Coach Campbell, play action protection

rookie,
I'll try to summarize our scheme. There are always exceptions and calls that need to be made to take care of special circumstances but I believe that the basic scheme is sound.
On the call side (60s, 80s to the right and 70s, 90s to the left) the FB has the first LB, which includes the MLB is a 4-3 scheme. He double reads him to the outside edge. The call-side Guard will then set the blocking for his side. If there is a down defender on or inside of him, he calls "BIG" and blocks him. The Tackle then blocks the next down lineman out. If the Guard is faced with any other look (3,4,5 tech), he will call "FAN" and will fan to the next down lineman outside of him. The Tackle will then fan to his outside.
Opposite the call-side the Center sets the blocking. If covered or slightly shaded, he will call "BASE" and will block the defender covering him. The back-side Guard will then block #!, the Tackle #2, and The TE or A-Back will block #3. We try to keep an extra blocker in on the backside of the call. In the "BASE" call, if either the Guard or Tackle is covered by a LB, he will double read him to the outside edge. If the Center sees any other look, he calls "FAN" and the whole back-side fans to the outside.
If we are 3-step blocking, the linemen know to engage the defenders on the LOS. If we are 5 or 7-step blocking, the linemen know to set to form a pocket. if we are Play-Action, the FB takes a fake before blocking the LB, and the linemen know to go from an agressive block to a pass set. In all cases they are blocking the same defenders.
Again there are things that must be taught along with the above scheme, but that is the simplified version. Play around with some Xs and Os, and if you have any questions ask, or e-mail me at meigh@ptd.net