Motion Tags

here are the motion calls we use, we do not specify if they have the ball by the motion tag, if they get the ball then they will hear "38" or "29" or whatever the play call is. Motion tag is for motion and helps identify the whole backfield action but not the ball carrier.

ie

ray- left wing in arc motion to right
lee- right wing in arc motion to left

rocket- our sprint motion by left wing to right.- also tells qb and fb what to do to create the entire backfield action.
lazer- out sprint motion by right wing to left. also tells qb and fb what to do to create the entire backfield action.

we letter our motion guys..... fb=f , left half=l , right half=r .etc.... we also number the outside leg of our lineman. when we want our fb to go in motion we just call "F, THEN a # were we want him to end up.

also, try simply tagging someone to motion INTO the formation...

say, you call a "trey" formation Ricky ... call "A-mo Ricky" and the all players except the "A" line up in Ricky... the "A" lines up wherever he wants then motions to his position in Ricky... SO...

if, in "Ricky" the A is the #2 receiver on the right, he could line up on the left, in the backfield, wherever, then motions to be the #2 receiver on the right.

Do same thing with the Z ... "Z-mo" Ricky, etc.

Doing it this way often helps kids to understand where they need to be at the snap. As we all know how calling a formation, then motioning to run a play can lead to headaches as the motion man gets too far out at the snap, or isn't all the way there for the given play at the snap. By setting the "finished" formation, you can help offset this problem as they are now motioning to a specific formation from which to run the called play.

Also, it gives some "ownership" and "fun" to the motion man as he gets to pick his starting point. all these "starting" formations add to the scouting report for the DC.

What this also does is allow for a shift THEN another motion ... i.e. A-shift Ricky Zip ... aka, all players but A line up in "Ricky" ... A shifts to his position for Ricky, sets THEN the Z goes in motion (Zip = Z motion across formation)

Next progression is to shift multiple players ... as in "Tango" Ricky ... where Tango means TE and A will line up some where other than Ricky (all others line up in Ricky) and both will shift to their spot in Ricky.

A few years ago I stumbled upon the Joe Gibbs numbering system for formations. It is on this forum somewhere waaaaay back.

It got me thinking….what if I dumbed this down and applied it to my offenses.

I divide the formation ( field) into 9 monuments. 1-9 left to right.

1……..2….…3…...T..G..C..G..T…….7…..8…..9


……………………......4……5…….6


Now plug in a base formation.

X……..2….…..…...T..G..C..G..T…….7…..8……..
………………H…………………………………................Z

……………………......4……Q…….S

X always aligns 1, H 3, Q 5, S 6, Z 9 as the base.

Want to motion Z to trips right tag Z “Z92”. That means align at 9 motion to 2 on cue.

Want to run an H orbit motion tag H “H35”. That means align at 3 motion to 5 on cue.

As you get good at it you can yo-yo….Z937 meaning Z aligns at 9 motions to 4 then back to 7.

Need a TE…”H on” or make it your base.

I take the S back and he sets the base formation right or left. 66 Right means S aligns at 6 and stays at 6 with X, H and Z always at their base monuments for right or left. If I want S on the other side of the QB but still want base right as the formation the play call starts with 44 Right. Motion to empty the play call starts with 48 Right meaning align at 4 and motion to 8 on cue, for example. All play calls whereas the QB is under center would start with a 55 meaning the S back aligns at 5 and stays at 5 but in the base formation the 5 monument is for the QB and two players cannot align at the same monument….so 55 defaults to the S back and the play call is now from under the center. If you want to motion the S back then the play call starts with a 58 meaning align at 5 motion to 8 on cue for example. When we ran the Pro I the H back automatically aligned as a FB in our 5 series but could still motion.

Now you can run multiple formations and motions with ease. 66 Right, 24 Zone Read. Same play….66 Right, X 88, 24 Zone Read. Same play….66 Right, X88, H 49, 24 Zone Read….for example. We use wristbands and teach the QB to enunciate the play calls. 66 Right //// X88, H49 //// 24 Zone Read /// on first sound. Then the play call never runs together and we never call it twice in the huddle so everyone pays attention the first time.

We no longer use the a-typical hole numbering system either. We mirror the hole numbering to each monument to simplify. So wedge or dive is the 5 hole, off tackle 4 and 6, sweep 7 or 8. Honestly there really isn’t an need for an expanded hole numbering system unless you run the DW and think its necessary to hit all 10 gaps….which really aren’t gaps with zero splits. The hole numbering system for that type of offense should be butt cheeks.

We do tag the backs with a number 1-4.

So 66 Right ( formation ) X88 ( X is tagged away from the base ) 24 Zone Read ( play design - 2 back to the 4 hole / zone blocking / QB read ).

We have run it with the gun spread, pro I and wing t. Works great and the kids get it. I have found that a numbering sequence is easier on their brains over a word sequence. Plus it flows for further play designs as the season progresses....even if that play design is some kind of ephifany that you may have.

Coach Mike