Our running play designs

[volinSmyrna]

I wonder how many of these "experts" could tell us what a read-option is and when we run it?

We run the read-option for sure, but to read this thread it is the only run we have. Should Worley keep more than one or two times, absolutely. Worley does NOT have the option to "pull" it on every run. But, when people see him carrying out a fake and nobody is there, they yell "HE SHOULDA KEPT IT!!!!"

Our main running philosophy is a zone scheme. There are 3 options the running back has on a zone run (press the hole called, bounce, or cut back. The reason it looks like we run up the middle a lot is because usually the point of attack has been blown up by the DL or a Lb, or both...so the natural read is to cut back and try to take advantage of the LB's over-pursuing. The problem is that our OL hasn't come together enough to make the RB's comfortable to make them think they will be where they are supposed to, which leads to indecision which makes everything a half step slower.

Defenders don't look at the running back to see where the ball is going. They have to read their keys and that is a particular Lineman/line scheme 95% of the time. The running back/QB is at least 2nd in their reading progression. They see the steps of the lineman and they react. The problem is our OL is not good right now. They are slow getting to their spots, which make the defense's reads that much quicker.

 

[velovol]

To this point after watching the first two games, I don't recall seeing any running plays where the back gets the handoff quickly and then attacks the line of scrimmage.

Thats because he employs a 'read system' unless its a short yardage situation you probably wont see a quick handoff.

It looks to me he is not getting away from his system. It will probably hurt us this year but probably help us next year.

 

[majic73]

Our team in terms of running is a primarily zone team with some man to man blocking concepts -- we're usually pulling a backside guard or tackle on our counter and power plays, which also gives the read option look to the run game that isn't actually a read option. A lot of teams in college football have some variant of this type of run game.

The problem is that our linemen aren't getting any push off the ball. Both Hurd and Lane are quite good in terms of their vision and ability to make the most out of any run they get, but they're not quite getting into open space, because...well, there isn't any open space to get to.

I don't know why our run plays don't hit more quickly than they do. Maybe this new o-line isn't comfortable with quick hitting plays just yet? Maybe Jones wants to have these plays hit a little slower by design so that the defense is drawn to the play side, so that they can open up the play-action game for our receivers? I can't definitively say one way or the other.

Good analysis here . The running game is based in tried and true power concepts . Much of the running offense seems to be based in zone dive concepts. Many confuse the play fake by the QB and think that this is a QB running offense and that we just dont run the QB. This is not the case ...take the QB fake away and you still have a power running play that is tailback zone or cut back oriented .

I think the problem arises out of the speed of developement . Can this sort of power scheme work out of the shotgun with no true lead blocker ? I am not sure . When you look at Auburn , they use Wing T misdirection and wing concepts to establish their running game and Oregon uses misdirection from the QB zone read ...these misdirections compensate for the shotgun delay .

I feel like the same offense could be run from under center which would provide some mis-direction and give the running game a downhill advantage. This would also be compatible with the west coast passing game

To be fair , so of our short edge passes could be attributed to the running game . Much of the West Coast passing game is viewed as an actual part of the running game ,

I am sure this coaching staff is smarter than most of use and they have their reasons for how and why they do things . We shall see

 

[majic73]

I wonder how many of these "experts" could tell us what a read-option is and when we run it?

We run the read-option for sure, but to read this thread it is the only run we have. Should Worley keep more than one or two times, absolutely. Worley does NOT have the option to "pull" it on every run. But, when people see him carrying out a fake and nobody is there, they yell "HE SHOULDA KEPT IT!!!!"

Our main running philosophy is a zone scheme. There are 3 options the running back has on a zone run (press the hole called, bounce, or cut back. The reason it looks like we run up the middle a lot is because usually the point of attack has been blown up by the DL or a Lb, or both...so the natural read is to cut back and try to take advantage of the LB's over-pursuing. The problem is that our OL hasn't come together enough to make the RB's comfortable to make them think they will be where they are supposed to, which leads to indecision which makes everything a half step slower.

Defenders don't look at the running back to see where the ball is going. They have to read their keys and that is a particular Lineman/line scheme 95% of the time. The running back/QB is at least 2nd in their reading progression. They see the steps of the lineman and they react. The problem is our OL is not good right now. They are slow getting to their spots, which make the defense's reads that much quicker.

another great post . We are not a QB zone read team and many are confused on this point because they see Worley carry out the fake or counter on every play . We are a tailback zone read team . Many of our concepts are based in the dive philosophy . The tail back has 2 to 3 options based on his read ( this is not every play )

The problems I see at this point are not conceptual . The offensive line is green . The running backs are green , or green to this system and their decisions are slow . they are not decisive . I think this will improve as the season progresses.

VolinSmyrna ...I am also in Smyrna .

 

[ledhed43]

Its a little bit of a 3 part problem - Majority of it due to youth
1. we zone block so sometimes the backs dont see the hole or use the cutback lanes enough
2. our oline is decent with a regular d front but when the LB's come they are horrible at picking them up.
3 - To me this is the biggest problem when the LB's dont blitz and stay at home our oline should be able to shed thier man and pick up a LB which they arent. Hurd and Lane are hitting the line so quick there really isnt a good excuse why this isnt happening.

I havent gone back and re-watched any of the games so im not sure who the biggest culprits are but my guess would be the guards need to get to the LB's more to spring some bigger runs.

Yep, I haven't seen our linemen get many blocks in the second level this year. Opposing LBs seem to be free to make a quick tackle. When you don't have a lead blocker, it makes the assignments on the OL that much tougher. They are young and just not ready for this scheme yet. I think this is why you hear the coaches talking about just getting 4-5 yards every run. They know that we can't break off big runs until the line is able to get blocks in the second level of the defense.

We are running the ball just to keep teams honest and to set up play action. Our offense will live and die on execution in the passing game.

 

[24/7vol]

I just want Hurd to get a chance to run in space. We need some kind of sweep running play to try to get him outside with a chance to use that speed. Everything seems to be up the middle. Maybe staff was holding back.

 

[velovol]

I just want Hurd to get a chance to run in space. We need some kind of sweep running play to try to get him outside with a chance to use that speed. Everything seems to be up the middle. Maybe staff was holding back.

You arent wrong but that would be teaching OZ blocking concepts and right now they appear to be struggling with IZ blocking concepts. Having said that im not sure why they dont offset Hurd like Oregon does for at least a handful of OZ plays
Youth + limited hours of practice = Shaky offense