QB Counter Pitch

The QB counter pitch is a natural evolution of the QB counter trey read, depicted below:

Instead of riding the QB/RB mesh point and reading the end man on the line of scrimmage, Clemson creates fast flow and misdirection with the QB’s first step and a fake pitch. As for the blocking, there are two pullers like counter trey read, but the Center and H-back pull instead of the Guard and Tackle. This makes the blocking scheme more like Counter OF, and is a better fit for the backfield action. Below, Clemson gets the middle Linebacker and play side Defensive End blocked without ever touching them because of the pitch action:

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Smart football’s Chris Brown recently wrote an excellent piece on the evolution of the inverted veer, and included the toss read as a natural progression of the inverted veer’s power scheme and horizontal read. If a toss element could help the inverted veer evolve, it should also help QB counter trey read evolve as well. Although the QB counter pitch depicted above does not “read” any defender, I consider the play an evolution of the QB counter trey read because it accomplishes the same purpose; fast flow is created to influence linebackers one way, and the pitch action does the same thing as a read: it blocks defenders without ever touching them. Further, multiple pullers are pulling away from the flow. This is illustrated by Ohio State’s #5 and #59, seen below:

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Both the QB counter trey read and various versions of the concept have caused Alabama defenses trouble in the past:

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With that, Clemson will likely add some wrinkles for the National Championship game. The first adjustment the Alabama D can make to avoid Ohio State’s pitfalls is have Linebackers read their keys (pullers) instead of chasing backfield action (Ohio State LB #5). Next, Bama can have the Defensive End squeeze down, replace the H-back, and crash/bend hard to chase down the QB. The defense could protect the Defensive End’s hard bend and chase by inserting a strong safety to fill the gap (SS #7 in Ohio State play). If Alabama does this, Clemson could adjust by making the play a read with the same rules as QB Counter Trey Read; if the Defensive End crashes down and follows the pullers, pitch the ball. If the Defensive End feathers or expands with the pitch action, follow the pullers through the hole.

As a side note, both offenses have shown the toss read, and this chess match could occur with both offenses and defenses.

OFFSET RB JET RB PITCH

Clemson also burned Ohio State on a pitch play with an offset RB and jet sweep action the other way:

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This play works for several reasons. First, Ohio State is in man coverage, causing the Cornerback to chase the WR’s jet motion across the formation, leaving the defense badly out leveraged by an offset RB. Next, although Clemson doesn’t block the Defensive End, they know Ohio State will squeeze and replace when an offensive lineman blocks down.

The high angle shows the scheme has even more nuance; after Clemson shifts, it motions the remaining player across the field. But this means the Right Tackle is eligible to catch a pass, and the Left Tight End is covered, making him ineligible:

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Expect Clemson to have several plays off of this shift and motion. Nick Saban will make sure Alabama’s D recognizes the offset RB, the shift, and the motion. Alabama won’t chase the motion across the formation and leave the same leverage–they’ll check the coverage or trade off man responsibility. But Clemson could run several plays off of it. First, Clemson could replace the Right Tackle with another Tight End and try to catch Alabama off guard with a corner route.

Next, Clemson could simply hand the ball off on a jet sweep if Alabama overcompensates for the pitch going right. There are also a multitude of RPO (Run/Pass Options) coaches could draw up off of this action as well.

Look for these two concepts to appear at various points in the National Championship game, with each side making subtle adjustments in the chess match over the course of 4 quarters.

The post What to look for in Clemson v. Bama Part II appeared first on Syed Schemes.

The Cowboys offensive line executed textbook combination blocks in the split zone scheme, with left tackle (#77) Tyron Smith blocking out, left guard (#65) Ronald Leary and center (#72) Travis Frederick combining to block the defensive tackle up to the left outside linebacker, and right guard (#70) Zack Martin combo blocking with right tackle (#68) Doug Free to take care of 3-technique (#97) Geno Atkins and middle linebacker (#58) Rey Maualuga. Tight End (#87) Geoff Swaim blocks across the formation to pick up “EMLOS”, or the end man on the line of scrimmage, (#96) Carlos Dunlap.

However, this leaves one defender unaccounted for: (#55) right outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict. The Cowboys don’t attempt to block him; instead, they influence him out of the play with Jason Witten running a flat route. Witten’s flat route ends up not only influencing Burfict, but the safety (#43) George Iloka as well. This is the difference between a 3 yard run, a 10 yard run, and a 60 yard run. With the zone steps of Dak Prescott and Zeke Elliot influencing the defenders left, the Cowboys offensive line combo blocks at the point of attack, and the split zone and flat action, a huge alley is created. From there, Elliot must identify the alley, make one cut to get between the combo block on Atkins and Swaim’s out block, and run a wind sprint to the end zone:

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You can better see the influence of Witten’s flat route from the broadcast or high angle of the play:

The high angle shows how Witten’s route creates a gaping lane for Elliot to sprint to the end zone, seen fully below:

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One important point to note: Witten’s influence and Elliot’s cut, vision, and speed shouldn’t take away from how well the Cowboys offensive line blocked at the point of attack. Their combination blocks and movement allowed the rest of the scheme to work and gave Zeke Elliot a chance to make a play. With that said, the scheme worked to perfection. From an offensive coordinator’s point of view, there is nothing like “blocking” multiple defenders without ever having to lay a hand on them.

