Coach ,

The fact of the matter is, most defenses today are built to stop high powered spread based offenses that operate from 10 and 11 personnel. In many leagues there is parody in this way. Adding fullbacks and tight ends to an offense, can provide an advantage.

When the offense can utilize packages of 12, 21, and 22 personnel, and know how to execute it properly, it can take control of the game.

It’s a strategy that North Dakota State utilized all the way to an FCS National Championship in the 2019 season. The power runs and an efficient passing game propelled NDSU to the top.

Offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl built their strategy on a key analytic that he traced back to the earlier 2000’s at NDSU. The number is 50. If their rushes and completions total 50 their winning percentage is 98%+. That’s a strong correlation!

Roehl said on the Coach and Coordinator Podcast, “We talk about a softening process of the defense. Just being able to pound the rock and get, four, five, six then those runs will turn into ten, 12, 20.“

Key Blocks for Power Running Game - Isolation and Kickout

If you are going to implement a power running game and be good at it, there’s two keyblocks that will need work and repetition. The key to effectiveness on game day is drill carryover. The one thing a program needs to address is the physicality.  

With contact periods being limited by governing bodies, this has to be done strategically, but it’s also ensuring that there's an attitude. Roehl said, “Have a philosophy that you are going to practice violently, but be smart. Put as much pressure on them as possible and give them tough looks.”

The physical brand at NDSU is evident. Roehl details the kick out in the free video below (click image).

In today’s game being efficient with time on the field is critical. That means utilizing time available to drill exactly what the player will be faced with on game day.

Roehl has progressions he uses to teach and perfect each of these blocks. 

Kick Out block progression

• One step, hanging
• Three step
• Vs. Stand up, vertical, mesh charge, hard spill

The progression allows the player to get a feel for the fit first, then Roehl layers in the different scenarios that can happen and they rep this over and over.

The same approach is taken in teaching the isolation block. Here is his list of drills

• Line iso
• Crawler Iso
• Chute Iso
• Agile Iso
• Shuffle Iso with agile
• 1 or 2 man sled (with movement)

Roehl’s approach of being detailed and having specific drills to work every scenario his player will face allows him to utilize what amounts to less contact given the parameters that teams must work within today to make player safety a priority, but it’s proven to be very effective in today’s game. 

For NDSU the strategy has meant one of the FCS top rushing offenses year in and year out, It’s also translated into FCS National Championships in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019.

Whether it’s taking a look at how you might add an isolation or kick out block into some of your schemes, or adding a power or isolation run now, how you practice will be the determining factor in whether you can gain an advantage with it.  

If you want to learn more there is a special opportunity for a 4 hour clinic with Coach Roehl on 12/17 at 6pm-10pm Central. Coach will do a private clinic from which 4 courses will be created. Anyone attending will receive those courses. Attendance is limited. Register here.

You can also get a deeper dive and learn more Coach Roehl’s in a previous clinic in which he explains the details of how they do it at NDSU with drill and game film. He also addresses questions from coaches.  Check it out HERE.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski