Slot Running Back
Fullbacks are considered Running Backs in the game. The maximum number of starters at the RB slot is eight. Running Back/Wide Receiver (RB/WR): If this utility slot is selected, team managers have. In the 2019 regular and postseason, per Pro Football Focus data, slot receivers regardless of position (receivers, running backs, and tight ends) accounted for 32% of all targets, 31.6% of all receptions, 32.3% of all receiving yardage, and 34.3% of all receiving touchdowns.
Setup: Slot Receiver on each side and Running Back lined up direct behind Quarterback
Read:
- Fake hand off to Running Back
- Slot – Post
- Slot – Deep Drag Sit
- Running Back – Wheel
- Center – Out opposite side Running Back
Description:
You can run this play with or without the fake hand off. I prefer to have it as it may pull the defense toward the line of scrimmage. Also, there may be a tendency to ignore the RB after the fake has occurred.
The first option after the fake is the Slot running a Post route. The two Slot routes are interchangeable. I like having the Post receiver be the one that is on the same side as the Running Back’s wheel route as the goal is to have the safety cover the Post route.
If the Post is covered, the second option depends on the speed of the Running Back. If you need a little more time for the wheel route to develop, the second option is the other Slot receiver dragging over the middle. Have the QB give this receiver a pump fake before looking to the Running Back. If the Wheel route is going to be the second option, have the QB pump fake the Post route receiver.
The third option is the Running Back on the Wheel route. In practice, drill it into your QBs that it’s better to over throw the receiver instead of under throwing him. If the Wheel route is covered, the final read is going back to the Slot in the middle or finding the Center.
Variation:
As mentioned above, you can flip the routes that the Slot receivers run. Also, you can have the Center run a 5 yard hook and the opposite Slot receiver run a short drag. This will give the QB an outlet on the same side of the field as the Wheel route so the QB does not have to scan back to the middle or other side of the field.
This is a Guest Post from Ron McKie (@coachmckiejr).
I love to throw the ball. There’s something about spreading the defense out and slinging it around that makes me happier than Mike Leach at a new Pirate of the Caribbean movie. But sometimes you need to run the ball to win the game.
So what run do you use? How about the most devastating scheme in all of football – Power.
What happens though when the defensive coordinator knows you are going to call power because it will put the game away? What if he loads the box up and dares you to throw the ball in hopes of an incompletion?
Will you take the bait?
Heck no.
You’re smarter than that. You know he was going to do that, so you’ve attached one of these three Run-Pass Options (RPO) to your Shotgun Power Run Scheme.
HOW TO BLOCK THE POWER RUN SCHEME
There are a million and one different ways to block the Power Run Scheme, yet the BEST way to block it is Coach Joe Daniel’s way. Which is in his Pistol Power Offensive System. It is an amazing system that is well worth your time.
There’s a 3 video series, available at no cost to you, that shows you how to coach the Offensive Line on the power scheme. Click here to get instant access.
WHICH DEFENDER TO KEY IN OUR SHOTGUN POWER RPO
We teach a simple system on who to key while running our Shotgun Power RPOs. All the quarterback has to know is if it’s 2-High or 1-High.
If the defense is in a 2-high safety structure, then the quarterback is keying the first defender head up or inside the slot wide receiver.
When the defense is in a 1-high safety structure, the quarterback is keying the linebacker that is aligned straight across from the running back.
Yes, it is simple. Yes, your quarterback can get it. If he can’t, then he shouldn’t be playing quarterback.
Sorry.
Shotgun Power RPO #1 – Spot/Bubble
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These two plays are one in the same for us. Which quick screen you use depends on who your DUDE is. If your dude is the slot receiver, then you run the bubble quick screen. If your dude is the outside receiver, then you run the spot screen.
If you have DUDES at both positions, then stop bragging and consider yourself lucky.
WIDE RECEIVER RULES
L: You will run a hitch or slant based on the alignment of the corner.
