Exclusive: Utica College’s One Back Power Run Game
Posted on August 1, 2011 by xandolabs in Offense
By Curt Fitzpatrick
Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach
Utica College (NY)
“Over the past few seasons our offense at Utica has been effective at throwing the football out of our one back formations. Therefore, we have faced more and more defenses that employ a 2-high safety structure, leaving fewer defenders in the box at the line of scrimmage. When we see this, our eyes light up because we know that we’re going to get the count we’re looking for to run the football effectively.” Curt Fitzpatrick, Offensive Coordinator, Utica College
On behalf of our Head Coach Blaise Faggiano and the rest of the staff here at Utica College, I’d like to thank X&O labs for giving me the opportunity to contribute this clinic report to the website. The work that X&O Labs does in researching and sharing information with football coaches around the country is tremendous. It is truly an honor to be a small part of all that they do for our profession. For this report, I’d like to share with you the best way we utilize the Power O play; the one back Power.
The Power O scheme has been a proven winner in the game of football for many, many years. However, long gone are the days of everyone running this play out of strictly two back formations. More recently the Power O has evolved into a scheme that is utilized by both pro-style and spread offenses alike. With many teams moving towards an offensive philosophy that utilizes the skill set of a more athletic quarterback, the Power scheme is being seen more and more as a “read” concept, which adds to its reputation as being an effective “attitude-type” run play. The point being, Power is a versatile blocking scheme that can be used in a variety of ways, as well as in the red zone and goal line scoring areas. In 2010, the Power O scheme accounted for approximately 35% of our run game out of various formations and personnel groupings. About 20% of our runs were of the one back Power variety. For us, the one back power gives us a physical down-hill run play that can be run out a variety of traditionally “pass heavy” formations.
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As a back drop for this report, I think it’s important first to know what our offensive style is and how the Power play fits into our overall scheme. While we do use bigger personnel groupings at times, we are primarily a one back offense that utilizes a mixture of 12, 11, and 10 personnel. From a player standpoint, we currently do not have a QB that we feel comfortable running “read” type plays with, therefore the new age Power front and back side read schemes that many spread teams run do not apply to us. I believe that this is an important point in solidifying the use of this blocking scheme in any offense. You can find a way to utilize the Power O with whatever type of personnel that you have! Over the past few seasons our offense at Utica has been effective at throwing the football out of our one back formations. Therefore, we have faced more and more defenses that employ a 2 high safety structure, leaving fewer defenders in the box at the line of scrimmage. When we see this, our eyes light up because we know that we’re going to get the count we’re looking for to run the football effectively. Formationally speaking, we run our one back Power play out of both 2×2 and 3×1 sets, however there are a couple different criteria that must be true out of any formation in order for us to run this play:
- We must run the play to a TE side (at least a 3 man surface). We also could choose to add a slot receiver (TE Trips) via formation or motion to create a 4 man surface so that we can account for a possible 4th defender to the play side.
- We must have an even count to the play side in order for us to keep the play on. For example, if we have the play called to a 3 man surface the QB must verify that we are getting an even amount of defenders to that side – our 3 vs. their 3 (See Diagram 1).
Conversely, if we are out-numbered at the point of attack the QB must recognize this as a bad situation and check the play into a more advantageous run or pass based on the game plan for that given week – our 3 vs. their 4 (See Diagram 2). 
As I mentioned earlier, one way that you can account for that 4th defender is to create a four man surface to the play side by motioning into a 3×1 formation so that the slot receiver can account for that edge player (See Diagram 3). 
You could also call the play out of a 3×1 formation to begin with, giving you a 4 man surface to work with right off the bat (See Diagram 4). If you have a slot WR that is a physical blocker this could be a great matchup for you, or it could be a nightmare if that guy isn’t willing to be physical blocking an OLB/Safety type player.
Now that we’ve looked at some different formations, motions, and defensive structures that are conducive for running the one back power play, let’s talk about the overall emphasis of the play and some of the blocks at the point of attack that make this play successful. The thing that I like best about this play is that it brings with it a “nastiness” up front like the Power O scheme always has. For our offensive line, we install this play just like if we were running it out of 22 personnel or on the goal line, with a physical mindset. Our goal when running the one back Power is to remove defenders from the box by formation, then separate the defense with a physical gap scheme that allows for a double team at the point of attack.
