Bash Tag on Inside Zone

One of the tags that is sweeping across the landscape of college football is the Bash Tag. This tag allows the offense to combine misdirection and the read game. In addition, it is a good way to change up who will be running the ball based on the defense’s rules and how they are playing the option.

Bash Tag on Inside Zone

The concept of the Bash tag is to switch the responsibility of the Quarterback and the Running Back. On traditional Inside Zone the Quarterback is the C Gap threat while the Running Back is going to be the threat that is running in between the tackles This is the base that just about every football team in America has as their main way to run Inside Zone. Bash is going to switch the two responsibilities so the the Running Back becomes the outside runner while the Quarterback turns into the Inside Zone runner.

Related Content: Inside Zone Wham Series 

One important difference with the Bash tag is the role of the receivers. On Bash the Running Back becomes the C Gap threat. This means that he does not have the option to throw a bubble or jail route on the outside. As a result, the receivers must block the perimeter players to ensure that the runner is protected.

There are a couple of advantages of the Bash tag. One of the best things about this play is that is can change up the dynamics of the play to highlight your player’s strengths. If you happen to have a Quarterback who is more of a downhill runner and a back who is more of a speed back, Bash will allow them each to use their strengths better.

The other major advantage of the Bash tag is the ability to control who will be running the ball. Many times, the defense will pick either the Running Back of the Quarterback and say that they want to ensure the better athlete does not run the ball. This normally means they will tell the C Gap Defender to tackle the dive player (if they are trying to take away the Running Back). On Bash the C Gap Defender will close down to tackle the dive player but by doing so he will open up the Running Back’s path.

Related Content: Wall Tag off of Inside Zone with a Tight-end 

Carrying the Bash Concept is a tool that can be very effective for Spread to Run Offenses. If you have a Speed Back and a downhill runner at Quarterback, it is a tag that you should spend some time investing in to ensure you have answers in your run game.