There are three reasons that we run trick plays out of the spread:

1. We want to generate a big play when our opponents over commit to stop the jet sweeps and off tackle runs by our running back.
2. We want the defense to play tentatively against our offense and not overly commit to our motion and our running back.
3. We want our opponent to spend practice time preparing for these types of plays.

Jet Sweep Pass

Our offense is known for our jet sweeps and opponents have begun to blitz play side linebackers through the B and C gaps and bring the safety downhill into the running lane against this play.

To counter this we have started to throw the ball downfield against these defensive adjustments. The offensive linemen are taught to punch block anyone head up on them and then slide and protect the first gap to their right.

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The quarterback is to block backside after giving a handoff to the motion man. The running back reads the actions of the play side linebackers and reacts accordingly. The play side slot blocks the defensive end.

The back side receiver reads the play of the safety and the play side linebackers. If the safety vacates the middle to cover the slant and go of the play side, he sprints to this vacated zone. If the safety stays in the middle, he flattens his route and looks to get open behind the flow of the linebackers to the jet sweep.

The play side receiver fakes a block against the corner and then runs a go route. The ball carrier is to read the following:

1. The play side corner, if he stays to stop the run, he should have the play side receiver open.
2. If he vacates and runs with the play side receiver, the opportunity to run may be the best choice.
3. The next defender he is to read is the safety. If he commits to the play side receiver the backside receiver should be open.

Slot Reverse

We run the slot reverse for two reasons. First, we want to catch our opponent over committing to the running back. Secondly, we are looking for a big play out of one of our fastest players.

This play does not have to score to be effective because if we can make the defense be honest, we will be more effective when the running back goes off tackle or outside.

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When we run this reverse against a four man front, the left tackle, center, right tackle and the play side receiver should have angles on the defenders that they are assigned to block. The guards and right slot have makeable reach blocks since the play begins with offensive flow to the left. The quarterback must be able to release out and onto the play side corner for this play to be successful.

In conclusion, with these two plays and others we try to take advantage of the over-aggressive play of the defense. Again, the plays do not have to score to be effective if they cause our opponent to be tentative.

Chris Booth is the head football coach at Peterstown Middle School in West Virginia. He has had four books and nine videos published by Coaches Choice-available here- and will have a youth drill book published later in 2016.