Coach ,

Today we take a look at #17 K-State and focus on their Pin & Pull Play. Coach Kauffman takes us through his breakdown of K-State

-Coach Grabowski

Season Preview Capsule

Chris Klieman has proven that he can turn a program and is a constant winner at the collegiate Level. The Wildcats won the Big 12 last year and of their 3 regular season losses each came by less than 10 points. 

Klieman returns his coordinators and main pieces in his coaching staff. Expect the Wildcats to continue their success behind the strength of their returning offensive line. But, we will see a new face to the Wildcats as their QB, RB and top 2 WR’s departed for the next level. 

Defensively, “super-senior” Daniel Green will be the leader for the Cats with 219 career tackles under his belt being accompanied by 2022 team leading tackler Austin Moore the strength lies in the linebacking corp. 

From there the efforts of Van Malone and Joe Klanderman will be put to the test. With most of the defensive backfield departed after last season, look for them to develop some of their various transfers as well as scheme around their secondary. The schedule will be tough featuring a variety of road games in a conference that appears to be evenly matched across the board. Expect Chris Klieman and his staff will face challenges along the way but utilize their experience and schemes to guide the Wildcats to a top level finish.

Developing a Complete Run Game - Utilizing the G Scheme to Improve your Run Game

Complementary plays is the name of the game now-a-days. Finding ways and schemes that align and relate to items you already run but that offer you a change of pace that becomes a tendency breaker is what takes you to the next level. Coach Conor Riley takes us through the Pin & Pull G Play they use to complement their power schemes in this video:

Video: Pin and Pull K-State G Play

The Backfield

When looking into zone and other schemes we know that timing is everything and it clears up the reads. This still applies when we move to the g scheme principles. Allowing the LOS to clear and the picture to open up based on consistent timing and spacing is a principle that can be applied across all levels. 

When we look into the pin and pull play, have the running back understand that his depth, timing and spacing being continually consistent will be a keystone in making this play work. 

Video: Backfield Coaching Points

A total understanding of the play and the process is the running backs best friend so that they can fully incorporate their athleticism and use their mind as well as their physical attributes to really make the run hit. 

The biggest piece I see with this and a consistent reason why I feel like this needs mentioned is I repeatedly see the running backs patience dwindle and then they press both the timing of the quarterback reverse out as well as that of the pullers ability to get to their block/have that block set up by the timing to really clear the picture as well as remove various run through opportunities. Know the timing, stick to consistency, be patient, and the pin and pull play will easily become a staple of any run game. 

Why Pin & Pull

Tthe pin & pull becomes a staple in the offenses I look at for a variety of reasons. Admittedly, I look at much of this as a former offensive coach but, also with the idea of currently coaching defense and see the upside that it brings to a playbook. 

For me this play capitalizes on a lot of the items that are left out in offenses because of traditional zone and power plays that everyone wants to run. The pin & pull allows you to utilize the athleticism of your big men while also gaining leverage. 

My favorite part of this play is the ability to utilize it in multiple personnel sets, especially 11+ personnel. Hammering zone is great and all and toss can work to a degree but slowing the defenders' reads while covering linebackers and kicking the edge defenders sets this up as the perfect changeup for me when incorporating a heavy run game into my gameplan. 

My last tidbit, please, please, please skip pull! If you have athletic lineman utilize them! They are the biggest force you have that can move with speed. Allow them to utilize a familiar movement and get going. 

This is going to free up the picture and ultimately allow the lanes to clear and get the running back downhill. This play is not just a changeup but can be a staple of your offense. Utilize it to the best of its ability and watch your run game grow!

Video: Pull Techniques

Strive to Succeed!

Coach Kauffman

Other Clinics from Kansas State Staff:

Drill Manual - Van Malone, AHC/PGC/CB

The Ultimate Linebacker Training - Joe Klanderman

Building Culture - Q&A with Bill Snyder, Former HC