Simplicity

At Westminster College, we like to keep things simple and sound in all of our protection schemes. This enables us to make adjustments on a weekly basis without too many contradictions to our base rules. As we all know when you introduce specific schemes the rules change with regards to personnel and game plans. By keeping simple and vague we are able to adjust rules as the season progresses.

We feel, and our players feel, that our base protection is sound against any front or blitz that a defense will use. It may not be the best but it will be sound. Our base also gives us plenty leeway to make adjustments. If we are having problems with protection we can employ a two-back set, keep the tight end in or keep the tight end in and use two backs.

Our base 5-step protection is called 50. We will block big-on-big (BOB) on one side and zone (ZEBRA) to the other. There will be various adjustments causing the BOB side guard or the center to double read from the inside out. The defensive alignment will determine the type of protection rules that we will use. There will be five base calls ZEBRA (zone), BOB (big on big), LARRY (fan left, double read man right), RICKY (fan right, double read man left) and MIKE (big on big across the board with double reads possible). ZEBRA will always be used with BOB. RICKY, LARRY AND MIKE will be used alone.

When using ZEBRA-BOB or BOB-ZEBRA the first word used will be the left side style protection with the second word being the right side style of the protection. BOB means big on big man protection & ZEBRA means zone protection. RICKY or LARRY will be a Fan protection to the side of the call and BOB away from the call. MIKE is big-on-big protection across the entire line. The MIKE call will come in with the play call and be given as part of the huddle call. When MIKE is given in the huddle this is a KEEP IT call and we will not check out of it. It is very important when facing a stemming front (moving front prior to the snap) that the QB give the OL a chance to change their protection calls. All protection adjustments must be communicated down the entire o-line.

We will incorporate double reads to maximize protections. When a lineman is assigned a double read he must first check for an inside LB blitz if there is no inside blitz he works deep and late to pick up the outside blitz. If there is not a threat of an outside blitz he doubles with his partner or works out to help the OT to his side.

We will use switch calls on twists but they must be communicated between the two linemen involved. Adjustments will be made through game planning. We must be able to perform this protection from both a three and two point stance. For the scheme to be successful the entire protection unit must be working together. Communication within the group will determine the level of success that we will have.

The QB must understand that while utilizing a one-back set that we only have six players involved in the protection and if the back releases there are only five. He must know which LB that might not be blocked. This will be his HOT read. When using a five-man protection scheme he must choose the two LB’s that may not be blocked and use them as his HOT reads.

Rules

Offensive Line

The center will always protect to the side of the 1 or 0 shade technique. The center will give a Zebra call to the side of the 1 or 0 shade side and a BOB call to the other. The center will call the left side protection first followed by the right side protection. In the event that there are two 1 techniques we will zone to the backside of the QB (right handed QB zone to the left, left handed QB zone to the right. If we see a 0 shade and a 1 technique we will zone to the side of the shade. The BOB side tackle blocks his covered threat if he is uncovered he sets inside and double reads inside out. The QB is responsible for the No. 2 LB to the Bob side.

1.Base vs. 50 (Check Ricky or Larry)	2.Base vs. 5129 (Zebra Bob Call)
3.Base vs. 5307 (Bob Zebra Call)	4.Base vs. 50 (Zebra Bob Call)

With a straight up 0 technique we will block either RICKY (FAN right, BOB left) or LARRY (FAN left, BOB right). The center will determine by the call which is the BOB side and which is the FAN side he will use only one call either RICKY or LARRY. We will always try to RICKY or LARRY away from the uncovered guard side. The guard on the BOB side, if uncovered, has a double read. If the LB blitzes his position he takes him, if he drops he works down hill to his outside. The QB is responsible for the No. 2 LB to the Ricky or Larry side.

5.Base vs. 5117 (Zebra Bob Call)

6.Base vs. 5229 (Check Mike)

If the defensive front does not have a 0 technique and there is not an inside shade on either guard (two 2 techniques) the center will give a MIKE call and the entire line will block BOB. The center will read the MLB and take him on a blitz. If the MLB drops he will double read to the left, checking for a “A” gap blitz to his side then work down hill picking up the outside blitz to the strong side of the defensive front. We will also use MIKE protection when the RB releases in a route or we are using a no-back formation. The MIKE call will come in with the play call and be given as part of the huddle call. When MIKE is given in the huddle this is a KEEP IT call and we will not check out of it. Our rule for MIKE is very simple; if you are uncovered you have an inside out double read. You can also use combinations to gain an advantage. Combinations can occur between the center and guard to the 1 or the 0 shade side. They will combo the 1 or 0 shade and read the most dangerous LB to their side. Versus a straight 0 or 2, no combinations will be possible.

