Misdirection

Starting out as a young coach, the wing-T was the first system I learned and taught. Though I progressed into other systems, I have always relied on the concepts and principles of the wing-T as tools in the offensive systems that I have created.

With the read game coming into prominence, like many offenses, we used it to put the defense in conflict. We also looked to misdirection plays that separate the defense by forcing them to play sound and responsibly in the box and on both perimeters.

Having a talented receiver to put in motion allowed us to utilize him in our pin-and-pull scheme. This created a threat to the frontside of the play. Our gap schemes – power and counter – gave us angles and created a plus-one advantage within the box. Our naked package also is a unique way of operating from the pistol in terms of quarterback ball-handling, which provides deception and holds defenders to help us keep the backside honest.

Force a Defense to Play Sound & Slow Them Down

The combination of these components allowed us to turn any defense into a six-man box against seven blockers.

That was one of the biggest takeaways we had in our use of misdirection, and I see teams at every level using it as an advantage. It was something I saw often in the games I watched this past Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

What I like about some of the methodology we will take a look at is that it is something you can begin to utilize as a wrinkle with the schemes already in your offense, which means no new learning, just new presentation.

The Most Difficult Misdirection Play

The wing-t criss-cross is one of the most difficult plays to defend. With multiple players handling the ball and the play hitting inside quickly, a defense can be caught off guard and out of place to handle the counter.

For a long time this has been a play that you only would see in the wing-t playbook, but it’s found its way into the FBS and even the NFL.  

Keeping in line with modern adaptations of older plays, Adam Mathieson, head coach of Mountain View HS (WA) share his pre snap read for bubble to give the criss-cross play a favorable box. (click on image for video):

This is just one example of how to create Misdirection.

As I’ve already stated, Misdirection is becoming a common tool for offenses at every level, and the dynamic receivers who can be great as a receiver, but also run the ball can give an offense a wing-t misdirection feel.

Use of Misdirection is an Advantage 

Misdirection provides huge benefits to an offense and it can easily be added to what you have installed already.  Whether it’s jet/fly motion or orbit motion, utilizing misdirection can really slow a defense, separate it and create seams, and open big play opportunity.

Mark Speckman, the Godfather of the Fly Offense has made a career on misdirection. He sees it having benefits at every level of play. Here he shows an example from NFL film (click on image for video):

Video: Deception in the NFL

Here’s an example of how deception is used to separate the defense (click on image for video):

Video: Sweep One Way and Toss the Other

Stop the Downhill Aggressive Fits of the Defense

If you are reaching a point where you feel some teams try to tee off on your run game, then misdirection will slow that down. It is fun creating these kind of plays within your existing offense. Here is one last one I’ve shown at some point in the last year from the Chiefs who are masters at the misdirection:

Video: Chiefs GL Screens

Hopefully there’s an idea here that can help you add a wrinkle. Good luck as you prepare for another weekend of football!

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski