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Offensive spread 401: Scoring points in a crowded red zone

On3 imageby:Ian Boyd•9 hours ago•

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Arch Manning, Texas
Arch Manning, Texas - © Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Spread offenses work by forcing defenses to try and be in two places at once. Spacing combined with run/pass conflict force defenders to choose which area of the field to defend.

But once an offense gets into the red zone…the space runs out. Then what?

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This video goes over the complications spread offenses face in the red zone when they run out of space to threaten. Without the ability to force safeties to hang back in order to protect the end zone, a lot of spread designs start to falter. In those instances, offenses have a few options.

One is to maintain traditional packages within the offense with extra blockers, perhaps even utilizing extra offensive linemen or playing defensive linemen as lead blockers. Some good examples of this Longhorns fans will likely recall include the 2008 and 2009 jumbo packages, which propelled goal line running back Cody Johnson to 24 touchdowns. Or perhaps Oklahoma’s “Belldozer” package, putting in eventual NFL tight end Blake Bell at quarterback surrounded by blockers and letting him run Wildcat-style plays for 24 rushing touchdowns between 2011 and 2012.

The next option is similar, to recruit and develop dual-threat quarterbacks who can help give the offense an extra gear around the goal line. If the defense has to commit defenders to stopping both the quarterback keeper and the running back handoff, an offense can potentially create enough hesitation or leverage to force the ball across the goal line. Quarterbacks who can take direct snaps like Blake Bell in the Wildcat style help a lot as well, as Texas fans will recall with Sam Ehlinger who ran for 16 rushing touchdowns in 2018.

Finally, offenses can go uber-spread and use unbalanced formations or wonky, two-point play designs to try and create leverage that will allow them to get the ball into the end zone. A key for this strategy is having players who can overpower the defense either by going up for a fade, juking a defensive back in narrow space, or running someone over at the goal line. Without that overpowering quality, it’s hard to find any answers.

Additionally, whichever choice is made the offense has to invest time into practicing it and making it work. You can’t expect to pull from a grab bag and out-execute defenses with their backs to the goal line.

Watch the video for full explanations, diagrams, and examples.

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