The post Zeke Elliot’s 60-yd Split Zone TD with a Special Influence appeared first on Syed Schemes.

• QB Buck Sweep (RPO)
• Counter OF
• QB G/T Counter Read or “Flash”
• Jet Sweep Split Zone
• Inverted/Power Veer
• Triple Option

QB Buck Sweep (RPO)

Carolina is not the only NFL team that runs Buck Sweep, but Cam Newton allows the Panthers to run QB Buck Sweep, opening up other possibilities for the offense. Like the traditional version, the Panthers Buck Sweep involves 2 pulling lineman leading the way for Cam to run around the edge:

Here, the left tackle, right tackle, and tight end (#88) Greg Olsen are all blocking down, while the center (#67) Ryan Kalil and right guard (#70) Trai Turner pull around to lead block for Cam. Meanwhile, (#35) Mike Tolbert motions behind Cam Newton and runs a swing screen to the left, drawing multiple Arizona defenders. Tolbert’s influence creates a huge numbers advantage for Carolina in the box, as none of Carolina’s blockers even have to account for the middle linebacker. The pulling lineman are untouched to the second level, leading to a touchdown:

The box angle doesn’t show the brilliance of the scheme and how difficult it is to defend. The high angle shows that this QB Buck Sweep is likely also an RPO, or run/pass option:

As you can see, Cam and the Panthers also have the option to the throw the swing screen up top if they have a numbers advantage. Here, both Cardinal defenders immediately sprint out, making it an easy keep for Cam. This is an extremely difficult mixed flow read for linebackers; multiple lineman are pulling right, yet the running back is sprinting left, the QB can open and throw left, and there are three wide receivers able to block for the swing pass as well.

Denver has a few options to combat this RPO: they can play 1 high safety and bring another linebacker into the box, or play press coverage to the trips side while having the linebackers key the pulling lineman to make Cam get rid of the ball to the screen.

Counter OF

Counter OF is a scheme involving one guard and either a fullback or H-back as pullers. The Steelers often run Counter OF from a single back set, but the Panthers execute the play from I-formation. Counter OF is also known as power counter because of the similarities to Power run scheme. However, traditional Power has the pulling guard go up to the second level. In Counter OF, the fullback goes up to the second level:

Here, (#73) left tackle Michael Oher and (#68) left guard Andrew Norwell have a double team up to the linebacker. The center has a down block on the tilted 1-technique defensive tackle, and the right tackle (#74) is on man to man. Right guard (#70) Trai Turner is pulling for the defensive end, while fullback (#35) Mike Tolbert is pulling up for the play side linebacker after taking his counter steps to influence the linebackers:

This run exhibits great execution on three separate occasions: first, when the Seattle defensive end squeezes down to replace the left tackle, the pulling guard (#70) plays with great technique to hook, or “log” the defensive end. Next, fullback Mike Tolbert sifts through traffic to get up and deliver a block on the playside linebacker. Finally, running back (#28) Jonathan Stewart shows great patience to allow his blocks to develop. Many running backs would get tackled for a minimal gain here because of an unwillingness to let blocks develop.

QB G/T Counter Read “Flash”

Another mixed flow play in the Panthers running game is the QB counter read, also known as QB G/T counter, or QB counter flash. Here, both the right guard and right tackle are pulling up for linebackers, leaving the center to block back on a 3-technique. This is normally a tough assignment for a center. However, the read element greatly helps the line because the running back is going the other way. The running back will run parallel to the line of scrimmage while the QB rides laterally to create a moving mesh point. The defensive end on the side of the pullers is left unblocked:

This play will rarely be a give to the running back. Instead, the QB/RB mesh likely is meant to influence linebackers, effectively block the read man without touching him, and make the center’s block on the 3-technique easier. The only instance where the QB would hand the ball off is if the read defensive end crashed down hard with the pulling lineman. Once Cam rides the mesh, he pulls the ball and is running QB counter:

Meanwhile, below is an example of how QB counter flash can get outside if the playside defensive end crashes down due to a stunt or because of the running back’s action:

Jet Sweep Split Zone

The next play in the Panthers running game is the Jet sweep split zone. Split zone is a zone blocking scheme where an H-Back, fullback, or tight end will come across the formation for a kick out block, creating a natural crease for the running back. The Panthers create further confusion for the defense by also adding motion and a potential jet sweep element. Here, all the Panther lineman “zone their gap” and take a play side zone step, while Greg Olsen comes across the formation to kick out (#44) Markus Golden of Arizona. However, the jet sweep along with Cam Newton as a run threat renders Golden completely frozen, and Olsen decides to move up to the second level. The linebacker (#51) Kevin Minter is also influenced by the sweep action, allowing him to be walled off by Olsen:

Once again, the Panthers are able to eliminate defenders from the play without ever touching them– the threat of jet sweep or Cam’s running ability creates an extremely favorable numbers matchup and a huge crease for Jonathan Stewart:

Box Angle:

High Angle:

Inverted/Power Veer

Inverted/Power Veer is an excellent compliment to QB G/T counter “flash” because the former is a full flow lineman and running back action while the latter is a mixed flow scheme. Inverted/Power Veer is blocked up front with a pulling guard like power, but one man is left unblocked and is the “read” man. The running back will run parallel to the line of scrimmage while the QB rides laterally to create a moving mesh point. If the read man steps out and angles toward the running back, the QB should keep it and run QB power. If the read man attacks downhill toward the mesh point, the QB should hand it off to the RB running outside. Note that the Panthers also occasionally also run Power/Inverted Veer reading the linebacker while “logging” the play side defensive end with the pulling guard.