F: If Bubble is Called – You will take two steps up the field, plant, and backpedal to the sideline. Make sure you give your numbers to the quarterback.
If Spot is Called – You are taking three steps flat down the line of scrimmage. You are going to replace the toes of the R Receiver while looking for the most dangerous man to block. This could be a corner or a safety.
R: If Bubble is Called – You are oozing off the line of scrimmage with your head on a swivel. You are looking to block the most dangerous man. This could be the corner or the safety.
If Spot is Called – You will take a jab step up the field, then take two steps down the line of scrimmage towards the quarterback. Make sure to give the quarterback your numbers.
QUARTERBACK RULES
You will check to the single receiver side for the gift throw of hitch/slant. If you have that then you will take it all game.
Slot Back Football Position
If the gift isn’t there then you will mesh with the running back while reading your key defender. If the key defender triggers – attacks the line of scrimmage – then you will pull the ball and throw the Bubble/Spot quick screen. If the key defender stands still or drops back, then you will hand the ball off.
Minecraft Back Slot
Shotgun Power RPO #2 – Slants
WIDE RECEIVER RULES
L: You will run a hitch or slant based on the alignment of the corner.
F: You will run a ONE STEP SLANT. Your aiming point is one yard behind the first linebacker in the box. Do not slow down or stop. The quarterback will throw you open.
R: You are running a THREE STEP SLANT. Your aiming point is one yard behind the field safety. Do not slow down. The quarterback will throw you open.
QUARTERBACK RULES
You will check to the single receiver side for the gift throw of hitch/slant. If you have that then you will take it all game.
If the gift isn’t there then you will mesh with the running back while reading your key defender. If the key defender triggers – attacks the line of scrimmage – then you will pull the ball and throw the slant to the Y. If you see color in the grass area of the Y receiver, then you will reset and throw the slant to the R receiver.
Shotgun Power RPO #3 – Pick Route
The previous RPOs were against 2-high safeties, because that defensive coordinators like to emulate Nick Saban’s defense just like offensive coordinators like to emulate Gus Malzahn’s offense.
But once you gash them a couple of times with these Run Pass Options, then defensive coordinators will pin their ears back and go into a 1-High Shell.
This Run Pass Option is our go to play when they do that.
Running Back Lyric
WIDE RECEIVER RULES
L: You will run a hitch or slant based on the alignment of the corner.
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F: You are running a corner. You will release through the OUTSIDE SHOULDER of the defender over you, SPRINT for ten yards, plant, and run to the front pylon. (Aiming point should be back of the pylon if inside your own 25 yard line.)
R: You are running a ONE STEP SLANT. Your job is to get as close to the Y receiver as possible on your release. You do not want any air between you and the Y receiver. Your aiming point on the slant is one yard behind the first linebacker in the box.
QUARTERBACK RULES
You will check to the single receiver side for the gift throw of hitch/slant. If you have that then you will take it all long.
If the gift isn’t there then you will mesh with the running back while reading your key defender. You notice that the defense is in a 1 high shell, so that means the key defender is the first linebacker on the same side as the running back.
If the key defender triggers – attacks the line of scrimmage – then you will pull the ball and throw the slant to the R.
*Note – On pick we allow are quarterback to throw the corner route to the Y if it is man to man. *
The Secret to Successful RPOs
These three Run Pass Options may seem difficult for your quarterback at first, but they become second nature for him once you rep it every day. The secret to being successful at this play is getting your quarterback the reps he needs in practice. That’s why we have a 10-minute RPO period in every practice.
I want to thank Coach Joe Daniel for allowing me to write this blog post, and I want to thank you all for reading it. Please feel free to contact me at ronmckie@ronmckiefootball.com if you have any questions.
Slot Running Back
Coach Ron McKie just finished his 8th season as a football coach. He is an offensive coordinator at
Crestwood High School in Sumter, SC. He loves to spread defenses out and throw the ball. You can find him on Twitter @coachmckiejr, and on his website at www.ronmckiefootball.com.