Going For Two

If you liked this article, here are three others just like it: 1) Straight Through the Uprights, Dec. 2002 2) Miami’s Onside Kick Game, Second Quarter 1998 3) Oregon’s Two-Step Punting Techniques, First Quarter 1998

With today’s modern defenses, it is often times difficult to predict exactly what you’re going to see defensively on the goal line, so you need to have plays designed to be successful, versus both man coverage and zone coverage, or a combination of both. We will game plan our two-point play just like we would any other situation play based on what we have seen in previous games from the goal-line defense.

2-Point Plays

Our 2-point philosophy at Kent State is to accomplish three things:

1. Create confusion on the defensive side of the football by:
A. Shifting
B. Motioning
C. Creating an undefined formation
from game alignments
D. Or a combination of the above

2. Get the ball into the hands of our best player or players.

3. Give ourselves more than one option in having the play succeed.

The simplicity of the play will greatly determine its success, but the complexity of adjustments forced on the defense will more clearly define our advantage. The diagrams will identify the pre-adjustment formation, the adjustment formation after shift and/or motion, and the subsequent play with specific position responsibilities.

2-Point Play
Play Call: Q8 Option Pass
Field Alignment: From Left Middle

Diagram 1.

Pre-Shift Formation: Is light left flex. This formation shows a three-wide receiver look with actually a flexed tight end (Y) and a light backfield set. Z will line up actually opposite the pre-snap formation with a 12-yard split. Y will line up flexed at a 6-yard split in order to pull a secondary coverage defender on him. X will line up opposite the pre-snap alignment with a 10-yard split. The fullback will line up in a light left position, which is also opposite of his pre-motion position. The tailback is aligned behind the QB and does not adjust his alignment. The QB must give a shift alert based on normal cadence protocol. (See Diagram 1.)

Shift To Alignment Formation: Heavy Louie Change

Diagram 2.

X should start the swift process by moving his alignment in from 10 yards to 4 yards and staying on the line of scrimmage. Y will shift into a tight alignment, as Z hurries and shifts to the opposite side of the formation 4yards outside of X off the line of scrimmage. The fullback shifts from light to heavy on the side of the tight end (Y). Now we have shifted personnel and backfield strength and changed the two-receiver side, all before the snap. The tailback stays, and the QB now readies himself to continue his cadence while making sure everyone is set before putting the FB in motion to change backfield strength one last time. (See Diagram 2.)

Diagram 3.

Pre-Motion Formation: Heavy Louie - all personnel will now be in the proper pre-snap positions, except for the fullback, who will now motion from a heavy alignment to a light alignment back away from the TE (Y). (See Diagram 3.)

Pre-Snap Formation: Light Louie - the QB will reverse out to a depth of 6 yards. This roll action will allow him to immediately locate X as his shoulders and eyes come around. His reverse pivot should be past six o’clock. As he locates X and X is breaking clear, immediately throw the ball on the run (#1). If X’s pattern does not develop, you must keep on the run to the outside, recognizing the block of the tailback and run the ball (#2). If the QB must pull up or gets boxed in from the outside, he may peak at Y as a late option throw (#3). Z releases up field 4 steps and aggressively runs a drive route at up field shoulder of the #2 defender. He will then throttle down over the play side guard’s position and be ready to slide back to any open area. X will release up field and break outside immediately underneath the Z receiver’s junction. X must not get held up and must look for the ball immediately.

Diagram 4.

Y will block aggressively on and after 3 counts sneak inside and release on a climb route as he becomes the #3 look late for a QB in trouble. Y will gain depth to 1 yard from the end line. The fullback will drive aggressively to the first man outside the tackle and cut him. If he retreats to coverage, the fullback will turn in on the first man inside at the line of scrimmage, the tailback will aggressively drive to a point 2 yards outside the offensive tackle and aggressively cut the first defender that crosses his face. (See Diagram 4.)

2-Point Play
Play Call 24 Roll Tailback Flat (2 Tailback Personnel)
Field Alignment: Left Hash or Left Middle.

Diagram 5.

Pre-Shift Alignment: Formation Weak Roger - X will align with 10-yard split, two receivers to boundary, again opposite pre-snap alignment. Z will align with 5-yard split opposite pre-snap alignment. Y will align in normal right alignment, which also is opposite his pre-snap alignment. Fullback will align behind the QB. The tailback will align in a weak position away from the tight end (Y). The QB will note secondary personnel alignment and begin cadence to signal shift. (See Diagram 5.)

Shift to Alignment: Formation Weak Left

Diagram 6.

X will shift to 15-yard split on opposite side of original alignment. Z will remain in his alignment until everyone is set after their shifts and the QB signals motion (Diagram G). Y shifts back to the left side of ball in normal alignment. Fullback will remain and the tailback will shift from left to right weak, which is also opposite his original alignment. The QB must note that all personnel have made their shifts and are set and ready. (See Diagram 6.)

Diagram 7.

Motion Adjustment: Z is now the motion man, all shifts have been made, then personnel must be stationary for a full count in order for the QB to put Z in motion. Z will go in motion to a position of 7-1/2 yards outside the tackle and square his shoulders to the line of scrimmage before running his route. (See Diagram 7.)

Pre-Snap Alignment Formation: Weak Louie - QB will fake 24, then roll to depth of 6 yards - he will check Z on a quick 7 route, then look directly to the tailback in the flat. If the tailback is covered, tuck and run the ball for the 2-point conversion. If the QB would get bottled up on contained, he may look to X, then Y, as outlet on the opposite side of the field.

Diagram 8.

X will run a 4-yard drive route to the inside to junction with the tailback, then turn up field and hook 1 yard from the end line. Z will motion to a mid-point position between the tackle and the X receiver, release up field and hint to the inside and look on a quick 7 route to the corner of the end zone. Y will protect backside edge and may release on an arrow (see Diagram H) after a three-count. The tailback will release and run up field to a junction with X at the junction, break quickly and directly to the flat, look for the football. The fullback will fake 24 – if blitz, forget fake and protect. (See Diagram 8.)

I hope these two plays will help get you in the end zone for 2 points. Maybe you can pull an idea or two out of these anyway. Remember, it is very important to game plan

according to goal line coverage schemes, but the specific plays will give you an opportunity to score whether you see run or zone coverages.

The other option you have with these or any other goal line play is to run them, the same play, the same personnel, out of a bunch formation. When doing this you can count on getting some type of zone check off, or otherwise the route junctions will surely get you someone running wide open.

On behalf of the Kent State football office, we want to thank you very much for this opportunity to share with you. Best wishes to you all in this upcoming season.

About the author Dan Kratzer A veteran of 13 seasons as a collegiate head coach, Dan Kratzer is in his third season as Kent State University’s assistant head coach. In that position, he coordinates the team's travel plans and assists with compliance issues in addition to serving as the Golden Flashes’ head coach in the absence of Head Coach Dean Pees. Kratzer also is the position coach for the wide receivers. In his first season in 2001, he coached Jurron Kelly, who concluded his career as Kent State’s second all-time leading receiver in both receptions and receiving yards.