The next subject that we will need to discuss is the actual route running. As we mentioned in a previous installment, getting off the ball is the first big task for the receiver. And as referenced before, the stance and initial step dictate how well the receiver will get into the route and how quickly he will push the defensive back’s cushion. Once off the ball, the receiver will need to practice repetition in getting off the ball and into the route. It is extremely important that all routes initially look the same so that the defense will not be able to immediately jump a route. The easiest way to for a receiver to do this is to push as though he were running a fade or fly route no matter what he is really doing. By attempting to push the defender in the same fashion each play and particularly with the fade route, the receiver will mentally try to get off to a fast start off the LOS and accelerate into the DB’s cushion.

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We will move forward to understand how the receivers operate in the passing game. The first items that we will need to discuss are the basic fundamentals involved in playing the WR position. The most basic concept of the WR position is the stance that a receiver takes. The stance that a receiver takes has evolved over the years. Up until about 25-30 years ago, receivers generally lined up in a three point stance and exploded off of the football. With the evolution of the short passing game, receivers began utilizing a two point stance (what we all see today) to get off the ball and utilize more dynamic sets. Thus, we will begin with a stationary starting position.

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We have involved ourselves in how the veer is executed and what it takes for a defense to defend such an attack in earlier posts.  Now we will discuss basic priciples an athlete will need to abide by to be an option QB.  In an successful option attack, QB play really makes this thing go.  The quarterback is critical in such an offense for several reasons, and must have several attributes to be successful.  First, the quarterback must be a tough individual.  He can expect to take many shots and is extremely vulnerable when running most option plays.  The quarterback has to be an excellent decision maker before the snap and must make correct reads throughout the play.  Finally, the QB must be athletic enough to be a credible weapon on the ground.  A quarterback who possesses all three of these skills puts a veer offense in good position to pick up lots of yards on the ground.  Further, we will discuss the decision making progression and basic techniques needed by the signal caller to really get an option offense going.  Throughout this explanation, we will focus on GT, thus we will assume the offensive fomation is balanced flex (one wing and one split end on each side of the formation and a fullback in the backfield). 

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Also known as the greatest play in football.

Why? Because its simple. Its the 2nd play that is taught to kids learning football after the FB Dive. So then it stands to reason if its simple, its also one of the easiest to execute. I make no secret that I love I-formation running, and with a good FB and decent power RB, this play should be good for 3-4 yards on every touch.

Clemson almost never ran this play in the traditional form with Spence, although he would run it out of a Strong-I and with zone blocking. This season Napier and Swinney have brought it back, given their success in college running it at Alabama and Furman.

The I-formation is so successful, since the 1950s, because its very balanced in how it attacks. The single wing was phased out of football when the T-formation came into prominence under George Halas and the Chicago Bears in the 1940s. Later,  Tom Nugent at VMI changed the T-formation into the I-formation, and then John McKay used it successfully at USC to win national championships, and then the NFL took it and distilled it into the style we see today. But the reason why its so successful is not that its a power-formation, other 2-1-2 formations can be equally as tough to defend, its in how it can still be effective in the passing game. If it were not, the NFL would not still be using it as extensively as it is today. Both backs can be useful as receivers, or can stay in for max-protection with the TE if need be, giving you a possible total of 8 blockers. Since many teams release one or both backs from blocking, the defense must defend the flats. Teams that have a shortage of competent WRs, but that have a TE that can block or catch, along with a good blocking FB, can excel at any level with the I-formation.

Theres so much more to write about the I-formation that it has filled many books, when all we want to do is discuss the play Clemson has run considerably more this year and more effectively than perhaps since Tommy West's days.

Why is it called the ISO? Its simple, the FB is isolated on a Linebacker or SS with a one-on-one block, leading the RB, who then cuts to either side of the blocker. It is sometimes called a "blast" play, but I have always heard that referred to more as an outside Iso. Its not designed to break long runs, because youre basically going right into the meat of the defense between the tackles. Its goal is consistent 3-4 yard runs, and by the 4th quarter, those will start to be 7-10 yard chunks. Either the offense will move right down the field and eat clock, or they will have to bring their safeties into the box, at which point the Sprint Draw/PA plays can kill them (indeed a sprint draw is basically a slow Iso).

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Having been at LSU while Fisher ran the offense to the 2003 national championship, I'm pretty familiar with what he likes to run out there. He's always been able to develop his quarterback into at least a solid, and potentially great, player under his tutelage (JaMarcus Russell, Patrick Nix, Matt Mauck) and Christian Ponder might be the best pure athlete he's had at the position. Make no mistake, Ponder is the center of this offense and is the key to limit as best as possible.

