Running Against the 46 Bear Defense

Coach Oneback-

That's some good stuff. Our formation system is flexible enough where we can get into all those sets you've drawn. On "H Around", is that an outside handoff deep in the backfield, or more like an inside counter handoff?

Coach Tiger One-

I have NO DOUBT that we can put something together!! I was kind of hoping some heavies would jump in on this one. It's not a defense I commonly see, so most of my experience is against the standard 30, 40, and 50 fronts.



To give you guys some background (and answer some of the questions you've already posed):

1. Our standard offense is a 2 RB, 1 TE, 2 WR offense. We treat our Z WR as a multiple flanker, and can move him all around the formation like an H-back. We most commonly use him as a wing or out wide, however. We can also use him as a sniffer or as a 3rd RB in the backfield. We are very multiple, however...and can very easily get into 1 RB sets with 1 and 2 TE's to create some of these other formations. But PRIMARILY we run out of the 2-1-2 personnel grouping.

2. Our base offensive rushing attack is primarily power game and some base IZ and OZ concepts. We run Belly Series, Iso, Lombardi Sweep, Redskin Counter (guard tackle, guard fullback, guard H-back, etc.), a number of traps and quick counters, and a couple of simple reverses. All of our running plays are designed into series so they all compliment each other. We are not much of an option team. Think of our QB as more of a Tom Brady than a Mike Vick. I am not opposed to ANYTHING however, so my mind is open.

3. Our base passing offense is playaction that primarily sets the QB up in the tackle box. We have some waggle and naked stuff, but again it does not necessarily play to our QB's strengths, so it's not the empahsis. We also run a very good 3-step game using the standard mirrored routes to both WR's (slant, out, hitch, fade) and we run some 2 and 3 receiver combo stuff based on the Coverdale / Robinson materials.

4. We are moving our offense into one that employs a lot of shifting and motion next season. We return a lot of experience and talent this year, and we've dabbled in the shifting concepts for the last 2...so the kids are ready to do it full time.

Our Personnel:

QB: returning a 3-year starter. Average runner, but certainly not above average. Very good thinker, excellent arm. Superior ball handling / faking abilities. Big, strong athletic kid. Plays SS on defense and is our best player in the secondary as well.

OL: returning 4 of 5 starters. We will only be replacing our RT next season (who was an excellent lineman, however). Everyone else is back, and last year I'd rate our OL an "8" on a "10" scale for our conference, so we should be great up front.

TE's: We have 4 legitimate TE types. They range from 6'4 245 lbs to 6' 200 lbs. They are all LB types on defense. The big guy is only going to be a Junior and started on the undefeated hoops team as a Sophomore forward, so we have some athletes here.

FB: Our FB's are pretty average. Good toughness, not a lot of speed, good blocking skills. One has outstanding hands out of the backfield.

RB: We loose a 1st team All-State RB, but we return a guy we had moved to FB last season. He'll be moving back to RB this coming year. He has above average speed and qickness...but nothing outstanding. He is tough, very intelligent, and experienced. He has horrendous hands. He blocks like a FB and runs like a TB.

WR's: Depending on our packaging, we have 1 or 2 smaller but very fast guys who lack the toughness but have the track and field speed. We have 1 or 2 tougher bigger guys who are not as smooth in their routes, but can catch the posession stuff and block.


Hopefully, this helps put some pieces in place for you guys!