Below, Seattle plays the Inverted/Power Veer about as well as a defense can against Carolina. Defensive End (#56) Cliff Avril gets his hands on tight end (#88) Greg Olsen, (#72) Michael Bennett quickly beats the lineman in front of him, and the backside stays home:

Triple Option

The Panthers running game also uses triple option often and effectively. Carolina has the ability to mix in 2 running backs with Cam Newton or use 1 running back and a wide receiver for the pitch option. The Panthers make it difficult to defend their triple option by having an offset back opposite the tight end. This makes the defense declare and play one way or the other. If the defense plays heavier toward the tight end side, the Panthers run triple option to the offset back. If the defense is shifted towards the offset back, Cam Newton can audible into a run toward the tight end. Below, the Cardinals have 8 in the box and are shaded towards the tight end. There is a huge natural bubble between the defensive lineman and (#44) Markus Golden, making for a perfect triple option front.

In triple option, two defenders are left unblocked. The defensive end or outside linebacker (first level defender) is read like in read option. If he crashes down and the QB keeps it, the second level defender is read in pitch phase. Of course, triple option reads are subject to change as the defense scrape exchanges and adjusts.

Once again, the Panthers running game schemes out defenders without blocking them; (#22) Tony Jefferson sees the pitch man go out wide and immediately chases. (#44) Golden has the QB run responsibility. However, Carolina has excellent down block angles with Golden and Jefferson out of the picture. Jefferson vacates, left tackle Michael Oher seals off (#51) Kevin Minter, and running back (#28) Jonathan Stewart has an enormous lane to run through:

If the defense decides to overplay the QB and running back, like below, Cam is more than capable of getting the play to the edge. Note that with all this focus on the run game, defenses are often left in 1 on 1 situations against the wide receivers:

And finally, the Panthers running game keeps the defense from over pursuing with the threat of a reverse from speedster Ted Ginn:

Overall, the Panthers running game is extremely difficult to prepare for. They have a variety of mixed flow reads that put linebackers and defensive linemen in a bind. Additionally, many of their run plays compliment each other, making it difficult to guess or overplay one particular scheme. Their option package is diverse, stretches a defense horizontally, and makes you account for every yard on the field. Carolina eliminates defenders without ever blocking them by creating hesitation, flow, over pursuit, and blocking angles. Aside from the excellent scheme, the Panthers are physical at the point of attack and have the best running Quarterback in the NFL in Cam Newton. Keep an eye out for some of these run schemes as well as variations while watching Super Bowl 50.

The post Analyzing the Unique Panthers Running Game appeared first on Syed Schemes.

 When Greg Olsen motions over to make the Carolina formation into Trips left, the Giants defensive front doesn’t adjust. This creates a huge natural bubble and easier down block angles for Carolina to run Inverted/Power Veer against.

The post Cam Newton’s Big Run: A look at the Inverted/Power Veer appeared first on Syed Schemes.

Credit: Smart Football’s “Does anyone still use Lombardi’s Packer’s Sweep”

Kelly’s Eagles also pull multiple lineman, but primarily use the Center and play side Guard instead of both guards. Kelly’s read sweep leaves an unblocked defender as a read man and is often accompanied by arc motion going away from the play (like Lombardi’s Sweep). The play side Tackle blocks down, and the pullers work through to the second level:

The unblocked read man is the 1-technique Defensive Tackle. He’s completely unblocked, but hesitates just enough to make himself a non-factor in the play. This is the beauty of the read element; it can block interior defensive lineman even with no QB run threat. The center and play side guard pull wide, attempting to stretch the defensive front 7 horizontally, while the play side Tackle blocks down. The frontside defenders over pursue the play, (#57 and #30) allowing the Running Back (#25 LeSean McCoy) to cut up field for a solid gain. Meanwhile, the backside guard and tackle execute an X-block (or cross block) which is helped by the arc motion from the Wide Receiver:

Kelly’s Read Sweep is versatile and changes the read man depending on the front. Below,  Dallas plays a 0-technique along with a 3 technique weak side and a 4i play side. The read man is the weak side 3-technique. The Eagles still pull the Center and play side Guard; the play goes for a huge gain because the play side Tackle crashes down hard and washes both the play side 3-technique and the 0-tech:

The read man is signified by the circled defender. Once again, leaving him unblocked allows the weak side Guard to climb to the second level and block a linebacker. The beauty of this scheme is that it is executed without any real run threat from the Quarterback:

Finally, the Read Sweep is executed below twice with the end man on the line of scrimmage “EMLOS” being the read man. Here, the Eagles don’t pull the Center and Guard when faced with a 0-technique. Instead, the play side Tackle pulls along with the play side Guard:

Again, the Eagles execute the Read Sweep with the EMLOS as the unblocked defender, this time with arc motion. They face a more traditional front from the Rams with man to man coverage (as opposed to against Washington or Dallas above) The Eagles are able to have the pulling Guard kick out the Defensive End and the pulling Center works through and up to the second level.

