Power Run Fits
Some thoughts on Defending the Power Run in Canadian Football
Stopping the Run is a key to success at any level. When it comes to defending the POWER, which is a Run play that involves a Pulling Lineman, it helps to have some sound rules that come together to form your Run Fits.
Understanding the Power
“Power” is a very common Run Scheme that involves a pulling Offensive Lineman as well as one other additional blocker at the point of attack, typically a Fullback.
This action creates some MOVING GAPS, and the Defence will need to be sound when it comes to reacting to this play.
When it comes to the Offensive “count”, the offence will often “LEAVE TWO” defenders to the frontside of the play, and those players will be blocked by the Fullback and the Pulling Lineman. The count will then sort itself out to handle the remaining defenders, often using multiple Down Blocks.
Defensive End: Spill versus Box
When your unblocked Defensive End meets a Kick Out Block, how do they react? This is a key question to consider when constructing your Power Run Fit.
Option #1 = Box
To be a “Box Team” means that your Defensive End will fight to keep their outside arm free. A Boxing DE will attack the OUTSIDE HALF of the Fullback, often making initial contact with the shoulder in this scenario and then working to extend the arms. This is often a big collision, and pad level is key.
Option #2 = Spill
A “Spill Team” will work to prevent the Running Back from going Vertical. This means a Defensive End in this situation will fight to get INSIDE the Kick Out Block using a “Wrong Arm” technique. The Defensive End should now make contact with their OUTSIDE SHOULDER, Rip and Pry to get square while maintaining INSIDE leverage on the blocker.
Sam Linebacker: Adjusting to the Fullback
In Canadian football, you will need to be very sound when it comes to dealing with a moving Fullback. Canadian Offences will often Motion this player, make them into a late Wing, a Tight End, Slice them across the Formation, etc. You will likely have a plan for how you deal with a moving Fullback in all situations, and this plan will need to work itself into your Power Run Fit. This is key because the Fullback could come from anywhere on this play (backfield, detached, frontside, backside) and could also be the first or second additional player at the point of attack.
Tracking
If you are Tracking the Fullback, this means that one defender, usually the Sam Linebacker, follows the Fullback wherever they go.
Bumping
Bumping means that all three Linebackers are working together to adjust to the moving Fullback.
Defensive Tackle
If your Defensive Tackle is lined up as a 3-Technique to the frontside, they will likely face a Double Team. It’s key to not let the Offensive Tackle climb too easily to the Linebacker. It your DT can stalemate the double without losing ground, the Defence is in good shape.
Nose Tackle
A backside Nose Tackle is seeing a Pull Block from the Offensive Guard and a Down Block from the Centre. This assures the NT that the play is going in the direction of the Puller. The Nose Tackle should SQUEEZE the down block from the Centre and restrict the point of attack.
As a coach, you have a choice here. Would you rather have your NT continue to squeeze and keep their back arm free, or would you like them to Cross Face of the Centre and get to the point of attack?
Middle Linebacker
This is a key player in the fit. The Middle Linebacker must first SEE THE PULL. Once they see the Pull, their eyes should go immediately to the frontside Offensive Tackle. On paper, the safest way to beat the block from the OT is to go OVER TOP of the block. At times, if the OT has a poor angle or the RB has cut back, the Middle Linebacker may choose to go UNDER the block. This is risky, but can sometimes pay off.
Will Linebacker
The backside Linebacker must also SEE THE PULL and work to the point of attack. If the Middle Linebacker has gone over top of the Down Block from the OT, the backside linebacker must check for a cut back by the RB while flowing to the play.
Further Considerations
What I have presented here are a few simple starting points when it comes to designing your Run Fits versus this common play. A large amount of time will need to be spent on the following:
Power Run Fits out of different Fronts. Do responsibilities change?
What if the Fullback is the second additional blocker instead of the first? How does this impact your Fit?
What if the Kick Out block is not executed by the Fullback, but instead by a Slot Receiver who has Motioned into the Box?
How do Fits change when you’re Blitzing?
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All the best,
Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
IG: @jonsvecx
Twitter: @jonsvecx