MARSHFIELD

FOOTBALL

Rocket Toss

Rocket Toss

Signature play (with Jet Sweep) of our

offense
Run from almost any formation, with or
without motion
Threatens the flank on every play
Forces defense to adjust

Advantages of Rocket

Fastest run play to the flank

Minimal teaching and installation
Multiple formations and advantages
Do not have to block get in the way
Under center or gun

Keys to success
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Alignment
Numbering system
Footwork QB, RB, OL, SE
Motion is full speed
Identify what defense is doing to take it
away

Alignment

Non-negotiable
Importance can not be over-stated
QB Under C TB toes need to be at 3.5
yards
Gun QB toes need to be at 3.5 yards
Wingbacks 1 foot by 1 foot
SE (X), TE (Y) formation, tag, etc.
Splits err on being too tight

Numbering System

Allows us to identify who we need to

block
Same system for Rocket and Jet (learn
it ONCE)
Can apply to any defensive alignment
Quickly allows us to see if defense is
outnumbering to the outside (counters)

Numbering System

VS. 4-4 (EVEN)

FS

C
5

M
N

C
B
T

5
1

Numbering System

vs 4-3 (even)
*Note: the B, or strong backer INSIDE the TE,
so he is not #2. The W, or Will, is out side the
LT, hence, #2.
3

FS

4
2

C
1

Numbering System

Vs 4-3 (even)
Note: The B is now head up the tight
end (Y), so he is now #2
3

FS

4
2

Numbering System

Vs 5 2 (odd)
R

FS

C
5

B
N

4
1

C2

Numbering System

VS. 5 2 w/ reduced front backside

(Eagle)
3

FS

C
2

5
1

B
N

4
1

Numbering System

Vs. 3 5 (30 stack) ODD 30

FS

C
4
2

M
N

B
T

Footwork

Key to our offense

Allows players to get in the right place
consistently
Can not be emphasized too much
Little thing that makes big difference
Same terminology and message
Most of the bad rockets/jets in the past
are poor footwork (OL, RB, QB, SE)
/snap point/motion

QB Footwork

QB footwork NEEDS to be crisp

Athletic position either under C or in
Gun
Under Center use drop/punch step to 5
oclock
Gun Punch step to 2 oclock
ALWAYS follow toss and set up

WBs / SEs and Nasty/Flexed TEs

BLOCK WITH FEET

WBs or Nasty TE take a 45 degree directional
step EVERY TIME. Readjust path from there. Aim
to a spot and adjust based on his reaction inside.
Beat the defender to the spot
Stretch hook - wash
Use formations to put them in a different spot,
especially in tough match ups (DE in 50)
SEs block support, UNLESS another scheme is
designated
Dont let players cut until after the first week?

Edge Blocks Hook, Stretch,

Wash (in order of preference)
1. Hook - quick reach step; with a correct outside
angle, head outside, pin the defender
2. Stretch defender beats initial block. Turn butt and
feet to the inside and push him to the outside
3. Wash- very hard upfield thrust by defender to
players outside. Must get your butt inside AND turned
to the defense; and push him behind your offensive set
**DOUBLE REACH DRILL = COMPETITION**

Rocket Motion

Leaves on QBs foot. QB controls snap.

Aiming point is ONE FOOT behind the
TB/QB.
Once the WB reaches the depth of the
TB/QBs heels the WB needs to get flat
until catching ball.
Ball needs to be snapped when QB
loses WB in his peripheral vision
Ball is caught over TE or imaginary TE

Rocket Blocking Rules

Base to Open Side

Do not block #1
PST Pull and by pass #1, look to cut off #5 if
possible OR first defender to show
PSG Pull and turn up at first opening
C, BSG, BST, BSY Zone Reach and up field,
do not hit anyone from behind
WB reach #2
SE Block support (#3 OR $)
TB Dive Away if not in +/- alignment to lead

Rocket Blocking Rules

Base to closed side

TE (Y) Reach #1
PST Pull, bypass #1 and get #5 OR first
defender to show
PSG Pull and turn up at first opening
C, BSG, BST, BSY Zone Reach and up
field, do not hit anyone from behind
WB reach #2
TB Dive Away if not in +/- alignment to lead

ALTERATIONS to Rocket Blocking

BAT Call:
Back and Tight End, or Tackle, SWITCH

assignments. Used when the DE is playing

too wide and cannot be reached by down
lineman.

ALTERATIONS to Rocket
Blocking

LEAD and LEAD CHIP

Usually used with an offset TB (+/-) in

formation. The TB also becomes and alley

player, aiming for the outside shoulder of
the TB. On LEAD CHIP the TB will chip
the man that the WB is reaching before
working up field.

ALTERATIONS to Rocket
Blocking

CRACK Call:

Can be used when a Safety is running the alley on

motion, 2 Deep OR a CB is cheating inside hard on
motion. The SE, or whoever is the widest man in
the formation to side of the Jet/Rocket, will CRACK
inside on the safety while the guard will be making a
wide pull and kicking out the CB. Same rules with
the WB, if he can reach, reach and the guard will go
outside and kick. Tricky read if #2 sprints outside,
guard has to quickly decide to turn inside or
continue outside.

ALTERATIONS to Rocket
Blocking

CRACK STALK (CS)

Can be used when a Safety is running the alley
on motion, 2 deep, a CB is cheating inside hard
on motion OR VERY GOOD when #2 is playing
really wide and running outside. The SE, or
widest man in the formation, and WB switch
assignments.

**Works best from compressed sets or cheating in

SE to formation**

ALTERATIONS to Rocket
Blocking

Double Crack or DC

Both the wideman (often the X or a Nasty Y) and

the inside man, WB or Slot, will Crack inside on the
two men aligned inside them and a guard will kick out.

If run from a trips set, often a compressed trips set, it

essentially becomes a version of Crack Stalk , with
the two outside men cracking on the two players
and the inside man leading outside on the widest
man.

ALTERATIONS to Rocket
Blocking

Push Crack or PC

The SE (X), or widest man in formation

to playside, works with the TB. The X
has the option of blocking the CB or
Cracking on the Safety. By his seventh
step he must make a CLEAR and HARD
decision on his choice and the TB will
read. Good option on Gun Rockets

ALTERATIONS to Rocket
Blocking

POST LEAD or PL

Used when in sets with a wide man and slot

inside. The wide man and slot will double team
#2, often the OLB while reading for the safety. If
the safety tries to play over the top, the outside
man will break off, if he plays underneath, the
inside man will break off. The slot man protects
against an inside fire will not having to worry
about getting beat outside because the wide man
is taking an angle to avoid getting beat outside.