Above are numerous examples from The University of Minnesota a few years ago against USC.
The play in the video that I specifically want to examine is at 1:45. This shows a 2nd & 8 at the Minnesota 41 yard line. Minnesota lines up in a traditional 'I' formation with a tight end and wing back/h back to the right and a split end left. USC has sold out to stop the run obviously. They've already seen power many times throughout this game and they are determined to stop it. USC is in man coverage with 1 free safety that doesn't come into the picture until he is run over by the Minnesota running back. USC is playing 7 men on the line of scrimmage.
So that is the look that Minnesota is getting. Center is covered, playside guard has an outside shade, playside tackle is uncovered, while the tight end and H are being overloaded. This play should not work because there is no numbers advantage. Here is what happens...
The Minnesota center, guard, and tackle all block down to the USC defensive linemen shooting their inside gaps. The Minnesota line caves this all down creating a massive hole for the tailback. The fullback gets a good wham block on the defensive end and the pulling guard read the penetration by the linebackers and blocks the most threatening man. The playside backer over ran the play and took himself out of it all together.
This particular power play looks to be a inside power which is a read by the tailback from the A gap out. So the tailback is reading this from the inside out. Pick the first open gap to run through.
This is a great play to make the staple of your offense because like I said above there are very little negative plays which create momentum against your offense.
As you can see with this example and the numerous other examples throughout the video linked above. This play puts immediate pressure on a defense. This play causes the defense to put numbers in certain spots of the field leaving other areas sparsely defended. This play alone can be run out of many different formations and there are very many counters and play action passes that can be worked in to compliment the power play as well.
I remember seeing a clinic taught by alex gibbs saying he ran inside zone and outside zone because unlike power he would have "no negatives". I think he described power as more big play potential but more chances for negative plays. What are your thoughts on that?
ReplyDeleteAlso do you feel that power gives you more of a numbers advantage at the point of attack than zone runs?
Or do you feel it just a different way of getting people to the point of attack.
Nice blog thanks for posting.