Coach ,

If you watch the use of Tyreek Hill both by the Dolphins and previously by the Chiefs, he has been utilized in motion quite a bit. It gives him and the offense and advantage. He gets a running start, further taking advantage of his speed and the offense benefits in multiple ways.

Motion used correctly has the ability to get defenders out of position. A popular one that we see at every level now, made popular by Hill, is to motion the receiver across and to the QB and then around and back out. It causes the safeties to have to make their adjustments and communicate on the fly.

Many times that movement can create an opening whether that is taking a safety out of the run fit, or opening a window for a throw behind.

In this video from Mark Carney, now the Inside Receiver/TE Coach at Kent State, he shows exactly how that motion can effect the defense and open the pass on an RPO. The motion gave coverage indication pre-snap and then moved the safety out of the way for the pitch and catch for a game winner. He explains it here:

Video: WR Returning Back Out

As you get into the late season and post season, finding ways to get your most dynamic player the ball as well as utilizing the defensive reaction to him gives indicators or open the run or pass lanes can be an effective strategy.

It’s not about creating new concepts, it’s giving them the window dressing with shifts and motions.

Thank you to Coach Carney for putting this presentation together for Lauren’s First and Goal.  He gives plenty of examples that can prove useful to you late in the season.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski