When "It" Works, Do "It" Again
Double RBs, Empty GT Counter Screens, and Deep Play Action Shots
Coach Dub Maddox, creator of the R4 system, is the OC at Union High School in Tulsa, OK and they are a great watch every week because of his creativity. Today, we are looking at 5 creative plays in their regular season matchup against the Jenks Trojans in the 2023 season.
This game was wild — Union fell behind early due to some unfortunate picks off deflections and other turnovers on special teams. But they kept firing away and found ways to move the ball down the field on some timely chunk plays.
Here are the plays we’ll go over:
Empty QB GT Option Pass
Double RB Zone Read Screen
Double RB Y-Stick
Deep Play Action Shot (called back for holding)
Deep Play Action Shot (run right after the first deep play action shot)
Play 1: Empty QB GT Option Pass
This first play was in an empty formation and looked to be a run-pass option where the QB could run the GT counter to the left or throw to someone down the field. The ball ended up going to the RB who ran a bubble to the field at the snap, but I am curious what the intended design of the pass option was.
Both sets of WRs ran what looked to be switch release verticals. However, I’m not sure they weren’t just eye-candy to the defense to get them distracted from the RB bubble. It would make sense if the read was simply, GT counter to RB bubble, but because the QB was forced to get depth due to an oncoming rusher, it’s hard to say.
The RB made a nice adjustment coming back inside to help the QB and the QB did a great job buying time and making a tough throw. Regardless of the read, getting the QB involved in the run game is always a nice touch because it creates tough numbers for the defense in the box, and when you do it out of empty with an RPO, it’s even better at stressing numbers by spreading the field horizontally.
Play 2: Double RB Zone Read Screen
This play was a common zone read with a player in the flat for the QB to dump the ball off if he got a keep and a man came down on him, but out of a not-so-common formation. Have two RBs to one side of the QB is a nice way to get in 20 or 21 personnel and be able to get some sniffer-like capabilities with a traditionally more athletic player.
The QB got the give read and the semi-nub formation helped create space to the boundary since the defense looked to send too many players to the field where the two WRs and two RBs were.
Play 3: Double RB Y-Stick
Back in that same formation with two RBs to one side of the QB, they sent one of the RBs in quick motion to be the swing for the traditional stick concept.
It’s difficult to see what the defensive structure was due to the camera angle, but they rotated a safety all the way down to the flat to cover the RB on the swing and brought pressure from the inside LBs. As a result, nobody was there to cover the TE on the stick route. The QB made a quick, decisive throw with pressure in his face, and they got a good gain.
Play 4: Deep Play Action Shot #1
Down two scores and in crunch time, Union needed to get to the end zone fast. Queue the play action shot from under center. The play looked to be a big post from the right WR with an over from the left WR off of zone action.
The QB gave a great fake but really the throw was amazing. However, this play isn’t on here necessarily because of the design. It’s on here because this play was called back because of a hold by the OL. And then Coach Maddox…
Play 5: Deep Play Action Shot #2
Called another deep play action shot. Because that’s what you do when something is working: keep doing it. Especially when it’s going deep. This one looks to be a double post concept out of bunch with zone action. Like the play above, this one isn’t on here because of the design.
It’s on here because Coach Maddox called it again right after the big penalty. Down by 10 in a rivalry game in the 4th quarter that’s already had a lot of highs and lows, he stuck with what worked right before and called it again. It would’ve been “normal” to simply try and get those penalty yards back. The penalty really felt soul crushing, due to all the series of unfortunate events Union had been facing all game.
But Maddox did what more OCs could probably learn from — if it worked do it again, and the sooner the better.
Until tomorrow,
Emory Wilhite
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