The Leak Concept is a staple of the Shanahan Coaching Tree and it’s starting to find it’s way into all offensive systems. I’ve loved the way Spread Option Offenses have implemented it.
Check out a Longform breakdown in the video below:
The key to Leak from Option Teams is to throw the ball against the grain of the Option Action. Below are two examples of Leak - the first is to the TE, the second is to the Dive Back.
Coastal Carolina - TE Leak
Furman - RB Leak
The Tackle Dart play was really popular a few years ago. I’ve seen a lot of OC’s move away from it recently, but I still really like it if you have a mobile Tackle who can run the hoop. It’s almost like a hybrid between Power and Draw which makes it a perfect fit in pass heavy offenses.
Nub TE into the Boundary
TE Blocks out on the Boundary 9 Technique
BSG Blocks Back on the 3 Technique
Center & PSG Work a Double on the Nose up to the Will LB
PST Pass Sets the Field 5 Technique
BST Pulls to Insert into the Playside B-Gap on the Mike LB
Trips to the Field
Slot Bubble Screen to hold the Overhang Defender and Strong Safety
The threat of perimeter screens really makes this play go. If you are able to pull the Nickel Sam out of the Box to the Trips side and occupy the SS you can have the numbers advantage on Dart. Because Dart hits Same-Side, the QB can easily read out and throw the Bubble Screen if the numbers look good on the perimeter. I like Dart away from the TE side so you can Cap the Backside C-Gap and give the play time to develop!
I love Four Verts and if you can pair it with Play Action off a QB Run Concept… I like it even better. Here, Sacramento State runs Jet Power Read and sends the RB up the Seam as #2 on Four Verts.
Checkout the Longform Video Below that goes in depth on this variation of Four Verts:
Power Pull Protection
Playside Tackle and Guard Double the 3 Technique
Center Blocks Back on the 2i
Backside Tackle Pass Sets
Backside Guard Pulls for Field DE
Four Verticals off Jet Power Read
Outside WR’s run Vertical with Outside Release
Boundary Slot Jet Motion to Flat
Field Slot Vertical (Bender)
RB Wheel/Seam off Field Slot
The QB will read the Field Slot Vertical to the RB Seam to the Jet Motion to the Flat. If the Middle of the Field is Open, the Y will stay Vertical. If the Middle of the Field is Closed the Y will Bend.
One of my favorite concepts is “Yankee” the Big Post with a Deep Crosser. I really like the way Rutgers ran it off Play Action with Split Zone Action and the potential for 7-Man Protection. They run Double Post to carry both the Field CB and the Safeties. The Deep Crosser from the Boundary is able to out run the Boundary CB to the opposite numbers.
Slide Protection to the Field
H-Back Split Zone Action Pass Pro
RB Check Release to Flat
Outside Stem Post from #1 to the Field
Inside Stem Post from Slot (#2)
Boundary Deep Crosser (Stair-Step the Route vs. Man)
This is a great way to isolate a talented Boundary with a horizontal stretch of the defense. The Wide Zone Play Action gives the Route enough time to clear to the opposite hash. QB reads Post to Crosser to Check Down.
Back in 2014 Oregon had one of the most explosive offenses in all of College Football. Mark Helfrich and Scott Frost directed a unit that routinely scored 50+ points in a game. Part of their success was the ability to stretch the field with Four Verticals Passing Concepts. The executed 4 Verts in a variety of ways, but I am particularly intrigued by the way they ran it out of Empty.
Formation into the Boundary
Empty (3x2)
To the Boundary (Verticals)
#1 to the Boundary breaks off vertical route vs. Bail Coverage (Curl)
#2 Splits the CB and Safety
#3 Runs the “Bender” to Green Grass
To the Field (Smash Concept)
#1 Slant/Hitch (sit down in open space)
#2 Post Corner
I love the idea of running 4 Verts out of Empty, but you definitely need a plan vs. Pressure. You can either throw Quick Game to the Field or have #3 to the Boundary be the “Hot” Receiver vs. a Blitz. If the QB can make a quick read and get the ball out on time, this Concept and put a lot of stress on the defense!
One of my favorite Offensive trends from 2020 is the Shallow Sting Concept. Lincoln Riley has been running it for a while, but a bunch of teams found success with it this year. Check out this video breakdown of the Shallow Sting Concept!