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Double Team
When facing a 40 front defense many times this will result in them playing their 3 technique to the TE side (over front). In order for the play to be successful vs. an over front, the “deuce” block by the PSG and PST is critical. Their ability to get movement on that 3 tech, which is usually the defense’s best interior lineman, makes the job of the pulling guard that much easier and allows the play to hit more downhill where we want it. We teach our guys to get “hip-to-hip” and knock the 3 tech off the ball getting as much vertical movement as possible. We believe that getting vertical push is the best case scenario for two reasons. First, this creates a problem for the play side ILB because of the traffic coming directly into his lap. This could force him to play slower, which makes the block of the pulling guard more effective. Second, getting vertical push on the double team allows the PSG and PST better angles when eventually one of them comes off the double team to block the back side ILB. This forces the LB to make a deliberate choice to either play in the front side A gap which would result in the PSG coming off the double team to block him, or play over the top of the double team which would result in the PST coming off. In either case, because we’re square our guard and tackle are in a better position to execute the play successfully (See Diagram 5).
TE vs. DE: C Gap Drive
Besides the double team, the next most important block when running the play vs. a 40 front is the block by the TE. In a one back power, the TE is in a one-on-one matchup with the DE whether he’s aligned in a 7, 6, or 9 technique. In this scheme, the TE is responsible for securing the C gap. X&O Labs has recently done studies on the emphasis that the defense places on properly leveraging the C gap to help control the run game. In the one back power, we are trying to take away that leverage with the block of the TE. The most difficult scenario for the TE in trying to accomplish this is vs. a 7 technique DE (inside shade of the TE). We term this block as a C Gap Drive to emphasize the importance of winning the leverage of that gap. The two things that we try to instill in our TEs when they are making this block are:
- Under no circumstances can they allow the DE to penetrate and play on our side of the line of scrimmage. We get this accomplished by instructing the TE to “bite the inside number” of the DE. The head placement across the bow of the DE ensures that we will at worst keep the DE on the LOS.
- If the DE fights hard to maintain his leverage in the C gap we want to wash that gap down inside to let the play get to the edge. Ideally we’d like to get inside leverage on the DE, creating an extra gap for us, and drive him up field finishing the block. This, combined with a dominating double team, creates the downhill play we’re looking for. However, if we can’t dig the DE out of the C gap we will wash him inside and let the pulling guard lead the RB around the pile (See Diagram 6 vs. Diagram 7).
Pulling Guard
Assuming that the front side blockers do their job, the block by the pulling guard on the play side ILB is an easy one. If those blocks are successful the puller will have a clean look at the LB and should have no indecision. As a base rule, we teach the BSG to “scrape paint” with the play side double team. He initially must assume that the TE is going to secure the C gap so that we can run the ball downhill over the top of the 3 technique. However, as I show in Diagram 7, the guard must be aware that if the TE washes the DE down inside he must lead the RB around the TE and up to block the ILB. Because we feel like his ability to make this read is so critical, we employ the skip pull (or square pull) technique. I know that X&O Labs has recently compiled research that shows how coaches teach both the skip pull and the open pull techniques on the Power O play (read more here: One-Back Power Game Seperating the Defense). We like the skip pull because it allows the guard to see what’s happening in front of him with the double team block and the block of the TE. This helps him to quickly and accurately visualize his entry point into the LOS. Furthermore, it allows our guards to react quicker should the play side ILB shoot through the LOS to try and make the play in the backfield.
As we finish up talking about the pulling guard, I thought this would be an appropriate spot to mention the job of the RB on this play. On our Power play, I think it’s critical to teach the RB to read the play just like you teach the pulling guard to read for his entry point. The phrase that we use with our RBs is to get on the “high hip” of the puller. The initial landmark of the RB on our one back Power is at the butt of the PSG. This will ensure that he leaves himself a good angle to run downhill should we get the best case scenario with a great double team and block by our TE. However, the RB must understand that the ball may bounce outside the TE if he can’t dig the DE out of the C gap. In order to do this it is essential that the RB is not too quick to the LOS. The #1 mistake that our RBs make on this play is that they get there too quick and can’t react to the block of the pulling guard. They must stay patient! Footwork wise, under center or in the pistol alignment we will have the RB take a drop step with his back side foot for timing, then get downhill aiming for the butt of the PSG. From the Gun (aligned to one side of the QB) the RB will align for a same side handoff. This means that our RB will align to the side of the Power, initially look like he’s meshing across the QB’s face, and then come back to the play side in proper relationship with the pulling guard (See Diagram 7).
How to Utilize a Read Scheme With This Power Play to Take Advantage of an Athletic QB:
One of the best read schemes that I’ve seen recently is the front side C gap QB Power read. This play has become more and more popular recently with teams like Auburn and Nebraska using their athletic QBs to run it with great success and a lot of explosiveness. It is a great play to compliment the traditional one back power because it combines blocking an outside zone stretch play to the perimeter and the Power O gap scheme on the interior. The beauty of this play is that it negates the advantage that the defense has by leveraging the C gap with a 7 technique DE. Plus, the QB reading the C gap defender allows the offense to account for 4 play side defenders with only a 3 man offensive surface (See Diagram 8).
