This post was syndicated with permission from the Glazier Clinics Free Coaching Resources at Building Blocks: Pro Gun Spread—Power Read Option.
The power read option is a formidable element in the Pro-Gun Spread. Catch up on the rest of this offensive formation series here:
Coach Jarrett Troxler provides helpful tips on the quarterback’s reads, the blocking scheme, and overall play design in these two critical videos, available now on our Youtube page.
In this video, Coach Jarrett Troxler from Massillon Washington HS (OH) details the best two ways to run the power read-option from the Pro-Gun Spread System.
Running the Power Read Option
The first way to run the power read option is called “Flash.” The most important distinction with “Flash” is that the Running Back will run directly in front of the Quarterback at the mesh point and look to take the ball wide and stay horizontal to the sideline. The Quarterback reads the Defensive End, and if the End takes the Running Back, the Quarterback will take the ball and run in the B Gap. Conversely, if the Defensive End takes the Quarterback, the Quarterback hands the ball off to the running back.
The second way to run the power read option is called “Knife.” This play is like a veer read-option play. The Running Back will align on the play side and he has an inside track toward the B Gap if the Quarterback gives him the football. The Quarterback, still reading the defensive end for his key, will either hand the ball off to the Running Back or pull the ball and become the edge runner on this play.
The blocking on both of these plays is the same, so there is nothing different from a teaching standpoint for the remaining players on the field. Incorporate these plays into your practice drills to ensure your Quarterback understands the importance of reading his defensive end key, and reap the benefits of some easy offense!
Power Vs “Over” & “Bear” Fronts
In a defensive “Over” front, the Defensive Tackle to the tight end side of the formation, otherwise called the “closed side/strong side,” will align in a “3-technique.” The 3-technique alignment is on the outside shoulder of the strongside Guard. The backside Defensive Tackle or Nose Tackle will align to the “open side/weak side” of the formation in a “0” or “2i” which is right over the Offensive Center or right inside the inside shoulder of the backside guard, respectively.
The Ends are outside the Tackles in a defensive “bear” front. The difference from an “over-front” is that there are more defensive players at the line of scrimmage. The strongside Defensive Tackle will now play a “0” or “2” technique, which is head-up over the Guard or Center. The SAM Linebacker will align as a 5-technique over the Offensive Tackle’s outside shoulder. The Defensive End will align in a “7-technique” on the end of the line of scrimmage. The Strong Safety will also align in the box.
This defense is a run-heavy defensive front. With the fronts identified, the blocking is very similar, with the difference being the actions of the play side Offensive Tackles/Guard. Against an “over-front” the Offensive Tackle will double with the Offensive Guard on the “3-technique” Defensive Tackle to the Backside Linebacker through a “Tango” call. The Center blocks down on “0” or “2i” Nose Tackle, the backside Guard executes a “skip pull” on the play side Linebacker. The Tight End or “H-Back” does a kick-out block on the defensive end. Against a “Bear front,” all offensive linemen will execute a down block on the first defender inside of them on the line of scrimmage. The backside Offensive Tackle will execute a “skip-pull” to the play side linebacker. The Tight End or “H-Back” does a kick-out block on the defensive end.
Power Iso Vs Hard Spill
Power Iso/Power run scheme against even defensive front teams is the play side defensive end. If the defensive end’s responsibility is to “spill the play”, attack the oncoming blocker with the wrong arm to make the play go outside of him, a counteraction is to base block with the play side offensive tackle. Doing so creates a new look for the defensive end. With the base block from the Offensive Tackle, the play side Offensive Guard down blocks on the Nose Tackle, and the Center down blocks on the backside Defensive Tackle. These actions, free up the Backside Offensive guard to execute a “skip pull” around the Center to the backside linebacker. The fullback now has an “ISO block” on the play side backer.