The Fisher offensive system is a pro-style spread, in that sense its the same as Clemson's, but this is a catch-all term. It is a system that uses considerably less pre-snap motion and more personnel groupings than what Clemson does. It is more multiple in formations: I-formation, offset I, Ace, Jumbo Ace (2TE-1RB-2WR), 3/4 wide shotgun, pistol...with liberal use of the H-back or a 2nd TE. Its not a system that is designed to dink & dunk you in a West-Coast style like Miami, but attacks all levels of the defense. He always took what the defense gave: if they can run, he'll run it. They'll throw it deep, intermediate, and short. Fisher did not run quite as many screens at LSU in my recollection, but it has been developed into a heavier screen offense to keep pressure off Ponder and force the defense to make plays in space: 37 times so far this year of all types (bubbles, tunnels/jailbreaks, cracks, and regular). However, its been inconsistent at times, which has helped lead to their record being so poor. Still, its ranked 25th nationally and put up 443ypg.

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Looking over the film of the games, I noticed this play and the various play-action passes based off of it when I was thinking it was isolation. This play looks very similar to the Iso when the FB leads up the middle. One way to distinguish the two is by the quarterback's opening footwork. If he opens to the play it is a draw, if he opens opposite, it is iso. The sprint draw play is generally run to the weakside in a passing situation, because with the FB as a lead blocker, you have one extra to that side. It uses various blocking schemes at the POA to be more effective, and can be run with man or zone blocking.

The 47 Sprint Draw Play

Although the play is usually run to the weakside, it is easily flipped to a 36 Draw, so i'll denote the Front Side as the play side (left above) and the back side (right above). The reaction of the defense to the draw is more important than the down & distance situation, because that will tell you how they will react to the PA passes off of it, that i'll highlight below. I've drawn it as against a 4-3 EVEN stack (forgive my MSPaint skills), but the adjustments will be apparent below against any front.

Specifics of this play:

Blocking-Recall that base just means man-to-man straight ahead. This is just one possible blocking scheme to use. Linemen are usually instructed to take larger splits for this play.

FST- Lead/base blocks End, could have help inside from the Guard (a "smash" call). If he slants (pinches inside to the center), then the tackle down blocks him. If he stays outside, the tackle may turn him out.

FSG-If covered, slides and base blocks the DT. If uncovered, he lead blocks the DE with the FST. If the Nose is shaded to his A-gap (1-tech), he will combo with the Center.

Center-If covered, takes the Nose Guard or Shade DT base. If uncovered, smash/combo blocks with the BSG on his man.

BSG-If covered, base. If uncovered, combo block with the Center on the Shade or Nose.

BST-Stays put, cuts off the backside pursuit.

Alterations: Depending on the gameplanning, and the ability of your Line vs. theirs, you may not have to double-team the nose or play side DE.

For example, if the FSG isnt needed to double-team the slanting End, he can step around him to the nearest LB he sees. He may also be told to take a step playside and run upfield to take out the WILL backer. Likewise for the BSG.The Center can be adjusted, if uncovered, to step upfield and take out MIKE (this is a common alteration). Otherwise you hope the TB can get out and around the DE/WLB before MIKE can scrape over to make a play, assuming he doesnt charge right into the A-gap when he reads run. The BST can be told to release inside, if uncovered, and take out the nearest LB (drawn above)

Now for the backs & receivers:

SE/X: Takes an inside release to cut off the primary support, and if the play is flipped he cracks the FS.

FL/Z: Releases downfield, attempts to crack the SS to block the middle 1/3.

TE/Y: If he's on the frontside, he base blocks. If backside, as above, he cuts off the backside DE. If uncovered, takes out closest backside support.

FB: Aligns his toes at 4.5 yards deep, and on the snap aims at the outside hip of the PST, attempting to block inside-out on the #3 man to that side (a LB) or the first man he sees that can threaten the play.  If the FSG is covered, he'll roll over to hook block that OLB. If he's uncovered, he can be told to change his direction to the inside hip of the PST and inside-out block the OLB (or the last man on the LOS).

TB: Aligns at 7.5 yards deep, and takes a read step to the inside hip of the tackle or H-back (if used, see below) depending on the gameplan. His first read is the #3 defensive man to the play side, keying his lead blocker and the PST. He may take the ball inside or outside depending on which way they go. He must press the line in a N-S direction to make the defense commit.

