When facing goal line defenses that stack the line of scrimmage, teams need pass concepts they can trust to put six points on the board. Pick plays (or rubs) provide a great way to defeat tight man coverage. Today we take a look at five pick concepts NFL teams used to score touchdowns last season.

Pick with Double Return Motion

The offense lines up in a 3x1 bunch set with the tight end lined up as the isolated receiver. The No. 3 receiver motions across to the left guard, back to the right tackle and then back across the formation, running full speed to the flat at the snap. The No. 1 and No. 2 receivers run slants, the running back runs a swing and the tight runs a spot route with an aiming point of the upfield shoulder of the defender running with the receiver in motion. If the defense is in man, the QB looks to throw to the motion man in the flat. If the defense is in zone, he works the double slant/swing.

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The tight end does a great job of getting in the way of the defender running with the motion. With the defense playing man, the QB goes to the receiver in motion for the score.

Pick H Swing

The offense lines up in an 11 personnel, 2x2 set. They motion the No. 1 receiver to the TE side across the formation to create a three-receiver bunch opposite the isolated TE in a tight split. At the snap, all three receivers in the bunch run slant routes, the TE runs a crossing route and the RB runs a swing to the three-receiver side.

Regardless of whether the Mike linebacker in the middle of the field or the free safety blitzing off the edge to the 3-receiver side is responsible for the RB, the slants clear out the formation and the RB is uncovered on the swing. The QB throws to the RB hot off the blitzing free safety and the play results in a touchdown.

Duo/Spacing RPO

The offense lines up in an 11 personnel, 2x2 set. The No. 1 receiver to the TE side motions into a wing beside the in-line TE. On the other side of the formation, the receivers run a 2-man spacing concept with the No. 1 receiver running a spot route to pick the defender over No. 2, who is running a quick out. The offensive line, TE, wing and RB run Duo. The QB must count the defenders who are accounted for in the blocking scheme and make the correct run/pass decision. He can either hand the ball off or throw spacing.

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The No. 1 receiver does a good job of aiming for the defender over No. 2’s upfield shoulder and the No. 2 receiver creates separation by pressing vertical before snapping off his route on the quick out. With the left cornerback and free safety unaccounted for in the blocking scheme, the QB makes the correct decision and throws the ball to the No. 2 receiver for a touchdown.

X Now

The offense comes out in a 3x1 formation with the TE lined up backside in a “nub.” The No. 1 receiver takes one step upfield then comes flat down the line of scrimmage, doing his best to run away from the corner. The No. 2 and 3 receivers’ jobs are to force the corner to go over the top, which will create enough separation for the No. 1 receiver to catch an on-time throw.

The No. 2 receiver does a good job of getting in the way of the corner and forcing him to go over the top. This creates just enough separation for the No. 1 receiver to catch the ball and get in the end zone.

Sprint-Out Spot

The offense comes out in a 3x1 formation with the TE lined up backside in a “nub.” The No. 1 to the trips side motions in to form a bunch. At the snap, the No. 1 receiver runs a spot route with an aiming point of the upfield shoulder of the defender over No. 2. The No. 2 receiver runs a quick out and the No. 3 receiver runs a corner route. The quarterback sprints out and reads quick out to corner.

The No. 1 receiver does a great job of rubbing off the defender over No. 2 and the QB hits the quick out for the score.

Being one-dimensional near the goal line is something that will catch up with you over time. When teams force you to throw the ball near the goal line, pick plays, bunch formations, tight splits and motions will help you get the upper hand.