3 Pre-Snap Options for the Gun Double Wing

Category: Offense
Published: Monday, 07 March 2016 08:52

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By Michael Harrison
Head Coach
Wilde Lake High School (MD)
Introduction
At Wilde Lake our offense has made a transition into the gun double wing for approximately 90% of our snaps this past season. We had
experimented with the inside zone read from spread sets, but the spread offense did not fit the well with our athletes abilities and skill
sets. The decision was made to return to the double wing that we had run in the past, while retaining elements from the spread that
were effective for us including the run pass options that place defenders in great reaction conflict. We wanted our quarterback to remain
a running threat to the opposing defenses and not just be employed as a lead blocker as we had done in the past with the traditional
double wing. The result was the transition to the gun double wing including the ability to run pre snap option plays as part of our
concepts.
Blast, Blast Keep, Blast Follow and Blast Pass
The first pre snap option concept can be run from either the power or blast run plays. When the quarterback was moved into the gun we
lost the ability to use the quarterback as a lead blocker on the power or blast. With one less blocker at the point of attack we made the

decision to give the quarterback the ability to read the back side edge defender and assigned the backside tight end to reach up to the
second level and block the alley defender.
The pass phase of the play occurs before the start of the play with a pre-snap read. If the pre snap read favors the pass then an audible
is used to call the play action pass route paired with the blast play. The play action pass will involve the play side wing and tight end
running a combination or crossing route with a play fake from the motion wing.

At the snap of the ball, the quarterbacks eyes the back side edge defender usually a defensive end. If that defender is taking an angle
of pursuit to catch our wing from behind, then the quarterback pulls the ball out of the mesh and runs off tackle back side. If the edge
defender stays home the quarterback simply gives the ball to the motion wing on the blast. The block of the back side tight end

becomes important as it is the block on the last defender able to prevent the ball carrier from scoring.

Another wrinkle that we add to the blast or power read is the follow play. This is a very simple install with the quarterback faking the
blast or power and following the wing through the same point of attack. This change gives the quarterback three lead blockers in the
hole and often leads to a big play as we have more blockers at the point of attack than the defense has defenders.
Blast Blocking Rules:
QB: Pre-snap read to determine if the pass option is available. Mesh the ball with the motion wing. Eye the back side DE and pull the
ball only if he is chasing the motion wing.

FB: Lead the wing through the hole and block the most dangerous 2nd level defender.
PSW: Step behind the blocks of the play side tackle and tight end. Lead the wing through the hole and block the most dangerous 2nd
level defender.
PSTE: Block out on the widest man on the line of scrimmage.
PST: Block out on the first defender head up or outside.
PSG: Block down on the first defender on the line of scrimmage head up or inside.
C: Block any man on you or backside from the point of attack.
BSG: Block out on the first defender head up or outside
BST: Block out on the first defender head up or outside
BSTE: Attack the back side alley defender. Stay on the block.
BSW: Deep motion to the mesh point with the quarterback. Follow the FB and Wing blocks.
To study game cutups of the Blast RPO concept, click on the video below:
Jet, Jet Keep, and Jet Pass
The second pre snap option concept that we kept from the spread and included into the gun double wing was the jet. We had always
run a jet sweep, but having the quarterback in the gun allows him to read the play side defensive end.
The first option we teach with this play is the jet read. Instead of trying to hook or reach block the defensive end, we have the ability to
leave this player unblocked. If he leaves the box chasing the jet the quarterback keeps the ball and runs quarterback power. If the
defensive end sits on the quarterback power, the defense loses a contain or force player against the jet. We will also tag this play to
send the fullback at the defensive end to create a bigger lane for the quarterback running the jet read as well. Reading the jet sweep

has enhanced the jet by simplifying our blocking scheme and made our quarterback a bigger dual threat presence on the field.

The second option is the jet pass. Many defenses will press their corners to the line of scrimmage to provide additional run support
against the jet sweep. To counter this tactic by the defense a pre-snap read and audible can be employed to send the wide receiver and
wing on vertical routes off of a jet fake. If the pre-snap read favors the vertical route, then the quarterback will fake the jet and throw the
ball as a one step pass. This past season we never installed this phase of the jet read, but you can see on film the quarterback stepping

back after handing off the jet sweep carrying out his fake.

