The Stretch run is designed to do exactly what is says, stretch out the defense. The key to making this run work is being able to pick up the pressure up front to allow your quarterback to get the handoff away cleanly. This is another run that takes a little longer to develop, but the exchange from the quarterback to the running back happens out much wider. Continue reading below to find out what makes this play different from any other run in the game.
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You can see from the image above that the running back's angle is wider than usual. However, what really makes these types of runs unique is the fact that the running doesn't actually get the ball until he's close to where that angle ends. The idea behind using wider running plays is that it prevents defensive linemen from being able to blow up the middle of the field because the running back already has the ball on the outside. |
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As soon as the play begins, Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning turns and sprints to hand the ball off to running back Joseph Addai outside of the right hash mark. |
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| Addai takes the handoff and doesn't have to worry about getting to the outside because he's already there. Using this play with a running back that has great speed will be even more beneficial to your offense. |
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| Addai's able to get outside rigth away, but he's not yet back to the line of scrimmage because the handoff takes place 5 yards deep in the backfield. |
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| Addai's finally able to pick up a couple positive yards just before he's taken down. |
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A broken tackle and forward fall turn this 5 yard gain into a 7 yard pick. |
Conclusion
The Stretch Run has so much potential, but the development of the run simply takes to long for it to consistently be used throughout the course of a game. This is the type of run that could be used once or twice with success. However, using this play more than a couple times is just too risky because if you get hit in the backfield just once you'll be looking at 2nd and 15 on the big screen.
