In this blog post we will be discussing midline double, how to run it successfully and why. Midline double in its simplistic form is a double option concept where we are reading the B gap defender. There are several ways to execute the play and we will get into the schematics of that below.

Let's discuss the why, some coaches feel having an open A gap by defensive alignment helps with executing the play because the B gap defender vacates B gap to defend the dive portion of the play thus opening up a bigger running lane for the QB when he pulls/disengages from the B back. Other coaches feel running midline to the smallest technique or open B gap creates advantages in execution and blocking scheme. Either way, I hope to provide you with some nuts and bolts to make this play more efficient for your option offense.

10-11 No Tag.PNG — 10/11
No Tag

PST: Always base block #2 in the count, some coaches will use a reach/pin concept and tie that tackle’s block with toss/rocket concepts to widen #2. Some coaches will base block with the right shoulder, regardless of how you do it, #2 has to be prevented from getting into B gap.
PSG: Veer and clear the B gap defender, this is still a gap scheme, so the guard has to be prepared to block any A gap plug/blitz from the playside linebacker. If no A gap threat then work to backside linebacker.
C: Base block the backside A gap defender, could make an “Ace” call which would alert the BSG to help double that A gap defender.
BSG: Block the backside B gap defender, if “Ace call” from the center then double the A gap defender backside. Adjustment: if there is a shade backside on the center, and no “Ace Call”, and no B gap defender, the BSG will work through the heels of the shade to a point where he can cut off the backside linebacker.
BST: Lead/Hinge or Anchor the backside B to C gap. Will base block the C gap defender with “Slice” call. We have furthered the communication on ‘Slice” call to have the BST make a “Fan” call to alert the BSG he needs to base block the B gap defender. We will show this in later diagrams.
PSA: On the snap of the ball, pause and shift weight to the outside foot, to allow the B gap defender to close on the mesh. Block the playside linebacker through B gap to lead block for the QB in the event the QB pulls the ball from the B back. Make sure to aim your inside shoulder on the outside hip of the playside linebacker so you can block him.
B back: Mid-path, aiming point is the crack of the center. you own the midline!
QB: Ensure the snap, first step is with opposite foot back on a 45. pivot/rotate over that foot and open you r shoulders perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. Make sure you clear the mid-path cylinder of you head and shoulders, pin your chin on your front shoulder to see #1/HOK and reach the ball back to mesh with the B back. Similar to Inside Veer, if #1 can cancel the B back then disengage violently and get down hill in B gap, otherwise hand to B back and finish your fake.
BSA: Pitch path, go late, go fast and sell the pitch phase of the option play. Be aware of tags that change blocking assignments, “Insert”, “Blast” “Lead”, “Texas”.
BSWR: Cutoff
*Against 4-4/4-2-5 defenses we have to account for the over hang player.

10-11 Insert.PNG — 10/11 Insert

PST: Always base block #2 in the count, some coaches will use a reach/pin concept and tie that tackle’s block with toss/rocket concepts to widen #2. Some coaches will base block with the right shoulder, regardless of how you do it, #2 has to be prevented from getting into B gap.
PSG: Veer and clear the B gap defender, this is still a gap scheme, so the guard has to be prepared to block any A gap plug/blitz from the playside linebacker. If no A gap threat then work to backside linebacker.
C: Base block the backside A gap defender, could make an “Ace” call which would alert the BSG to help double that A gap defender.
BSG: Block the backside B gap defender, if “Ace call” from the center then double the A gap defender backside. Adjustment: if there is a shade backside on the center, and no “Ace Call”, and no B gap defender, the BSG will work through the heels of the shade to a point where he can cut off the backside linebacker.
BST: Lead/Hinge or Anchor the backside B to C gap. Will base block the C gap defender with “Slice” call. We have furthered the communication on ‘Slice” call to have the BST make a “Fan” call to alert the BSG he needs to base block the B gap defender. We will show this in later diagrams.
* PSA: On the cadence, you will start your pitch motion and we want to get at least three steps in the ground before the ball is snapped to give the illusion you are going in pitch phase. Push off the outside foot and work downhill. Block the playside linebacker through B gap to lead block for the QB in the event the QB pulls the ball from the B back. Make sure to aim your inside shoulder on the outside hip of the playside linebacker so you can block him.
B back: Mid-path, aiming point is the crack of the center. you own the midline!
QB: Ensure the snap, first step is with opposite foot back on a 45. pivot/rotate over that foot and open you r shoulders perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. Make sure you clear the mid-path cylinder of you head and shoulders, pin your chin on your front shoulder to see #1/HOK and reach the ball back to mesh with the B back. Similar to Inside Veer, if #1 can cancel the B back then disengage violently and get down hill in B gap, otherwise hand to B back and finish your fake.
*BSA: We want the backfield to look like we are running inside Veer to the left. I have drawn a crack/arc scheme but you can also make it look more like a load scheme, either way, you executing your inside veer blocking principles to influence the defense. Be aware of tags that change blocking assignments, “Insert”, “Blast” “Lead”, “Texas”.
*BSWR: Inside Veer blocking principles.