Power O vs. an Odd Front:
When we face a 30 front a few things have to change. First, let’s define what we consider an odd front, or a 30 front. For us, this means that the defense is playing with two 4 technique or 5 technique DEs, and a 0 technique NG. The count rules that I talked about earlier still apply here. We are looking for even numbers – either 3 vs. 3 or 4 vs. 4. On the play side, blocking Power vs. a 30 front means that we are going to get two double team blocks. Instead of getting a “deuce” block by PSG and PST we are going to get a “trey” double team block on the DE by the PST and TE. They will attempt to vertically displace the DE and combo off onto the play side ILB. Also, we will get an “ace” block by the PSG and the center who are double teaming the NG to the back side ILB. Instead of skip pulling to wrap up inside, versus an odd front we have our BSG trap pull and kick out the edge defender. The path and footwork of the RB do no change. He is still reading the block of the pulling guard; the only difference is that the assignments have adjusted slightly with the change in front (See Diagram 9). 
Researchers’ Note: You are reading the summary version of Coach Fitzpatrick’s Clinic Report. To access the full version of this report – including the additional diagrams – please CLICK HERE.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Power O scheme can be effective for any style of offense. More specifically, the one back version of the Power play can be great for teams that are looking for a physical play to take advantage of defenses trying to defend a passing formation with two high safeties. No matter who you’re playing, you can most likely find a formation or motion to run this play out of. It’s a proven play that has been working forever, and it seems to keep getting better and better.
NOTE: Coach Curt Fitzpatrick is available to answer your questions. Please post your questions or comments below in the “Comments” section and Coach will respond.
Copyright 2011 X&O Labs
28 Responses to “Exclusive: Utica College’s One Back Power Run Game”
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Really enjoyed your article and paper clinic. Thanks. Best to you and your team this upcoming season.
-Mike Britton
Head Coach
Clarkson University Football Club
Thanks for your support, Coach. I’m glad you enjoyed the article!
Awesome article!!! This entire website is fantastic. I am a H.S. head coach with an OL background mentality. We’ve made a living over the years with the Power O. As defenses in the state of Georgia are so athletic and ever-evolving, we were forced to move towards more of a spread attack. We keep the same mentality as we did in our old two TE formations. The Power Read has been good to us and you can count on me referencing your article on the 1 Back Power to my offensive staff. Thanks for the help!!!
Great read coach. Awesome how you break it out. Thank you very much.
Coach,
I have one technical question on your deuce block: Do you teach both guard and tackle to eyeball the backside linebacker? If yes, does that mean your guard’s head is inside of the 3 tech and your tackle’s head is outside?
Ziggy Gehrke
Head Coach
Schwaebisch Hall Unicorns, Germany
Good question, Coach. Yes, we talk to the Guard and Tackle about having “4 eyes” on the backside LB. You’re right, in a perfect world we’d like for our Guard’s head to be inside and the Tackle’s head to be outside of the defender. Obviously it doesn’t always happen quite that clean, but that’s what we’re shooting for. I think the key to the block is to attempt to get vertical displacement on the 3 tech so that it foreces the BSLB to make a deliberate decision to run through or play over the top.
I hope that helps!
Curt
Coach , have you tried the power run , w / r, b, still behind r. g . ,to the left / weak side, w / the shade giving line great angles ? pros / cons ? thanks , J L
Coach Loftis,
Yes we have run the Power from under center, in the “gun” with the RB offset to the playside, and in the “pistol” with the RB behind the QB. All three ways have their merits. And yes, we do like running the play to the shade or weak side if we get one (i.e. versus an Under front), however we always run this play to a TE side. This results in us getting a 3 technique more times than not. We will run other gap scheme plays to the weak side, such as our Counter play, that take advantage of the angles that you mention on a more regular basis.
Thanks for your question.
Coach,
What do you coach your BSG to look for on his pull and lead course? Seam inside the TE block, outside the TE block, or will it depend on what is given? Thanks
Good question, Coach. The BSG’s initial aiming point is to “scrape paint” off the butt of the PST on the deuce block and enter through the C gap. However, if the TE is washing the DE down the LOS we teach him to wrap around the TE, which leads the RB around the edge as well.
I hope that helps!
Curt
Coach,
Diagram 7, the rules are clear for the pulling BSG v ILB, but what adjustments (if any) are needed if S backer is positioned pre-snap closer to the LOS?
Thanks. (Great article too!)
If we get the Sam LB in a tighter alignment (possible blitz threat) the TE will make a “HOT” call to alert the BSG that the block will come quicker. This tells the pulling Guard to use more of a trap pull technique in anticipation of making the block at or behind the LOS.
Thanks for your question.
Coach, do you have any problems, concerns, or adjustments running the one back power scheme against a 3-3 or 3-5 front?
Thanks!
