Recently, we've broken down a couple different plays from the Split Backs 3 WR formation. Today we're going to look at two more running plays that compliment one another extremely well from that same formation once again. The great thing about using these two plays together is that it forces your opponent to stay balanced defensively on both sides of the offensive line. The two plays that we are referring to are the FB Dive and the HB Blast. Both of these plays develop very quickly after the snap, allowing you to consistently pick up 3-5 yards per carry on the average. Check it out as SportsGamer breaks it down!
Split Backs 3 WR - FB Dive Split Backs 3 WR - HB Blast
Console(s)
XBOX / PS2
Playbook(s)
FB Dive - Buffalo, Carolina, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Washington, Run Balanced
HB Blast - Baltimore, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Pass Balanced, Run Balanced, West Coast
Quick Setup
Step 1 - (optional) - Motion your slot receiver to the left to give the appearance of the Slot Cross passing play. You can also snap the ball as the receiver runs behind the lineman to improve your blocking.
Play Breakdown
Figure 1 - The Indianapolis Colts have come out in the Split Backs 3 WR FB Dive. There are no adjustments needed before the snap to make this play work, but be sure to read the entire tip to learn about other options that you might want to considering adding to this play.
Figure 2 - Quarterback Peyton Manning takes the snap and immediately turns to hand the ball off to fullback James Mungro.
Figure 3 - Mungro takes the handoff and begins running upfield. We want you to notice how Mungro is already near the line of scrimmage when he receives the ball. Being near the line of scrimmage right away is a huge benefit because it greatly decreases your chances for losing yardage. Instead, now we're already at the line of scrimmage and we just need to make any type of quick juke move to gain positive yardage.
Figure 4 - We perform a quick juke move to the right just as the linebacker approaches.
Figure 5 - Mungro slips through the open hole in the offensive line.
Figure 6 - Chicago Bears' linebacker Brian Urlacher makes the hit on Mungro, but not before we were able to pick up a gain of nearly five yards on the play.
Figure 7 - This time, we have used the quick audible down to change our play to the HB Blast. The great thing about being able to run the ball on either side of the offensive line is that our formation doesn't have to change in order for us to do it. Many plays need to be flipped or playmakered to the opposite side if you want them to work. However, flipping plays can often give away what you are doing, and playmakering plays will usually leave you with less blocking than you had originally. Using the Dive and the Blast allows us to switch back and forth between the two plays without giving up anything.
Figure 8 - Immediately after the snap, Manning hands the ball off to running back Joseph Addai.
Figure 9 - Again, the handoff is received just short of the line of scrimmage. Both running plays have a very low risk of losing yardage because they are executed so quickly and so close to the line of scrimmage every time.
Figure 10 - We see Urlacher coming over the middle, so we look to bounce it to the outside to avoid the hit. Even if we had gone straight up the middle and taken the hit from Urlacher it would have still most likely resulted in a gain of at least 2-3 yards.
Figure 11 - We get to the outside with Addai for a nice pickup.
Figure 12 - The end result is a 7 yard gain.
Figure 13 - If you remember the Split Backs 3 WR Slot Cross play that we showed not too long ago, then this next option is one that can often help you improve these running plays even more. Even if you didn't see our previous write-up you can still implement this next step into many of the running plays that you enjoy using. In this example, we've sent slot receiver Brandon Stokley in motion to the left. As soon as we see Stokley enter the screen we snap the ball.
Figure 14 - Stokley immediately turns to his right and begins running upfield looking to make a block. This use of motion provides us with an extra lead blocker. However, if you snap the ball too late your receiver might run into the quarterback. If your receiver runs into the quarterback it will mess up the handoff, most likely resulting in a loss.
Figure 15 - As soon as we receive the handoff from Manning we look to follow closely behind our lead blocker.
Figure 16 - Stokley makes the block on the linebacker, preventing him from getting to our ballcarrier.
Figure 17 - We continue to follow right behind the wall of blockers as we pick up yard after yard.
Figure 18 - Mungro falls forward for a gain of 5 yards on the play. However, if not for the lead block by Stokley we may have only gained a couple yards on this play. You can also use motion when using the HB Blast play. We would suggest snapping the ball just as your receiver passes behind Manning when using motion on that particular play.
