800 – 900 Passing game is built off the quarterback sprinting outside feeling the block of his offensive tackle. Whenever the quarterback sprints out he will feel for the reach block by his tackle on the defensive end. When sprinting out and the quarterback sees that his tackle can reach the defensive end then he continues outside. If the quarterback sees the defensive end widens and the offensive tackle can’t get him reached then the quarterback will pull up inside of the tackles reach block.
The offensive line will follow their blocking scheme based upon 8”s and 9’s which means circle the wagons. By going full reach with the offensive line it looks like an outside run play on the outset for the inverts reading through the offensive tackles.
The fullback is responsible for the playside linebacker on the snap of the ball. Whatever lineman or fullback that comes uncovered he will peel back and look to pick up pressure off the backside.
900 – 800 Go
900 – 800 Bench
900 – 800 Wide
900 – 800 Curl
The “3” Back will be responsible for the playside linebacker with some help from the guard his side. The guard will step playside first securing “B” gap and then hinging back if no immediate threat appears. The “3” Back will track his linebacker until he sees that the backer his side has dropped into a pass zone, if this occurs have the “3” Back look backside for any possible threat coming off the edge.
Our offensive line from the playside tackle backside will step reach playside and then hinge back. Any pressure coming off the back edge should be picked up by any lineman and or the “3” Back if they come uncovered.
The quarterback will read the reach block by his tackle. The tackle can reach the defensive end his side then the quarterback will continue outside. If the defensive end stretches then the quarterback will pull up inside the outside push by his offensive tackle.
With sprintout protection you want to teach the outside half-man advantage. Your offensive linemen should work to get their inside foot to the mid-seam of the defender whereas straight dropback protection puts the outside foot to the mid-seam of the down defender.
If the quarterback can get outside then continue on sprintout.
In this scenario with linebackers walked up into the line of scrimmage your full reach would account for them playside which again would have your “3” Back hinging backside for any pressure off the edge.
Quarterback must feel the block of the tackle while looking for open receivers. If the quarterback feels no pressure off the edge this means that he has run option available because defenders are either playing man or have dropped into their zone coverages.
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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.