Rob Mason
Omaha, NE
The 3-3 stack definitely poses some problems, and really forces us to run the play out of formations where we can maintain even numbers. Usually we will run the 1 back Power in TE trips formations vs. the 3-5, thus forcing the defense to remove a defender in order to widen and cover the slot WR.
Generally speaking, my thoughts on the 3-5 are this… It’s really a cat and mouse game with the run/pass balance. If they refuse to remove defenders from the box then you have to have playmakers at WR to hurt the 1-on-1 coverage. If you can create a good balance and keep them spread out, then I think an offense has a chance to create advantageous numbers in the run game. I see a 3-5 as a 1 high Safety defense… therefore they have to be able to stop our WRs somehow before we can run the ball.
Great question, hopefully that helps you a little bit. Best of luck this season!
Coach great stuff. We have been a spread offense utilizing the gap schemes in the run game this year and this gives us some great ideas. Thanks for sharing.
I am glad the article was a help to you. Keep up the good work!
Coach great stuff. What is your best play action pass off of 1 back power and do you do any play action where you are still pulling the BSG? Thanks! Keep it rolling up state!
Thanks for the question, Coach. We have run various play actions off of the Power action. My advice to you would be to run the route combinations that you’re best at that attack the perimeter or down the field. For example, we would run some sort curl/flat or flood (levels) combination with a Power fake. The fake will constrict the defense, so we want to attack the curl/flat zones and perimeter of the field. We have also run 4 Verticals off of the Power action attacking the void behind the LBs.
In terms of protection, we have used both a pull and no-pull scheme with the Power fake. For us, we’ll pull the Guard if we’re confident that we’re not going to get weak pressure. There’s no question that it makes for a much better “sell”, however it can be risky on a blitz down.
Curt, why don’t you like it against the Double Eagle (Bear) front? Seems like you have great angles. Is it because you get no double teams? Great stuff.
Great question, Coach. The Bear front gives us problems with the 1 back Power because we are always short a blocker, either for the BS ILB or the BS C gap defender (possible edge blitzer). Picture a 1 back, 1 TE formation (6 blockers) versus a Bear front. We usually will get a cover 1 look behind it, leaving a 7 man box for us to block. Not good numbers. If we did run the Power, we would have to decide to either single block the 3 DL and scoop-pick the BST, which leaves the BS ILB free; or “Ace” block the NG with the C & PSG and cut the weak 3 tech with the BST the BS C gap defender would get turned loose, which would hurt us if he rushed the edge. Either way it seems we’re a man short, unless you add another blocker (2nd TE).
Our base check versus the Bear front is to Outside Zone. We’ve had some success doing it that way because of the angles presented to us and the ability of the PST to get to the 2nd level and block the ILB. We feel the Bear leaves us with a numbers advantage on the perimeter.
Do you run it out of TE sets only? if not how do you block it?
Curt, what would be the TE’s footwork and hand placement for blocking a 7 technique? Thank you.
Coach,
To block a 7 tech our TE would use lateral inside footwork with his hands shooting thumbs up for the pecs of the DE (under the arm pit). His first step will be with his inside foot, looking to get square to the defender. He should always keep his hat leverage inside on the block. We use the phrase “bite the inside number” of the defender to give him a visual of how we want the block to look. How the DE plays the block will determine how the TE finishes the block. If the DE plays head up to outside shade the TE should finish it up the field turning the DE out, which will allow the Power to run in the C gap. If the DE fights across the face of the TE to maintain gap control he should use heavy outside arm pressure to wash the DE down and run the play around the edge.
I hope that makes some sense. Thanks for your question!
Curt
Coach, outstanding article. Very helpful and clear. My question is what do you do in the event the defense does not keep 2 high safeties, keeping the LBs in the box and playing more cover 3? Is it as simple as throw the ball and don’t run one back power? Or will you choose to run it out of more 2 back sets then?
Coach,
Good question. While a team playing an 8 man front with one high safety is more susceptible to the pass, we will still find a way to run the 1 back power play. However, we must run it out of a 3×1 formation in order to account for the overhang player (See Diagram 4). Yes, you could run it out of a 2 back formation. However, the slot WR in a 3×1 formation (TE Trips) is responsible for blocking the same defender as the FB or TE would in a 2 back set.
Thanks for the question. I hope this helps!
Curt
Read more: http://xandolabs.com/2011/08/exclusive-utica-college%e2%80%99s-one-back-power-run-game/#ixzz1plx55OTK
Coach,
Good question. While a team playing an 8 man front with one high safety is more susceptible to the pass, we will still find a way to run the 1 back power play. However, we must run it out of a 3×1 formation in order to account for the overhang player (See Diagram 4). Yes, you could run it out of a 2 back formation. However, the slot WR in a 3×1 formation (TE Trips) is responsible for blocking the same defender as the FB or TE would in a 2 back set.
Thanks for the question. I hope this helps!
Curt