Author: James Taglienti

We’ve talked extensively on how to run inside zone here and the importance of defensive run fits to stop inside zone. Today we’re looking at how to run inside zone against an Okie front. An Okie front is simply a three-man defensive front with a defensive lineman on the center and on/outside the tackles. Terminology differs from team to team, but Okie became a name synonymous with a three-man front because of Oklahoma’s use of the 3-4 back in Bud Wilkson’s days. Play Concept Mississippi State runs a 3-3-5 defense under defensive coordinator Zach Arnett, an aggressive scheme with multiple…

When you’re breaking in a young quarterback, there are several ways to make him comfortable in the pocket. One of the easiest ways to bring along a young quarterback is to lean on a strong running game. Another way to help a QB become comfortable is to run easy basic concepts to ensure a completion and build his confidence as a passer. One easy concept to run is a dual swing concept out of a split backs formation. Play Concept This play concept is very simple and as basic as can be. You have as QB with two running back…

We’ve discussed the importance of run fits on defense and nowhere is this more important than when defending inside zone. Because inside zone is designed to attack three gaps with the Bang/Bounce/Bend read (A gap, C gap, B gap), the defense needs to ensure their run fits cover all of those gaps. Running inside zone is the opportunity to run in a straight line down the field, so stopping this simple play is at the core of defense. Hitting your run fits as a defense is how you shut down inside zone. Defending Inside Zone – Run Fits The defense…

Short yardage defense is when run fits are of utmost importance. Filling all possible interior gaps so the offense has nowhere to go and all outside gaps so they’re forced to run inside is the name of the game. When facing a 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1, the defensive line and linebackers have to close all gaps to stonewall the offense. Winning short yardage plays can be the difference between winning and losing the game. Short Yardage Play Concept Offenses often use 12 or 22 personnel on short yards plays. A&M responds by bringing in an extra defensive…

Breaking down special team plays is always a little bit of a challenge because scheme approaches can change constantly due to rule changes and different skills possessed by different players. A touchback  automatically moving the ball to the 25 on kickoff returns means you don’t execute a kickoff return unless you have a differen-maker at your return man. A&M has a difference-maker in Ainias Smith as their punt returner so they let him make the fair catch/return decision. Today we’re breaking down Ainias Smith’s 95 yard punt return in the South Carolina game. Punt Return Concept Bud Wilkson was a…

In the passing game, mirror concepts are popular in 2×2 formations because they give the QB the same look on both sides of the field and simplify reads. A&M and Jimbo Fisher take this concept one step further and have players of the same alignment run the same routes. In the Hitch-Out concept A&M runs, both receivers on the line of scrimmage run a hitch and both receivers off the line of scrimmage run an out route. This means regardless of formation (3×1, 2×2, 1×3), the QB knows he has a high-low read on the hitch-out. Looking at the pre-snap…

When you’re an aggressive defense who likes to blitz, a simple method for the offense to slow down your pass rush is the screen game. On a RB screen, the OL check-blocks the pass rush, allows them through, then travels second level. The defense has someone assigned to cover the RB on short passes, the OL blocking that defender is key to the success of the screen game. For the defense, covering the RB and pressuring the passer is key to stopping the screen game. Today we’re breaking down how A&M uses a blitz to destroy a screen play. Play…

Normally when breaking down blitz packages, you’re looking at simple man blitzes or zone blitzes, but defensive coaches have become more creative in their sub packages. Now sim pressures, or creepers, are all the rage. A simulated pressure or creeper is simply when you show the offense multiple potential rushers pre-snap and then drop them into coverage while sending someone else. Unlike man and zone blitzes which seek to overwhelm with numbers, sim pressures/creeper seek to manipulate the pass protection with fewer numbers. The goal of a creeper is to mislead the blocking scheme and overwhelm them mentally instead of…

A&M’s 2021 game against Mississippi State featured some big plays surrounded by some poor execution. One of the big plays was Devon Achane’s inside zone run in the fourth quarter against the Bulldogs defense. State attempted to bring a blitz at the last minute and it hurt their gap integrity when it was picked up. Achane possesses the speed to make big plays, but this inside zone run succeeded because of execution by A&M’s offensive line and a nice cut by Achane. Play Concept Mississippi State starts out in an even front from a 2-4-5 in a 4-2 alignment but…

Texas A&M’s longest play of the 2021 season was Devon Achane’s 96 yard kickoff return against Alabama.  Alabama scored on a blocked up to reduce A&M’s lead to 24-17 and Achane’s 96 yard return for a TD swung the score deficit (and momentum) clearly back into A&M’s favor. Today we’re breaking down Achane’s kick return for a touchdown. Play Concept The older way of scheming kick returns was somewhat rudimentary. All members of the kick return team would rally to a point in front of the returner and form a small wall of blockers. The wall would advance down the…