Snag & Go

One trend I’ve been seeing a lot the past couple years is teams running Snag & Go or Smash & Go off their base pass concepts. Instead of the WR running the Hitch or Snag and settling, they spike into the void upfield. These concepts have been extremely difficult for defenses to match in Zone Coverage. The late break ends up being a rule breaker for a lot of defenses.

Here is an example of Mississippi State running Double Smash with the Boundary Hitch spiking to the middle of the field after the initial break.

Here is an example of Oregon State running a 3-man Snag Concept with the Snag Route spiking to the middle of the field. Both throws require some touch from the QB, but these concepts can add a layer of nuance to your spacing or high/low read concepts.

This is a great wrinkle to add that is relatively to cheap to install. If you have a WR that can sell the initial route you have a chance to take advantage of the soft spots left in Zone Coverage.

Pass Protecting against a dominant Defensive Tackle

Play Action Pass Protection can easily be disrupted by a dominant interior defensive lineman. Particularly with 4-Down fronts, a 3 Technique can cause massive issues if isolated on a Guard. A lot of coaches are looking for ways to manage a 3 Technique in Pass Protection, but aside from a true double team this can be difficult to do. The Seahawks came up with a creative way to “chip” the 3 Technique to create a clean pocket.

• Wing/TE Alignment

• Play Action Shot Concept. Some coaches call it “Yankee” (Deep Posts + Climb/Over) some call it “DOVER” (Double Post + Over)

• Half-Slide Protection to the Play Action Side

• Right Guard Sets on the 3 Technique

• Right Tackle Sets on the 5 Technique

• Wing/H-Back Inserts into the Weak A-Gap to pick up Blitz or Chip the 3 Tech on an Inside Move

The H-Back Insert allows the Right Guard to take a more aggressive set to the 3 Technique knowing he has some inside help. The chip by the H-Back keeps the pocket clean and doesn’t allow any penetration. After the chip the H-back releases to the Flat. If you’re going to take a shot and release 3 Receivers on deep or vertical routes, you have to solve the protection issues. This is a creative way to get a late chip on a talented 3 Technique.

Formation into the Boundary - Screen & Go

For most Offensive Coordinators, fast screens are an extension of the run game - so the equivalent of Play Action is Screen & Go. We’ve seen the effectiveness of Now Screens into the Boundary. The short distance of the throw allows the receiver to press the point before the support defenders are able to flow to the football. But, if Boundary Screens become part of your offensive identity, the defense will adjust and fit them faster. This can be countered with Screen & Go. 

• Tempo/Fastball

  • This play was normally called in the 2nd or 3rd quarter after several Tempo FIB Now Screens. Call it quickly after a run play to catch the defense with vertical routes as they adjust.

On the snap, the QB pumps the Now Screen and resets in the pocket. Think of the pump fake as a play action fake. The Slot Receivers will Switch before 5 yards - it will look like Now Screen cross blocking. While #2 inside releases the Overhang for a Read Seam, #3 attacks the CB for a Stalk & Go Wheel. The primary read is the Seam which bends if the Safety stays on top. The Wheel can come open vs. an aggressive screen support CB or if you get man coverage. 

Isolating the TE in Four Verts

No one executed Four Verts better than Peyton Manning and few TE’s had a better feel for the Bender Route than Dallas Clark. Obviously, these two players formed a great connection, but OC Tom Moore and QB Coach Jim Caldwell did some things with play design that made this play incredibly difficult to defend, especially if the defense was going to play Tampa 2.

• Deuce Formation into the Boundary (TE on the Ball + WR Off the Ball)

  • Play Action Power (TE Releases & Guard Pulls for Boundary Pass Pro)

• Tampa 2 Coverage - Middle of the Field Open

  • Four Verts with WR’s taking inside Releases and Fading to the Sidelines

  • Slot works outside the Nickel and Bends to the Hash

  • TE Stacks on top of Will LB and Bends Inside the Boundary Numbers

Play Action (especially with a Pulling Guard) is able to hold the Will and Mike LB’s just long enough for the TE to stack on top and bend into the Window behind the Will LB and in front of the FS. It also helps when the Mike LB in Tampa 2 opens up to the Field - leaving more room in the Boundary. When the ball is released the TE looks covered, but this play is perfectly designed to open late. Throw it to grass and trust your TE to Bend into the opening.

Tampa 2 is coming back in a big way with Iowa State style 3 Safety Alignments. This relatively simple play design (even from the Gun) could have the same influence on LB’s and Safeties in a modern Spread Offense.

Goal Line Gadget Play

The best case scenario on the Goal Line is the ability to line up in a Heavy Personnel Package, push people off the ball and score. Unfortunately, not all offenses are built for that and creativity becomes essential in Red Zone and Goal to Go scenarios. Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury has a deep bag of 2-Pt Style plays that allow his teams to find advantageous matchups at the Goal Line.

• Empty 4x1 Diamond with a Nub TE

• Jet Motion to the Nub TE Side

• Screen & Go to the Bunch Set

  • #1 Sells Screen

  • #2 Screen & Go Back Shoulder Fade

  • #3 Screen & Go Win Slant

In recent years, I’ve seen teams utilize Perimeter Screens in Goal Line situations. If you have the blocking matchups you like, it can create great scoring opportunities instead of running directly into a loaded box. The next step in the evolution of Goal Line Screen is the ability to run Screen & Go. This will allow receivers to win leverage and shield the defender with their body. If you have a TE who can dominate the point of attack on a perimeter screen and also use that strength to gain leverage on Screen & Go, you can create a lot of stress for the defense.

Bash QB GT Counter

I was recently talking with a group of coaches about Bash QB GT Counter. Some coaches have had a lot of success with it, others have been frustrated by it because it never hits like they draw it up. When diagnosing issues, one of the biggest markers of success on Bash QB GT Counter is the QB’s footwork. When teams struggle with Bash, it’s usually because the QB shuffles too far away from the Run Scheme when they read the Edge Defender. This cut-up from Sam Houston State is a great example of a QB “Short Shuffle” to the Bash to stay in sync with the GT Counter Pullers.

Another thing I like about this play is running it to the Nub TE Side. If your TE can block out on a 9 Technique, both your Guard & Tackle can insert on the Will LB and the Secondary Support Player. It can also hit downhill without the fear of being spilled.

• Nub TE

• Trips Lt.

• Bash (Back Away from the Run Scheme)

  • QB Reads the Strong DE for Give/Keep

• QB GT Counter

Another Option here is to Arc the TE to the CB. This will potentially widen the 9 Technique and allow for a clean kick out block by the Guard. But if your TE can handle a DE or walk down Jack LB, I like the idea of blocking out and inserting both the Guard and Tackle. Bash QB GT Counter is a great way to get your QB going in the Run Game!