While the play can be quite effective without a true run threat at the Quarterback position, a dual threat QB can elevate the scheme to the next level and stretch a defense extremely thin horizontally. Below, the Eagles run the read sweep Week 1 of the 2013 season with the Center and play side Tackle pulling:

Overall, the Read Sweep is a variation on Buck Sweep that adjusts on the fly against different fronts. It allows lineman to get to second level, even without a true running threat from the QB. It also sets up other running plays by keeping unblocked defensive lineman slightly hesitant instead of attacking. The arc motion can also be incorporated to help the offensive line and hold either linebackers or LOS.

2015 SEASON UPDATE***

The Eagles had success in Week 1 with a variation of Buck/Read Sweep, or “Jab” sweep.  Jab sweep is similar in blocking scheme, but gives a mixed flow read to the Linebackers because the Running Back is on the same side as the direction of the play. This time, the QB doesn’t have a read, while the Running back takes a drop step to time up with the pulling lineman. Here, the pulling lineman are the play side Tackle and the Center:

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The Steelers run the OF Counter here from “22” personnel, with two tight ends, a fullback and running back Le’Veon Bell. As noted above, OF Counter involves two pullers, the guard and the fullback. Thus, the Steelers “leave 2” defenders on the front side of the play for the pullers. (the circled Bengals). The OF Counter is run from a few different formations, and is executed with the following rules:

• Backside Fullback/H-back: Pull through hole and up to second level
• Backside Tackle: Block on or back
• Backside Guard: Pull and look for kick out
• Center: Block on or back

The front side blocking responsibilities depend on the formation, as the Steelers run the OF Counter from multiple sets and personnel groupings. Overall, the goal of the front side is to block down on the edge defenders. The quarterback reverse pivots out to give a mixed flow read. The running back takes his first step laterally to coincide with the quarterbacks and then takes a gather step before cutting and attacking play side.

Bell exhibits excellent patience on his TD run and sets up his blockers beautifully. He presses the defense laterally and makes Adam Jones (#24) believe he is trying to run outside, which allows the second puller (#83 Heath Miller) the get to the second level. David DeCastro (#66) pulls and kicks out the linebacker who has replaced the down block. Bell then cuts inside what is now a huge hole and finishes the run strong:

Later in the game the Steelers run the same play from the same personnel grouping and motion. The Bengals over shift to the motion and are left outnumbered, with the weakside linebacker inside the Steelers left tackle despite the tight end and H-back. The Bengals are out leveraged even though cornerback Adam Jones (#24) inserts himself as the ninth box defender.

The next week, the Falcons defense gets sucked too far downhill and inside. The Steelers don’t use motion this time. The pulling guard continues up field and hooks his man while the pulling fullback doesn’t touch a defender until ten yards down field. Bell has great patience, vision, and quickness to wind this play all the way to the edge. His ability to do so makes it tough for edge defenders to make a play; if they play for an outside run, he can cut on a dime up the field. If they play for an inside run, he can quickly get outside.

Below, the Steelers run OF Counter from the same formation and personnel, except this time the linebackers diagnose the play quickly, scrape fast and flow over the top (#59 and #56). The pulling Steelers are noted in yellow:

The Steelers adjust on the fly; pulling guard David DeCastro treats #56 as the kick out blocker and delivers a pancake block while the pulling fullback works through the hole. The Panthers flowing over the top squeezes the play, but Le’Veon bell recognizes this, puts his left foot in the ground and cuts up field between the tackles for an 11 yard gain:

OF Counter can be run away from the tight end & fullback side as well from 22 personnel. Below, the Steelers line up a tight end and their fullback to the right with only a tight end to their left. The play is still being run to the Steelers left, but the formation makes the edge down blocks easier for the front side of the play, and makes it more clear for the pullers which defenders the “leave 2” will be.

The Steelers have also shown the ability to run the concept from “12” personnel or two tight ends and a running back. The advantage here is one less defender in the box, but now a wide receiver (#11 Markus Wheaton) must also contribute by at least getting his hands on a linebacker. Safety Reggie Nelson (#20) comes flying in at the bottom of the screen, but is easily kicked out by the pulling guard to open a huge lane for Bell:

There is one tendency the Steelers have revealed with the OF Counter: they clearly prefer to run the play going left, with David DeCastro as the pulling guard. However, the play can be run from several formations and personnel groupings. More importantly, Bell can “make the blockers right” with his athleticism, patience, and vision. These two factors make the play effective even when defenses know what’s coming. Overall, the OF Counter is a staple in the offense and an excellent concept to use with an athletic guard, a surplus of tight end/fullback/H-back type players, and a running back with patience and vision. For those interested in the OF Counter the 2014 Steelers at Bengals tape is essentially must watch clinic tape. Below is another example of the Steelers gashing the Bengals with the concept:

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Split Zone (like inside zone or zone read) entails all lineman taking a play side zone step, or stepping with their play side foot first toward where the run is designed to go. Like Zone Read, the end man on the line of scrimmage is left unblocked by the offensive line. However, the quarterback is not making a read on this defender; instead, an H-Back, Fullback, or Tight End will come across the formation for a kick out block, creating a natural crease for the running back to cut back. The kick block makes the play a bit like a trap. The running back steps downhill for the ball and has a 3-way go: continue outside (if every defender has been reached), plant his foot and press up field once defenders spill over the top, or see the cutback lane and attack the crease backside.