Jet Read Blocking Rule:

QB: Pre snap read to determine if the pass is available. Receive the snap and shuffle with the motion wing two steps while reading the
play side defensive end. If the defensive end sits give the wing the handoff for jet, otherwise keep the ball and attack off tackle following
the block of the pulling guard.
FB: Lead the jet outside blocking the alley defender.
PSW: Block down on the first second level defender inside.
PSTE: Block down on the first defender head up or outside of the PST.

PST: Block inside gap, head up, outside gap.

PSG: Block inside gap, head up, outside gap.
C: Block inside gap, head up, outside gap.
BSG: Pull and wrap past the TE block lead blocking for the quarterback.
BST: Seal inside.
BSTE: Seal inside to the next level. Try to block the second or third level defenders in pursuit.
BSW: Flat motion to the mesh point. If the quarterback gives the ball accelerate past the defensive end and read the blocks to
determine when to cut up field. If the quarterback keeps the ball then carry out the fake.
To study game cutups of the Jet RPO concept, click on the video below:
Buck, Buck Read, and Bubble Pass
The buck sweep can be combined with the bubble pass to create a play that creates conflict with the open side defenders. In order to
effectively run the bubble, we open one side of our formation to have a wide receiver and a slot as opposed to a tight end and a wing.
The quarterback will pre-snap read the flat defender to determine if he should throw the bubble pass. If his read is favorable he receives
the snap and throws the ball as quickly as possible to the bubble.
If the pre snap read does not favor the bubble the quarterback will receive the snap and reach the ball out to the fullback while getting
his eyes focused on the back side edge defender. The fullback is responsible for getting to the quarterback and the mesh point. If the
back side edge defender is staying home, the quarterback will give the ball to the fullback who then runs a traditional buck sweep. If the
back side edge defender is chasing the fullback the quarterback will pull the ball and attack the space vacated by the edge defender. An
added advantage of this phase of the buck is that the flat defender will often have his back to the quarterback when he keeps the

football forcing a safety to make the tackle on the quarterback.

Bubble/Buck Pre Snap Option Rule:

QB: Pre-snap read to determine if the bubble is available. At the snap take one step and throw the bubble if it is available. Otherwise
eye the back side DE and pull the ball only if he is chasing the FB.
FB: On the snap run flat to the mesh point. If the QB gives the ball remain flat to the inside hip of the tackle and cut off of the PSGs kick
out block. If the QB keeps the ball continue your play fake.
PSW: Block down on the first defender inside.
PSTE: Block down or to the backer.

PST: Block down or to the backer.

PSG: Pull and kick out the front side DE.
C: Block inside gap, head up, outside gap.
BSG: Pull and wrap inside of the PSGs kick out block. Get eyes inside and lead the FB.
BST: Seal inside.
WR: Block the widest defender.
BSW: Bubble screen path.
To study game cutups of the Buck RPO concept, click on the video below:
Conclusion
The key advantage to employing these option style looks on the base plays in the double wing offense is that it has provided us with
another method to create conflict for defenders on the field. The ability of the quarterback to read and keep the football forces defenses
to slow down and play assignment football. In the double wing, we have always endeavored to get to the point of attack first and with
more blockers than the defense. This can be accomplished by using the quarterback as a lead blocker or using him as a read keep
runner. Putting the quarterback in the gun and having him read an edge defender forces the defense to account for the quarterback at
all times in their scheme and limits their ability to pursue the football as aggressively as they would have if the quarterback is used as
lead blocker.
Meet Coach Harrison: Michael Harrison joined the staff at Wilde Lake High School, his alma mater, in 1987. He served as both
defensive and offensive coordinators during his tenure as an assistant coach. In 2009 he was named the head coach at Wilde Lake and
has compiled a 40-34 record in seven seasons, including winning both a Regional title and the Class 3A Maryland State Championship
in 2010. Coach Harrison was honored as the All-Metro Coach of the Year by the Baltimore Sun newspaper in 2010.

Offense