By Mike Anderson, Offensive Coordinator, Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa
RUNNING THE BALL from a no-back set is another way to gain an advantage against today’s multiple defenses and is a great way to spice up your offense.
By spreading out the defense, you force them to defend the pass first and run second. If you have the ability to run as well as pass from these sets, it allows you to dictate to the defense what plays you want to run.
Running Plays From No-Back Sets
We run four basic running plays from our no back sets. All four plays are run from the shotgun and use motion.
1. Zone Option.
2. Quarterback Draw.
3. QB Lead.
4. QB Power.
These plays are used anywhere on the field and anytime during the game. They’re also great check plays in a 2-minute offense, depending on how many defenders are in the box.
Zone Option
The offensive line executes our zone-blocking scheme just as if the tailback is getting the ball. ,DIAGRAM 5: QB Lead Vs. Odd.
DIAGRAM 6: QB Lead Vs. Even.
DIAGRAM 7: QB Power Vs. Odd.
DIAGRAM 8: QB Power Vs. Even.
The play-side OT blocks down on play-side ILB, the play-side OG blocks the first defender over to the inside, the center blocks the first defender over to the backside and the back-side OG pulls play side and leads the QB into the hole, The R-back motions across and kicks out the end man on the LOS.
The QB receives the snap and follows the pulling OG into the hole. ,DIAGRAM 1: Zone Option Vs. Odd.
DIAGRAM 2: Zone Option Vs. Even.
The play-side wing takes three steps back and becomes the pitch man. The QB attacks the outside shoulder of the end man on the line of scrimmage, reading the block of the play-side OT. If the OT can reach and seal the DE, the QB gets outside and pitches off the first defender to show (outside linebacker), If the OT is unable to seal the DE, the QB cuts inside and gets what he can.
QB Draw
DIAGRAM 3: QB Draw Vs. Odd.
DIAGRAM 4: QB Draw Vs. Even.
The OTs and play-side OG pass block defenders over them, turning them out. The center blocks backside with the OG. The play-side OG sets, then folds around center and blocks the play-side inside LB.
The QB takes a set step out of the shotgun, similar to the approach in a 3-step passing game, bringing the ball up to his ear. This is a great complementary play to the 3-step game out of the shotgun.
QB Lead
This is a basic isolation play from the shotgun.
The offensive linemen base block the man over them. The R-back motions across formation or return motion, depending on what the QB checks to. The QB receives the snap, follows the R-back into the hole as the R-back blocks the play-side inside LB and cuts off his block.
