Power/Guard-Pull

We have a very simple run-game. Our base run play is a very common one, and we use it in a variety of circumstances. To some it is known as "Power" or any number of numbers, but we refer to it as our guard-pull or base scheme.



The basic premise is that the frontside will "OIL" block (On, inside, linebacker). The center will work on to sealing weak, the backside tackle will step and seal playside then release downfield. The backside guard will pull and lead. His aiming point is the outside hip of the playside guard but he will read his block.

The playside guard (and tackle really) can take his man anywhere he wants to go, and the hole can open up inside or outside of him. The backside guard will lead into the hole and crush the first def. that shows, usually looking to kick-out.

The RB will not take a super-deep set, only 6 yards or so, will lateral step playside with his eyes up, and then will explode first for the outside hip of the playside guard and then will follow the block of the backside guard. He must follow this block into the hole and then cut off his block. The QB will front-out and then boot away.

We run this from all manner of formations, gun, etc. It is very adaptable to a variety of fronts. If there is demand I can diagram it vs. lots of fronts but these simple rules pretty much apply to anything. Our most common check at the line is to check this to or away. The hard and fast rule is vs. even fronts we want to run strong and vs. odd fronts weak, we also like this with twins and a tight-end, it makes the D commit to what they want to do.



This play is also very adaptable for us with a few simple calls. One of the most common for us is to just make a "Q" call (e.g. "22 Q").



We almost always run this from gun, but you can run it under center. This becomes a QB-faking play where everything is the same except the back goes away and helps seal (he must sell his fake) and the QB fakes, steps around and follows the guard. Once you've taught base you can teach this in about 5 minutes.

The other call we make is a "wham" call which turns this into the more traditional version of the "Power" play which Ohio St. and many other teams run.

It is only for two-back formations. The rules are easy. The outside man for us (tackle or Tight end) has his rule change from "OIL" to "IL" (he won't block the man on). This is commonly referred to simply a downblock. The playside/lead back will kickout the EMOL. Everything else remains the same.



Summary:

We like this play because of its simplicity and because it is essentially just a POV play. It fits in our scheme very well and it is predicated on power, leverage, and numbers. We often ran this with the jet-sweep last year to great success.

There are many other variations one can do for this play or various tags, etc. The only draw-back is straight-play action can be a problem depending on if you want to show the guard-pull or if you don't want to deal with it (and as a result they don't buy that it is a run).