Packaging your spread running game: Based upon a simple check system that can reverse defensive control. (Football).

FOR YEARS IT WAS believed that the defense could dictate the course of the running game in football's spread offense. In recent years, the philosophy began to change. The spread offense of such teams as Clemson and Northwestern have changed a lot of minds by the way they have run from their four and five-wide receiver sets.

At Glenwood, we have copied some of the offensive packages from both of these teams as well as from Delta State, Georgia Southern, Emporia State, and Wyoming.

To increase the efficiency of our play-calling, we have devised a simple check system that can defeat defensive schemes.

Our alignment rules are standard (Diag. 1). Our linemen set up as far off of the LOS as legally possible, with each split two feet from the inside lineman with his down hand even with the center's feet.

The slotbacks split out three yards from the tackles and one yard back of the line of scrimmage. They align in two-point stances with the inside foot back.

The fullback sets up four yards from the LOS directly behind the QB in a balanced three-point stance. If it's a shotgun formation, the fullback will align four yards behind the guard's outside foot in a balanced two-point stance.

The quarterback aligns directly under center or, if in a shotgun formation, four yards behind the LOS.

We identify the defensive structure by the number of defenders in the "Box" - which we define as the area from two yards outside of right tackle to two yards outside of left tackle. It includes any defender on the LOS and/or at the linebacker level.

We will typically see one of three scenarios: 5 in the Box (Diag. 2), 6 in the Box (Diag. 3), and 7 in the Box (Diag. 4).

Every play that our offensive coordinator sends into the huddle is designed against a 5 in the Box defense, but each has specific 6 and 7 in the Box audibles built around it.

Upon reaching the LOS, the QB will identify the number of defenders in the Box. If the defense is showing a 5 in the Box defense, the QB will let his teammates know (via the audible) that the play called in the huddle will stand.

If the QB sees a 6 or 7 in the Box, he will check into the 6 or 7 in the Box play. A 6 in the Box audible will be an outside run or option. A 7 in the Box play will be a 3-step roll pass.

Speed Dive Package

The first package shown in the diagrams is from our #1 running back and four-receiver set - the "Speed Sweep" series popularized by Mannie Matsakis at Emporia State and Wyoming (Diags. 2-4).

Our favorite 5 in the Box play from this series is the Dive (Diag. 5). We inside-zone the play and hand the ball to the fullback after a Sweep fake to the backside slot back who comes in Jet motion.

The QB will call the Dive play in the huddle. Upon reaching the LOS, he will identify the defenders in the Box. If he sees five people in the Box, he will tell his teammates to run Dive.

If he sees 6 in the Box, he will call for the Speed Sweep (Diag. 6). If he sees 7 in the Box, he will audible to a Slant route by the split end with a 3-step (Diag. 7).

Another package we like is run from the empty set (Diags. 8-10). Check the QB draw in Diag. 8 We will run this against a 5 in the Box defense. With a 6 in the Box we check to the Speed Option (Diag. 9).

If we see 6 in the Box with straight man coverage, we will have the QB half-ride half-roll and throw to a slot-back on an option route (Diag. 10).

Summary:

We use this formula to enhance the efficiency of our entire game. We want to run the best play in the best situation. But this is just a small sample of the entire offense.

We also nm a Mid-Line Option, Inside Veer, Inside Zone, Traps, Shotgun Options, and much more.