Stretch is a bread-and-butter play for teams that run outside zone. Stretch lead simply means you’re running stretch with a lead blocker. Texas A&M sometimes runs stretch lead from split backs, which is what we’re looking at today.
Play Concept
The play concept of stretch or outside zone is fairly simple. All offensive linemen block outside zone and the RB takes the ball from the QB and runs outside their blocks. The aiming point for the RB is the outside leg of the tight end strongside or ghost tight end weakside. Your ballcarrier is reading the tight end or weakside tackle’s helmet. If the helmet is outside the defensive linemen or LB’s helmet, the RB bounces outside. If the helmet is inside, the RB looks to the guard’s helmet, and reads his block on the defensive tackle. Helmet is outside, he bangs the run inside. When the defensive tackle’s helmet is inside, the RB looks to bend the run backside. Bounce-bang-bend, easy read for the ballcarrier.
In stretch lead, the lead blocking RB makes the same read on the linemen, and guides the ballcarrier as he follows his block. When the OT is unable to get the edge on EMLOS (bang read), he’ll run the end man to the sideline and the lead blocker will cut inside him.
RT has key block, he reaches weakside DE, RG goes second level to seal playside LB inside, center goes second level to seal backside linebacker, LG reaches nose aligned on center, LT watches for leakage and seals backside.
You’ll notice field receiver is blocking the field corner and field slot is running a smoke route, that is because this play has an RPO built into it like all of A&M’s running plays.
Executing Stretch Lead
When A&M played Colorado in the second game of the 2021 season, the Buffaloes aligned a 3-2 front to threaten the inside gaps and stop the inside zone running game. The three down linemen are aligned on the center and outside both tackles, so it is an Okie front. With two inside linebackers inside the box, this is an easy call for stretch lead.
A&M is in 20 personnel with Isaiah Spiller aligned right and Devon Achane aligned left of Zach Calzada. Caleb Chapman is the field receiver and Chase Lane is aligned to the boundary.
https://twitter.com/iamthe12thman/status/1545019001495252992
At the snap, RT Kenyon Green immediately has his helmet outside the defensive end, so we’re bouncing. RG Layden Robinson is playing hurt at this point in the game and struggles to seal playside linebacker. Lead blocker Spiller winds his right arm and takes on the linebacker and seals him outside. Winding your outside arm to harness your energy before exploding into a block is a coaching point. (That’s not a coaching point.) Center Bryce Foster climbs second level and tells Nate Landman “SIT DOWN!!” Landman had 10 tackles on the day, he did not make a tackle on this play. LG Aki Ogunbiyi does a nice job reaching the 1-tech. LT Jahmir Johnson tries to help seal off the backside but is tripped up by Aki’s block turning the 1-tech.
Chase Lane is okay in his block but the CB comes off him and helps make the tackle downfield. WR coach Dameyune Craig needs to drill the WRs to block to lock on, keep their feet moving, and block to the whistle. Achane weaves inside the tunnel created by Green and Spiller, gains 12 yards and the first down.