By Felton Huggins, Offensive Coordinator
LaGrange College
While we are predominantly reading the “Will” backer in our 2 x 2 Stick concept that is typically thrown into the boundary, the read changes to the “Mike” out of 3 x 1 sets. If the secondary backer begins to trigger the primary route we will look at the flat throw; if the corner is being overly aggressive we will tell our QB to throw the “Go route” on the outside. Anytime our QB sees cushion to the single WR with no flat defender, he will step off the midline and throw the hitch.
STICK CONCEPT RPO – 3 X 1
Spot Shadow is on the “Mike” backer, who is our conflict backer. He is the player our QB will be reading. If the conflict backer plays run, we will pull to throw. If he plays pass, we will hand the ball off.
Here the “mike” reads run. QB pulls and throws.
The ball is completed to the #3 WR on the stick route.
SLANT/FLAT CONCEPT RPO – 3 X 1
Spot Shadow is on the “Mike” backer, who is our conflict backer. He is the player our QB will be reading. If the conflict backer plays run, we will pull to throw. If he plays pass, we will hand the ball off.
Here the “mike” reads run. QB pulls and throws.
The Ball is completed to the #2 WR on the slant route.
Conclusion
What we installed this year is nothing revolutionary. We did not invent any routes. Every spread team in America runs slant, hitch, out and go routes; we did not invent any new run schemes either. Almost everyone runs some form of inside zone. We just combined our core run blocking scheme and our Air Raid concepts that we practice every day. These RPO’s can be a great addition to any team looking to gain an edge in the running game and looking for ways to get the ball in the hands of their playmakers in space with a chance to run after the catch.
At the end of the day as coaches, we all have a system that we implement. The important aspect is giving our players the ability to be great at it. By using our ‘Mayhem’ period at practice, we are able to maximize quality reps that enable us to execute on game day.
