- P l ay

E
s u e #2
Is

The Off Tackle

Power Play

by Paul Alexander
Offensive Line Coach
Central Michigan

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 The Archived Articles © 1991 Gridiron Publications, Inc.

The Off Tackle Power Play By Paul Alexander

Offensive Line Coach
Central Michigan University

T
“Because of the HE OFF TACKLE POWER PLAY has lineman off the ball. If the defensive lineman loops away,
play’s versatility been a very consistent running then the backside tackle works upfield to block the defen-
play throughout the past decade sive end who is flowing over top.
and consistence,
at the college, professional and high
the power play school levels. In this article, I will Blocking Fronts
should continue to be
outline the play, go into detail on By applying the blocking rules, the power play is blocked
individual position assignments and against the majority of fronts with few exemptions. In dia-
an integral part describe some of the components that gram 6, I’ve blocked some of the most common defensive
of your offensive have made this play such a fundamen- fronts.
tal offensive weapon.
strategy..”

The power play incorporates double

team blocking at the point of attach, a Diagram One
S S
kick-out block and a lead blocker to
B B
go after the off tackle seam (see diagram one). The play can C
be run from many backfield sets including the I, split C H T N T
E
backs, wishbone, power-I, strong and weak backs, as well as
one back with a motion man or slot executing the kick-out,
block. The play can be run effectively to both the tight end
and split end sides. Because of the play’s versatility and 50
consistence, the power play should continue to be an inte-
gral part of your offensive strategy.

On the center’s slam, he executes a shoulder and fore-

arm lift to the backside number of the noseguard. By lift-
Diagram Two
ing the noseguard, the center helps the front side guard’s
swipe block. Contact is made on the second step versus a B B
normal noseguard alignment. If the noseguard is real B B
T
close, then we initiate our slam on the first step which in T

effect becomes a simultaneous drop step/crossover. After

slamming the noseguard, the center plants off his second
step and blocks the first threat from the backside: Plug
linebacker, contain defensive tackle and defensive end.
Diagram Three
The backside tackle’s rip cut-off fits his shoulder and T
forearm on the inside number of the defensive tackle. The
blockers first step gains width and some distance while the
second step comes down at the defensive lineman’s inside
foot alignment. If the defensive tackle plays straight or
veers to the inside, then the backside tackle stays on him
fighting for cut-off position while driving the defensive

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 The Archived Articles © 1991 Gridiron Publications, Inc.

Diagram Four Diagram Six

B B
H T N T E

Eagle Split

Diagram Five
E T
N
B
B E T T E B

Summary
There is nothing magical about executing the power play
effectively. The key, as in all successful plays, is the ability B B
H
of your players to execute technique at a high level of con- T N T
E
sistency. By focusing on the little things and working like
machinery, successful execution is guaranteed. n

Eagle Tight

B
B
C E T N N

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