The Most Versatile Blocking Scheme (Part 1)

One of the most versatile blocking schemes in the spread offense today is the power scheme. It creates great double teams with leverage and you can dress it in many different ways to fit your personnel each year.

Why run the power scheme? 1. You can create many different ways to get the ball on the perimeter. Most of the time, the explosive plays occur on the edge. There will always be yards inside but there are miles outside. One of the goals of this style of offense is to get the ball on the edge and let big plays happen. 2. The power scheme can easily be adjusted to read the front side end or the front side linebacker. A simple call can change the quarterbacks read and it would change to the backside guard’s block.

3. This type of blocking scheme is easy to learn for the offensive line and can be easily adapted to any defensive front. It is important to keep it simple up front for the big guys and allow them the flexibility to adjust the scheme to the front. 4. The quarterback does not have to be a great runner to execute this play. It helps if the quarterback is a great athlete, but it is not a necessity. The quarterback doesn’t have to be a great runner he just has to be a willing runner. 5. This type of scheme creates multiple options. Therefore the ball has multiple points of attack. The attack points go from the backside receiver to the front side edge of the box to the playside perimeter. It can be a play that is repeated to create a fast pace offense but the ball may be may go to different points of attack based on the reaction of the defense and the alignment of the defense. 6. There are multiple complementary plays that can be used to compliment this scheme. Therefore the play would look similar but it could be a completely different play. For example the counter play. The shovel pass. A play action pass. All of which should look the same to the defensive personnel.

What are the basic principles? 1. Keep it simple for the offensive line. We always want to make things as simple as possible for the big guys up front. It is also easily adaptable to any defensive front. 2. Put the perimeter players in spots to easily identify who they block. Ultimately we want to reduce confusion upfront with the offensive line and on the perimeter. 3. It is easy to make adjustments both with the offensive line and with the perimeter blockers based on how the defense is defending the play. 4. We want to make sure we block the biggest threats at all times to take the heat off of the quarterback.

5. We must always have at least three blockers on the perimeter. This can be accomplished with multiple formations and motions.

What are the complimentary plays?

1. Counter

2. Quarterback power

3. Swing pass

4. Shovel pass

5. Play action pass

6. Screens

7. Read Pass

If you want to further discuss this concept, please contact me at perfectplayfootball@gmail.com or call me at 336-655-7014