Attacking Gap 8 Youth Defense

Take tight line splits (no more than 18"). Line is OFF THE BALL. Gap Block down - kick out - lead thru - RUN OFF TACKLE!

NFL: The Power O
It's all about attitude

During Joe Gibbs' first tenure in Washington, when the Redskins led late, guard Russ Grimm would exclaim on the sideline, "It's time for the tanks!"

The tanks were two and sometimes three tight ends to supplement "The Hogs" in a bruising running game. Gibbs would mix 40-50 gut, a straight-ahead zone play, with counter trey, and more often than not, the Redskins ran to victory. Now Grimm is an assistant in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers employ Power O, an off-tackle running play some of the league's other better ground teams -- Chicago, Seattle and Tampa Bay -- also use.

The weakside guard pulls, and follows the fullback, who is responsible for blocking the outside defender. The tight end blocks down on the end, and the tackle and play-side guard work a combination block to the second level. With a counter step by the back, the linebackers can be sucked in, creating a natural bounce to take the play outside. It's a play Green Bay used with Ahman Green -- and the reason the Packers are struggling without guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle.

"Power O is an attitude play," Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner says. "Let's double-team 'em and ram the ball up in there."
-- Brad Biggs