Michigan Football: Coach Borges Offensive Run Schemes — Slice (Draw) and the Horn — X’s and O’s Made Easier
Posted at 6:00am — 4/9/2012
Michigan Football: Coach Borges Offensive Run Schemes — Slice (Draw) and the Horn — X’s and O’s Made Easier
From the recent 2012 Coach’s Clinic notes is presented below notes concerning basic blocking of the Michigan offense as described by Offensive Coordinator Al Borges who said they have six run schemes which include Gap (power), Iso, Zone, Horn, Slice (draw), and Stretch. Usually they only use 3 or 4 depending on the team they are playing and what they want to accomplish.
The Slice/Draw Play
Slice/Draw Play- Blocking and back action can be similar to the ISO block/play if a team is not using inside zone scheme.
The key to this block technique working is, like most draw plays, the offensive linemen have to sell the defense that this a pass play. The linemen will actually set up for pass pro and then cut/slice the defenders. Here are the basic blocking rules.
Blocking Rules
1. Double at the point of attack, this will always be the primary key to this play working.
2. Backside offensive guard pulls and blocks the Mike middle linebacker, this is different from a few years ago and this change is the key to setting up the cut back that has been a huge success.
3. Fullback is a kick out assignment and he reads the block, hips of the tight end.
4. Never seal the linebacker, use the technique that OSU calls hat behind hat, or mirror him/this opens up the cut back.
5. If a tight end in the box, or being used as a slot/tight end, block the strong side linebacker.
6. Tailback reads the backside linebacker-most of the inside series is designed to cutback.
In so doing, the tackles are going to pass set, and allow the defensive ends to come up-field, letting the defenders’ aggressiveness take them out of the play. The key point is that on the play side defensive tackle, two linemen are going to double and combo block through to the backside linebacker. Against a 4-3 under, that combination will be the guard-center on the play-side nose guard/tackle. Against a 4-3 over, it will be the guard-tackle against the ‘3’ technique tackle.
As to the backs:
1. Although this is not always the case, the play works best when the fullback is assigned to ISO block the first inside linebacker from the play-side guard on over. He is blocking this play just like a traditional ISO, taking the linebacker head-on.
2. The tailback is going to take two shuffle steps, taking the ball as deep as possible. He is then going to read the playside double-team through to the FB. The tailbacks goal is to make the isolated linebacker wrong, no matter what, by reading the fullback’s block and cutting off his backside.
The quarterback is going to open up (as opposed to Dave or ISO technique where he reverse pivots) showing pass. He is then going to deliver the ball deep to the TB and set up to play action-pass fake.
Today’s Topic- The Horn Play
Horn- This base running play is basically an adjustment scheme for outside running schemes. It is a quick pull by the play-side offensive tackle. It is very effective against teams that employ a wide aligned/loose outside linebacker. It was widely used when the 4-4 was a popular defense.
In the horn the tight end will block the 1st defender at the line of scrimmage. This can be a stretch type or a gap block depending on the defensive end’s alignment. The offensive tackle pulls quick and must get his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage or the outside linebacker will rip right through his outside shoulder. Team will use this option when running jet sweep, quick pitch, and load option.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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