Tracking the Mike in Midline?

Coach,

Tracking the MLB with 2 is essential in running midline as a double option...not so much as a triple option (since the ball usually gets right to the perimeter).

What actually happens is this...

From a flexbone (double slot formation) vs. a 4-3 with a 1-tech, 3-tech and two 5-tech's, the PSG releases inside the 3-tech for the MLB and the PSHB (slotback) ducks inside the turnout block by the PST and tracks the MLB. If the MLB plugs the A-gap, then the PSG blocks him and the HB works up to the alley player (backside saftey). If the MLB scrapes to the B-gap (for the QB), then the HB pins him inside and the PSG works up to the alley player.

kc

If you are a member of the optioncentral.net site they have great article about dealing with the "fall in" player as it is called. What can be done is called a midline out scheme where the playside slot blocks the Sam backer. The problem here is then you cant double track the backer. I am not sure if the backside slot could get to the same in time. Worth a try in practice however. Hopefully someone who has done that can fill us in. This only applies if you run it as a double.

If you run it as a triple you can pitch if the Sam fills.

Brutis, that's what I would guess.

AZJaz, if run as a triple, are you counting on your PST getting enough width with his kick-out block on the DE that the QB and the BSSB run right at the SAM? I ask because we ran the Midline as a triple last season and had our PSG block the MIKE and the PSSB block the SAM, and it would work great for 3-4 plays in a row. Our QB would NEVER pitch the ball...EVER...and as the o-line coach, I started questioning if we could use the BSSB better as a blocker or for the deception. Teams seemed to slow us down as the LBs started to flow, and it could be to our advantage to double-track the MIKE and either 1: PITCH off the SAM or 2: block the SAM with the BSSB. What do you think?

Brutis - You could modify the midline arc scheme a little. I just put this down on paper, but this is what I came up with. Put the BST out on the 5. The C and BSG combo the 1 to the Will. The PSG and the PSSB double track the Mike. The PST blocks the Sam. You leave the end alone and pitch off the end, and run it as a triple. The PSSB will have about 4 feet further to go to double track the Mike, but he can get there.

Chewy - Again I am no expert on this offense. I am merely pointing out things that I have either heard, read or drawn up on paper as a scheme. Now what I have done a few years back, and it was either a game time adjustment or a gameplan thing. We changed the block of the PST. If the Sam filled quite a bit and we wanted to run it is a true triple, we let the tackle block the end with a reach block. Now this usually had two effects. The End would try to fight pressure and keep outside leverage which helped up widen the hole or we were actually able to reach him and keep him on the line of scrimmage so that if we wanted to pitch BEFORE dipping through the line due to a HARD filling Sam we could pitch and get outside. Now we let the slot back know that he had to YELL to the QB to let him know where he was. If the end fought outside leverage the pitchback with come inside and yell IN,IN,IN to let the QB know that he was going inside the end. If he fought it and the tackle reached him on the line he yelled OUT,OUT,OUT to let the QB know he was going outside the end. In order for this to work the Sam had to fill NOW. This maybe happened 2-3 times all season long, so we didnt worry about spending hours on this during the practice week. and I dont believe we EVER ran it as an in call, but we had it in place in case it happened. Either way it worked for us.

On the other hand if the Sam just hung about 4 yards deep you could also tell the QB to keep it and take the 3-4 yards he was guaranteed on the play.

Chewbakka,

I am no expert on this either, but, if the LBs are flowing, a possibility is to run triple-flip. Eaglescoach explained it on another thread.

All,

Are we assuming here that the 3 tech. will take the dive man? what if he does not, and the SLB is coming to fill inside the 3 tech?

-Scott