An idea for the run game.
I'm no expert, but it seems to me that defenses check which side the runningback is on in relation to the quarterback and setup based on that, with slants going a certain way with the intention of cutting off the runningback's lane and the backside contain guys to stop the quarterback if he decides to keep it.
So what would happen if right before the snap, the running back switches sides? This change in formation could happen pretty quickly and some defensive players might not notice or be able to make adjustments in time, and ideally the dline will be slanting away from the play and the oline will be blocking less people.
Would this work at all?
November 6th, 2009 at 2:44 AM ^
Defenses don't just key in on the Rb, they might be going off the strong side, or playing the field as M has done. If they are keying the Rb and slanting one way, pull a guard and trap the end, run a Qb iso into that little hole. Or put 2 Rb's in the backfield.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:22 AM ^
You could just put 12 or 13 guys on the field. Opposing defenses have done it with regularity this season.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:52 AM ^
To switch the back would probably affect the blocking schemes, so any 'switch' would have to be planned. I don't know if it would be worth it because it would involve more complexity and seeing as we aren't a huddle bunch, probably lead to confusion and messed up plays more than messed up defensive alignments.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:58 PM ^
The OP is talking about the switch being called in the huddle, basically like a motion call.
Anyway, I have seen teams do this before. It does have the potential to confuse a defense, but it would probably be a week-to-week thing. If Rodriguez and Co. see that defenses have started slanting away from the RB to stop the stretch, for example, then he could run this type of motion. The defense could audible, but if the flip-flop is done quickly enough, it could probably cause a bit of confusion, too.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:21 PM ^
Line slanting hasn't been a huge problem for us, losing our center and having havoc wreaked on our rotation has. You can't just assume a run play as a defender, so this eliminates them getting any "jump" (It sounds like you implied that, if not, ignore my reaction to that), but, you are correct that they can slant, by reading the stretch block. It's more of a result that we don't have a run threat at QB, because they don't need to worry about the backside, hence can go with the playside blocks. (Which bastardizes this play, it was designed to control the backside). That's why we put in the toss, to make the backside a threat again. Despite this, if we can block the front, it's irrelevant, this is only a factor now. If you combine great blocking (missing) and a running threat at QB (missing) then you get results like WVU did. So until Denard learns how to play QB, any read plays won't be huge for us.