The legalities of the play are in question due to the fact that the O-Line and Running Back are executing "Draw" - a run play, while the WRs are running pass routes - generally the concept "Stick". The idea is to create constraint on the Inside Linebacker, causing him to either a) Cover the "Stick" route; or b) play the run. Chris Brown, author smartfootball.com and contributor to Grantland.com, wrote an interesting article about the play here.
Dana Holgerson, former OC at Oklahoma State and now HC at West Virginia, has been running the "Stick/Draw" combo for awhile, as well as many other coaches/programs around the country. Here's a few examples:
Where I believe the questions surrounding the play derive from are the fact that some high school teams are using it and their linemen have been downfield when the QB has thrown the ball. In Texas, the linemen have to be within 3 yards of the neutral zone when the ball crosses the LOS, or it's a penalty for "illegal man downfield."
If you look at the plays above, most of the college teams are really delaying their O-Line. The high school teams that run it, including our team, we block draw differently. Vs. a three man front, most of the time we will fold the Guards and Tackles, therefore providing a split second delay. However, there were times when we were close to the three-yard illegal mark when the ball was thrown.
I have provided some cutups of our team running "Straw" (our Stick + Draw), and I'll break down whether each could be considered legal or illegal. The main difference between how most people do it and how we do it is that we run it out of Empty, so the QB is the Draw guy. We like it like that because he is our Stud, we don't have to worry about practicing the handoff, and it takes one less person (threat) out of the box. Here's the clips:
Play 1: Backside WR uncovered = QB hits this "Shot" route quick; He is actually behind the LOS when he catches the ball, so the O-Line downfield doesn't come into play here. They are actually about at the LOS when he catches it anyway. Legal.
Play 2: This should have been a penalty but wasn't called. QB should have tucked and ran immediately, but center was getting blown up. As he scrambles, the O-Line goes downfield to block the LBs. We actually complete this pass for positive yardage, but again, should have been flagged. Illegal. - NOT FLAGGED
Play 3: First off, we got called for a penalty for 5 in the backfield because our Z was not on the line. However, let's look at the linemen as the ball crosses the LOS. The tackles (because of the fold) are really only at about 1 1/2 yards when the ball is caught, much less crossing the LOS. Therefore, this would be considered Legal. .
Play 4: Same as Play 3. Because of the fold, the tackles are only about a yard downfield when the ball crosses the LOS. Again, it's Legal. (thought the QB should have run it here, though).
Play 5: The Right Tackle folds quickly and is actually about 2 yards down field when the ball crosses the LOS. This would not be legal in NFHS rules, but is Legal in Texas.
Play 6: Run. Legal.
Play 7: This play was penalized because our WRs weren't set when the QB snapped the ball (again...They were "encouraged" after this drive to get lined up faster, and we talked to the QB about not snapping it until everyone's set). As far as the pass, the tackles are barely to the LOS when the ball crosses. Legal.
Play 8: Run. Legal.
Play 9: Like Play 2, the QB scramble (should have just ran), and threw a pass to the out route. Unlike Play 2, this time we WERE flagged for "Illegal man downfield." We talked to our QB about if you can't throw the Stick RIGHT NOW, you HAVE to run. Illegal - FLAGGED.
In summation, other than the plays were the QB scrambled (Plays 2 and 9), we were within the rules as far as being downfield when it comes to NCAA rules. However, NFHS rules state that the Linemen must be engaged when in the two-yard zone past the LOS. As this play becomes more popular, you can bet that referees will be more aware of Linemen downfield, especially as opposing coaches who scout us or other teams running this concept make them aware of it.
Feel free to add your questions and comments. You can also e-mail me at: coachbindel@gmail.com
Play 2: This should have been a penalty but wasn't called. QB should have tucked and ran immediately, but center was getting blown up. As he scrambles, the O-Line goes downfield to block the LBs. We actually complete this pass for positive yardage, but again, should have been flagged. Illegal. - NOT FLAGGED
Play 3: First off, we got called for a penalty for 5 in the backfield because our Z was not on the line. However, let's look at the linemen as the ball crosses the LOS. The tackles (because of the fold) are really only at about 1 1/2 yards when the ball is caught, much less crossing the LOS. Therefore, this would be considered Legal. .
Play 4: Same as Play 3. Because of the fold, the tackles are only about a yard downfield when the ball crosses the LOS. Again, it's Legal. (thought the QB should have run it here, though).
Play 5: The Right Tackle folds quickly and is actually about 2 yards down field when the ball crosses the LOS. This would not be legal in NFHS rules, but is Legal in Texas.
Play 6: Run. Legal.
Play 7: This play was penalized because our WRs weren't set when the QB snapped the ball (again...They were "encouraged" after this drive to get lined up faster, and we talked to the QB about not snapping it until everyone's set). As far as the pass, the tackles are barely to the LOS when the ball crosses. Legal.
Play 8: Run. Legal.
Play 9: Like Play 2, the QB scramble (should have just ran), and threw a pass to the out route. Unlike Play 2, this time we WERE flagged for "Illegal man downfield." We talked to our QB about if you can't throw the Stick RIGHT NOW, you HAVE to run. Illegal - FLAGGED.
In summation, other than the plays were the QB scrambled (Plays 2 and 9), we were within the rules as far as being downfield when it comes to NCAA rules. However, NFHS rules state that the Linemen must be engaged when in the two-yard zone past the LOS. As this play becomes more popular, you can bet that referees will be more aware of Linemen downfield, especially as opposing coaches who scout us or other teams running this concept make them aware of it.
Feel free to add your questions and comments. You can also e-mail me at: coachbindel@gmail.com
