Double Dive Series

"Double Dive" is a generic term for what we call the "Belly Series" (NOT the wing-t "Belly") or what Augustana (Rob Reade) calls the "Inside Belly." It basically is a play that threatens 3 separate points of attack all to the same side of the defense, very similar to the triple option, except without the pitch read issues. Out of any 2-back formation (or any formation where you can motion to 2 RB's, like flexbone, DW, etc.): The first back (closest to playside) dives straight ahead, usually off center or guard depending on his alignment. The QB sticks the ball in his gut and rides it in either a give or a fake (we make this as a pre-determined call). The second back (furthest from playside) drives laterally for a step, then drives hard to the offtackle hole, coming downhill. The QB will ride him with either a give or fake as well. Finally, when the QB has disengaged from the second back he will fake or run keeper around the end. All 3 points of attack are on the same side of the defense. Some teams run it as an option, like midline or veer with the first ride. We primarily run it as a predetermined call. The advantages of it are as follows: 1. Very difficult play to defend because finding the football is difficult 2. Puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the defense to the playside 3. Relatively easy to install and teach (much more simple than triple option, with the same benefits) 4. Involves all 3 backfield players as possible ballcarriers 5. Base plays can be blocked multiple ways 6. Can be run out of a ton of different looks, formations, and motions 7. There are a ton of possibilities for complimentary rushing and playaction plays. We run this play as a series concept, and it represents the primary series in our offense. The rushing plays in the series are as follows: -BELLY- Base play, pre-determined give to either the first back or second back -BELLY KEEPER-Fakes first and second back, with QB keeper around the end, playside G pulls -BELLY COUNTER-Fake first man, hand outside to WB running backside counter (trap blocked), fake 2nd man -BELLY OPTION- Midline or IV blocking scheme, with option as to who gets the ball (1st or 2nd man) -BELLY HANDBACK- A crossbuck, fakes the first man one side, hands back to the second man

opposite side -BELLY TOSS- Fakes the first man, then option pitch toss to the second back following a pulling guard to the outside. We then have a variety of playaction passes off of the base play. We use man and inside zone blocking for the base "Belly" (depending on whether or not we are being shaded, etc.) to either back. We can use a variety of blocking modifiers from there to change up the way we are blocking the base play: Belly "Trap" tells our OL to block the 1st man play like FB trap to the backside, so it's like a FB counter Belly "G" tells our OL to block the 2nd man play as diagramed above, with the playside TE and tackle in a down scheme, and the G kicking out EMOLS. Belly "Zap" is a play we use against defenses with 3 ILB's (43, or any stack look). We block it like "iso" and have the Z in the WB position loop through C gap (like in the 26 Blast diagram above) and block the SILB for the second back. Belly "Bingo" is crossblocked between the playside OT and TEWe will run it out of as many different formations and motions as we possibly can, but there are generally 2 schools of thought: first back hitting the "A" gap and first back hitting the "B" gap (with either a fake or give). Both have their purposes. We, for example, will never run the first man in A gap against a 4-4 defense on the base play. It's just not good numbers. We'll try to get outside the 3 technique. But, I digress...From a formation standpoint, we are very multiple, so we run off of the following rules: 1st man- you will run directly to the playside hip of the OL directly in front of you. If we are in a set where the 1st man is on the midline (I FB, etc.), then this is the C's playside hip. If we are in an "offset" position (splitbacks, offset I, etc.), then it is the outside hip of the guard. 2nd man- you will always take a timing step to the playside and drive off of that step to the outside leg of the OT, reading the blocking scheme and hitting it as downhill as possible. We run Belly from the following backfield sets: I split backs offset Ioffset HB (think wing-t 100 and 900 formations) We run Belly from the following receiver formations: 2 TE and "sniffer Z" 2 TE and "wing Z"2 TE and "flanker Z"

1 TE and same Z alignmentsSE 'over' unbalanced with X split out on same side as Y and Z We are probably 40% give to the first back and 60% to the second back. We have found that the first back can be a devistating play if the defense is over committed to stoping the second man. We don't run a lot of Keeper, because we've had a fairly immobile Qb the last few years. However, our counter and handback are very good. We used to not really focus on the first back fake up till about 2001. I mention this because another coach mentioned using the "proximity fake" that wing-t teams use to the FB in their buck series. In 2001, we changed our QB steps and dictated a long ride fake in the belly of the 1st back, much like an option fake...very patient and very deadly. It was a HUGE factor in the productivity of the play. We are very VERY big on teaching, timing, and selling that first back fake now. I would say that if you have the time and resources to devote to it, it is worth every second. You can see a great example here of our fake technique to the FB on Belly. Look at how deep the QB pushes the ball back to initiate the ride fake, ane the realistic pocket and body position of the FB (not over-exaggerated or head down faking) (Unfortunately, I couldn't post the pic for some reason, so you'll have to trust me and hit this link: http://www.merrimacksports.com...th/pages/DSC_0398_filtered.htm Here's what we do for a "counter" play: BELLY COUNTER: (run from a wing-t formation for example, to the SE side...but can be run from I, splitbacks, etc. ......x....................o..o..c..o..o..y ....................................q...............z ....................................................... ...............................h....f

We dive the FB through the A-gap and have him fake as the first man. The HB takes his steps and begins flow as he would for the second man play. The Z (WB) open steps and comes down the line of scrimmage, between the QB and the backfield. QB fakes first back, gives outside handoff to the Z, and fakes the HB offtackle on the "second man" play. We trap with the backside G, usually the DE, but also could be the DT in an odd look (like a 30 or 50 front). Play has been very successful for us, but you need a good runner at the WB position to make it go. As for the handback, we will line up and fake the FB in the A gap. The HB takes one step toward the FB, just as he would if he was going to be the second man. He then squares his shoulders to the A gap and heads straight up the field. The QB fakes the FB, then "hands back" to the HB on the opposite side. You can block it straight up or just like the counter play with a trap block.

Chuck's "handback" play is very effective. I believe he runs his more from double TE's, which I think is the better way to run it. For consistency purpose, we are almost always running ours toward an open surface (no TE), so it is not as explosive. It is usually still good for decent yardage. Works best against defenses with 2 ILB's.