Offensive Play From running plays to passing plays

This article provides a practical overview of offensive play in American football. We start with purpose and concepts, go in-depth with running and passing plays, look at option concepts, pre-snap formations and motion, blocking principles, and finish with advanced pass concepts as well as examples of how coaches combine everything into a gameplan.

Table of Contents

• Offense – purpose, language, and playcalling
• Running plays (run)
• Passing plays (pass)
• Option and RPO
• Formations & pre‑snap motion
• Blocking schemes (zone vs. man/gap)
• Advanced pass concepts
• From concepts to gameplan
• Diagrams (SVG)

Offense – purpose, language, and playcalling

Offensive football is about moving the ball efficiently, creating first downs, and scoring points. Plays are called via a playcall, which specifies formation, personnel, protection, and the actual concepts (run or pass). Modern offenses often use packaged plays, where multiple options are built in: the QB can change the play (audible), change protection, or read a specific defender (key) after the snap.

Running plays (run)

The run is the foundation for many offenses: they control the clock, keep the defense honest, and make play-action dangerous. The two main schools are zone and man/gap. Zone focuses on blocking areas and creating cutback lanes; man/gap creates a specific hole via pulling blockers and double teams.

• Inside Zone: Run up the middle; RB reads first down lineman past the center and cuts up (cutback, bang, or bounce).
• Outside Zone / Stretch: Horizontal flow; RB aims for the edge and reads the shoulder of the contain/edge.
• Power: Classic gap run with down-blocks and a pulling guard leading into the hole (typically C-gap).
• Counter: Backside flow from the O-line and pull from the backside guard/tackle – lures the defense off before attacking.
• Trap: Quick inside attack where a pulling guard “traps” a defensive tackle.
• Sweep / Toss: Perimeter run with lead blockers in space; good against heavy inside fronts.
• Draw: The line sells pass, but the RB gets the ball – punishes aggressive pass rush.

Inside Zone – reads

Power – pull and kick-out

Passing plays (pass)

Passing plays range from quick quick game (3-step) to deep concepts (5-/7-step). The goal is to attack specific zones in the defense and create mismatches. The QB typically reads high-low, progression, or a specific defender.

• Quick game: Slant, hitch, stick, speed-out – timing, rhythm, and yards after catch.
• Intermediate: Dagger (dig + clear), curl-flat, spacing, drive – attacks hook/curl.
• Deep: Post, corner, deep over, four verts – requires solid protection and play-action threat.
• Screens: RB/WR/TE screens, tunnel/bubble – punishes blitz and soft zone.
• Play-action: Sells run to open space behind LBs; especially effective from 12 personnel.

Option and RPO

In option plays, a defender is left unblocked and forced to choose – the QB reads him and decides. In RPO (Run-Pass Option) a run block is combined with a quick pass option. If the box is too heavy, the QB throws quickly outside; if it’s light, the ball is given to the RB. Read-option lets the QB keep the ball if the edge crashes.

• Zone read: QB reads backside edge; give/keep.
• Triple option: Give/keep/pitch depending on two keys.
• RPO (stick/bubble/glance): Quick combination against linebacker fit or soft leverage.

6) RPO – glide/quick out of zone look

Formations & pre‑snap motion

Formation determines the starting point: personnel (e.g. 11 = 1 RB, 1 TE), splits, stacks/bunch, and alignments. Pre-snap motion is used to reveal man vs. zone, get favorable matchups, and change the strength side. Shifts require everyone to be set for a moment before the snap.

• 11 personnel: Balanced standard; three WRs create horizontal space.
• 12 personnel: Two TEs – physical run and heavy play-action.
• Spread/Empty: Four-five WRs – forces defense into nickel/dime.
• Bunch/Stack: Tight WR clusters that create natural picks and free release.
• Pistol/Shotgun: QB deeper for better vision; pistol keeps RB central for both ways.

Blocking schemes (zone vs. man/gap)

In zone the line works laterally and doubles up to the 2nd level; RB reads holes. In man/gap a hole is created via down-blocks, pull, and kick-out. The choice matches the roster and the opponent’s fronts. Protections in pass (slide/half-slide/man) determine who is responsible for extra rushers (rule: hot or site-adjust on WR).

Advanced pass concepts

• Mesh: Two crossing drags create a natural rub against man; back/over as 3rd read.
• Smash: Hitch/corner high-low against Cover 2 corner.
• Flood: Three-on-one side at deep/mid/short; effective against Cover 3.
• Y-Cross: Cross over the middle with deep clear – Air Raid classic.
• Four Verticals: Stretches two high safeties vertically; read the seam.
• Levels/Drive: Horizontal routes at multiple depths – easy progression.

Mesh – cross against man

Flood – three-on-one side

Smash – high-low against Cover 2

From concepts to gameplan

A good gameplan builds on your own strengths and the opponent's weaknesses. Typically, the first 10–15 plays are scripted to test reactions. On 3rd & short, power/counter and quick game can dominate; on 3rd & long, screens, draws, and flood variants are planned against Cover 3. In the red zone near the goal, condensed splits, rub concepts, and heavier personnel (12/13) are used together with play-action.