Mastering The Unbalanced Spread Offense - Corliss X's Blog

Corliss X's Blog

Mastering The Unbalanced Spread Offense

Posted on July 13, 2013 at 12:49 PM.

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Make sure to check out my first post to fully understand the concepts in this post: http://www.operationsports.com/Corli...ide-zone-read/

The Unbalanced Spread Offense

The new NCAA Football installment, NCAA Football 14, includes a slew of new Spread formations, concepts, and plays! This game nearly did a complete Spread make over which has created a variety in formations and plays. I'm going to discuss the real life Unbalanced Spread look Oregon gave Stanford back in the 2011 season and relate it to the same formation now featured in NCAA Football 14.

What is the purpose of an unbalanced spread formation?

This more than likely confuses the defense. It provides an overloaded side for supreme run force and can go for some sneak counters or weak side runs. Oregon used it primarily to run to the weak side but easily could motion the RB to the other side for quick power runs. The play was used against Stanford for a 58-Yard LaMichael James TD. It was a basic IZR concept.

Notice the set:

The Set in NCAA Football 14:

You can see how the linemen are still play Hat on Hat or Man on Man Zone Blocking and the QB is primarily reading the LB. Normally, the QB is reading the DE but depending on the Blocking Scheme and Defensive set the LB can be the best defender. More info. on this concept soon! Also, notice on this same photo of the Unbalanced Spread Formation there is a Bubble read on the back side of the play. Chip Kelly, Coach Kelly, wants the three defenders to guard the three eligible receivers (FYI: The tight end is an ineligible receiver).

The concept behind the play is run the regular IZR while the QB reads the defense's best defender, in this case the LB. If the LB pulls down for run support then the ball is pulled from the RB and thrown to the backside for a quick bubble. If the LB doesn't pull down and goes for the coverage on the screen, the QB will hand off to the RB.

This situation had the ball being handed to the RB, LaMichael James, where the linemen sealed off the D perfectly and created a huge whole for them. But remember when in doubt whether this is real life or on NCAA Football 14 hand it off to the RB! This is the concept in action:

The Read:

Notice how the LB is on attack and flies down to sack the QB before the pass is thrown.

The Blocking:

Notice how the linemen are blocking Hat on Hat and how the LB is left in the dust on the turf completely fooled! The play is executed correctly with the RB using Gap Integrity to pick the best hole, lane or gap to run through.

He's gone! This is when the foot race begins with a RB that runs around a 4.4 40-Yard Dash and defenders already a second behind.

In essence, this is in fact a Triple-Option play; however, it differs from that of a Straddled Option or QB Slot Option which I will explain later on! The QB has the option here of throwing, handing it to the RB or running the ball himself. You can see these concepts executed perfectly here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=_Gw7GhREYU4

You can even see the Quadruple Option although this play has the same concepts it provides even more reads for the QB. Notice how the receiver is wide openin the flats and the QB isn't even focusing on him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=NK3rAJVULS8

Same read concepts apply in NCAA Football 14:

Although, NCAA Football 14 doesn't have an IZR and Bubble Screen package play on the game it still has the plays separate and they are quite the lethal. Make sure to have a quick and big TE in this formation to get an optimal block while reading the playside Defender. This is also a good power scheme with a big RB or maybe even a FB in for those goal line runs. You can easily motion the TE over for better passing support and make the formation balanced.

The Unbalanced Spread Formation is a powerful weapon in the spread offense as long as it's well-executed! Stay Reading.

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