Power RPO

Over the past few years RPO’s have popped up in every level of football, but the recent nuances added by Offensive Coordinators has given new power to the scheme. Condensed Formations increase run game threats, but they can be hard to run RPO’s out of because the Glance Window is smaller. Alabama has found a solution by using a leverage release to create separation and open up the Glance Window from a Condensed Formation.

• Motion from 3x1 Nub TE to 2x2 (TE/Wing with a WR)

• Same Side Power to the TE/Wing Side

• TE Base Blocks 7 Technique

• RT & RG Double the 3 Technique - Climb to Mike LB

• C Blocks Back on the 2i Nose

• LG Pulls (Wrap for Will LB)

• LT Protects B-Gap out to the DE

• Same Side Power

• QB Reads the Will LB

• Wing (WR) Runs a “Spray” Release Glance Route

The Goal is to get the Defense in a Single High Safety so the obvious read for the QB would be the Will LB instead of a Quarters Safety. The “Spray” Release is intended to gain depth & width simultaneously. This gives the QB the same Glance Window as a normal WR Split. The TE/Wing look gives the Offense access to more run game options.

Protect Your QB on Zone Read

Everyone wants to gain a numbers advantage in the run game by reading a defender. But, if you read and pull consistently, your QB is going to take some hits. The Cardinals have accounted for this by running pistol Zone Read out of a 3-Back Set. I’ve seen teams read the DE and Arc the H-Back to lead the QB outside, but Arizona Arcs both the H-Back and the Off Y.

• Inside Zone Reading the Shade/5 Side

• QB Reads the Field DE

• Y Arcs for Overhang Defender (SS)

• H-Back Reads Inside/Out to Block Sam LB or Safety (whoever shows first)

• QB Keep with a Double Lead

This is essentially the Diamond Formation shifted strong. This is a great way to get your QB involved in the run game without taking unnecessary pounding.

Running Counter with the Grain

Jet and Fly Motion are able to move the defense with a legitimate run threat in the slot. It can prevent the Backside Defender from pursuing on Wide or Outside Zone away from the motion. Usually you see Jet or Fly Motion going the opposite direction from the complimentary run scheme, but using the widening effect on the Frontside can give room for Gap Schemes to operate. In the clip below, Purdue runs Jet with an Arc Release from the H-Back. GT Counter fits in on the heels of the Jet. The DE has been widened by the motion allowing for clear Kick/Lead sequence.

• Run GT Counter at the Shade/5 Side

• H-Back Arcs to Overhang

• Center Blocks Back on the 3 Technique

• RG Blocks Down on the Shade

• RT Climbs to the Will LB

• LG Kicks Out the 5 Technique

• LT Wraps for Mike LB

• QB Reads the Backside DE

Jet Motion widens the Playside DE for GT Counter and the QB reads the Backside DE. If your QB is enough of a threat to run, this play will be extremely difficult to defend without committing 8 to the Box. The Jet Motion also sets up a great Pop Pass to the H-Back on the Inside Seam.

Safety Double A-Gap Blitz

When you see Double A-Gap Pressure it usually comes from the Inside LB’s Mugged in the A-Gaps with the Nose and the Tackle flexed out to 3 Techniques. Defensive Coordinators have used this tactic to force the offense out of Empty sets by gapping out the O-Line and bringing more than they can block. But, back in 2017, the University of Texas at San Antonio ran Double A-Gap Pressure in the most unique way possible. Instead of bringing Linebackers, they brought both Safeties from a Two-High Shell.

• Odd Front (0 Nose, Double 9 Techniques)

• Both Safeties Blitz the A-Gaps

• Both Linebackers Blitz the B-Gaps

• Nose Drops as the Low Hole/Rat Player

• Cover 0 (RAT accounts for RB)

As defensive players trim down and athletes become more interchangeable, I imagine you’ll see more Safeties running interior blitz tracks. The RB form North Texas does a phenomenal job picking up the free runner, but that’s a tough task!

D-Line Stunt vs. Empty

You’re seeing more Empty formations to help the QB identify coverages. Empty creates opportunities for the defense to Overload the line of scrimmage and cause confusion with 3x1 Stunts. Offenses will often take advantage of Unbalanced formations, but Empty is a great time for the defense to toy with Unbalanced Fronts. You see Overloaded Fronts vs. Empty quite a bit in the NFL, but it would be interesting to see it’s effect on the College or High School Game.

• 3x1 Front Overload (Shade, 5 Tech, 9 Tech)

• Solo DE has a 2-Way-Go on the Tackle

• Nose Crosses Center’s Face

• 5 Technique Spikes to B-Gap

• 9 Technique Loops to A-Gap

A traditional Stunt has a Penetrator and a Looper. In this Stunt the 5 Technique Spikes to the B-Gap and hides the 9 Technique Looping behind him. If the offense slides 4 for 3 the Solo DE has a great 1 on 1 matchup with the Tackle. The Stunt is designed to create both a matchup and movement.

TE/Wing Wide Zone Windback

TE/Wing has become an increasingly popular alignment from Spread Offenses because of the challenges a 4-Man Surface creates for defenses (particularly Odd Front). From Gun Pistol Wide Zone is a staple play that orients the Offensive Coordinator’s design. Off Wide Zone action, you can build a robust Play Action and Boot Series. Another way to protect Wide Zone from being overplayed by the defense is to run Zone Windback.

• RB Steps Strong to the TE/Wing Side, but Reads the H-Back to the Backside C-Gap

• H-Back runs the Split Zone Track to Kickout or Log the DE (depending on depth of DE)

Backside penetration can cause problems for Wide Zone. Ideally the H-Back is hunting for the Backside DE, but the most important thing is cutting off backside penetration. If that penetration occurs, the H-Back creates a Wide Zone Wham effect and the RB presses vertical.