PACKAGING PLAYS TO attack different areas of the field while maintaining the same basic look is an essential part of offensive football. The following zone package can be a great change-up look or may add to the dynamics of a spread offense. Or, if your quarterback is not a threat as a runner, this is a great scheme to complement your ground attack.
One of the simplest ways to create stress and a numbers advantage in a 1-back set is with the bubble-screen game. By planning motion, you can outnumber the defense on the flank and create a favorable match-up in the box when the defense adjusts. You can also take advantage of uncovered receivers and linebackers who are aggressive in stopping the run.
For this article, we’ll focus on this offense from a basic 2x2 set.
Three For The Price Of Two
The goal of this package is to block three defenders with two offensive players. If the defense isn’t sound and over-pursues the zone play, you’ll have success with the bubble screen (our sweep play) all day long.
DIAGRAM 1: In this play, you’re trying to create a cut-back lane for the back and open up the big play by putting stress on the cut-back defenders. The QB reads the weak-side LB and he’ll always give the ball to the back unless the “key” defender reads the play with his eyes and moves his feet aggressively.
DIAGRAM 2: When a defense gets burned by the cut-back play, they tend to become aggressive with safety support to free up the Will LB (W), or in a quarters look, they’ll have the safety play run support himself.
Home-Run Ball
Once the defense counters with safety support to stop the bubble screen, it’s time to go for the “home run.”
DIAGRAM 3: Our protection varies between the waggle and naked schemes, depending on how aggressive the defensive ends are playing.
Receiver X runs a stalk-and-go vertical route, receiver H executes his bubble path just as before, receiver Y runs a middle route and receiver Z runs an inside-release post route.
The QBs progression is X, Y, Z and H.