Minnesota Vikings Run Game - Misdirection runs and Toss Cutback

The New York Jets picked up a very special player. Dalvin Cook was a 4 time pro-bowler with Minnesota and a top 5 back for many years. He will give them a much needed boost in the run game. He is a very good misdirection and cutback runner, and his skill set will do well with some of Hacket's schemes. 

The Minnesota Vikings had a special young talent in Dalvin Cook, and the offensive coaching staff puts their players in positions where the entire Running Back position group can have success. The Vikings were  5th in the NFL in 2020  with 153.6 yards per game in 2020. Their main run schemes are Wide Zone, Inside Zone, and Counter, however, this article is going to focus Minnesota's misdirection runs. These runs are very good compliments that protect their top run schemes and also take advantage of their defense's pursuit. The two runs we will focus on are a Windback scheme that compliments inside zone and a Toss scheme that compliments outside zone blocking. 

1. Windback

Windback is based off of inside zone blocking schemes. You will often see the backside of the offensive line try to torque their defenders to give the RB a lane to cut back in. The formation and the plays are setup to be in the exact formation of the inside zone. The offensive line will block inside knowing that the ball will automatically cutback. There is also a slice player (FB, TE) who comes across the formation and attempts to get the C/D gap defender out of his gap. The result of the play is a 13 yard gain. Let's take a look:

Here you see the angles on the zone wind back.

He is looking at the cutback the whole way.

The next play is another Windback with a different formation and motion setup. Vs. this front the formation creates great blocking angles for the OL and TE. The result is a 21 yard TD run.

You see the under front and the angles they create. They also slice block it with the H back.

Nice jb of torquing boy the offensive line, essentially sealing them on the backside.

Great whole created and Cook makes the cut!

The last Windback is to an open ended side. There are more variables to this way, but because the defensive front is flowing so much, the result is a 6 yard gain.

They slice again with the H back.

The RB has to make the cut quicker because of the penetration of the DL.

2. TOSS CUTBACK

The Vikings run two types of Toss plays. One is the tradition 1 Back Toss where they are trying to circle the defense and get outside on the perimeter. The other is the Toss Cutback. This play can hit any hole the RB wants. The OL is blocking for the perimeter, but the backside of the OL is Man blocking. This allows the RB to get the ball early and truly read the flow of the defense. In the games we broke down, this play hits in many different holes. Plays like these allow Cook to be special and use his vision. 

The angle for the FB is great by alignment. 

They man block the backside which divides the defense and stops them from flowing. Cook now has 3 lanes to cut back in.

The final play is a 25 yard gain by Cook on the Toss. This time the ball hits playside and has great success because of the blocking up front and the vision of the Running Back. He has space and is able to make the Safety miss a tackle.

DE and H back handled the C and D gap.

The FB cuts it up as the DE and H back make great blocks. They man the backside.

Nice run as he finishes the play~ 

The Vikings were running the football at a high level because of great coaching, great execution of the blocks, and some special running backs like Dalvin Cook who have great vision and ability to make DBs miss.  

The Jets will be getting a tremendous player and huge up grade in the run game!