Spread Football Plays

The spread formation in football is a formation that has the players spread out on the field. Instead of all or most of the offensive players being near the ball or in the backfield, this formation has 4 wide receivers split out and just 1 running back in the backfield. There are many different spread football plays that can be run from this formation.

Running the Ball

Running plays can work very well out of the spread because the defense is spread around the field. The defense can't have a lot of players in the box (the area where the defensive line is and just behind the area).

The Dive

The Dive is the name of one of the running spread football plays. The play is very basic as it involves just handing the running back the ball and having him run straight up the middle. If the running back can get by the defensive linemen, this play could gain a lot of yards because most of the defensive backs are out of the middle of the field.

The Draw

The Draw Play works well as a spread football play.

The draw is a handoff to the running back but it's delayed. The quarterback drops back like he's going to throw the ball and then he hands the ball to the running back. The Draw Play allows the defensive backs to run away from the line of scrimmage while covering the wide receivers. This play also allows the defensive linemen (especially the defensive ends) to run up the field and away from the middle of the field. Often, there is a big hole for the running back to run through.

A draw can also be run with the quarterback. For this play the running back will usually go out and run a pass pattern in order to draw another defender away from the play. The quarterback will drop back, pause, and then run with the ball. This play works especially well with a fast, athletic quarterback.

Passing Plays

Though running the ball can be a very effective spread football play, teams usually throw the ball out of this formation.

The Screen

The Screen is a play that involves throwing the ball short and then letting the receiver run with the ball. There are two spread football plays that are screens: a screen to the running back and a screen to the wide receiver.

A Running Back Screen is thrown to the running back. The quarterback will drop back to pass and keep his eyes looking downfield. The running back will usually fake like he's going to help block and then he'll slip out to the flat. Often an offensive lineman or two will also go out to the flat to help block.

The quarterback will wait for the player(s) to get out in the flat and then he'll suddenly turn and throw the all to the running back.

A Wide Receiver Screen usually involves the quarterback taking the ball and throwing it immediately to a wide receiver who lined-up wide. Often the wide receiver will cut in behind two other wide receivers and then receive the pass. The other two wide receivers have to block the defenders so that the receiver catching the screen can pick-up good yardage.

A Variety of Patterns

Most often spread football plays involve throwing the ball downfield. This is because there are four wide receivers on the field. These wide receivers can run posts, corner posts, ins, outs, crossing patterns, quick slants, deep slants, flies, hooks, or one of many other patterns. Each play will have each receiver running a different pattern so that one or more of them will be open for the quarterback to throw them the ball.

Finally

Spread football plays are less common than they once were. Years ago some teams used the spread formation as their base formation. However, now most teams usually only use the spread formation and spread football plays when they're in an obvious passing situation. Out of the spread formation teams can run or pass the ball.

Coach Tucker is dedicated to seeing his teams succeed in the classroom and on the football field. He shares his love of the game (along with football drills and plays) for free on this blog:

http://www.football-tutorials.com/

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