With an H-back and a slightly different front, the play is diagrammed below.

Note that in both cases, the QB opens for the handoff like a pass, and continues rolling out to the playside to keep the secondary honest.

Once the sprint draw is established and the defense has to stay home to respect it, the play-action is set up. Here is a 4 Pass X Option play using choice/adjustable routes, ala Spurrier and Bobby Petrino. Some teams may call a certain version because of the defense that is shown (cover 2 zone or man, for example) but in certain schemes the play is adjusted on the fly based on the coverage seen at the snap. PA passes like this can be run on any down and not necessarily in passing situations. The SE's option is very effective on the boundary side.

 While the RT is told to block the #2 man to his side, the rest of the blocking is backside gap for the linemen. The FB blocks the playside SAM if he comes in on the PA or a blitz, or any threat he sees outside. A common adjustment is to run him on an arrow route to the sideline on a delayed release if there is no blitzer.

Receivers

X- If the CB plays off, he runs a 16 yard curl route (dark line above) on an inside release. If the defense shows bump & run (man) or Cover 2 Zone, he runs a corner route to pull that FS over. Note that he is on the backside and is the last read.

Z- runs a square-in/Dig from an inside release about 17-18 yards deep, or a post route (if cover 2) depending on the coverage shown. He will be the first read.

Y/TE- Takes an inside release, running an 8 yard drag route towards the weakside. If this doesnt pull a LB out of zone to free up the Z, the TB should. He is the 2nd read on this play.

TB-Executes a fake, and runs a short 5 yard hook between the RG and RT. if the LB comes down to cover him, the drag should be open. If he sees a LB blitz, he must be prepared to take him.

QB-Fronts out, 7 steps back to the fake, sets up and looks to the Z first, then Y and the TB and X in that order.

I've shown the sprint draw play based on the I-formation, where it is readily apparent, but its easily run inside and from other formations as you'll see in the video below.

What is the West Coast offense? Emphasis on balanced football from traditional pro-sets and structure. Generally, alot of passing in the 1st half for quick scores sets up the run in the 2nd to protect an early lead, but the run game is still important. Overall it's a very detail-oriented approach to the game that emphasizes technique, execution, planning, and strategy over raw talent. Instead of "take what the defense gives you," the overriding philosophy is closer to "make the defense give you what you want by outsmarting and outplaying them."

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The bread and butter run play of the Spence, as well as most one-back, system is the zone rushing play. There are several to pick from but here we'll describe a brief introduction to zone blocking itself, then the specific play.

Why do teams run a zone scheme?
-Adapts to defenses that like to stunt and stem quite a bit. Essentially no defense in major college football runs a basic front without some stunting. If they didnt stunt, you could call base blocking (just take the man in front of you head-on) schemes all the time. Since they don't do that, you have to have a scheme that can adjsut to everything the defensive front shows you.
-You create combo blocks on the LOS (double-teams) and outnumber the defense at the point-of-attack, and that should open up more holes and get the back to the 2nd level.
-Combo blocking generally means you dont need as many of those 6'6 330lb linemen, and you can make do with a little less talent.

What is zone blocking?

I don't intend to do a step-by-step description of it, but it does not necessarily mean that guys block a "zone" or "area", although that is one technique that can be taught (an inside gap usually) and is in the video above. If there is a man over the Guard or Tackle head-up, then nearly every time he will just base block him. Zone schemes apply to uncovered linemen. If I am facing an ODD defense (Nose tackle over the Center) then one of the Guards will not be covered by the other DT (assuming a 4-man front, usually the LG with the RG facing a 3-Tech), and that uncovered Guard will be asked to help the Center block most of the time. If its an EVEN front (nobody over the Center), then the Center will combo block with one of the Guards.

What the combo Olineman will do is block the DL for a specified count, then release to hit a LB. Thats it. Hopefully you can push that DL back far enough so that he interfere's with the LB trying to get to the play, then the combo lineman will not have far to go to make his block.

Covered linemen take a step to the playside, then the 2nd between the defender's feet, keeping their shoulders as square as possible to the line. Uncovered linemen take a big scoop step playside, then a 2nd step trails and pushes upfield. Imagine it as them trying to ram into the defender's shoulder. Generally the entire line will look as if they are shifting to one direction.

If you want to go further into zone blocking itself, I recommend these links:
Rocky Top Talk on Inside zones, and Tomahawk Nation's post on understanding zone blocking.

