Breaking down the game- Football Film Study 101: duo

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DUO is a very effective run play. It creates double teams up front and is very popular as part of your gap run schemes. It will often be combined with other gap runs such as power, wrap, counter, trap, pin and pull and toss as part of a gap based run scheme. You can also throw H lead in there. It also is similar in a way to tight zone and inside zone run plays.

It's also a great play because you are often getting two double teams. It also allows the RB to press the LOS with patience and allow those double teams to develop.

Lastly, you can run it out of 11 or 12 and get 3 double teams. You can use various motions as well that help you create angles in the run game.

The best part of duo is you will often get 3 double teams at the point of attack. It is a usually solid play on early downs for that reason. You get to double the 2 DT vs an even front or even the DE if you get into some 12 personnel.

Vs Odd fronts you will also get double team combos. We will get into these below.

Here's how you separate Duo vs Inside Zone.

Why gap schemes?

You often see gap schemes when teams struggle with offensive lineman who don't move particularly well laterally. Teams that need lack athleticism on the perimeter that is needed for those wide zone type schemes. Look at the Eagles last year. They adjusted their scheme when they lost many of their offensive lineman and went from a Wide zone team to primarily runs in the gap family as a result.

Well lets look at some teams that run duo. Again duo is fueled by 2-3 double teams with the interior lineman and at most times the tight end as well. It is a down hill run with a vertical push by the offensive line. It is a vertical push run play where it starts as a true double team.

RB CUT

The best part of duo is it allows the RB to hit the line of scrimmage down hill and read the 2nd level LB. He has the flexibility to get vertical or make a lateral cut depending on how the LB plays it. If the 2nd LB ducks inside you will see the RB make an outside cut. If he widens, you will see the LB get vertical now. It;s an excellent

3-4 combination rules

4-2 combination rules

vs 4-3 fronts

Usually this will be with 21, 22 or 12 personnel

Raiders run Duo against the Steelers in 2015 out of 11 personnel. TE on. Nice double teams and the running back finds a crease.

The center works back to the shade. They find block with #10 on #20 and the TE is solo. The LT takes the DE.

The RB hits it inside and will make his cut off the MLB # 50 who has difficulty seeing the RB

The ball gets bounced outside for a nice gain.

The Packers run it against the Titans.

They get 2 nice double teams, a find block by the wr and a wash by the tight end.

LG and LT double the filled b gap. The center and right guard block the filled A gap.

The TE is taught to wash vs 6i

Here is one example as the Chiefs run it vs the Chargers and get 2 initial double teams with their right guard and right tackle and center and left guard.

Vs the Texans they get an under front so the double teams will be with the TE and RT, center and right guard. The LG and LT will make solo calls and block 1 on 1 as both are covered.

In this example you will have 2 initial double teams.

Here are 3 clips of the Chiefs running Duo

WFT

The Washington Football Team late season push has been fueled by many factors. The first being the great defense the they have played in since Thanksgiving. On offense, controlled, quick passes has been another major factor. But this article will focus on the run game and specifically Duo. The WFT run it from a variety different formations, RB alignments, and motions. It is a downhill run that that allows the OL to come off the ball with double teams to create vertical movement. This is a statement play!

Duo is a gap scheme play that can be run from under center, pistol, or gun. It also can be run out of 11, 12, and 22 personnel. WFT runs this every week to compliment their wide zone game. Simply put, the OL is blocking on gap scheme angles in one direction and the RB is running the opposite direction. We will dissect the RB read in the diagrams.

The first play was vs DAL on Thanksgiving. 4th Quarter to ice the game. 23 yard statement play and run! Duo is a physical play! Vertical double teams right at the DL and LBs!

The second play is vs a 4 Down front in CIN. There is late pre-snap movement which takes OL off their double teams quicker than they wanted. Great play for the OC to call on 1st and 10 to get ball to 2nd and 4. In the third pic the TE blocking technique is detailed. L. Thomas is a willing combatant and is solid in blocking.

The final play is a 4 minute situations vs PIT. Although the gain is only 2 yards, it accomplishes some critical points in a 4 minute system. The ball does NOT bounce so it keeps the clock moving. There are positive plays because it is a 1 cut play for the RB. The RB is this play does a great job of situational and game awareness.

The WFT is playing solid complimentary football at the best time. They are first place right now, and if they make the playoffs it will be because of defense, short passing, and running the ball downhill with Duo!

Eagles

One of the staple plays in the Eagles offense is Duo. They love to run it vs a 4-2 box and often run it at the 2i technique away from the 3 technique.It's an excellent play vs a 4-2 front because you get 2 double teams at the point of attack. The Eagles were injured most of the year up front and this is a good play to get double teams without a great line because its a more downhill attack.

In example #1 1st and 10

they run it with jet motion. The Eagles are in 1w personnel with a tight end wing. The Browns in a 43 look with a 3 tech 5 tech and 9 to the te side with 2 safeties high. The RB does an excellent job reading the mike. The Mike shoots the a gap so as is the read, he bounces it outside. If he gets square after the cut it would be even more than the 5 yard gain he gets on the play.

Also, notice how the jet motion gets the linebackers moving on the play. Helps set up the blocks. The wr splits allow them to get to the run support safety. RB does a nice job reading the mike on the play.

They get 2 double teams and with a decent push the play is usually good for a solid 4-5 yard gain. The rb should read the weakside lb for flow. He actually could have turned this into a bigger gain if he cut backside behind the tackles block.RB should Read the mike to backside flow

The rb could read the backside flow below and turn it into a larger gain. still a nice 5 yard gain.

A few plays later they run it again and get a nice 9 yard gain. Same scenario but this time the rb sees it and bounces it back outside the tackles block.

This time the rb reads the flow on the backside and makes the read. See the difference as they get another 4 yards out of it.

Here are 3 clips of duo vs the Browns

Vs the giants they come out in 3x1 with the back weak. The Giants set the front weak so the Eagles run it to the trips side. They get a good double at the point of attack and again the rb is able to bend it back behind the tackles block. Wentz holds the defensive end with the zone read action.

Heres 2 clips of them running it vs the Giants.

Here they run it under center in 12 personnel. The Bengals go 4-2 nickel. They get nice combos across the board.

Below is a nice clip of it vs the Rams. They get a great push on 3rd and 2, the rb makes a nice read and sits up inside for a 15 yard gain.

As you can see Duo is a very good play as part of your inside run game. The Eagles have different variations and seem to like to run it at the 2i. Its a good part of their run game.

Steelers

They run duo vs a traditional 4-2 front. They get 2 good double teams vs the 2i and 3 technique. The back makes a nice cut for a 7 yard gain.

UCLA runs it off their jet motion vs LSU

The first example they are condensed formation and run Jet motion.

They do a nice job with the formation and play call.

LSU vs auburn

LSU runs it out of a bunch set vs Auburn

How to handle movements"
Here is a great example of when the DT and De spark.

The 3 and the 6i slant hard inside, The guard takes the DT, the OT handles the spark and the TE who was washing ends up taking the LB. Nice job of recognizing the movement up front.

Create a big run lane by handling the movement up front.