The "Tush Push" - Insight into SY/GL techniques and strategies
Oct 16, 2023 4:16 pm
Coach ,
Short-yardage and goal-line situations in football require a unique set of skills and strategies to successfully move the ball forward. In their presentation for Lauren’s First and Goal , Rice Head Coach Mike Bloomgren and OL Coach Sanders Davis shared the intricacies of winning these critical situations.
The shared the principles behind converting these situations with maximum efficiency. Their key techniques, stances, and knowing the expected defensive responses help equip the Owls to excel in short-yardage and goal-line plays.
Rice has consistently been successful in their SYGL situations converting 75-89% over the 20-22 seasons, and they are doing well in 2023 converting 8 of 12 of their 4th and Go situations. It all starts with the mentality
Intellectual Brutality
When it comes to short-yardage and goal-line situations, their philosophy revolves around the concept of intellectual brutality. They emphasize the importance of being smart and understanding the techniques required to gain an advantage.
Simultaneously, they aim to unleash a relentless assault on the opponent, aiming to move them off the line with sheer force.
By adopting low stances and attaining leverage under the opposition, they can achieve the first meaningful touch, setting the tone for a successful play.
Coach Bloomgren introduces the approach highlighting the Eagles “Tush Push” and the technique usedin this video:
The Tush Push
While the Eagles' “Tush Push” may look like they are just winning on pure detetermination and effort, this clinic by Coach Bloom and Coach Sanders highlighted the technical and tactical details to be effective on 4th and Go.
In some instances, defensive linemen may attempt to disrupt the strategy by going over the top rather than engaging in direct contact. However, this approach can be easily thwarted if the offensive line identifies and exploits the defender's higher stance.
By maintaining a low position and utilizing proper technique, the OL can withstand the initial charge, retain their power, and continue to drive the ball forward. Rice emphasizes the importance of recognizing and capitalizing on such opportunities to maintain control of the game.
Coach Bloom explain the importance of understanding the “Why” behind the approach in this video:
Keys to Consistent Success
To achieve consistent success in short-yardage and goal-line situations, theirr offensive approach is characterized by specific formations and stances. The Owls opt for 23 personnel or 32 personnel, closing both edges and employing low four-point stances.
Tightening splits and positioning the tight ends and running backs close to the line of scrimmage creates a compact and synchronized offensive unit. By instilling a "man mentality" in their players, they emphasize the importance of finishing blocks on their assigned opponents. This mindset not only enhances the offensive efficiency but also fuels the trust they place in our ball carriers to secure the necessary yardage.
The Stance
We always start Day 1 teaching with the stance. That’s true with building a successful technique in SYGL. They work it all season long. Coach Bloom explains the details of the stance in this video.
The Get Off
After stance, understanding and executing the technique is critical in winning. Again, this is intellectual brutality, meaning it’s not just blind want it more effort. There's an understanding behind the belief and they know how to make adjustments withing these tactics.
The Package
While the Tush Push is the play receiving the most recognition across all levels, I am seeing this even to the youth level, there’s the potential for an entire package to be developed and that is what RIce does.
There are certainly wrinkles off of the Tush Push like the one used by the Cleveland Browns with a quick pitch to the edge and a touchdown by Kareem Hunt yesterday against the 49ers. There’s also the application of these techniques, the personnel, and the formations to other schemes.
RIce uses the following schemes which they highlighted in this clinic:
Outside Zone
Power King
The Inches We Need are Everywhere Around Us
Al Pacino’s character in “Any Given Sunday” said,
“The inches we need are everywhere around us. They're in every break of the game, every minute, every second. On this team we fight for that inch. On this team we tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch.”
That’s what Coach Bloomgren and Coach Davis are doing at Rice with their SYGL approach. They have a plan to win the critical inches.
Mastering short-yardage and goal-line situations requires a combination of tactical awareness and physical execution. By prioritizing intellectual brutality, adopting low stances, and exploiting defensive weaknesses, you too can consistently convert these crucial plays.
Good luck this week! Win those inches.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski