Midline Option

I saw a pretty good post on this site somewhere about running Midline vs a 4-3 out of gun. This is how it was done. Get into a TE/Wing set on the right. Have a wing/WR off the line and a SE on the line to the left. We call this formation Deuce Right. Anyway, run the Midline to the TE/Wing side. Cheat the FB a little tighter to the QB on Midline than usual, doubtful anyone will pick up. The blocking for this play is fan blocking. The tackle has an exception rule though...if there is a man over him, like a 4-3 linebacker he must take him. If you were running vs 4-3 your offensive tackle would take the OLB and plaster him, any way he wants to go will be fine, just stay on him. The TE would turn out on the DE. The Wing back would come under those blocks to the MLB and eventually to the safety. The FB would slilde close to the QB at the snap and jump step, which just means he goes from a square two point stance to getting in a sprinter's stance. The path of the FB is up the Center's butt. The QB would ride the FB down towards the LOS, Reading the 3 tech. If the 3 does anything OTHER than jump inside and take the FB...give the ball. The Center and Backside Guard will block backside A gap to the backside backer. The way we worked it was if there was an A gap player, whether it was a shade/1 tech. whatever you like to call it, the center blocked back on him and the Guard took the backside LB. If there was a D-Lineman on the Guard, the Guard had him and the center had the Backer. Simple. The backside Tackle scoops inside to prevent any penetration.
This can be a GREAT two man play. FB/QB. If you EXECUTE this vs a 4-3 team correctly I can't see how they will stop it.
You can also run this vs a 4-4 team. The playside Tackle would use his usual rule and block out, since there was no one over him. So if you get a 4-4 with a 3 and a 7, the Tackle and TE would double the 7 and the tackle would work up to the OLB. The Guard would work inside the 3 to the MLB as would the Wing. Again it is now a two man game between the FB and QB. If executed, and with any play that is the most important part, this is a great play. Even when you are wrong the FB will usually squirm for 2-3 yards. The problem usually comes in when the QB starts trying to pull the ball when he should be giving it. Then you may lose 3-4 yards. That is a problem. We teach "GIVE THE BALL UNLESS" and try to put the ball in the FB's hands. Just my two cents. Hope this helps. D