Remember any play called that starts with a “One” is an option play where you are allowing your quarterback the opportunity to read a defender for give, keep, or pitch. !f a number ends with a 0 or 1 you are reading or trapping a 2 or 3technique. An example would be: Right 10 Jill this is a midline line play where the quarterback is reading the 2 or 3 technique for midline plays. Another example of a play ending with a 0 or 1 might be a trap play 40, 30 trap or 41 or 31 trap. All even numbers mentioned earlier go to the right and all odd numbers will go to the left.
0 or 1’s Midline or Traps
Whenever we call a play that ends with a 2 or 3 means we are reading a frontside 4 or 5 technique. The types of plays that end with a 2 or 3 would be inside veer or speed option towards an open ended side.
Example: 12 or 13 veer, 12 or 13 speed.
2 or 3 Take it back Blocking Scheme and read the 5 Technique
Any play called that ends with the number 4 or 5 is an ISO play which uses the term “Part The Sea” at the point of attack. With plays ending with the number 4 or 5 we are running an ISO play that will require the offensive line to counter rotate their blocking scheme at the point of ttack. The term “Part The Sea” is what it looks like when blocking the ISO’s.
Any play that ends with the number 6 or 7 is a stretch scheme that requires the offensive line to take their path out at an angle using a drop step. For the quarterback in the option game will read the backside 5 technique where as 2 and 3, reads the frontside 5 technique.
6 or 7 Stretch Plays that requires the offensive Line to Take Their Blocking Scheme out on Tracks.
8 or 9 schemes requires the offensive line to bring their blocking scheme around thus the term “Circle The Wagons”. With the option game any play that ends with an 8 or 9 the quarterback reads the 9 technique towards the callside. If the play call is not an option play the offensive line along with the tight end will full reach their defender, working to get their helmets playside.
8 or 9 Schemes “Circle The Wagons” Are Outside Schemes.
Recaping the way we call the offense is dictated by the first digit telling us who is getting the ball or if the play called is an option scheme. The second digit tells us the blocking scheme and where the ball is potentially going. The following examples will help clarify how the offense is call:
10 – 11 Jill (QB reads the 2 or 3 technique towards the call)
30 – 31 Trap ( Backside guard pulls and traps 1st defender on or past the guard, Fullback carries the ball)
40 – 41 Trap ( Tailback gets the ball with backside guard pulling and trapping the 1st defender on or past the playside guard.)
40 – 41 Tackle Trap (Tailback getting the ball with the backside tackle pulling trapping the 1st defender on or past the guard.)
12 – 13 Veer (read the 5 technique and take the blocking scheme away from the 5 technique.)
12 – 13 Speed
42 – 43 Blast (Schemes requires the offensive line to block back and the Fullback kicking out the 5 technique, Tailback carries the ball.)
34 – 35 ISo ( A Fullback ISO with the tight end leading him through the hole.)
44 – 45 ISO (A Tailback ISO with the Fullback leading the Tailback through the hole.)
16 – 17 Stretch (Used in The Gun and Pistol Offense, QB reads backside 5 technique, offensive line goes out on tracks.)
46 – 47 Stretch (This scheme goes to the Tailback with possible cut back.)
Click here for the follow up to this post: Establishing Your Run Blocking Concepts
About the Author of this post:
Jerry Campbell has over 30 years of high school and college coaching experience. He has experience as a head coach, offensive coordinator, and various position coaches. He has written numerous football coaching articles in various publications, is the author of over 30 books on coaching football, and has produced 12 coaching video series. Additionally, he is a nationally sought after speaker on the coaching clinic circuit.