Offset Up H-Back Formation Run Game

This is the second part of a three post series about using the offset up H-back formation in your offense. To see why you should consider the offset up H-back formation please follow this link. For this post I will be covering the inside zone, outside zone, and power run game.

In the main images I will include position assignments for the plays as ways you could block. But I will say that it is up to you and your offensive coaches how you want to block these plays. This won't be a fully comprehensive post but it will give you an idea of plays you can run and also how this formation can fit into your current run game.  

Inside Zone

Below are two pictures of inside zone with and without reading the end man on the line of scrimmage. As mentioned in my previous post even though I have this drawn in the gun, this formation will work with pistol and under center.

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The wham block action in both plays will cause the defensive end to be slower in his reaction because he will be unsure if he is being blocked, read, or if the H-Back is running a route. As you can see, this play will work whether you are a pro-style or spread read option team. Below are some other example of other inside zone plays using the offset up H-Back formation.

The first two plays have RPO's attached and the second two fit more with traditional pro-style offenses running inside zone from under center and the pistol. The versatility of this formation gives the offense a lot of options that put pressures on the defense.

Outside Zone

Outside zone from this formation can be really nice because of the H-Back being able to hide behind the line and act like a lead blocker. Instead of having to pull a second O-lineman, the H-Back can be a puller if you have pin pull as part of your outside zone scheme. The H-Back can push on the tackle or Tight End's back helping to block then popping out at the last second to pick up the backer.

 

As before here are two outside zone plays, one with and without a read.

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For the read play I have the offense reading the Will. You can read the end and have the H-Back lead for you on the Outside Zone. I could put the F to the QB's right and run QB lead with two lead blockers. Here are some other variations of the Outside zone as well. Again because of the flexibility of this formation you can be creative with your blocking schemes.

 

 

I have a play running outside zone away from the H-Back so that you don't get predictable always running to the H-Back side. Also the last play has the H-Back leading up on the Sam, with both guards pulling around. I didn't include it, but Jet Sweep can be blocked the same with the only difference being the F helping lead.

Power

Quite simply put, this is the run play that fits best in the offset up H-Back formation. Because of the proximity to the line, the H-Back can kick out the end before he can react and wrong arm or squeeze. Power away from the H-Back is also a possibility with him following the pulling guard. That is tough on a defense if you can run power both ways. 

For short yardage situations if you're a shotgun spread team this gives you the option of a power run game with the same flexibility for your pass game. 

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To me this may be one of the most difficult plays on an inside backer, especially if you run an RPO. In both examples, the Will is going to be either blocked or read, so he will be slow to react because he will be unsure what the offense is doing with him. 

 

 

In these variations you see I've included a power play with the H-Back following the guard. There's also QB Power with 3 blockers at the point of attack. I didn't include single back power that a lot of spread offenses run from the gun where only the guard pulls up the hole. Could you run that with the H-Back instead of the guard? Sure but then it wouldn't be a true single back power. It is however another play you could put in your playbook which doesn't change much for your offense.

Conclusion

Hopefully this has given you an idea of ways to run your plays using the offset up H-Back formation. Next up we're going to talk about the passing game. That post will be available in the next few days, make sure to check it out.

As always I would appreciate any comment on your thoughts down below. Let me know if you liked what I said or not. I enjoy getting feedback, helps me grow as a coach.

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Run Game Out of the Empty Set

I really do like going empty on the offensive side of the ball and find that it puts the defense into a bind on what they have to do.  While spreading the defense out, this formation also allows you the opportunity to still have a run game out of empty.


Jet Sweep


A great play that is commonly used is the Jet Sweep by teams.  You bring the slot back in motion and at the snap as he is going full speed is given the ball by the QB or if you are really good, he can read the backside D with the QB keeping.  Line blocks just like a stretch play and the ball carrier reads and makes his cut upfield.  If the defense starts to cheat a backer to cut off the run on play side, the slot on the 3 receiver side can align closer to cut that player off.  

If the backside backer goes in motion with the motion of the slot, then your QB will want to pull the ball.  A great compliment play especially if a defense starts cheating to the motion is a QB counter play.  


QB Counter Play


This play is a great way to take advantage of an aggressive defense and allow you the opportunity at some big plays.  As you fake the hand off to the motion back, the QB follows the pulling tackle.  The back can carry out his jet sweep fake or you can have him go pick up the backside end to prevent him from disrupting and chasing the play down from behind.  

Another way to take advantage of an aggressive defense as well is to play action off of the motion and try to take advantage of a safety that is rolling or coming up early to stop the jet sweep play.

Play Action Post SE Drag

This is a just an example of using the run to also set up your play action passing game as you take advantage of a defense that rolls to the 4 receiver side.  By isolating 1 on 1 backside you can have a favorable match up.  If the safety rolls too far the post can take advantage of the defense.  If the safety stays in the middle you can look at the post if the defense isn't in a zone or check down to the drag or swing route.  Another play change that you can do is have the 3 players actually slow block a screen to the motion player if the safety stays in the middle and it looks like the defense is staying in a 3 deep zone.  

