• 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.

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:

The post Steelers OF Counter, or Power Counter appeared first on Syed Schemes.