DIAGRAM: This play was one of our signature running plays designed for Ahman Green when I was coaching the Green Bay Packers.

Left WR: Takes out the CB on the weak side. Ensures no diagonal pursuit from the backside.

Left OT: Is the backside protector. Takes a step forward and pivots to his left, cutting off the right DE. If the defense brings a safety up into the box, he is responsible for making sure that defender is blocked.

Left OG: Pulls to the right side and leads the RB into the hole. As he comes across the line, he looks to take out the middle LB.

Center: His first responsibility is to assess how the defense is aligned and to adjust the blocking scheme to compensate for the extra defender if necessary. Once the ball is snapped, he must prevent the DT from penetrating and disrupting the right OG’s path to the hole.

Right OG: Cuts off any defensive penetration. Takes a drop step and drives the NT (1-Tech) inside and away from the play. If the NT sets up on the right OG’s outside shoulder, he double-teams him with the right OT.

Right OT: Reads the DE’s movements and reacts accordingly. If the DE holds at the point of attack, then he should let the TE take him. If the TE takes the DE, the right OT releases to the weak-side LB.

Tight End: Is often called to make the key block on this play. With the help of the right OT, he cuts off the DE’s movement, drives him inside toward the pile and opens up a hole to the right side.

Right WR: If the FS comes up to fill in as the eighth man in the box, he must get a body on him.

FB: Lines up in the strong-side position and kicks out the strong-side LB, opening up a hole for the RB to get through. He must knock the LB to the outside or the hole will collapse.

QB: Delivers a clean handoff to the RB and watches the backside.

RB: He secures the handoff and waits for the right moment to pop through the hole. Proper timing by the

RB is critical for this play to be successful.  He follows the left OG into the hole and explodes downfield and to the outside.

—Mike Sherman,
Assistant Head Coach,
Houston Texans,
Houston, Texas