Play-action passes can be a great method to attack an overly aggressive defense and make them defend the entire field. Play-action is a term that can be used to explain a broad spectrum of an offense’s plays, and when we address play-action in our playbook we break it down into a number of categories: (1) bootleg and nakeds, (2) full sell, (3) screens off of play-action and (4) straight drop back passes off of specific run fakes. The techniques used in bootleg or nakeds is what we are going to discuss.
The quarterback will open to his left at seven o’clock just like we are running inside zone to the left, extend his arms and show the ball. However, at the mesh point, he will pull the ball back with both hands and sprint to his right in an attempt to break the defenses containment. We will put him through a number of drills in which he gets used to getting his depth. We believe this is very important and a detail that is often overlooked. We want his depth to be nine yards when running the bootleg to his right, into his throwing hand, and ten when going to his left, away from his throwing hand. The extra depth away from his throwing hand is to allow him to get his hips around and run at his target. We teach the QB to run directly at his target, throw off his right foot (right-handed) and not to lead his receiver when he is throwing on the run.
Offensive linemen love for things to be the same, so we teach our inside zone scheme and our naked bootleg exactly the same. We want to make it look like the same play, especially to the linebackers and safeties. The back-side guard and tackle must be dialed in on the second level and be ready to deal with any games back-side. If we are running a true bootleg and pulling the guard, the running back and center will take care of the front-side stack and the play-side tackle will be locked onto the defensive end. Our Offensive Line/Strength Coach Jim Hogan calls the technique for the pulling guard a ‘sickle pull.’ The guard pulls flat until he gets to the opposite guard and then he gains depth to three yards, resembling the blade and hand of a sickle used to cut grass. The guard’s technique is important for a number of reasons. One, he must first clear the quarterback and center and get out in front of him. Two, the technique allows him to log the defensive end that closes too far. Third, it puts him in position to kick-out or trap any edge blitzer.
Running backs can have a large impact on the success or failure of play-action in any scheme. Our backs are responsible for making a great fake, keeping their eyes up and rolling their shoulders over the ball. We teach our backs to bounce the ball outside in any naked bootleg and block the edge, or when we are running a boot series play they must help the center and then look for edge pressure. Obviously, their effectiveness when they do get the ball is also a key component to any play-action pass.
Wide receiver and tight end possibilities are endless. The routes that can be executed are only limited by our own imagination. At Carroll, we base our routes on the premise that we are always going to have someone in level 1, (0-5 yards), level 2, (6-10) yards, and level 3, (11-15) yards. Most of the time we will have someone deep unless we are using a maximum protection scheme. When we utilize maximum protection, we are sending everyone deep.
Four diagrams are included that show different formations and receiver routes that are a part of our offensive playbook: the naked screen to the left (Diagram 1); straight drop back pass off of an inside zone fake (Diagram 2); a play-action deep pass (Diagram 3); and a bootleg to the right (Diagram 4).
Diagram 1.
Diagram 2.
Diagram 3.
Diagram 4.
Whatever your philosophy in running the football is, you should start planning for play-actions. One of the great things about play-action passes is that you can run some form of them out of all formations and personnel groups.
About the author: Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Nick Howlett recently completed his 13th season at Carroll College. He previously was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Montana Western. Howlett is a former three-time All Frontier Conference running back.