PLAY BREAKDOWN: Texas A&M’s Q Hammer Bash

Although Jimbo Fisher is a proponent of inside zone,  outside zone, and the option in the running game, he is also a proponent of power football. One play Fisher uses to combine power football and the option is Q Hammer Bash. Q Hammer Bash is a play that has the ability to attack the defense both on the outside with speed and the edge with power. The play structure includes the ability to add an RPO, although I’ve yet to see that happen.

Play Concept

The name of the play is a terminology preference. Hammer means the backside guard and tackle pull playside. Normally every time you see the BSG and BST pull, it is a counter play of some type. Tagging a play ‘Hammer’ is much easier than writing ‘guard-tackle counter’ for the many iterations of the play. Bash is a tag for backside sweep. So Hammer Bash means BSG and BST pull playside and there is a backside sweep.

A&M runs the play from 11 personnel with 1 back and 1 tight end. The running back is running a backside sweep and the QB is running power to the playside. The TE arc blocks on the defensive end and goes second level to block the PSLB. The backside guard and tackle pull playside. The backside guard kicks out the unblocked PSDE. BST follows backside guard and leads the QB, blocking the first wrong color he sees. The BSDE is the read man. If the BSDE crashes inside, the QB gives to the RB for the sweep. QB keeps and runs power playside if the BSDE floats to play the sweep. Bash is the same read as zone read but inverted roles. In zone read the QB sweeps backside and RB runs inside. On Bash, the QB keeps inside and RB sweep backside.

Executing Q Hammer Bash

Texas A&M has TE Jalen Wydermyer in-line to the boundary with Chase Lane as the inside slot to the field and Ainias Smith as the outside slot. Those two white shoes you see at the top of the screen belong to field receiver Caleb Chapman. Isaiah Spiller is aligned to the left of QB Haynes King. Kent State runs a 3-3-5 and shows an even front with its secondary in off coverage here.

As the snap, Wydermyer goes under the end to go second level for the playside linebacker. LT Jahmir Johnson blocks down on the 3-tech defensive tackle. LG Aki Ogunbiyi puts a forearm on the 3-tech to give Johnson some leverage then attempts to help C Bryce Foster. Foster has thrown the play design out the window and is blocking two men, one with each arm. RG Layden Robinson pulls playside and blocks the PSDE. RT Kenyon Green pulls inside Robinson’s kickout and looks for the wrong color. The BSDE pinches down so it is a give read to Spiller on the sweep.

Kent State runs a linebacker blitz here, and fortunately Chase Lane sees it immediately and is able to get enough of him on a block that Spiller isn’t buried in the backfield. Spiller takes the ball outside, cuts inside two defenders, and then drags two would-be tacklers. He falls forward for a 10 yard gain and a first down. Spiller embodies the coaching aphorism “be a football player and make a play” here.

Run It To The Left

A&M is in 11 personnel against Missouri with Wydermyer aligned in a wing off right tackle. Jalen Preston is the lone receiver to the field. It looks like Ainias Smith is the boundary slot. Spiller is aligned to Zach Calzada’s left. Missouri is aligned in a 4-2-5 with their safety incredibly deep off the screen. At the snap, Wydermyer blocks the nickelback. Ainias Smith goes 10 yards and bullies the safety. Preston runs a vertical route to run off the field corner. Kenyon Green and Jahmir Johnson pull playside. Green blocks the strongside end while Johnson helps double him instead of going inside. Need to seal the inside linebacker there, Johnson.

BSDE pinches down when Johnson and Green pull so it is a Give read. Spiller takes the handoff and flies to the green space on the field side. Spiller easily outruns the end and PSLB and is tackled 19 yards down the field. You’ll notice the deep safety runs over to hurry up and watch.

QB Hammer Bash attacks the defense with speed on the backside and power on the playside. It is a nice complement to A&M’s rushing attack.

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