Utilizing the Drag Route from the running back position can create some truly favorable matchups for you on offense. In the following tip, SportsGamer's going to show you a simple, yet effective, way to get the most out of your speed that's coming out of the backfield. Read below to discover exactly how it all works.
Shotgun Normal Slot - Deep In
Console(s)
XBOX 360 / PS3Quick Setup
Step 1 - Hot route the running back to perform a drag route (360 - Y + running back's icon + flick down on right analog stick / PS3 - Triangle + running back's icon + flick down on right analog stick).
SportsGamer tip: Place as much speed as possible in the backfield to provide your offense with the best chance for success.
Play Breakdown
The St. Louis Rams have come out in the Shotgun Normal Slot Deep In. Defensively, the Seattle Seahawks have come out in the Quarters Normal 2 Man Under Spy. The player that we want you to focus on in this tip is running back Steven Jackson. Notice in the second image that the nickelback is assigned to guard Jackson out of the backfield. Currently, the defender is in great position to easily pick up Jackson as he moves into the flats on the right side of the field. However, we know that by making one simple adjustment we can turn the advantage in our favor quickly.
To improve our chances of hitting Jackson out of the backfield we simply hot route him to perform a drag route. Notice in the first image that his drag route goes to the left side of the field. The reason our running back's drag route goes to the left is because he is on the right side of the quarterback, and all drag routes go over middle of the field. If you are using a running back with great speed your opponent's defenders will have a tough time keeping up with your running back as they try to chase them across the field. The image to the right provides a great shot of where both the running back and the cornerback (top right of image) line up on this field. Our running back already has about a 4 yard advantage to the left before the play has even begun.
As soon as Rams' quarterback Marc Bulger takes the snap our running back heads out on his drag route to the left. Jackson shoots through the offensive line and into the flats as the defender begins to chase.
The 4 yard head start that Jackson had on his route proved to be beneficial as we make the throw into the flats with Bulger.
Jackson makes the catch with the defender clearly out of position. The end result on this play is a gain of almost 10 yards, setting up a second and short situation for the offense.
Final Thoughts
Drag routes can be extremely frustrating to guard against when used out of the backfield. One of the better formations to use these routes in is the Shotgun Slot Strong formation because the running back is lined up on the right side of the quarterback. However, the tight end and two other receivers are also lined up on the same side. The overload of receivers lined up on one side means that our running back will have plenty of room to run on the backside. Work on adding the drag route out of the backfield in the next game you play.
