I Back to Split Back

Coach,

We have always run a combination or I and split back sets in our offense. We have found that nearly everything you run from the I can be adapted easily to splitbacks, without seriously changing landmarks or steps.

Counter Trey from splitbacks to TE side:

Have the halfback that lines up on the TE side fake off-tackle to the open side. He will fill and block to stop any penetration from the backside. The QB will open to the TE side and present the ball extended wide to the faking halfback. He will then stay at 6 o'clock, keeping the ball at the third hand waiting for the counterback. The open side halfback will take a counterstep with his playside foot towards the DE on his side, looking as if to block for the off-tackle play. He will drive off this step and direct his inside foot directly to the sideline, allowing the faking back to come underneath. Run and take the handoff from the QB, who bootlegs backside after the handoff.

The backside guard and tackle pull and block for the counter trey just like they would from an "I" backfield.

It's a bit tougher to time up in the backfield, but the mis direction is MUCH more nasty! We have watched film of us running this play where you can see ILB's taking 3 steps or more in the wrong direction before they realize it was a counter trey. We do not run it much this way, but when we do we've gotten some good results.