Kentucky Using the WR as a lead blocker and wrapper in their run Game

Kentucky in 2021 was a very good offensive football team. They did an outstanding job and scored 32 points per game under Coach Liam Coen, Some of is it was because of some of the schemes he took from the 49ers and Rams before ironically joining them in 2022 in the NFL. 

One play he runs is duo. Kentucky does a great job running duo with the front side wr executing a find block on the perimeter. On the play its Duo blocking with the opposite wr wrapping around to the other side to block #4 in the defensive scheme. It is traditional duo blocking with the RB reading the playside lb on whether to keep it inside or bounce it on the perimeter. 

They do an excellent job with this scheme and ran it in a few games. Great play and execution by Kentucky.

Example #2 vs LSU.

They run a similar scheme.

Example #3 

They run it vs Loulsville out of condensed. Y has the #4 and the wr play side blocks the play side safety on the find block. Nice job with the duo combinations up front for an 8 yard gain.

Example #3 

WR leading on the safety

Here's a variation with the wr leading on the safety. They block power with the H back kicking out.

You can see #84 at the x starting to come across and will lead on the safety

Outside TE block the cb

H back kick out the DE

PST on LB

OG block the Nose

Center combo to the backside LB

As always more clips to come!

Joe Moorhead Duo Run Scheme.

 DUO.

Oregon ran duo over the past few years under Joe Moorhead.

There are several ways to run duo from 11 and 12 personnel to get good double teams at the point of attack.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.

Most teams will have at least 2 double teams with sometimes 3 depending on the front. 

Some teams like to block the h back on the sided of the play like the WFT Below

Option #1

The first play was vs DAL on Thanksgiving 2020 in the  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! 

This is how you block it the same side without bringing the h back across the formation. The Chiefs block it in a similar way.

Option #2 is Ogegon's Variation

One of the ways Oregon did it was to slice block it with 2 double teams and the h back coming across the formation to block the Defensive end. This is different from other teams.

In  the next example they run it with Jet Motion and the jet man blocks the def end.The on the ball tight end has a def end outside so he blocks it one on one. The tackle doubles with the Guard because there are 2 3 tecnhiques pre snap.

Here are 2 clips of the play and how it develops.

Example #3 

Vs Ohio State 

Oregon is in 12 personnel. They run duo with 2 double teams vs Ohio State's front. They get a nice combo with the on the ball tight end and the left tackle and the right guard and right tackle. 

You will see the DE wrong arm it and the ILB get caught inside which allows the Rb to make a nice cut for a nice 12 yard gain. You can see #35 on the film get caught inside which allows the RB to read it for a nice 12 yard gain.

These are just some of Coach Moorhead's run game schemes.

Green Bay Packers Run Game - Using Motions to Your Advantage

 By Jim Jackson

Matt LaFluer and the Green Bay offensive staff are very strong in their ability to use motions to their advantage in the run game. Like the 49ers offense they use shifts, motions, and arounds (post snap) to gain an advantage. There are three reasons why you would want to use motion in the run game:

1. Gain a numbers advantage at the point of attack.

2. Gain an angles advantage for your TE or OL blocking by reaction to the motion.

3. Make a support player (safety or corner) loosen his alignment and not trigger so quickly.

The Packers use all three of these in their run game to gain an advantage. 

The first play is an example of a fly sweep fake softening the down safety causing him to hesitate. This makes the block for the WR much easier. Condensed formations help with this block as well. This play was Week 12 vs CHI.

The second play is a Toss Windback play in Week 2 vs DET. The TE motions from the furthest alignment to a hip position. This align to execute mentality gives him and inside/out blocking angle on the OLB which is critical to the play.

The final play is a Duo play with Jab Footwork by the RB. This play was Week 9 vs SF. There are 2 motions on this play. The motions help the OL and the Slot WR with blocking angles. This is creative run game design!!!

Just like the 49ers and Rams, Green Bay is on the cutting edge of shifts and motions to gain run game advantages. More teams should implement these concepts to simply slow run defenses down. What is the next concept or step they will take? 

Jacksonville Jaguars - RB James Robinson

 By Jim Jackson

James Robinson of the Jacksonville Jaguars is currently the third leading rusher in the NFL with 1,070 rushing yards through Week 15. He is having a great season for anyone, and has been productive his entire career at Illinois St (shoutout MVFC). He recently had a lower leg injury in the 4th Quarter vs. the Ravens so we hope his season is not done. 

James displays some of the most critical traits we look for in a Running Back. Vision is the most important trait that a RB can possess. This is very innate, and it is typically more difficult to coach for players in the box. He sees holes quickly and can accelerate through them. Second, he has great balance which is displayed by his ability to make people miss. In the 5 games we broke down, he repeatedly makes the first tackler miss. Finally, he is tough. His strength works well with the scheme in Jacksonville to make sure he gains positive yards. There were very few TFLs in the games we broke down. He loves to run in between the tackles (where the tough yards are).

Normally, we present pictures, but this article is best to attach more video clips. James is having a great season, and hopefully he can finish strong!

22 yard gain and stiff arm

14 yard gain and trucks DB

9 yard A-Gap run

9 yard gain and tough to tackle

15 yard gain on gun wide zone

13 yard gain on gun inside zone

11 yard gain and another missed tackle

16 yard TD and great finish

10 yard gain on Power

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Washington Football Team - Duo

 By Jim Jackson

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! 

You can see the concepts and schemes below

Read the LB 

LB Downhill while reading the LB

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.

Nice design. Footwork loked at

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!

Other Resources of Duo:

https://insider.afca.com/xs-os-running-the-duo-at-san-diego/

Casey Scully

 https://weeklyspiral.com/2021/05/10/duo-concept/

Duo Vs Zone

 https://www.schwartznfl.com/how-to-identify-if-a-run-play-is-inside-zone-or-duo/