Most sound offenses are built around using the same handful of concepts from different formations.
Concepts simplify things for you and especially your players as once they understand how a concept works, they will understnd it regardless of which formation that concept is used in.
Below are 10 great concepts covering a wide array of things. From runs, options, dropbacks, and trick plays, this post has you covered.
Each of these concepts are videos I made for the channel. We will start with the run game and work our way to passing concepts.
QB Choice
The closest you can get to the Read Option/Zone Read concept in 06 is QB Choice. It’s designed for your QB to make a choice between handing it off or keeping it depending on the situation. Most of the default QB Choice plays in the game have a Tackle pulling for extra blocking which is sometimes helpful.
FB Over
There aren’t many jet sweep-type plays in this game, but you can get close with FB Over. Normally from Weak and Strong formations, this is arguably the best FB run concept in the game. It’s quick off the snap and with good blocking, you can get some serious yardage with it, even if it’s with your fullback.
Trick Plays
This video covers most of the trick plays in the game. Most of these are reverses which compliment FB Over pretty well. To be honest, some of these plays don’t work as well but like most plays, you need great blocking to make them work. But when they do, you will have some fun on your hands.
Halfback Pass
This video is an extention of the trick plays video. HB Pass plays are quite fun if everything is executed properly. You have running and passing opportunities which means you can treat these as RPOs.
Option Passes
Speaking of RPOs, Option Pass plays can be considered RPOs as well. These give you the ability to run double and triple option while also being able to pass it if needed. These take some practice to get a feel for how they work so keep that in mind.
Spider 2 Y Banana
A Pro Style & West Coast staple and Jon Gruden’s favorite concept, Spider 2 Y Banana is a play action concept that does a great job getting your FBs and TEs involved in the passing game. There are several plays in this game that showcase this, and I can’t recommend it enough if you run a pro style offense of some sort.
PA Boot & Rollout
Speaking of play action, perhaps the best play action concept in the game is the PA Boot/Rollout. It has the quickest under-center play action movement which is key to avoiding sacks. These are must if you run the ball at all from under center.
Post Wheel Dig
The Post Wheel Dig route combo is very nasty when executed properly. The Post Wheel, or Switch in some circles, is used by so many teams. Add in the underneath Dig, and you have a concept that can attack downfield with gusto. This video covers both play action and dropback versions.
Stick
Stick has been an Air Raid staple since the beginning, and is a great way to get the ball out quickly. Unfortunately, there are not many true Stick plays in this game, but we can get close. This video covers those alternatives.
Tight End Shallow
The Shallow (or Drag) route is simply nasty. It is used by so many teams and for good reason, it’s simple and effective. Having a dynamic tight end who can run that route is so much fun. This video covers some plays with that route to get your top tight end in space to make big plays.
Conclusion
These concepts cover a wide array of ways to attack defenses. I think it is important to focus on concepts when creating your offense, it simplifies things.
As long as you don’t get bored calling the same concepts from different formations, you’re going to make things easy on yourself and much harder on your opponent which is always a good thing.