Split Zone creates a natural crease because inside linebackers must flow downhill play side. Meanwhile, the defender unblocked by the offensive line may see the play as zone read and play a feather technique to prevent the QB from keeping the ball. This gives the H-Back/TE a clear advantage, as he is coming to kick out the defender on his heels at full speed. This is likely what happened on the Seahawk Touchdown, with Luke Willson (#82) getting a clean shot at Clay Matthews:

The play is blocked exactly how a coach would draw it up, with both guards reaching play side and controlling the defenders in head up 2-techniques. The right tackle steps play side and has a relatively easy block on the defensive end/OLB, Julius Peppers. The center helps the right guard control the 2-tech and then continues to the closest second level defender. The left tackle steps down hard play side and is able to easily wash (#50) A.J. Hawk, the inside linebacker who has flowed play side far too much. Take note of what the pre-snap motion did: When Willson moves across the formation, A.J. Hawk steps two full yards to his right. This leaves him out of position and unable to recover.

Below is an example of a defense playing Split Zone more soundly:

Washington’s outside linebacker Perry Riley (#56) is head up on the guard, instead of a shade inside, where A.J. Hawk was washed inside. Riley diagnoses the play well and doesn’t step too far downhill or inside. Riley also gets help from #98 Brian Orakpo, who stonewalls the kick out block and makes the cutback crease very small. Running back LeSean McCoy has no choice but to press up field into a scrum for a yard. Note that the Eagles have 2 tight ends, thus condensing the box. While in shotgun, Split Zone may be best with a more spread look (3 WR 1 TE and 1 RB).

Split Zone can be run by offenses with no zone read element as well. While nobody would call Tom Brady a speed demon, the Patriots are successfully able to execute Split Zone below:

The Colts linebacker (#52) D’Qwell Jackson starts over the guard and is over aggressive downhill and inside, making it easy for the right tackle (#76) Sebastian Vollmer to wash him down. The kick out block is essentially a stalemate, but there is still a cutback crease for the running back.

Split Zone also gives offenses play action options, both from under center and shotgun. The blocking scheme remains the same for the offensive line, who must sell run. The kick out blocker attacks the unblocked defender but avoids him and heads to the flat. It’s a win-win for the offense: If the unblocked defender crashes down hard, the receiver will likely be wide open in the flat. If he feathers, the quarterback will have room to throw. The play will almost always end up going toward the quarterback’s throwing arm:

As seen above, the play action element of Split Zone can also be run with a WR/RB hybrid to maximize speed from route runners. From under center, Split Zone play action is more effective with the TE/H-back/FB because it looks more like a run. However, the play action element may be harder to run from under center because the kick out blocker could get lost while sifting through traffic. Below, Seattle is able to pick up a key first down on 3rd and short:

Overall, Split Zone is a great complimentary concept to both inside zone and the zone read. If linebackers are being over aggressive and making tackles downhill against inside zone, or read men are feathering against zone read, Split Zone is the way to counter. Once defenses are aware of Split Zone as a run, play action is the next progression. While the primary focus here was Split Zone from shotgun, other analysts have focused on Split Zone from under center. 

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1st Quarter, 10:52, 0-0, 2nd and 7: Ball to Seattle 24 for Gain of 5

The Pre-Snap look with blocking assignments:

Seattle is running Trips Left Zone Read, and Marshawn Lynch has just switched from the left side of Russell Wilson to the right side of Russell Wilson. This is a huge adjustment because it leaves a large natural gap between the 1-tech Wilfork and Rob Ninkovich (#50) who is playing in a 9-technique. As you can see in both the picture above and the video below, Linebacker (#54) Dont’a Hightower frantically attempts to move Vince Wilfork from his 1-tech alignment over and gets himself out of position as well. But Seattle is able to snap the ball before Wilfork can adjust, which should mean a huge hole and gain for Seattle. Luckily for the Patriots, Wilson isn’t entirely ready for the snap and it affects the play. Ninkovich (#50) is the unblocked defender and the read man; he plays a “feather” technique, or slow plays the Zone Read in order to force Wilson to give the ball to Lynch. From there, Ninkovich does a good job of squeezing down and tackling the ball carrier, who would have a gaping hole if it weren’t for Hightower getting off the block of Right Tackle Justin Britt (#68):

Overall, the Patriots are lucky it’s only a gain of 5.

1st Quarter, 10:14, 0-0, 3rd and 2: Ball to Seattle 24 for No Gain

Seattle decides to do the same exact thing on the very next play, the first offensive 3rd down of the game. This time, however, New England is lined up how it wants to be with the defensive tackles in 3-techniques (maybe even a 4i) responsible for the B-Gaps and linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins responsible for the A-Gaps. Once again, Ninkovich plays the feather technique as the Read man/unblocked defender. New England also sends a double A-Gap Blitz here:

This double 3/4i, double 9-technique look is how New England plays the Zone Read for most of the game. The scheme depends on a multitude of things: first and foremost, the ability to play Cover 1 at all times against any offensive formation, the intelligence of Hightower, and the versatility and athleticism of Wilfork (#75) and Collins (#91). Watch below, as Ninkovich feathers and forces a give from Wilson, only to have Wilfork blow back Seahawk Tackle Justin Britt to force Marshawn Lynch left enough for both blitzing linebackers to clean up the play for no gain:

Credit the 3-technique on the other side of the formation, Sealver Siliga (#96) for holding his ground against Seahawk Guard James Carpenter (#77).

