When it comes to the QB running game in Texas A&M’s pro-option offense, we’ve looked at QB Draw RPO, Triple Option, Speed Option, and Q Hammer Bash. Today we continue our look at the QB running game by breaking down the Bash concept. Basically, Bash takes the concept of inside zone and inverts it.
Play Concept
On inside zone, the offensive line zone blocks leaving the backside EMLOS unblocked. The EMLOS is the read man. The QB reads the EMLOS and makes the Give-Keep read. If the EMLOS crashes down to stop the inside run by the RB, the QB keeps backside. If the EMLOS floats or pinches to stop the QB run, the QB gives to the RB inside. Simple. Recall Bash means a backside sweep by the RB. So in Bash, the QB runs inside and the RB takes the ball backside.
Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators are often credited with coming up with the Bash concept. Florida had a physical runner at QB in Tim Tebow and a speed back at RB in Chris Rainey, so Bash took advantage of both of their strengths. Since then, if you have a big physical runner at QB and a speed demon at RB, adding Bash is an easy addition to your running game.
Diagram is from 11 personnel. Boundary receiver pushes vertical and stalk blocks. LT zone blocks. LG blocks 1-tech. C checks on 1-tech for combo if needed then climbs second level. RG combos 3-tech. RT combos 3-tech then climbs second level to block LB. Highlighted EMLOS is the read man. TE threatens vertical then stalk blocks. Field slot pushes vertical then stalk blocks. Field receiver pusher vertical then stalk blocks. RB meshes with QB and runs backside sweep. QB reads EMLOS for Give-Keep read. QB runs to strong A gap outside Center’s block.
Executing Bash
In this 2020 clip, A&M is in 11 personnel facing 2nd and 10 early in the first quarter. LSU is showing dime personnel so they’re expecting a pass on the play. With a 4-1 front inside the box, a run call is the right play.
Kellen Mond is in shotgun with Isaiah Spiller aligned to the right. Jalen Wydermyer is the inside slot on the LOS. Hezekiah Jones is the boundary receiver. Ainias Smith and Chase Lane are aligned to the field. At the snap, all four receivers push vertical and stalk block. LT Dan Moore fan blocks the weak edge and seals him outside. LG Kenyon Green picks up the 1-tech’s outside slant and easily drives him outside. C Ryan McCollum checks on Green, sees LB has flowed backside, and peels back to help on the 3-tech. RG Jared Hocker picks up the 3-tech and drives him back. McCollum peels back and helps seal him outside. RT Carson Green checks on 3-tech then goes second level to block flowing LB. Kellen Mond takes snap and reads unblocked strongside edge. He goes flat to play Isaiah Spiller’s backside sweep so it is a keep read. LB is focused on Spiller, too, which runs him right into Carson Green’s block. The combo on the 3-tech and Kenyon Green’s block on the 1-tech create a lane. Mond keeps, runs through the tunnel, and goes out of bounds 26 yards downfield.
The result of the play is a 26 yard gain and a first down.
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