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 aligned behind him (if he is under center) or either side of him (shotgun) in the backfield. The QB will take the snap and both backs will run swing routes to either side of the field. Depending on coverage and space, the QB will choose one back to throw to, and it is an easy reception. RB catches the ball and runs for yards after catch. It is an easy pitch-and-catch, which makes it an easy confidence builder for a young QB.
Here we have an offense in 20 personnel with split backs on either side of the QB in shotgun. Boundary receiver and slot receiver and field receiver all run vertical routes. For dual swing routes to succeed, the vertical concepts are unimportant as long as the receivers push vertical to clear out the coverage. Both left RB and right RB run swing routes. QB chooses a RB and throws to him. RB runs after catching the ball, a simple throw and catch to ensure a successful pass play for the QB.
Executing Dual Swing Routes
Here we have Zach Calzada in the backfield with Devon Achane to his left and Isaiah Spiller to his right. Offense is in 20 personnel with two receivers to the field and one to the boundary. At the snap, both Achane and Spiller run swing routes, running three yards wide and one yard forward before looking back for the ball. The two vertical routes to the field have moved off coverage, leaving Spiller wide open. The boundary corner stays home to cover Achane. Calzada passes to Spiller. Spiller catches the ball at the 34 yard line, makes a defender miss at the 38, and runs down the field after the catch.
Result of the play is a 15 yard gain and a first down. For a QB taking over for an injured starter on the road, A&M needed a simple throw-and-catch to help Calzada’s confidence, and dual swing routes provided that easy reception.
