Offensive Minded: FAU - Mastering the Play Action Pass

Coaching legend Howard Schnellenberger, now heading the program at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, has forged quite a reputation as a master of offensive strategy, particularly passing. We spoke with the coach about his play action attack. He said it is important that the blocking scheme be the same for the passing play as it would be for the running play that is being faked and that the quarterback and running back are convincing in making it look like the play actually will be a run. The Play (See Diagram 1)     The play action play favored by Schnellenberger is a sprint draw (6-Texas-104 in FAU’s nomenclature). “We run a draw where the onside tackle and the guard set up for a pass,” the coach said. “The play action is off a draw. It takes longer. It holds linebackers longer and can even freeze the strong safety in zone coverage. By sending both backs to the