The Backside Tackle in the Spread Run Game

In 2003 and 2004 seasons the Marist Red Foxes, using 21 players, went a combined 7-12 with an 0-3 record vs. conference champions. They averaged just five points per game in those three losses. In the spring of 2005 we installed the spread offense and experienced a dramatic turnaround. The Red Foxes went 7-4 with a 2-3 record against conference champions while averaging 26 points per game in those five contests. The inside read and triple option was the basis of our run game. The offensive line blocked inside zone with the exception of the backside tackle. He had to read fronts and adjust to various edges. We used snap count and horizontal width by our receivers to reduce the edges he would see week to week. Quick counts would force the defense to commit early and long counts would allow us to see front and secondary movement before we snapped the ball. While using mostly 31 and 41