Choosing the 10 best offensive plays in football is a daunting task because of the sophistication of modern offenses. Coaches can run the same basic play in 30 ways based on formation, motion and personnel. Pass plays are impossible to specify because routes are adjusted on the fly by quarterbacks and wide receivers based on the defensive coverage. Looking past all of the variations possible, 10 offensive plays have established themselves through tradition and production.
Isolation
The isolation has been a staple of all power running teams for decades. The simplest play in any playbook, the iso calls for man-to-man blocking across the offensive line with a double-team block at the point of attack. The fullback is isolated on the play-side linebacker as a lead blocker for the running back who follows.
Trap
Used to control dominant defensive linemen, the trap play is now run by power and spread offenses alike. The first defender outside of the guard is left unblocked at the point of attack, and a backside lineman, often a guard, pulls and kicks him out. The fullback takes the quick handoff and runs straight up the middle, often untouched for several yards.
Speed Option
The speed option is a staple of spread offenses. After taking the snap, the quarterback runs directly at the widest run defender and makes him choose to tackle the quarterback or chase the running back who is in position to catch a pitch. An added advantage is not having to block a player at the point of attack.
Screens
Many offenses today run more than 20 types of screens. At their core, screens are designed to get the pass rushers to run themselves out of the play while pass defenders drop back to cover receivers, leaving significant room for the screen pass to gain several yards.
Counter
The counter carried the Washington Redskins to multiple Super Bowls. One side of the offensive line blocks down on inside defenders while the backside guard and tackle pull across the formation, kicking out the defensive end and lead blocking on the linebacker as the running back follows. The defense is fooled by misdirection in the backfield, leading to big gains.
Power
Smashmouth football at its finest, the power calls for down blocks at the point of attack, with a fullback kicking out the defensive end and a backside guard pulling and lead blocking on the linebacker. Double-team blocks and drive blocking allow smaller offensive lines like those of the Denver Broncos to gain large chunks of yardage.
Packer Sweep
Vince Lombardi famously taught his players to create seals in the defense and run their power sweep in the alley between the two seals. Play-side linemen block down and double-team, creating the first seal, while both guards pull. One guard kicks out the widest defender, creating the second seal, while the other guard leads through the hole, blocking anyone who gets in the way.
Zone Read
Run out of the shotgun, this is the base run play for most spread offenses. A simple zone play is run to one side of the offense, while the quarterback reads the unblocked backside defender. If he can keep the ball and run freely, the quarterback does so. If not, the offense runs the simple zone to the other side.
Veer Option
The dominant play of college football in the mid-20th century, the veer option allows smaller teams that do not possess a dominant ball carrier to compete. Two defenders are unblocked and the quarterback must read their paths of attack to determine who should carry the football. Still viable today at the college and high school ranks, the veer is a dynamic play.
Victory
Every offensive coach's favorite play is victory. With two tight ends on the line, two running backs standing next to the quarterback and a wide receiver 20 yards back, all the quarterback must do for victory is take the snap and drop to one knee to end the game.
References
- "The Football Coaching Bible"; American Football Coaches Association; 2002
- "101 Zone Offense Plays": Stan Zweifel: 2002
Member Comments