Belly option out of formation I
Formation I has stood the test of time. It first gained popularity in college game, but has also been used extensively in high school game. Although the basic game of Formation I is the old power or iso play, this formation is versatile enough to lend itself to other schemes and sets. We use this training almost exclusively for over twenty years at the high school level and experience great success with it. Easy to learn and easy to train, it fits well with what we wanted.
We wanted to rush out of the I option and after speaking with several coaches whose programs we admire, we implemented a soccer of options system that we thought suited our athletes. One series in particular that became our bread and butter was the Fullback Belly Options series. We call this our “40” series. Series 40 consisted of about four or five plays that could be played against any defense. Let’s take a look at some of our works.
Our first and best play was the fullback. Call 44 belly. For us, the belly denoted the type of block our line would execute at the point of attack. Our belly block had to run to the tight end side and it was just an outside trap game or “G” scheme as some call it. The TE and the playing side tackle block down while the playing side guard shoots and stops. The linemen at the back step to the side of the game and execute a cut-off block. The QB steps back as he gains depth and places the ball in the FB’s belly. We wanted a good hip-to-hip ride with the FB. After handing the ball over to the FB, the QB continued his option look while attacking the perimeter with a nice option fake. The FB took a side play step and then targeted the outside hip of the tackle as he took the handoff. The runner (or runner) started flat and parallel to the line of scrimmage and was careful to maintain a good throwing relationship distance with the quarterback. He along with the QB came up with a good false option. We liked a smaller, faster FB that could read the belly block, cut, and blast through the seam.
Our second play of the series was 44 tummy keep. Everything remained the same as the belly of the FB, except this time the QB kept the ball and followed the FB into the hole, using him as the main blocker. It is like a powerful play.
Our third work in the series was the 48 belly. Again everything was the same but now after a good false to the FB, the QB took the ball out of the belly of the FB and attacked the perimeter of the defense. The quarterback now had the option of keeping the ball and cutting upfield or throwing to the TB if there was no opening. In the three plays, the TB gets on the field track and travels his option route. When we ran 48 we didn’t always lock our belly; sometimes we blocked the base or ran around with our TE. Veer meant the TE would not block on the LOS, but would instead execute an arc block to the outside, leaving the defensive end unlocked. So the game in the group could be called 48 belly, 48 base or 48 turn.
A fourth play of the series was ours 44 passes. Once again all backs executed the same old action in series 40, but this time after a good forgery to the FB, the QB quickly stepped back to gain depth for a forward pass. The wide receiver on the back ran a post while the wide receiver on the playing side ran. Our favorite target, the TE, ran a corner route about 10-15 meters deep. The better our tummy worked, the better this game opened up.
This series became the backbone of our offense and provided us with an identity that we were known for. For more great ideas and hundreds of free soccer videos, visit Chiefpigskin.com.