7.Base vs. 5-037 (Zebra Bob Solid Call)

8.Base vs. 530+7 (Bob Zebra Solid Call)

Running Backs

When we are in a one-back set the RB must be alert as to what protection is being employed by the offensive line. He must listen for the protection audible so he can adjust his protection assignment if needed.

When a BOB / ZEBRA or ZEBRA / BOB protection is used the RB will block to the BOB side inside out.

When RICKY or LARRY protection is the call the RB will read the LB’s inside out on to the side of the RICKY or LARRY call. He will always block the inside blitz to the outside blitz. If there is no LB blitz to his side the RB helps the OL or check releases

9.Base vs. Bear (Ricky Solid Call)	10.Base vs. 530+7 (Bob Zebra Solid Call)
11.Base vs. 5-04i9 (Zebra Bob)	12.Base vs. 5227 (Check Mike)

On a MIKE call, no 0 technique and there is not an inside shade on either guard (two 2 techniques) the center will give a MIKE call and the entire line will block BOB. The center will read the MLB and take him on a blitz. If the MLB drops he will double read to the left working down hill picking up the outside blitz to the left. The RB will block the right the A gap blitz to the C gap blitz to the right side. If no blitz, check release for hot pass.

When using a two back set one back will block to the right inside out and the other to the left inside out. If one of the backs is involved in a pass route revert back to the base protection rules.

13.Base vs. 5139 (Zebra Bob)	14.Base vs. 5037 (Check Ricky)
15.Base vs. 5039 (Check Ricky)	16.Base vs. 5029 (Check Ricky)

Quarterback

The QB is responsible for knowing which LB will not be blocked. This LB becomes his “HOT READ.” The inside receiver, lone receiver or tight end must also eyeball the LB and adjust his pattern to a “HOT ROUTE” if the LB blitzes. The QB is also responsible for making this blitzing LB miss since that he knows he is coming. He must hit the “HOT ROUTE.” The number OLB or No. 2 LB to the BOB side is usually the “HOT” LB. If the lone back or both backs are releasing on a route the most dangerous LB becomes the “HOT” LB. This is why the QB must know what the protection is. For instance is we are in a 1 back set and the defense comes out in a 5139 front with a MLB, a WLB in sink and a SLB over the OT his “HOT read is the MLB. Whereas if the back is staying in the “HOT” read becomes the SLB (No. 2 LB to the BOB side). The “HOT” read may change from week to week. We work a 10-minute “PUP” (pass under pressure) and a Blitz Pick-UP three days a week so our QB can see the opponent blitz package and know who will be the “HOT” LB.

Solid Call

When a SOLID call is used we will use the Y in the pass protection. All of our 50 protection rules will apply.

When a ZEBRA call is used and the Y is to the ZEBRA side the Y blocks EMLOS. The tackle to the ZEBRA side takes any C gap threat. If the ZEBRA side tackle has no C gap he keeps his eyes up to check for blitz then looks to help the G or Y. NOTE: When the tackle on the side of the ZEBRA call is uncovered and there is a 3 technique he can pop set the 3 technique to help the guard while checking C gap. When the Y is on the side of the BOB call he blocks EMLOS. When the tackle on the side of the BOB is uncovered he can set inside and help the guard while eyeballing the LB’s. If the tackle eyeballs an outside blitz he double reads to the outside and picks up the outside blitz.

17.Base vs. 5039 (Check Ricky)	18.Base vs. 5315 (Bob Zebra)
19.Base vs. 5135 (Bob Zebra)	20.Base vs. 5225 (Check Mike)

If the Y is to the side of a RICKY or LARRY call the OT and Y follow the same rules as RICKY or LARRY rules with the Y blocking the EMLOS. If the OT does not have an immediate threat in his gap he can step inside to help while eyeballing any C gap threat. If no threat occurs he can double the OG or work downhill to the outside and help the Y. When the Y is on the side opposite the Ricky or Larry call he blocks the EMLOS. The OG & OT follow BOB. If the OG or OT is uncovered they follow double read rules.

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About the author: John Welty

In his sixth year as head coach of Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., John Welty has set 27 offensive and defensive records at Westminster and led his team to a national ranking at the conclusion of the 1998 season. Welty previously served as both the head football coach and director of athletics at Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill., where his team broke 18 offensive records. Before spending eight years at Benedictine, Welty served five years at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, as the defensive coordinator.