Lead Play with a Cross Block at the POA
This lead play with a cross block at the point of attack is a play that a buddy of mine has been running for years with much success. This play is out of the double tight split-back formation. This formation is great because you can execute this play to the TE/ wing-back side or to the single tight-end side (when defenses over shift to the wing-back side). This play is very easy to install and it works very well in youth football. This is a play that can be installed in only one practice.
Lead Play with a Cross Block at the POA
Center: Block nose guard. If there are double A-gap defenders the center is to block the backside A-gap defender (backside is opposite of play-side).
RG: Work onto middle linebacker. If you are facing a slanting or disruptive nose guard you can double team him with the center.
RT: Kick-out defensive end. The RT tackle pulls behind the down blocking TE and kicks out DE. The aiming point is the inside hip of the defender is he kicking out. If there is no defensive end the tackle needs to turn upfield and work onto the second level.
LG: Inside-over-linebacker.
LT: Inside-over-linebacker.
Right TE: Gap-down backer. The right TE down blocks first, RT tackle crosses behind.
Left TE: Step play-side cutoff.
Left Half-back (3): Take handoff, cut inside of RT’s kick-out block. Look to cut off of the lead block of the right half-back.
Right Half-back (2): Lead block, look to block inside to out. Look for the middle backer scrapping across. Since there is no counter action or deceptive element the MLB will come flying over.
Wing-back (4): Fold in for outside linebacker. The (4) must take an inside leverage step and as the RT kicks out, he folds inside right off the butt of the RT.
Coaching Points
- The timing of the cross block and fold needs to be practiced. The TE blocks down, the RT takes a backward pull step, then goes right behind the TE and kick-outs the defensive end. The WB goes right as the RT tackle kicks-out.
- The ball carrier (3) takes a downhill handoff out by the 6 hole. The RB must never belly towards the QB. It’s the QB’s job to get the running back the ball out by the point of attack.
- You could run this away from the wing-back as well. If you see defenses starting to key or shift towards you wing-back, just go the other way. When running this play away from the wing-back the (3) will be the lead blocker that blocks the outside linebacker. The only difference is you don’t have the wing-back as the extra blocker.
- You can have an audible to switch the play-side. Say you call this play to the wing-back side. If you see the defense shift over you can have a verbal call which switches the play-side. Say you call this play to the right ( Wing Right- 36 Lead), you see the defense is over shifted, just yell “LEO”, which will mean you run the play to the left (Wing Right- 25 Lead).
(See Also) Free Split-back Playbook
(See Also) Split-back “Hammer” Play
