The Cat and Mouse Game of Blocking Schemes: Line Splits

[Reginald Rutledge]

I got the chance to scrimmage my good friend Barry Stephenson this weekend. Barry and I run two different types of offensive schemes. Most of my schemes are predicated on wide splits on the O-Line, allowing holes to happen where the defense has no clue.

Barry system is borne out of the traditional power close line play schemes of shoulder-to-shoulder. I am one of those guys who thinks, "Hey, if it can be done, let's do it".

I looked in the NFL rule book and college rulebooks for this thing on line splits and no where does it say that guys have to be any particular distance from each other, base-to-base or foot-to-foot. I like that to be the case in leagues that I am associated with. I feel everyone should create their teams in their own image. If you want power ball, you should be able to do rugby style. But if you like wide splits, no limits should be placed. Some teams run the "open gate" schemes which some view as crazy. But as long as 7 are on the line, nothing should be said.

While playing my good friend, I had the opportunity to see his thinking and the tendencies. And again, he could see my wide splits. In day one, he never used the wide split lines. Day one, I used them exclusively because of the easy hole access. Day 2, he did utilize it for one series but did not feel the success. I used it about 90% of the time as I find it is the easiest method to score.

At the end of the day, both of us went back to what will utltimately make us feel successful in the upcoming year. Shown below is a typical offensive formation of what I do. 31 other coaches in the DFW use straight-ahead proline running which I think limits what you can do under the Shootout ruleset simply because of stacking that is allowed.

However, Barry had success against this team of Jets as I did against his Super Bowl runnerup team. More for me, it took my mind off some heavy things weighing on my mind and gave me a chance to be back on the board for one last time. What a feeling. What a rush!

[detroitchild]

...I think I'll play around with this style of o-line setup to see how it works.

[Raven maniac]

I know Reg once you called your audible. You called "Pass" and hit #32 out the backfield. Because your Guards down blocked, and tackles picked up the DE's. I read you book Reg.

Darrian

[daghstrydr]

I use the wide splits for a good 80% of my offense and it works, keeps the other coach guessing.

[Reginald Rutledge]

Darrian,

There is 20 plus running plays that can be developed from this formation, not to mention the pulling guard plays that can be produced too.

With the audible, which allows you to physically pick the back up and move him, it does not restrict what the play can be. The defense counters with one player but if the Defense would have been balanced at the start, the offense would play into his hand.

The possibilities are endless!

Reg

[Raven maniac]

Originally Posted by Reginald Rutledge

Darrian,

There is 20 plus running plays that can be developed from this formation, not to mention the pulling guard plays that can be produced too.

With the audible, which allows you to physically pick the back up and move him, it does not restrict what the play can be. The defense counters with one player but if the Defense would have been balanced at the start, the offense would play into his hand.

The possibilities are endless!

Reg

Reg I see some more on just this play. The TE is left 1 on 1 with the S. Also the DB are on an island. If a WR gets past it's over. Reg the possibilities are vast and practice has helped some. The 3 DVD's have helped even more. Peace

Darrian

[Reginald Rutledge]

Darrian,

Absolutely there is so many other possibilities.

From an offensive perspective, this TE is one that I would use strictly for run situations. If I had my more versatile line (pass blockers) in, it would be more difficult to tell whether it was a pass or not. I would also use a stand-up action TE with a boat base (frankensteined) to slide off that LLB.

I know that the strong safety has come up to support the run but usually, he would be about 10 yards off the line of scrimmage. Also, that safety would be circling (zoning) and the weak safety would be too. So, if that was the case, the TE would have a 10-12 yard cushion. But the pass has to be accurate and pinpoint. The WRs are in one-on-one on an island but those safeties are also covering over the top.

Sometimes in this style, you've got to make the safeties stop cheating up by drilling those passes to the TE and WRs. In a lot of cases, the RBs will find big-time holes and passes can be thrown to them. If you can pass with any proficiency and can alternate line-blocking schemes, it is the most devastating offensive manuever out there.

Hopefully, this fall you will get a chance to see some of this mastery at work, i.e., the hurry-up offense, audibles, and pinpoint passing.

Reg