DIAGRAM: Used sparingly since 1991, this play has resulted in a score 80-percent of the time for our team. “Irish Special” is designed to attack a 3-deep zone defense that possesses an outstanding free safety who is aggressive in attacking the alley and giving run support vs. the option.
The Center and OG veer block, while the on-side OT slams the DT and blocks the inside LB. The QB and FB run an inside veer fake, the TB runs along the pitch path and the WB releases between the FB and TB.
The QB comes off his ride and pitches to the WB. The backside OT and TE reach block, while the backside OG pulls to secure the edge. The SE releases as if to make a seal block on the FS and once the FS commits to filling, the SE releases deep and sprints downfield, aiming toward the middle of the goal post.
The WB secures the pitch from the QB, takes two hard strides to the right, pulls up and throws deep to the SE streaking toward the end zone.
—Herb Meyer, Head Coach,
El Camino High School, Oceanside, Calif.