By Dave Brown, Head Football Coach, Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis.

THE FUN AND challenge of building a successful program comes in a lot of dimensions. One of the things we have really enjoyed with our program is starting with a very basic offensive package and watching it grow over time.

In our first season, it was obvious from a personnel standpoint that we were going to have to throw the ball. We had a tight end and a wide out who could catch and run, but we were not talented enough at running back to sustain a consistent running game.

Through recruiting and player development, our run game started to take shape. We didn't back off on throwing the ball, but with the establishment of a productive ground game, we were able to use the run to set up the pass. With this transformation, our play-action passing series has really taken off.

PLAY-ACTION KEYS

There are several key coaching points when running a play-action pass:

- Offensive linemen. The most important factor is selling it up front. The offensive line must keep their hats down and give the deception that we are running the ball.
- Deception. The fake of the run between the quarterback and RB. Each position must thoroughly sell the run.
- Wide receivers and tight ends. You want a delayed release from all of your receivers. They should be showing hands in a simulated blocking look and then burst hard into the pattern.
- Limited read progressions. It's important to note that you should not give your QB a complete read progression as you normally would do in a 5-step series. He will have a main target, a check down to running the ball.

To have a successful play-action series, you must be able to run the ball. Be solid in your teaching, preach the fundamentals and most importantly, tell your players to have fun.

,PLAY-ACTION PLAYS

Run the boot leg off either the inside zone or isolation.

DIAGRAM 1: Inside Zone Boot Leg. Off the zone, run a crossing route.

Player Responsibilities:
Offensive line: Sell the inside zone - low hats!
QB: Use a good play fake, get 8 to 10 yards deep and look X to Y.
Tailback: Good play fake, seal leakage off the Y release.
Fullback: Chip the 5 technique and release 4 to 5 yards in the flat.
X: Sell the inside block. Release to an 18-to-20 yard flag route.
Y: Play-side step and release inside to a depth of 12 to 14 yards.
Z: Run a deep post route. Occupy the front-side safety.

,DIAGRAM 2: Isolation Boot leg. Off the isolation use a delay release to a high, low look.

Player Responsibilities:
Offensive Line: Sell the isolation play - low hats.
QB: Good play fake, get 8 to 10 yards deep and look Z to Y
TB: Good play fake. Chip the 9 technique and release 4 to 5 yards into the flat.
FB: Good play fake. Seal the B gap.
X: Sell inside block, then release to a deep post.
Y: Fake a down block, hold for 2 counts and release to 10 yards.
Z: Sell inside block, then release to a 18-to-20-yard flag route.

,DIAGRAM 3: Isolation Fullback Fly. Another play-action series we've had success with is off of the isolation play. This is especially productive when you're facing a low safety who is playing extremely hard to stop the run.

Player Responsibilities:
Offensive Line: Sell the isolation play - low hats.
QB: Good play fake, get 8 to 10 yards deep and look F to Z.
TB: Good play fake and seal the play-side B gap
FB: Set up the linebacker with a solid run block, side step and streak the hash mark.
X: Sell the inside block, then streak the hash mark.
Y: Sell the isolation play - low hat.
Z: Sell inside block, then streak the number.