How many different ways can you make the defense cover everyone?

• By Ryan Eigenberger

How many different ways can you make the defense cover everyone? This is a question posed by Brennan Marion, inventor of the aptly named Go-Go Offense, during his recent clinic talk for Lauren’t First and Goal. In a demonstration of stressing the defense, Marion employs a novel offset two back formation combined with base concepts to force defenders into difficult decisions on who to defend.

Marion maintain’s a spread mentality in this 20 personnel formation. Indeed, the principle of his offense is to run the ball downhill while not giving up any pass situations. Again, how many different ways can you make the defense cover everyone? Simple concepts found within spread offenses were used to answer this question. 

Marion begins with the Duo concept (Diagram 2). The basic premise is to create double teams and kick the last man out with the H-Back. 

Based on the alignment, the Running Back has three “doors” he can run through (numbered on the diagram), forcing the defense to be gap sound front to back. If the single WR is to the open side of the QB, an RPO can be attached having the WR and QB read the coverage for a “2 Way:" Speed out against soft coverage or a Fade against press. Similarly, if the two WR’s are to the open side of the QB, various RPO combinations can be attached. He discussed the simple but effective use of the Bubble.

The Inside Zone, a spread staple, was discussed next. Marion’s version creates triple option looks for the defense to defend, as depicted in Diagram 3.

This play is designed for the H-Back instead of the T, requiring the defense to defend both backs. The QB has the option to give, keep, or throw. As with Duo, the RPO variations include a Bubble to the Y WR in Diagram 3 (or any other two receiver RPO combos) or aligning the two backs to the single WR side and running the same “2 Way” read. In these versions, the T could motion, fake a route of his own, or pick up the DE, as needed.

Next, Marion discussed the popular Wide Zone. The block scheme nuances or reads were not discussed but Marion provides great examples of his Wide Zone Waggle. These are found here:

As with the RPO tags, the Waggle could be applied to any of the previous run concepts. It can also be run to the two WR (Diagram 4) or single WR sides (Diagram 5).

The Waggle proved an effective shot play for Marion. It again forces the defense to account for all offensive threats spread across the field. 

2 Back sets in spread offenses prove to be effective at all levels. The defense is forced to defend the extra man in the box while trying to account for the strength of spread teams: the perimeter. Marion offers a novel variation by offsetting both backs to the same side of the QB, creating decisions on who the defense will defend and how. Combine this with existing spread concepts and put freshness into your offense today!

Learn more here:

Brennan Marion - Using the Duo Backfield Set to Stress the Defense...

The Go-Go Offense is an uptempo, downhill run game offense that t...