The Twins Formation is a great formation because it allows you to spread the field, while still maintaining a strong inside run threat. The twin receiver side will pull defenders out of the box and the H back will give you several different interior blocking options. There are several other plays that can be executed out of this formation. If you have an athletic QB you can run QB Power and QB Counter with the (T) lead blocking. When the QB becomes the ball carrier, you gain an extra blocker that can be used at the point of attack or as a way to deceive the defense.
Twins Right Formation Power / Counter Bubble RPO
Power
Center: Block backside defensive tackle.
Right Guard: Block down on defensive tackle. If there is no defender head up or inside, work onto a linebacker or double team the defensive tackle.
Right Tackle: Block defensive tackle, combo off onto the linebacker.
Left Guard: Pull, lead through the hole, look to block outside backer or safety rolling down.
Left Tackle: Step inside, base defensive tackle. First responsibility is to replace the pulling guard.
Left Split-end (L): Stalk block cornerback or you can have the (L) go get a safety.
Right Split-end (R): Stalk block cornerback
Z: Bubble Route.
Tailback (T): Take handoff, look to cut inside of the (H)’s kick-out block.
H Back: Kick-out defensive end. Aiming point is the inside hip of the DE. The (H) can cheat his split up and in to give himself a better kick-out angle.
Quarterback (1): Catch snap, hand to the (T), carry out fake throw to the bubble.
Coaching Point
- If the play-side DE squeezes the tackle’s down block you can have the (H) work onto and kick-out the linebacker. The pulling guard will continue past, looking inside to out for a linebacker. It’s important that the guard pulls with his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage so he can track backers. Skip pull technique is probably the best option.
Related Content: Maximizing the Power Blocking Scheme
Counter
Center: Block backside defensive tackle.
Right Guard: Pull, kick-out defensive end. The aiming point is the inside hip of the defensive end he is kicking out. It’s important that the (RG) pulls flat, and guts the defensive end out.
Right Tackle: Block defensive tackle, secure pulling guard gap (replace the RG).
Left Guard: Block defensive tackle.
Left Tackle: Block defensive tackle, combo off onto the middle linebacker.
Left Split-end (L): Stalk block cornerback or you can have the (L) go get a safety.
Right Split-end (R): Stalk block cornerback.
Z: Bubble route.
Tailback (T): Take handoff, cut inside of the (RG)’s kick-out block.
H Back: Lead through the hole. The (H) needs to be fast so that he beats the (T) to the hole. It’s important that the (H) attacks his block (look for linebacker), he cannot slow up or be indecisive when lead blocking.
Quarterback (1): Catch snap, hand to the (T), carry out fake throw to the bubble.
Coaching Point
- The (R) must always assume that the QB will throw the bubble the route. The blocking rules stay the same on Power and Counter. The only exception is on Power the (H) is kicking out, and the pulling guard is leading through the hole. On Counter, the (H) is leading through the hole and the pulling guard is kicking out.
Related Content: Single Back GT Counter Scheme for Youth Football
Power/Bubble RPO
The QB’s read on this play is the defender covering the Z. Either the outside backer (S) or the Strong Safety (SS) will bump out with the Z. If no defender bumps out, it’s an automatic bubble throw. If you don’t want the QB to actually read the defender post-snap, you can give a pre-snap call to your QB. If you see the defender is playing off or there is no defender covering the Z, have a call that will have the QB throw to the Z right away. The offensive linemen will go through their run Power / Counter run blocking progression. They must assume that the (T) will be carrying the football.
Center: Block backside defensive tackle.
Right Guard: Pull, kick-out defensive end. Aiming point is the inside hip of the DE.
Right Tackle: Block defensive tackle, secure pulling guard’s voided gap.
Left Guard: Block down on the defensive tackle.
Left Tackle: Block down on DT, then combo off onto linebacker.
Left Split-end (L): Stalk block cornerback or you can have the (L) go get a safety.
Right Split-end (L): Stalk block cornerback
Z: Bubble route.
Tailback (T): Fake like he is taking the handoff, let the QB insert or pull the ball.
H Back: Pull, lead through the hole, look for line backer.
Quarterback (1): Catch snap, throw the bubble quickly out to the (Z).