There you go just a few examples of having the run game out of an empty set and how you can also take advantage of what a defense gives to you.  You really can force the defense to run a coverage that you like and get them into a position that favors your offense.  Coaches let me know about your experiences running the ball out of an empty formation.  Also what your opinions are of the example plays I have shown here.

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Smart Football: Evolution of the Spread

Smart Football a blog written by Chris Brown is considered by many to be a pretty dang good expert on football and different schemes.  In his latest blog entry he posted 3 different videos and talked about the evolution of the spread from 2000 to now.

The first video is from the 1999 season.  I was out of the country that year so I missed out on that football season.

Next two videos are from Oregon and Chip Kelly.  Chris feels that Kelly and Malzahn at Auburn are the next to be the big time innovators of the spread.

How is that for irony, after Tony Franklin's run at Auburn now Malzahn is loved.  Makes you kind of wonder if it wasn't the head coach that was holding back that offense there.

As you watch the clips notice that there is more that Oregon does compared to Clemson in terms of personnel and plays.  But it is only part of the natural process of offenses.

Check out Smart Football to see some of his thoughts on the video that you can see.

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3 Best Run Plays

If someone were to ask me what our three best run plays are I would say inside zone, outside zone, and counter.  Personally I love when we run QB counter, it's probably one of our best plays and fun to watch when run correctly.

I already posted about the inside zone so I figured I should talk about the outside zone and counter.  Here is a 5 minute video regarding running the outside zone and counter.  The video quality isn't the best, but watch how the O-line does with the double teams and getting their hips around in front of the blocker.  Unfortunately you can't hear the sound of the coaching points.



I hope that the first thing you notice is how there are a lot of cutback lanes with the outside zone.  This is because the defense starts to run hard to the outside allowing there to be cutback lanes.  The most important blocks for this play to succeed is the Guard/Tackle combo play side.  As they take their steps it is important that the O-line take a nice lateral step to try and hook around the defender to open the outside for the back.  If the defender has beaten them to the outside, then the line will just push the defender to the sideline.

Play side OG and OT work in combination to block both the play side DE and LB in the play.  As they both step together whatever the DE does will tell them who is coming off to backer.  The clip shows various times where the OG steps over and bumps the OT off to the backer; while the OT takes the DE out and the OG steps up to the LB in other clips.  The aiming point for the back is the butt of the tackle.  Our RB coach teaches the backs that as they are running this play if he sees opposing helmet on the outside of the OT then he cuts up.  If opposing helmet is inside of OT then take it to the outside.

Another key to successful OZ is getting the defensive players to run with you.  Staying engaged and having them run actually will open up those running lanes that will allow your back to find a lane and hit it hard.  As you see in the video there were times when even pro players over ran the zone allowing for more yards to be gained.  From what I have heard a lot of teams prefer to run outside zone first then go to inside zone once they have the defense over pursuing.

As you watch the counter, notice that the pulling players are trying to get to outside of the line and lead up for the back.  However also notice that the pulling players don't allow a defensive player to cross their face.  You have plays where the pulling players don't make it to the end of the line but pick up the opposing player to allow the back to run.

Key to this play is that the back follow the second pulling player through the hole.  Once through the hole, the back then leaves the tackle and runs to daylight.  We don't run counter exactly the way it is shown in the video but I will write more about that later.

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A very simple explanation of the zone runs, and the difference between inside zone and outside zone

There is a blog out there run by Chris Brown which does a good job analyzing and explaining different plays, formations and offenses run in football today. One of his most recent entries is in regards to running inside and outside zone. Many fans don't completely understand the difference between them and instead of me having to explain it all I will let him explain to you. He regularly writes for Rivals.com and also the 5th down blog at the New York Times. His website is www.smartfootball.com

A very simple explanation of the zone runs, and the difference between inside zone and outside zone

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Bubble Screen

The bubble screen in my opinion is a great complimentary play if you are running zone. It forces the backside defense to remain honest and so when running the ball in zone this will allow for the possibility of more yards. Especially since the defense might be a half second delayed in reacting to either run or pass. A half second in football is the difference between a 5 yard gain and a 10 yard gain. I am embedding a couple videos that allow you to see what I mean when running zone out of the spread.

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Oregon Offense

So I really enjoy watching Oregon's offense. I was talking with Frank Henderson and he said one offensive staff he would want to go visit with is Oregon. We think the offense is fun to watch and fun to play in. I am linking some highlights someone put up on YouTube. Oregon's offense is a prime example of how to run zone out of the spread. You know it's coming you just can't stop it. The video quality isn't super great but you can still get an idea of running the zone.

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