Coach ,

To run the QB or not to run the QB? That is the question many coaches face. Should we risk extra hits on our most important position or not? Believing the benefits of running your QB outweigh the risks, Marcel Quarterman presents three easy QB runs to install and score more points.

Quarterman gives 5 reasons to run your QB but his first is best: more ball carriers for the defense to defend. If the defense needs to account for the threat of the QB run, more passing options and running lanes open up. Quarterman utilizes three easy runs: Inside Zone Bash, Pin and Pull, and QB Draw.

Inside Zone Bash

Inside Zone Bash takes the simple zone scheme and switches the running responsibilities of the QB and RB. The RB runs an outside track away from the inside zone blocking, while the QB runs with the inside zone. QB continues to read the backside C gap defender. 

The offensive line blocks exactly how they would for a normal inside zone, so no matter what inside zone blocking rules you use, this play can be installed today! With the inside zone, defenses begin keying on the alignment of your RB to predict where you will run. The Bash tag helps thwart that issue.

Pin and Pull

The Pin and Pull rules are simple: first uncovered between the playside Guard or Tackle is first puller and the Center is always the second puller. Everyone else blocks down. Deciding who pulls between the Guard and Tackle depends on the DT alignment: head up or inside of the Guard means the Tackle pulls and any alignment outside the Guard means the Guard pulls. 

First puller will look for the alley player (or first to show). The Center looks for the front side Linebacker. These rules make the play easy to teach and adaptable to various defensive schemes.

QB Draw

The QB Draw is easy for any team that utilizes a half slide protection scheme. The concept is to slide away from the technique closest to the A gap with the RB releasing up the middle at the backside LB (away from slide). This creates a great 6 on 6 box with the RB leading for the QB.

Quarterman suggests running this play from spread formations to open up the running lanes and make the defense account for more space. He also likes to attach simple quick routes for RPOs: Go-Out and Y-Stick. (click image for video)

Running the QB can be seen as risky to some. But evening up your box numbers or even getting an advantage with the threat of your QB running far outweighs this risk. All three of these concepts can easily be tagged into any spread offense. Give opposing coaches headaches and install these today!

Videos are taken from Coach Quarterman's course “QB Run Game and RPO’s.”

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

PS - Thank you to Ryan Eigenberger for contributing this article