A core run for USC early in this game was 11 personnel Duo. riley called this from 2x2, using the slot as a wrapper back to the front side.

When I posted this to X earlier in the week, I did not pay close enough attention tot he backfield path of the running back and incorrectly labeled this as Inside Zone.

On their first drive, we get a look at this against 1 high and two high. This is a “Will-declared” run, which means the offensive line works to the back side line backer (BSLB). This is the Mike (M) in the diagrams.

This variation of Duo differs from the regular Duo Wrap/Find/Search variations in that the offense is able to block all secondary players on the front side of the run. Most often, the PSWR/wrapper will block the secondary player in the run fit, often leaving a cover 3/cover 4 cornerback unblocked.

I spotted a couple clips where the defense lined up the nickel (S) to the tight end. No worries though, the wrapper just blocks the nickel against this look. The wrapper is the ultimate adjuster.

At 1Q 0:15, we get our first look at a creative GT Counter scheme. Lincoln Riley has been one of the best GT Counter play designers for a long time, and this one fits the mold.

Called out of split backs to the nub side of the formation, the extra back will lead out for the cornerback.

With the defense trying to utilize the off-ball edge player (B) to play both the QB run and the bubble, there is space on the perimeter for the quick screen.

On the next play, at 2Q 15:00, the Trojans call the same concept and score a red zone touchdown on the hand off. This is a great run for short yardage/red zone.

Two important points regarding this concept vs other looks:

• If the defense elects to walk the “B” to the line of scrimmage and rotate the FS over the slot, then the offense doesn’t have to worry about a safety on the front side of the run. The SS will have to rotate to the middle of the field.

• If the defense lines up in a 4-down front, the offense will be able to block both the cornerback and safety on the front side of the run against two high looks. See below. This is what makes it a great red zone run when both the safety and the cornerback are closer to the point of attack.

Riley calls one of his staple concepts at 1Q 1:11. Mesh.

The off-ball tight end motions away, creating a cluster to the field. Against zone, the shallows sit down in the void for an easy completion.

Next up, USC calls one of my favorite versions of single back outside zone.

The rest of the article contains the following:

• Full-proof way to formation Outside Zone

• Creative tackle-release Pick Screen

• Middle Screen off of the Pick Screen

• Full concept built around Riley’s staple “Pop” pass

• Split Back “Funnel” variation to open up the strong hook window.

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Kliff called Tunnel screens at a high rate in 2024. The designs of the screens were some of the best in the NFL too. Probably my favorite section to write in The 2024 Washington Commanders Complete Offensive Manual.

The defensive front gets up field quickly, eliminating the threat of the retrace to the field. The PST stays flat, and the ball carrier takes the Will (W) to the PST with patience and a good angle.

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Bundle my two books on Kliff’s offenses with the first link. The second one takes you to the 2025 book:

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• Helps disguise the concept, so that the defensive end does not spin out of the crack block from the play side receiver.

• Creates better angles to be able to block an odd/under front defensive end when a stand up linebacker is on the ball as the edge player.

Here is the variation Matt LaFleur called. It utilizes escort motion to create split flow misdirection.

Crack Seal forces the ball on the perimeter quickly. Using “man” blocking gets the center and back side tackle up the second level to cut off any inside-out pursuit. Uncovered lineman work up immediately, with no typical zone combinations.

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A great response from offenses is to pepper Slip and Nudge Screens to the running back. Think of them as beefed up check downs with lead blockers.

The 2025 Seattle Seahawks put a great one on tape in the NFCCG. Off a play fake, the Center reaches the nose, the BST reaches the 3-technique. Both guards get out to kick and lead up the alley for the running back.

A neat element of this design is the ability of the Wheel route to pull the flat player (N) out of the equation. This allows the guards to work for the linebackers, 2 for 2.

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If you want to study Klint Kubiak’s offense in further detail, I put together Game Planning with the 2025 Seattle Seahawks. In this book, I outline all of my favorite play designs from Seattle’s Super Bowl season.

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His game plans for Keepers fit this description really well.

This first example shows an unconventional way to open up a Slide route. With the defense in a 5-down front, the EMOL to the boundary is the flat player. Coen utilized different split flow runs really well in his first year in Jacksonville, specifically with fake jet action. The EMOL sees the early snap point for the receiver as well as the slicer coming behind him as a heavy run indicator, with no inkling of a Keeper/Slide. Within his first two steps off the ball, he assumes the receiver (Z) is the distraction, to widen him for the slicer (U).

This play design quickly creates a boundary flood concept, with the quarterback on the move. The benefit of the slicer working behind the Slide is the edge is secured for the quarterback, especially with the EMOL anticipating the run action.

The best play callers create easy completions, opening up the first read. Great example here from one of the best.

Check out my entire breakdown of Liam Coen’s system in The 2024 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Complete Offensive Manual. The Buccaneers were the top 3rd down offense, top 5 in yards per play, and a top 3 rushing efficiency offense.

2024 Buccaneers Manual

The rest of the article contains the following:

• A brilliant short yardage/red zone Keeper to open up the flat against man and zone looks.

• Double move solution for recovering flat and hook players

• 8-clip cutup

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• Eye candy to help occupy the unblocked defensive end on the back side.

• Pulls the flat player/secondary support defender out of the run fit.

• Post-snap run fit changes for the defense (depending on the type of run fit).

• Slows down 2nd and 3rd level pursuit, even for defenders not directly impacted by the action.

I wanted to draw up two that, while included in the Bears Manual, they were not given their own page.

In the first example, the Bears start in a 3x1 formation into the boundary. From this look, they love to fast motion the slot across to get to a final 2x2. They sell the fast motion, only to Slide the slot back and run Outside Zone Weak to the field. With the nickel set to the field, the play is being run with the nickel as the “Play side linebacker”.

The offensive line handles the stunt well. The free safety times up his fit such that the PSWR could not get to him. A better angle of departure for the PSWR could have helped his cause a bit too.

The next example shows an Arrow tag off Outside Zone Weak - Lead. Out of 12 personnel, the lead blocker comes from escort motion on the other side of the field. With the defense in an Under front, the insert takes place in the front side A-gap for the lead blocker.

The Back side WR behind the Arrow will have the responsibility to block the first off-ball box player. The end result in the diagram for this week 12 play call looks a little funky because the Steelers play man coverage.

You can see how the Arrow pulls two defenders out of the run fit, however.

If the defense plays zone, the BSWR will work inside for the strong safety (SS) as he bumps with motion. Arrow then occupies the flat player (S) and cornerback.

I have found myself flipping through the Bears Manual nearly every week since I published it. The endless creativity from Ben Johnson in both the run and pass game not only entertains, but sparks the imagination needed to find chalkboard solutions to help your players.

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This was probably the most commonly called pass concept of the games I watched.

These variations are included:

• Cross - Post

• Cross - Double Post (Wave)

• Cross - Post w/ Snag

• Double Cross - Smash - H Option

• And more!

10-clip cutup below

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The first example starts off as an 11 personnel 3x1 set. This version of Inside Zone Slice is part of what I term the “Base” family of split zone runs. The wide receivers lock on the most dangerous secondary players, with the offensive line locking onto the box. A PSLB-declared run.

This seems to be the preferred way to call it for the 2021 Jets.

They tag a fake End Around to slow down the back end of the defense.

The next design is basically the same play call, but with fast motion instead of the fake End Around. This gives the offensive line a chance pre-snap to adjust their targeting instead of having to change angles post-snap.

The clip shows the ball hitting the front side B gap. Using the PSWR to block the nickel gets a body on the second level of the defensive quickly.

The 2021 Jets had a few good clips of this Outside Zone Weak - Slice variation that incorporates Escort motion working away from the run direction.

The best way to call this one is to treat it as a “Push” scheme. The offensive line works to block the 2nd widest defender from the sideline, regardless of position distinction.

The BSWR will have good leverage to dig out the 8th player in the box when the defense wants to load the box. This defender (SS) will also be slower to play the run, as the motion man could force his responsibility to out of the box if the motion continues.

The BSTE will take the easiest release up to the BSLB. against the 6-technique in the diagram below, he arcs around.

The next example shows another clip of the Outside Zone Weak - Slice variety, but with an added fake End Around.

The rest of the article shows two well-designed push schemes, using different tags to handle the second level on the back side.

At the end, you will also find a nearly 15-minute cutup of all of Mike LaFleur’s variations of Outside Zone Slice from 2021.

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The most critical block is the crack block on the EMOL. The Cowboys often use a receiver to do this. Ensuring the EMOL isn’t able to get up field is critical. It is also critical that the EMOL does not require a second blocker, or that he takes out the path of the pulling tackle.

Book Bundles

In The 2025 Dallas Cowboys Complete Offensive Manual, I go into detail on the different variations of Crack Toss and how to classify them. The book contains 11 diagrams in the this section.

The 2025 Cowboys Manual

In week 5, the Cowboys pick up a nice gain in the red zone against a single high defense, running away from a nub tight end. Adding in a fullback for the “Pull” block creates good angles for the rest of the blocking scheme.

The cutup below shows 16 clips of Crack Toss from the 2025 Cowboys

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• RB Slip Screens

• TE Filter Screens

• WR Tunnel Screens

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Dagger is defined as a three man combination. An outside Dig route, usually of the deeper 16-20 yard variety. A Thru/Clear that is designed to cross the face of the nearest safety. The third element is some sort of hook control, usually the running back after the play fake.

The play is designed to hi-low the hook window. This window is found roughly between the hash and the numbers.

The concept is taught as 7 & a hitch for the quarterback. With the long developing nature of the play, the protection plan is critical.

The Colts showcased a few great reps of PA Dagger in 2025. The first one we will look at uses a Shallow from the Z receiver as the low hook control. A Pylon as the vertical clear out. The Pylon tag is often used for defenses that ask their cornerbacks to match downfield routes from a single high structure.

In this example, the Dig opens up against cover 4. The Mike drives down on the Shallow, opening up the Dig.

A classic 7-man max protection variation, dressed up a bit. Fast motion to get to the Wing Slot-Stack look.

Hi-low on the hook window with a vertical clear out. Jones hits the Dig.

2025 Sail and Inside Dig Bundle

The rest of the article diagrams a variation that flushes out the flat player from helping on the conflict, as well as a 6-clip cutup:

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The Curl breaks at about 12 yards. When called to the wide side of the field, it sets up at the inside edge of the numbers. To the boundary, the landmark is the outside edge of the numbers.

If the hook player cheats for width to get under the Curl window, the Jaguars replaced him with either a Check Burst out of the back field or a Shallow.

A major benefit of Z-Curl vs the more traditional Hank concept is the ability to occupy the cover 4 safety with a Thru route. In Hank, the safeties can drive down on the Curl routes.

The Jaguars put out some good tape of Z Curl. Sound play design to open up the Curl routes, with built in answers.

The first example shows a 2x2 version with the running back bumped out. The running back draws the attention of the flat player, and Lawrence rips the Curl on 3 & a hitch timing from shot gun.

The tight end is the hook replacement, working on a Chip Shallow. This could be a Check Shallow, but that determination can not be made on film as the defense only rushes four.

The next diagram shows fast motion to get to the Curl route. This is a great way to help manufacture a clean release and create an uncontested break point for the primary route.

The defense plays man coverage in this clip. The Curl is matched well, and the safety helps on the Thru route. The Burst is able to separate on time. Great clip to show how the progression has multiple answers for each coverage family.

The remainder of the article diagrams three more variations. It also includes a 6-clip cutup of the best examples from the 2025 Jaguars

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The best designs to pair with Choice feature routes that attack the hook window opposite. The first example shows the 49ers calling a locked Choice-In cut from the Z receiver to accomplish this. The window dressing is nice, 12 personnel “West Snug” set with fast motion to create a bunch to the field.

Against two high, with cover 4 shown in the diagram, the Will linebacker is 1 on 1 with the H Choice out the backfield. On paper, the ball should go here.

If the defense squeezes the Choice with two defenders to take away the primary, the Choice-In (Z) will work into the quarterback’s vision.

If the strong hook defender (M) takes the Choice-In, the Return wins back inside against the flat player.

100 Pages on the Choice Concept

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The rest of the article breaks down two more Choice variations from the 2025 49ers. It also contains a 17-play cutup of Choice from the 2025 49ers.

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This “Bam” tag is an adjustment to make Counter- Weak more viable against Odd/Tite fronts.

Getting a double …

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They utilized these sets to give their run game an added dimension, as well as take shots with play action.

The Packers most common play call from these sets is the 3x1 Outside Zone Bubble RPO. I’ve got six clips from the 14 games. To get to it, they orbit motion the running back from the weak side of the formation to the passing strength.

The Packers also liked a Pin/Pull RPO. For these play calls, they started in a Split Back “Slot” formation to be able to run it to a tight end. Four clips of this one.

Off this run action, LaFleur takes a shot with the Wave concept.

Same action, Deep Over concept.

Using Y Away motion, the Packers call an Inside Zone Slice run. LaFleur and his staff are the best split flow zone team in the NFL, add this design to the list.

The Packers also get to Duo from Split Backs. Escorting the tight end across and selling Spinner action to add misdirection.

Packers Offensive Manual

The Packers built a beautiful Windback concept off their Spinner package. Leave the play side defensive end unblocked to gain a hat on the perimeter.

The perfect constraint to make the defense honor the extra back in the backfield.

The cutup below shows over 16 minutes of Split Back play designs from Matt LaFleur and the Packers.

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Coen’s 2024 Buccaneers offense w…

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Here is a fun variation that didn’t make the preview arti…

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The Colts will dabble with some RPO’s to protect the front side of the run. The example below, from week 1, shows the utility. When the defense brings pressure off the slot, that usually beats Counter Weak on the chalk board. The offense does not have a blocker assigned for the strong safety (SS). The Bubble Screen acts as a pressure release valve on a pipe that is at its capacity. It gets the offense out of a bad look and into the hands of a wide receiver with a 2 on 1 in space.

The cutup at the end of the article shows over 4 minutes of 2025 Colts Counter Weak clips, including a couple Spinner clips.

The Sail family of concepts surged in popularity in 2025. Both the creative design and level of execution stood out to me as one of the trends of last year. The best NFL offenses are finding ways to punish modern defenses with these.

I put together a concept-based manual to put all of my resources on the concept from 2025 in one place. This 130-page book takes a look at how the best play callers utilized Sail concepts.

• Chicago Bears: Ben Johnson

• Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay

• Washington Commanders: Kliff Kingsbury

• Buffalo Bills: Joe Brady

• Dallas Cowboys: Brian Schottenheimer

• Seattle Seahakws: Klint Kubiak

I even include some breakdowns for teams I did not write books on, but conducted extensive studies for:

• Indianapolis Colts: Shane Steichen

• Miami Dolphins: Mike McDaniel

• Los Angeles Chargers: Jim Harbaugh / Greg Roman

• Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur

This book covers all Sail, Flood, Pylon – Sail, Scissors, & “Seattle” play designs.

For the first few days of release, I am able to offer it for $13 through my shop, the link to purchase is below.

Purchase the Sail Manual

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