Telling the difference between a draw and a pass???

Coach Easton,

What if the QB doesnt hold the ball up in the air higher than usual? Are there any othere keys you can tell the defense to look for?

Not that I'm aware of as that would be a very bad tendency. If you are a blitizing team, know that the screen and sprint draws are the two best blitz beaters going. Have your backers key the backs, know that at least in the initial part of the play (draw) the line will be soft so as to invite you to come with your ears laid back in hopes of running right by you. Teach your defenders in the box what Russ Grimm teaches his offensive linemen: ANTICIPATE, BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST CASE SCENARIO THAT COULD OCCUR ON THAT PLAY. HAVE YOUR LB'S READ AND THEN REACT CORRECTLY, AS WELL AS, YOUR DLM.
Coach Easton

One thing we have noticed in our preparation for teams that run the draw well, is the initial movements of the RB. I'd suggest having LBs keying the near RB and not the near guard against the spread or teams that run the draw quite a bit.

Frequently the RB that is going to get the ball on the draw comes straight up from his stance and stands motionless for a 1-2 second count. In no other play will you see a RB stand completely still 3-4 yards from the LOS in his initial alignment.

That is a great key that he will getting the ball on the draw.

We've also noticed QB's raising the ball too high, but usually interior LBs don't key the QB, nor should they. They are the ones that have to shut down the draw. This key does help our DB's get a late read on the potential of draw, but we also see the flea-flicker from a split back team so they have to look for verticals as well.

In my experience, if a defense demonstrates that they are well prepared for the draw and shut it down the first 2-3 times they see it, offensive coordinators will stop using it altogether. If it works, look out. They'll run that play ALL night. And as mentioned, blitzing an LB, especially in A gaps where the C and OG are covered, can really muck it up.

Hope this helps.

Brophy,

Is there a particular front/stunt that you run against Pro I teams that run draw in certain situations?