block the DE and preform gap slide protection, then the RB becomes a dump.

[Coach Kyle]

So I'm not willing to make the commitment that option takes. Instead I've come up with this.


Y_______o.o.0.o.o_____SE
...........S............................._____X
......................Q

......................F

So the main advantages of this are that it's simpler. There is no switching between sides. The X is your super star running back. There is misdirection, and there is an audible to a power house sweep play.

OUTSIDE STUFF

The QB should be able to audible to either of these two plays at any time.

Jet 27 Sweep
The bread and butter run play is the sweep. The QB should always be able to audible to this if he sees that the opponent is not respecting the Slot Receiver's ability to crack the DE. The QB sends the X in motion, and does a backwards turn to give the ball to the X. The S and Y crack the DE and first contain, and the F kicks the 2nd contain. The Left guard can pull for good measure.

Flats 28 Bubble
The next play is the bubble sweep. It's the equivalent of the sweep in the other direction. The F will motion in the wrong direction, and the SE will block who ever is over the X. The Right tackle will leave his man and block the person over the SE. The Right guard can do the same after two one second. The X's path is more up the middle, but they're allowed to go outside if that's more open.

Flats 28 Bubble
The sister play of the bubble is the flats pass. Again the F goes in motion to the left. This time the F runs a flats, the S runs a five yard out, and the Y runs a go. This is both a designed play, but the QB has the option to send the F in motion at any time. This should que the bubble screen as well. However, since this is an audible, your tackle wont know to release, and since this is a designed play on the other side, the QB can always choose to throw the flats, just in case he sees no one on that side, but I would be careful about letting him choose.


BELLY
I want the belly to be the ying to the passing game's yang. The FB is going to be a quick hitter with the ability to beat up linebackers who have gotten too used to backing up. He should almost always get 2 yards, if not five. Ideally it's the same play to each side. It's either a 34, 32, 31, or 33 dive with GOOD blocking. Your best result is probably going to be the 1s and 2s. The receivers are going to run arrow routes, the slot will block the MLB.

If you want, you can motion the X around, but that's not going to tell them it's a run. This is a way to condition them, then switch.

MISDIRECTION

Jet Fake, 34 counter:
The X goes in motion, the QB does his reverse pivot to meet him, and the F takes two counter steps to get in position. After the fake hand off, the F launches on the ball going towards the 4 hole. The LG and S both pull underneath. The Center and right side of the line all use GDL blocking. The LT seals the DT, the misdirection should distract the DE and hopefully some of the linebackers. It's a good way to condition, then switch.


Jet Fake, 16 Half Spin:
The X goes in motion, and the QB preforms his half pivot to meet him. This time he keeps it and runs to the 6 hole. He is aided by the LG and S, the blocking is similar to the last play. The F is committed to the fake and runs in front of the X.

Jet Fake, 15 Full Spin:
The X goes in motion, the the QB preforms his half pivot. This time he keeps it and completes the spin to run at the 5 hole. This time he is aided by the F who takes a more down hill angle to kick out the first contain, the RG who helps kick out the DE, and the Slot, who takes the MLB.

The spin and half spin should be run with just a one second delay on the snap to allow for the motion man to be inside the line. If the QB has to wait even one second to present the fake, he's not going to make it. He'll get hit by the back side DE.

On top of that, there's the standard DC run and shoot passing game. The blocking works by replacing the TE with the slot. If they decide to line up a DE inside the slot, they should be vulnerable to the sweep. This forces the DE outside, which achieves the same objective as before, and it allows your tackle to do a bucket step. Your F should kick out the twin's side DE. As always, you should be very good at slants and QB draw plays. Finally, the formation can adjust to the field position. If you're twins are backed up to one sideline, the twins right can bunch to 5 and 3 yards from the tackle, if they're on the open side, they can open to 7 and 5 yards. They can even go further if you feel your QB has the arm.

So that's 7 plays total. It's complex, and there there are five different blocking schemes. So the complexity is shared with the offensive line, rather than just the running backs.