 2nd Quarter, 9:06, 7-0 Patriots, 2nd and 13: Ball to Seattle 22 for 5 Yards

The Seahawks have seen the Patriots alignment twice, and now decide to add a Tight End to the mix. The only difference in the Patriots Front 7 look is that Read Man Rob Ninkovich (#50) is now in an 8-technique, or head up against the Tight End. The Tight End, Luke Willson (#82) Arc Releases to block his man to man pass defender. There once again appears to be a fairly large crease for Lynch to run through, but watch how Jamie Collins diagnoses the play and goes from his A-Gap Assignment (In Red) to where he makes the play (In Yellow):

Some analysts thought Russell Wilson should have kept the ball and run here, as there were no defenders left with lots of space if Wilson made Ninkovich miss.

2nd Quarter, 6:51, 7-0 Patriots, 1st and 10: Ball to Seattle 35 for 5 Yards

The Patriots had feathered the Read Man every time thus far, and the Seahawks were ready to counter with Split Zone. Vince Wilfork (#75) is now playing in a full 4i Technique on the inside shade of the tackle, with Hightower basically stacked over him. There is a huge natural gap between the Defensive Tackles (Wilfork and #97 Alan Branch), but it still appears as if both Hightower and Collins are responsible for A-Gaps while the Defensive Tackles are responsible for B-Gaps. Willson comes across the formation and hits Ninkovich, but doesn’t blow him back. Meanwhile, Wilfork gets off a double team disrupts the backfield, potentially affecting Lynch’s vision to an A-Gap crease:

2nd Quarter, 6:31, 7-0 Patriots, 1st and 10: Ball to Seattle 39 for 4 Yards

Seattle runs Zone Read again, this time with a more traditional 4-3 (With DT in 1 and 3 techniques) Front-7 defensive alignment from New England with a Ninkovich feather, but with a very similar result:

At this point, Seattle is gaining decent yardage, but has yet to gain over 5 yards, is down by a touchdown, have not had a snap in New England territory, and Russell Wilson has not carried the ball.

2nd Quarter, 3:39, 7-0 Patriots, 1st and 10: Ball to New England 6 for Gain of 5

After a big pass play to Chris Matthews, Seattle goes back to the Zone Read, this time with Tight End Luke Willson in an H-back 2-point stance off the line of scrimmage. The Defensive Tackles are lined up a little closer to each other now because its closer to the Goal Line, although still relatively far at a 2-technique (Siliga #96) and a 3-technique (Branch #97). Ninkovich plays the feather technique to force a give again, there is a large crease again, and again Jamie Collins scrapes hard, beats Seahawks Center Max Unger and makes the play at 5 yards instead of a likely Touchdown:

 2nd Quarter, 2:22, 7-0 Patriots, 2nd & Goal at New England 3: Touchdown Seattle

Seattle finally gets on the board using a zone read in short yardage. However, New England’s Chandler Jones (#95) had the perfect opportunity to stop this play. Seattle is running Zone Read against a double overhang look, meaning there are two players outside of the Tackle. When the Tackle Russell Okung (#76) leaves Jones to block down on the Defensive Tackle, Jones should crash down hard on Marshawn Lynch because Patrick Chung (#23) is there to handle any QB run. Instead, Jones hesitates and feathers for a split second, then crashes too late. Here is the pre-snap look followed by the play:

This double overhang look would come in key later in the game.

2nd Quarter, :24, 14-7 Patriots, 1st and 10: Ball to New England 44 for Gain of 17

Seattle finally breaks out with a long gain on Zone Read in a key situation, setting up the tying Touchdown before halftime. Seattle lines up in Trips Right and is running Zone Read right, but the Patriots decide not to feather the read. Instead, with Cover 1, double 3-techniques, double 9-techniques and stacked Linebackers, Chandler Jones crashes down on Running Back Robert Turbin and forces Russell Wilson to keep the ball for the first time. The Patriots attempt to trap Russell Wilson by looping around Jamie Collins to account for the QB run:

Notice that the front side A-Gap is unaccounted for; essentially, Chandler Jones is responsible for the front side A-Gap with his crash:

Wilson does exactly what New England wants, but simply beats Collins in a 1 on 1 matchup and scampers for a huge 17 yards:

The question for Seattle fans is, if Wilson can juke out the ultra-athletic and quick Collins, couldn’t he do the same to Ninkovich’s feather technique? Should Wilson have kept the ball more and challenged the Patriots in the open field more often?

3rd Quarter, 14:22, 14-14, 2nd and 7: Ball to Seattle 38 for Gain of 15 

The Seahawks start the 3rd Quarter with more Zone Read. The Seahawks run it with a Tight End against the same look they saw in the 1st half; an 8-Technique against the Tight End with a feather technique, double 3-tech/4i’s, and Cover 1 behind it. Watch Jamie Collins overplay the run to his left. In prior situations, the crease was to his left and therefore his scrape saved huge gains. This time, Collins should have taken on the oncoming Lineman square. Instead, he tries to slip under the block, goes too far, and creates the big hole for Lynch:

3rd Quarter, 11:51, 14-14, 3rd and 1: Ball to New England 8 for No Gain

This was arguably the most important Zone Read of the game, as it kept Seattle to a field goal attempt. Seattle decided to stick with the Zone Read, when QB Russell Wilson really should have checked out of the play. It also may have psyched out Coach Pete Carroll later in the game in the more famous short yardage situation.

