A Good Two Play Sequence
QB Pin & Pull and RB Seam!
A good sequence of offensive play calling is uniquely satisfying.
Collin Klein of the Texas A&M Aggies coordinated back to back plays with subtle details that elevated their effectiveness. The role of the coordinator is to find these details and put them in their proper place. This two play sequence — a run and a pass — go perfectly in tandem and are a sound attack on the defensive structure.
Q Pin & Pull
1st & 10 at the +40 (7:10 2Q)
Offensive Concept: 2x1 21p Q Pin & Pull
Defensive Structure: Even Closed Zone
Breakdown: This was the first time the Aggies lined up in this unique 21p formation. The TE is split out as the #2 WR and the RBs are split, but wider than normal — outside the tackles.
I see two purposes for the wide alignments. First, the wide alignment for the RB on the left allows him to get out to his block easier. Rather than having to navigate around the edge of the line he can go straight forward. Second, they can manufactur a “jet” motion with the other RB since he has the same alignment.
The motion allows proper spacing for the mesh at the snap for the QB to then read the backside defensive end. Therefore, this play is also of the bash variety where the “back is away” and the QB is the primary runner. I appreciate the details in the RBs’ alignments because it’s a creative, yet obvious example of using the tools available to you (in this case alignment) to get your players in the most advantageous situation possible. Instead of forcing the “normal” 2 back split alignments, they widen them out. Simple.
As for the run scheme — with the QB as the primary ball carrier the offense firmly puts the numbers to their advantage against this MOFC defensive structure. Notre Dame only has 6 defenders in the box, so because the scheme reads the backside defender, the offense can block 5 for 5 with the offensive line leaving the FS as the only unblocked defender to account for the QB. The offensive line does so and the tackle is made by the CB on the solo side coming to help along with the nickel from the field.
Thus a successful showcase of the QB run game’s effects on numbers in the run game.
RB Seam
1st & 10 at the +27 (6:47 2Q)
Offensive Concept: 2x1 21p 4 Verts
Defensive Structure: Even Closed Zone
Breakdown: Out of the same formation and against the same defense, Cover 3, the Aggies now pull out a classic Cover 3 beater — 4 Verts.
Against Cover 3 the seams and flats are the weaknesses. 4 Verts attacks the seams with those verticals up the seams. Here, the Aggies get to the two seams with a crosser from the TE to the right seam and the RB up the left seam.
The RB’s seam route is for two reasons:
First, the flow of the play action pulls the flat defender to the left outside the path of the RB’s seam route. This result is important because one of the seam route’s greatest enemies is a reroute from collision. Therefore, the prior play’s replication in the run action here from both RB’s manufactures width from the defense to further open the seam.
The second reason reveals another enemy of the seam — the free safety. But because the Aggies are using their RB from the backfield to run a seam they can get to a 3x1 presentation of 4 Verts which has the crosser from the TE.
The crosser then has the natural ability to hold the FS as he crosses face rather than relying solely on the QB to look off the FS.