My biggest complaint with the zone scheme is that it must be repped endlessly, and teaching it to young linemen can therefore be quite difficult. They have to be taught how long to hold their block at the POA and then how to get upfield. All of them must handle their assignment exactly, and the usage of their hands and their first two steps is of utmost importance.

As for the 34/35 Zone rush play itself, you might want to watch this description by Brian Billick of the Denver Broncos stretch zone blocking scheme.

I've discussed play numbering before, but again the "3" refers to the Back (QB is 1, H-back may be #2, RB is #3) and the "4" or "5" refers to the hole he's supposed to run through. 34 Zone is designed for the RB to take the ball up behind the RG and into the B-gap, but being a zone play, a cutback lane may open behind the Center (because of the combo block) and the RB has the option of taking it there.

Clemson runs the play from multiple formations, generally Ace Spread or Ace Pro Wing sets. In addressing the 34 specifically, you can run it on any down but should be most effective in short yardage situations. The fact that the QB's action is a bootleg keeps the sometimes-unblocked backside DE occupied long enough to get the Aceback through the LOS.


Depending on the defensive front, the Line (Center usually) makes 2 or 3 calls to control the LOS, designating who blocks whom.

Specifics:
RT: Depending on the call he will either step to the outside gap and work up to the LB, or combo block with the TE on the DE before releasing.
RG: If covered, nearly always base block. A "solid" call means he'll block to the outside gap, and a "Combo" call means he'll base block with help from the RT.
C: "Base" call=blocks the Shade/Nose Tackle. "Ram" call, if he's uncovered, would indicate he blocks to the playside gap. Other calls may indicate he could go straight to the 2nd level (e.g., "City") or to the left (Lion). He will make those calls pre-snap.
LG/LT: Either block base or "solid" meaning they'll block towards the playside gap. If the LG is covered, usually the LT will combo on the DT. The backside DE over the outside shoulder of the LT is meant to be unblocked by the LT, but this can change depending on the front they showcase (or a blitz).

H-back: Steps to the inside/playside to cut off the first man to the outside shoulder of the LT. He stays on the backside DE long enough to keep him from making the play in the backfield, then proceeds to the 2nd level to try to hit the scraping OLB.

TE/Y: Blocks base, but can adjust this based on the call between himself and the RT to help pick up any outside defender (like a blitzing OLB or SS). He aims to keep his shoulders parallel to the line, pushing towards the outside, but be aware of a pinch stunt (DE slanting inwards towards the Tackle).

X/Y: Both release upfield, then stalk block their Cornerback. The term "stalk" implies there is a technique to this block, based on the defender's alignment pre-snap. If the defender is further than 5 yards off, his aiming point is the outside jersey number. If the defender is loose, he is likely the secondary run support man, meaning his primary job is not to turn the perimeter run inside, but is the second man trying to make the play turn inside. If he's playing press/bump coverage, the WR's aiming point is the inside number, because he is probably playing primary run support. If the H-back is set out in the slot, he will also stalk block his cover man instead of the DE, but this adjustment is made in tandem with the LT.

Aceback: Runs a belly action, aiming at the outside hip of the RG, then receives the handoff. Either the hole will be there or to the inside behind the Center. He must sprint to the backside of the RG and then decide on his cut and hit the hole very hard.

QB: Opens to 5:30 position with the belly action, then runs a fake bootleg to help the H-back keep the DE occupied. If the same play is run to the opposite side, he opens to 4-4:30.

The 35 Zone is essentially the same, to the opposite side. It is shown against an ODD front in the picture with 3 wide receivers. Its very useful in setting up the countertrey, the countergap, and a bootleg/waggle pass. With the same blocking scheme you can also have the back run a Counter.

The same calls are made on the Line, but the X and Slot receivers sight adjust the OLB. If the OLB is lined up on the line opposite the slot, the slot man blocks solid on him, but if he's back showing his pass coverage the X receiver runs over on a slant route to crack him. In this case, with the OLB playing off, the slotman would run a wheel route into the CB towards the boundary. If necessary, the two receivers can make a pre-snap "Check with me" call to each other to determine who to block.

Z goes vertical to attempt to stalk the SS or man on the CB, while the TE runs a crossing route to block into the FS.

The TB has the choice of hitting the outside slice, or taking his cutback behind the LG.

This video is a good description of the 35 (first play) and a 2nd play appears to be a 31 or 33 inside zone.