Seattle got the following pre-snap look for the first time:

This Defensive Alignment sells out to be the perfect defense against the Zone Read. Every Gap is accounted for, Dont’a Hightower (#54) is there to feather and handle any QB run, Ninkovich (#50) has crash RB responsibility, and Safety Devin McCourty (#32) is in the box for run support to make it 7 defenders against 7 Seattle Lineman + Runners. Russell Wilson gets a mixed read because he sees Hightower waiting for him but Ninkovich crashing down for Lynch. Wilson had an array of options; First, he could have called an audible to another play: he could have called stretch going toward McCourty and Chandler Jones, or switched back Marshawn Lynch to the other side and run Zone Read to an extremely open 1-tech/9-tech front. (New England would almost have certainly called a Timeout or given up a Touchdown). In fact, Lynch did start directly behind Wilson, and it was Wilson who directed Lynch to his right. Next, if he ran the called play, he should have kept the ball and tested Hightower in space:

He had beaten the more athletic Jamie Collins before, and Hightower was playing the game with a torn labrum. Unsurprisingly, the play was stopped for no gain:

This doesn’t even account for the passing options Wilson had. The Patriots were no longer in Cover 1. The way McCourty comes down immediately, it appears as if New England is in true Cover 0. This may have been the perfect time to check to a Zone-Read with a Pass Option, (Since we definitely know it was in the Seattle Playbook). Regardless, look at the space the Spread Stack formation had for a passing audible:

As a coach, this is the one play I’m kicking myself over if I’m Seattle. More than the Malcolm Butler interception. Russell Wilson needed to get his team into a better play, and failed to do so when it counted most when they could have gone for the kill.

4th Quarter, 11:51, 24-14 Seattle, 1st and 10: Ball to Seattle 38 for Gain of 2

At this point in the game New England is playing the Zone Read ultra aggressively. Ninkovich feathers again, but Collins and Hightower have a Double A-Gap Cross Blitz that stop the play for a very short gain:

4th Quarter, 7:48, 24-21 Seattle, 2nd and 10: Ball to Seattle 25 for Gain of 5

The last Zone Read of the game:

The Zone Read played an essential role in Super Bowl 49. Although Seattle was able to gain solid yardage and score a Touchdown with it (12 Carries, 66 Yards), one can’t help but feel they left a lot of productivity on the table. I agree with the assessment that Russell Wilson should have kept the ball more and challenged the Patriots to play him in space. Seattle was stuffed multiple times for no gain on 3rd downs with arguably the best RB and most mobile QB in the NFL. They only had two gains over 5 yards the whole game on Zone Read, and couldn’t seal the game with it when they were up 24-14.

Also give credit to Bill Belichick, Matt Patricia, and the New England Defense. They had a solid game plan and relied on their elite secondary to play man-to-man against any formation. As for the Front 7: play an unconventional front with the wide double 3-tech/4i consistently, feather and force Wilson to give the ball, and sprinkle in crash looks occasionally while still accounting for Wilson. When it mattered most, the Patriots sold out to stop the Zone Read and Wilson gambled incorrectly that Lynch could break Ninkovich’s crashing play.

The post The Zone Read / Read Option Chess Match: How Belichick and the Versatile Pats D handled Russell Wilson & Marshawn Lynch appeared first on Syed Schemes.

WHEN GREEN BAY HAS THE BALL:

Green Bay cut the field in half when they chose not to attack the right side of the field to avoid Richard Sherman Week 1; Green Bay aligned #11 Jarrett Boykin to the right on the vast majority of snaps. The Packers must attack all parts of the field in order to be successful this week.  While the Packers will almost certainly line up #87 Jordy Nelson to the right more often, the emergence of rookie #17 Davonte Adams gives Green Bay a viable threat even when Jordy Nelson is on the left side of the field. However, attacking the right side of the field doesn’t necessarily mean attacking Sherman 1 on 1. Look for Green Bay to manipulate formations to move Sherman away from the outside most Receiver. Dallas was able to do this from a Trips tight formation, with the TE as the lone eligible receiver to the left, and 3 Wideouts to the right:

Sherman moves with Dez Bryant to the slot

This formation moves Richard Sherman to the slot against Dez Bryant. The Packers Wide Receiving core is deeper than the Cowboys’ WRs, and this alignment would put the Seahawks in a bigger bind than against Dallas. If Seattle aligns Richard Sherman over Jordy Nelson in the slot, Sherman is not at his absolute best without the sideline as a defender. On the other hand, if Sherman stays to the outside, Green Bay can use #18 Randall Cobb, Adams or Nelson on the right side of the field without ever testing Sherman. This play results in a 20+ yard gain with the whole field to work with, and a penalty on Sherman:

The trips tight formation makes Seattle’s Cover 3 slightly more challenging to play. The play above is Cover 1, and Green Bay should try to exploit it like Dallas did. Another way Green Bay can attack the right side of the field is by splitting either Running Back #27 Eddie Lacy or #44 James Starks out wide with Randall Cobb in the slot right:

Sherman aligns against Welker in the slot with the RB to the outside

In the picture above, the Broncos place a Running Back out wide to move Sherman to the slot. If Green Bay can manipulate formations to get Randall Cobb on Sherman, especially in the slot, this is the most favorable matchup for Green Bay. Like other big corners, the hardest matchup isn’t necessarily the best or biggest Receiver; in fact, the shiftier, quicker types give Sherman slightly more trouble.

