Wild Bunch Run Game

21 SWEEP

We solve the problem of running outside without altering our Bunch motion by joining in the proliferation of the Fly Sweep series (many thanks to Coach Bruce Eien of Brethren Christian HS in Cypress, California).  The first play in the sequence sends H in motion (which should be identical to Bunch motion for the first few steps).  At the snap, QB reverse-pivots and hands to H, then fakes the Dive to FB, and completes the sequence by rolling to the Spread side faking the naked Bootleg.  Y and Z get to have some fun on this play -- they use a Mesh-like release, then take out the PCB and PS.  Bunch Guard pulls and kicks out the first color past BT (in the diagram, the OLB/Nickel back over Y).  H reads BG's block and cuts to daylight.  FB fills for BG and takes a good shot at that playside ILB or DT.  We can also block this Zone, with no guard pulling.  This decreases our blocking at the corner, but makes it almost impossible for the defense to distinguish between Sweep and Dive.

33/37 DIVE

Fly play number 2.  After faking 21 Sweep, QB continues his spin and hands to FB, then runs his 333 Boot fake while reading the charge of the backside OLB.  FB hits the bubble over BG or BT, or runs to daylight if they are both covered.  H will block the playside OLB if he crashes inside.  The play is run identically to the Spread side as 37 Dive to complement 49 Sweep where Z carries the ball.  Emporia State "superback" Brian Shay set national records in the mid-90's running primarily this play, which hits the soft underbelly of the defense after establishing the outside run and pass threats.

34 COUNTER

FB's lateral step resembles 36 Zone, but he cuts back and follows Spread Guard and H through the hole.  Bunch side of the line seals to the inside, SG kicks out defensive #2, ST hinge blocks (like backside sprint-out pass protection) to pick up a crashing or slanting defender, while H pulls through the hole and walls off pursuit.

From the Swap adjustment (page 4, bottom diagrams), we can motion H to form the Bunch, then still run Counter by having Y pull and wall off in H's place.

35 TRAP

Can be run with or without motion.  If the OLB over H pursues motion across formation, leaving DT with contain, we will trap inside him all day long.  With motion, also functions as a "Bunch draw."

Center:  Block backside - If no backside LOS defender, block straight ahead.

Spread Guard:  Continue through A gap until you hit somebody (Usually man in front of center).  If center blocks your man (NG) too, combo to backside LB.

Bunch Guard:  Pull playside and kick out first defender past A gap.

Spread Tackle:  Nearest LB.

Bunch Tackle: Reach block toward center. (Rules courtesy of Dum Coach.)

When we find defenses cheating toward Bunch and the field, we will run Trap from the hash without motion.  Trap then becomes a great way to pop the FB into the secondary with a full head of steam.

36 ZONE

The foundation of our inside ground game.  If an offensive lineman is covered, he blocks the man on.  If uncovered, he will step playside and double with the covered lineman.  At this point they will stay engaged with the double team until they reach the second level or the second level comes to them.  In the event that the uncovered lineman has no one to double team, he will work to the second level with his shoulders parallel to the LOS.  We work hard to distort the defense with the double team so that FB may have a cutback lane.  FB takes a lateral step (setting up 34 Counter), then takes the handoff and looks for daylight.  Can also be run from Swap (page 4, bottom diagrams) with Y taking H's place as a blocker.

38 DRAW

From 113 Go action, QB drops behind FB, then slides the ball in his pocket from behind (reverse, backside or "slow" handoff).  FB waits one count after the handoff, then runs to daylight.  Running the R&S version, after we burned the OLB once with Draw, no one went near H's Shoot pattern from Go for the rest of the game.

Although we generally only call Draw when defenses drop their EOL defender on the Spread side into coverage, we have run right by defenders who are so intent on rushing the passer that they miss the backside hand-off.

49 SWEEP

Fly Sweep to the Spread side; complements 37 Dive.  Can be particularly effective against reduced defensive fronts to the Spread side (46 Double Eagle, etc.)

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