10-11 Lead.PNG — 10/11 Lead

PST: Always base block #2 in the count, some coaches will use a reach/pin concept and tie that tackle’s block with toss/rocket concepts to widen #2. Some coaches will base block with the right shoulder, regardless of how you do it, #2 has to be prevented from getting into B gap.
PSG: Veer and clear the B gap defender, this is still a gap scheme, so the guard has to be prepared to block any A gap plug/blitz from the playside linebacker. If no A gap threat then work to backside linebacker.
C: Base block the backside A gap defender, could make an “Ace” call which would alert the BSG to help double that A gap defender.
BSG: Block the backside B gap defender, if “Ace call” from the center then double the A gap defender backside. Adjustment: if there is a shade backside on the center, and no “Ace Call”, and no B gap defender, the BSG will work through the heels of the shade to a point where he can cut off the backside linebacker.
BST: Lead/Hinge or Anchor the backside B to C gap. Will base block the C gap defender with “Slice” call. We have furthered the communication on ‘Slice” call to have the BST make a “Fan” call to alert the BSG he needs to base block the B gap defender. We will show this in later diagrams.
* PSA: we want the backfield to look like we are running inside veer to the right, so the PSA in a “lead” scheme will use the inside veer blocking principles to make the perimeter blocking look like inside veer.
B back: Mid-path, aiming point is the crack of the center. you own the midline!
QB: Ensure the snap, first step is with opposite foot back on a 45. pivot/rotate over that foot and open you r shoulders perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. Make sure you clear the mid-path cylinder of you head and shoulders, pin your chin on your front shoulder to see #1/HOK and reach the ball back to mesh with the B back. Similar to Inside Veer, if #1 can cancel the B back then disengage violently and get down hill in B gap, otherwise hand to B back and finish your fake.
*BSA: We want the backfield to look like we are running inside Veer to the right. On the cadence, you will start your pitch motion and we want to get to a point beyond the B back so you can get downhill in playside B gap. Push off the outside foot and work downhill. Block the playside linebacker through B gap to lead block for the QB in the event the QB pulls the ball from the B back. Make sure to aim your inside shoulder on the outside hip of the playside linebacker so you can block him.Be aware of tags that change blocking assignments, “Insert”, “Blast” “Lead”, “Texas”.
*BSWR: Cutoff

10-11 Blast.PNG — 10/11 Blast

PST: Always base block #2 in the count, some coaches will use a reach/pin concept and tie that tackle’s block with toss/rocket concepts to widen #2. Some coaches will base block with the right shoulder, regardless of how you do it, #2 has to be prevented from getting into B gap.
PSG: Veer and clear the B gap defender, this is still a gap scheme, so the guard has to be prepared to block any A gap plug/blitz from the playside linebacker. If no A gap threat then work to backside linebacker.
C: Base block the backside A gap defender, could make an “Ace” call which would alert the BSG to help double that A gap defender.
BSG: Block the backside B gap defender, if “Ace call” from the center then double the A gap defender backside. Adjustment: if there is a shade backside on the center, and no “Ace Call”, and no B gap defender, the BSG will work through the heels of the shade to a point where he can cut off the backside linebacker.
BST: Lead/Hinge or Anchor the backside B to C gap. Will base block the C gap defender with “Slice” call. We have furthered the communication on ‘Slice” call to have the BST make a “Fan” call to alert the BSG he needs to base block the B gap defender. We will show this in later diagrams.
*PSA: On the snap of the ball, pause and shift weight to the outside foot, to allow the B gap defender to close on the mesh. Block the playside linebacker through B gap to lead block for the QB in the event the QB pulls the ball from the B back. Make sure to aim your inside shoulder on the outside hip of the playside linebacker so you can block him.
B back: Mid-path, aiming point is the crack of the center. you own the midline!
QB: Ensure the snap, first step is with opposite foot back on a 45. pivot/rotate over that foot and open you r shoulders perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. Make sure you clear the mid-path cylinder of you head and shoulders, pin your chin on your front shoulder to see #1/HOK and reach the ball back to mesh with the B back. Similar to Inside Veer, if #1 can cancel the B back then disengage violently and get down hill in B gap, otherwise hand to B back and finish your fake.
*BSA: The “Blast” tag combines the “no tag” blocking and the “lead” tag blocking together. Be aware of tags that change blocking assignments, “Insert”, “Blast” “Lead”, “Texas”.
*BSWR: Cutoff