As for the running game, Green Bay must establish it early. Eddie Lacy was unable to finish the game Week 1 with a concussion, but his presence will be huge on Sunday. He started off the game gaining yardage while breaking tackles and being agile enough to juke out the best safety in the NFL, Earl Thomas; no small task:

Runs like this are essential for multiple reasons: Green Bay will probably spend 95% of the game in either Shotgun or Pistol due to Aaron Rodgers’ hurt calf. The Packers must be able to run the ball regardless. Lacy is a versatile back: he is a viable threat in the passing game, can run defenders over, and also can make defenders miss. Look for Lacy and Seattle’s Cam Chancellor (#31) to provide some of the hardest collisions the NFL has seen all year. If Lacy can stay healthy for the whole game, look for the Packers to improve on the 16 point output from Week 1.

WHEN SEATTLE HAS THE BALL:

Seattle drove Green Bay crazy Week 1 with various versions of Jet Sweep and read option. However, with Percy Harvin long gone, Seattle will come up with new wrinkles to attack the Green Bay run defense. Green Bay’s run defense has improved greatly over the course of the season: Since Clay Matthews moved to Inside Linebacker, Green Bay is in the top-10 against the run. (GB was in the bottom 10 prior). Green Bay has also recently gotten major contributions out of Defensive Lineman #76 Mike Daniels in stopping the run. Daniels will sometimes be lined up against a hurting Max Unger (Seattle’s Center, #60) and could be the key to getting interior penetration against Seattle’s run game with efforts like this, causing Running Backs to hesitate and freeing up Clay Matthews from the middle:

This matchup is key and simply about execution, not X’s and O’s. Seattle will look to dominate the line of scrimmage and Daniels like in the Week 1 matchup:

Seattle will certainly use some read option, but look for them to use the split zone concept as well. Split zone may look like zone read and is meant to freeze linebackers, but the Quarterback is only a decoy as a running threat. It is blocked similar to Zone read in the sense that a defender is left unblocked at the snap of the ball and the Tackle can aggressively down block. However, a Tight End or fullback will come across the formation to block the defensive end or linebacker. The direction of the Running Back and the Quarterback’s action will make it look like Read Option, and create a natural crease for the blocker and the running back to cut back. Seen below is a Week 1 Split Zone run to perfection. Green Bay’s Clay Matthews (#52) plays this as zone read, only to be blocked completely out of the play by Luke Willson (#82) who is coming across the formation. Russell Wilson (#3) sells read option action, but is never actually a running threat:

Finally, when it comes to the passing game, look for the key matchup to be #56 Julius Peppers against banged up Rookie Right Tackle #68 Justin Britt. (If Britt can’t play due to injury, Alvin Bailey would be next in line). Peppers has been on fire recently, forcing fumbles from both Tony Romo and Demarco Murray last week. His pass rush ability must make Russell Wilson uncomfortable in the pocket.

The post Keys to Victory: Previewing the 2015 NFC Championship appeared first on Syed Schemes.

The basic premise of the outside zone (or zone stretch) play is simple; every lineman will “zone their gap”, or block the immediate area to the side of the play. (in this case, the linemen’s left). Lineman are given the “On or Outside” rule, meaning they should block the player immediately on them, or if nobody is on them, the first player to the outside. If a lineman has a defender immediately to the inside, they will give help so the next lineman can “take over” the block. Arian Foster will run to the outside leg of the Tight End and then make one cut: either continue outside if all the defenders are sealed, or if a defender has overrun the play, plant a foot in the ground to make a zone cut up the field. Here is the look the Texans saw against the Cowboys pre-snap:

Here, the Tight End (#87 C.J. Fiedorowicz) will help the Left Tackle “take over” the Defensive End, (#58 on Dallas), and then attempt to reach block up to the Linebacker, #52, Justin Durant. Meanwhile, the rest of the line takes their Zone step in sync:

In the next frame, you see how the play works to perfection for the Texans: The Cowboys Defensive End (#58) has been completely reached and sealed off, and the Tight End (#87 C.J. Fiedorowicz) for Houston has perfect leverage to seal Dallas Linebacker #52 (Durant). Meanwhile, the Texans G-C-G (Guard, Center, Guard) work in perfect unison. Their job is to reach the Defensive Tackle, take over, and work up to seal #59. The freeze frame below shows how well the Texans execute:

Because of the Texans’ perfect execution to begin the play, only two Dallas defenders can stop this play now: either #59 can work over the top and tackle Foster after a 6 yard gain, or #42 Safety Barry Church can come down and make the tackle:

However, the Texans O-line’s dominance doesn’t stop there: The Left Guard works up to #59 on Dallas and completely seals him off from reaching Foster. Foster sees this and continues on his stretch path until it is decision time. This leaves the Safety, Church (42) 1 on 1 vs. Arian Foster:

This puts Church (42) in a nearly impossible position. At the time Foster must make his zone cut, usually the blocking dictates whether he should continue on his Stretch path or cut it up the field. Because the Texans’ O-line did such an excellent job, Foster has a huge alley. But big runs in the NFL don’t occur without the efforts of the Running Back: No lineman is schematically responsible for the Safety, so Foster must make him miss in order to score the TD. Foster is one of the best in the game, and his incredible move sets up the score. Below is the video at 1/4 speed to really see how the zone blocks develop, with the fast motion to appreciate Foster’s cut to conclude:

The play highlights two things: The Outside Zone, a run play commonly called in the NFL executed to perfection, and the patience, vision, and athleticism of Arian Foster.

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