As shown in previous tips, the Tight Flex formation out of Tennessee’s playbook is extremely effective. In today's tip, I'm going to show you another way to get consistent yardage to keep the defense guessing by formation shifting the I-Form Normal HB Middle play. For any offense to be effective you must have a collection of plays that you can go to when you need yards. Be sure to check out all of the previous tips from the Tight Flex formation and prepare to throw this play in the mix as well.
I-Form Normal - HB Middle (formation shifted to Singleback Tight Flex)
Console(s)
XBOX / PS2
Playbook(s)
Tennesse
Quick Setup
Step 1 - Place I-Form Normal HB Middle into your audibles.
Step 2 - Formation Shift the I-Form Normal HB Middle into the Singleback Tight Flex formation.
Step 3 - Smart route wide receiver Mark Bradley’s route to the first down marker.
Step 4 - Send wide receiver Mushin Muhammad on a streak.
Play Breakdown
Image 1: The Chicago Bears have come out in SIngleback Tight Flex Slot Cross.
Image 2: The Indianapolis Colts are running the Nickel 335 Cover 3. I want you to focus on the defender covering the flat on the left side and the middle of the field.
Image 3: First, I audible to I-Form Normal HB Middle.
Image 4: Next, I formation shift by pressing right on the directional pad to change to the Tight Flex formation.
Image 5: The next thing I like to do is smart route receiver Mark Bradley’s route so he takes a slightly better angle to get up field. Also, I streak wide receiver Mushin Muhammad to clear the middle of the field for the running back.
Image 6: The defense uses the coverage audible to call for bump n' run on our receivers. Bump n' run coverage is perfect for our route to receiver Mark Bradley, but not essential for success. This route is still extremely effective vs. non bump and run coverage.
Image 7: As quarterback Rex Grossman drops back to pass we see that Bradley is about to get bumped by the cornerback guarding the flat.
Image 8: Bradley gets an inside release from the bump. However, his route will still be effective when thrown at the proper timing.
Image 9: Bradley releases to the outside, distancing himself from the defender covering the flats.
Image 10: After getting a little more separation we make the throw and press up on the directional pad to lead him to the sideline.
Image 11: Bradley makes the catch and has room to run
Image 12: Bradley is forced out of bounds at about the 22 yard line for a gain of 13.
Image 13: This time we are going to look to our running back running his HB middle route.
Image 14: As running back Thomas Jones turns upfield, we can see there is going to be a hole in middle of the defense.
Image 15: Grossman leads Jones into the gap. Depending on the position of the defenders you will want to make a couple different throws here. Sometimes you will want to press left and lead the running back over the middle of the field, and sometimes u will want to throw up to either get animation of throw to the space in the defense.
Image 16: Jones makes the perfect catch in the space the defense created.
Image 17: He puts his head down to get some much needed extra yards.
Image 18: Jones is finally brought down at about the 26 for another gain of 9 yards.
Final Thoughts
We have now showed yet another effective way to run the Single back Tight Flex formation. Be sure to practice the throws to both Bradley and Jones over and over again to perfect them. If the defense is playing straight man defense with no bump, the throw to Bradley needs to be thrown a little different. In this case, you will want to press left as you make the throw to lead Bradley to the sideline. If it is straight man with bump and run make the throw as we have shown in this tip. Regardless, this is one play that you don't want to leave out.
