Play Calling Progression

Compiled by Coach JJ Allen

Cowichan Valley Football

Never before has the progression of play calling been so vital in offensive football. Many of today’s pro, college, and high school teams have gone towards packaging plays together. Packaging in terms of offensive play selection means to have a base play and many options off this same play, or plays that really similar in action type.

To give examples, the San Fransico 49ers with their west coast play action passes off their power sweep & trap series. The Dallas Cowboys with their lead draw & accompanying play action passes.

The theory is to design a base running play, make the defense honor it and defend it. Then use the same backfield and O-line action to run a counter or misdirection running play. The next progression is to run the same action, then a play action pass play.

By adding slightly different blocking assignments for the same play, (the offensive line must study blocking the same base plays with different types of techniques i.e. reach, zone, base man, power double team, et...), the probability of the play being run successful has risen. The defense must worry about the run play and starts playing their assignments, instead of reacting.

Their Coach will yell at them, "Who’s gap was that!" or "Hey, you get that play next time!" Once they have gone into assignment ball the offensive coach is at a advantage if he has taught the team plays in progression.

Once an good offensive coordinator knows how a defense will play the bread and butter run plays, it starts a whole other mind set to make them honor that play and run a different play off that action. Because the L.B.’s must defend the run decisively and the DB’s must support, they will take themselves out of position for the accompanying counter or play action play.

Examples of play progressions:

Fake 16 Power Z Reverse

Now those are basic examples of getting four different plays out of one base play. Most coaches are making sure that every play they have has a counter, play action, reverse, and bootleg to go with it. They are also making sure that their team can run at least one or two of these effectively. There are a few reasons for this, one it easier to teach the team as a whole progression theory and two, if every play has progression package of plays the team will learn the concept easier.

Here are some definitions and examples I think will benefit a coach in teaching the team these concepts. Also contain are some O-line blocking definitions that may help in building a set of progression plays.

Qb Half Sprint Drill

1. 6 O’clock Pivot step
- Gain depth
2. 45 Degree Crossover step

3. Sprint to setup at Tackle Box (behind tackle)
- 7 yds. if throwing to right
- 8 yds. if throwing to left

Points to Remember

- Keep head focused on area of attack
- Keep body in control

Bill Walsh makes a destinction between an action pass (sprinting, rolling, waggling, or moving the Qb launch point), and the play action pass (which of course runs with a fake to the Rb off of a strong interior run play).

A sprint play whether its a zone, elephant, or man blocked play is essential. It gets the Qb away from the defensive line interior and is a slow hand off (give or fake). The threat of the draw type run will make the defense read the play and give the receiver time to work down field. All this is assuming the Qb has the arm strength to throw downfield.

Qb Bootleg

1. 6 O’clock Pivot step
- Gain depth

2. Crossover step
- Step to mesh with TB

3. Follow through step and Ride out with hand
- Look ball into TB’s pocket
- Keep off hand on ball seated against stomach

4. Roll away to opposite side of line, eyes should go directly towards the DE.

- Don’t rush the fake to the TB
- If you have convinced the defense you have the ball on a real hand off through good faking, when the Bootleg is called it should take them by surprise.

 Bootleg off any interior run, always have the Qb fake a bootleg. The defense will get use to seeing the action. With the help of a good fake the Qb can boot naked for at least 3 - 4 yards. There is also room for a bootleg pass to a delaying TE.

Reach Block
The reach block is used at the point of attack to keep the defender from running the play down to the outside. This block has many different names such as, the cutoff,
readblock, or shield block. The reach block is used when we want to get
movement parallel to the LOS. This block can either be a one on one block or
can be used with the combo block. The first step will be a flat step at a 45 degree
angle outside of the defenders base. The second step will be at the inside of the
defender's far leg. The blocker must get his play side hand and helmet to the # on
the far sleeve. He must then try to quickly get the other hand to the near armpit.
We would like the blocker to work his outside leg and head past the defender
accelerating his feet and getting his shoulders parallel with the goal line.

Scoop Block

A block to that is useful against stacked or inverted Lb.’s. The two o-linemen work as one unit to take on these tough blocking angles presented. The playside lineman reverse punches or rips and releases to the stacked or inverted Lb. The remaining lineman steps hard playside, getting himself in front of the defender, and reach blocks d-lineman.

Scramble Block
The scramble begins with the same stance and steps as the drive block. It is important for the blocker not to drop his head. The scramble block target will be the helmet and shoulder to the outside playside knee, maintaining a flat back . Again it is important not to drop the head. To finish the block lock off play side knee between shoulder and hip, keep pressure and bear crawl.

Horn Block
The horn block is used to block a loose playing linebacker either inside or outside. The horn block can be quick pull by the O-lineman where he tries to get around the next O-lineman quickly and squaring up his shoulders to the LOS looking for the inside or outside line backer.

**All these types of blocks can be used in the progression series. It is up to the coach to drill the line so they can sell oor influence the defense.**

2 for 2 combinations.

If not having enough lineman type material to coach is an issue, work with two o-linemen at a time. This way they can experience working together against different fronts. Make the TE and T work together and show them any possible combo that may happen to them. Then work the G & C and so on. The first thing you must teach is steps, then reach blocks, then any combos you want to use.