There’s nothing better than pulling off a fantastic play in an American football game. Designing different plays and football tactics is a lot of dedication and hard work. It takes the knowledge of necessary football skills along with knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your team. It can even be a challenge for coaches with years of experience! Here’s our suggested method for designing the best plays for your team.
Designing For A Running Game
To develop any type of productive football play for a running game your coordination and communication between teammates is essential. The primary goal during a running game is to put your running back at the point of the attack. This should be done just as the hole opens. To achieve this, use a combination of blocking and timing.
- Identify the Ball Carrier – During a play if a number is called, they are carrying the ball for that play. In a typical game of football, the QB is assigned as number one, the tailback is next with number two, and the fullback is three. However, this can change depending on your formation.
- Dive – A dive play is a quick hitting and direct power run. It is designed for a short amount of yardage. A dive is particularly effective in any situation with a 3rd or 4th.
- Blast – A running play that is designed to tackle or guard the tackle gap.
- Power – A power play maximizes blocking at an attack point. It involves sending all of your offensive backs through the same hole. You then have to lead the ball carrier as well.
- Trap/Counter – In a Trap play, the ball carrier takes a few steps away from the intended hole in the group. This is done right before cutting back to receive a handoff and moving forward to attack. The difference between a counter and a trap is that during a trap you can see a guard on the back side of the play.
- Toss – A toss is run similarly to a sweep. You start by running out towards the sidelines. Except, during a toss, the ball carrier does not move across the backfield completely.
- Sweep – In a sweep, the QB will hand off or pitch to a running back coming from the outside of the guard. At this point, they’re trying to beat the defense to the corner of the sideline.
- Reverse – A reverse is also similar to how a sweep starts off. However, in a reverse play the receiver goes in the opposite direction than the ball carrier. The receiver will take the handoff before attempting to sprit back to the opposing sideline.