10-11 Lead Traditional.PNG — 10/11 vs. 5-2

10-11 No Tag Slice.PNG — 10/11 No Tag with Slice Technique vs. 4-4

PST: Always base block #2 in the count, some coaches will use a reach/pin concept and tie that tackle’s block with toss/rocket concepts to widen #2. Some coaches will base block with the right shoulder, regardless of how you do it, #2 has to be prevented from getting into B gap.
PSG: Veer and clear the A gap defender and make it look like a scoop block. We are trying to use the defensive lineman’s key reads against him. work to second level.
C: Base block the backside A gap defender, could make an “Ace” call which would alert the BSG to help double that A gap defender.
BSG: Block the backside B gap defender, if “Ace call” from the center then double the A gap defender backside. Adjustment: if there is a shade backside on the center, and no “Ace Call”, and no B gap defender, the BSG will work through the heels of the shade to a point where he can cut off the backside linebacker.
BST: Lead/Hinge or Anchor the backside B to C gap. Will base block the C gap defender with “Slice” call. We have furthered the communication on ‘Slice” call to have the BST make a “Fan” call to alert the BSG he needs to base block the B gap defender. We will show this in later diagrams.
PSA: On the snap of the ball, pause and shift weight to the outside foot, to allow the B gap defender to close on the mesh. Block the playside linebacker through B gap to lead block for the QB in the event the QB pulls the ball from the B back. Make sure to aim your inside shoulder on the outside hip of the playside linebacker so you can block him.
B back: Mid-path, aiming point is the crack of the center. you own the midline!
QB: Ensure the snap, first step is with opposite foot back on a 45. pivot/rotate over that foot and open you r shoulders perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. Make sure you clear the mid-path cylinder of you head and shoulders, pin your chin on your front shoulder to see #1/HOK and reach the ball back to mesh with the B back. Similar to Inside Veer, if #1 can cancel the B back then disengage violently and get down hill in B gap, otherwise hand to B back and finish your fake.
BSA: Pitch path, go late, go fast and sell the pitch phase of the option play. Be aware of tags that change blocking assignments, “Insert”, “Blast” “Lead”, “Texas”.
BSWR: Cutoff

10-11 Insert Slice.PNG — 10/11 Slice vs. 5-2

PST: Always base block #2 in the count, some coaches will use a reach/pin concept and tie that tackle’s block with toss/rocket concepts to widen #2. Some coaches will base block with the right shoulder, regardless of how you do it, #2 has to be prevented from getting into B gap.
PSG: Scoop the nose with the center. We want to make this playside block look like a backside block to influence the defense.
C: Scoop the nose with the PSG, be ready to climb to the second level when the BSG pushed you through the scoop. Ensure the scoop
BSG: Block the backside B gap defender, if “Ace call” from the center then double the A gap defender backside. Adjustment: if there is a shade backside on the center, and no “Ace Call”, and no B gap defender, the BSG will work through the heels of the shade to a point where he can cut off the backside linebacker.
BST: Lead/Hinge or Anchor the backside B to C gap. Will base block the C gap defender with “Slice” call. We have furthered the communication on ‘Slice” call to have the BST make a “Fan” call to alert the BSG he needs to base block the B gap defender. We will show this in later diagrams.
* PSA: On the cadence, you will start your pitch motion and we want to get at least three steps in the ground before the ball is snapped to give the illusion you are going in pitch phase. Push off the outside foot and work downhill. Block the playside linebacker through B gap to lead block for the QB in the event the QB pulls the ball from the B back. Make sure to aim your inside shoulder on the outside hip of the playside linebacker so you can block him.
*B back: Mid-path, aiming point is the crack of the center. you own the midline! Will never be able to cut the ball back away from the playside because of the slice technique!!
QB: Ensure the snap, first step is with opposite foot back on a 45. pivot/rotate over that foot and open you r shoulders perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. Make sure you clear the mid-path cylinder of you head and shoulders, pin your chin on your front shoulder to see #1/HOK and reach the ball back to mesh with the B back. Similar to Inside Veer, if #1 can cancel the B back then disengage violently and get down hill in B gap, otherwise hand to B back and finish your fake.
*BSA: We want the backfield to look like we are running inside Veer to the left. I have drawn a base scheme but you can also make it look more like a switch scheme, either way, you executing your inside veer blocking principles to influence the defense. Be aware of tags that change blocking assignments, “Insert”, “Blast” “Lead”, “Texas”.
*BSWR: Inside Veer blocking principles.

10-11 Texas.PNG — 10/11 Texas

Another way to run midline to a TE/Over Tackle. I have it drawn up against a 5-2 look with a slice technique but you could run it vs. any scheme or front. We like this formation and play vs. man coverage teams.

Midline Double: The How and Why