Neck Sharpies: Speed in Very Little Space
A few weeks ago I drew up a pass from early in the Michigan Spring Game to demonstrate how Josh Gattis has learned some Joe Moorhead tricks for using vertical space to open up room for his playmakers underneath. In the thread for that a user named UMmasotta asked an excellent question: What does Gattis do when field position takes away verticality?:
I'm curious what happens in red zone situations? I know Brian likes to say there's no such thing as red zone offense but if one of the core principals is to put vertical stress on the defense and said vertical stress is limited due to the proximity of the endzone, what does Gattis do? Obviously, every offense has to deal with shorter, goal-to-go situations. Just wondering if Gattis starts to look like everyone else in those situations or whether there is a "speed in space" concept that he can deploy there as well.
Gattis isn't going to put his best red zone plays on tape in a scrimmage, but we got to see at least one snap from close range that demonstrates how Gattis is still applying this same concept of isolating speedster in space. It's this run from the three-yard line that got halfway there, and almost certainly would have scored but for a silly little walk-on running back who momentarily thought he was Ben Mason.
Gap's that way—>, kid.
There's a lot to unpack here so bear with me. As Jim Brandstatter notes, they're in a "Harbaugh" look, i.e. three tight ends or "31" personnel. Unlike Harbaugh looks from Stanford or Michigan 2015-'17, the quarterback's in the gun, and unlike in 2018, the running back is in a standard gun spot as opposed to the pistol (behind the QB) setup they favored last year.
Running back placement is often a sign of offensive intent. A back beside the quarterback will be coming into the handoff/mesh point diagonally, i.e. an angle for running off-tackle. Move the running back behind the QB and you make that angle more downhill, threatening interior gaps. The pistol formation puts that RB in an "I" stance, threatening both sides of the formation equally. Some coaches (e.g. James Franklin) even have the back a little bit in front of the quarterback, creating a completely horizontal cross that's helpful for running out sideways.
You are, of course, by no means limited to running on these angles; it just means your back is going to have to redirect his momentum to go somewhere else. In our goal line play Gattis has aligned his RB even with Patterson to show the defense a likely attack off the side with two tight ends. Last week we went over a pin & pull play that attacks from a similar alignment.
Gattis is going to attack the backside "A" gap here, but he wants that edge run to the frontside in the defense's minds:
Offense is on the bottom now because I want that one coach to stop DM'ing me about it.
The plan for getting into that A gap is to "Trap" or "Wham" (the word doesn't matter*) block with Nick Eubanks. This is some 2015 Harbaugh stuff that we haven't seen much of the last few years. It's similar to the split zone play they ran a lot last year as a primary counter, where the tight end comes across the formation and thwacks a defender who thinks he's getting optioned, whereupon the ballcarrier slips behind the block. This time they're letting the backside linebacker, Devin Gil, blitz right up that gap. He'll meet Nick Eubanks slipping across the formation, get sealed on the hash, and leave plenty of room behind Ruiz/Onwenu to set a path to the endzone.
So far this is pretty standard stuff—barely any Gattising at all. But that's not all that's happening here. Shea's looking at something. And there's someone else in the backfield. Someone pretty fast. And there's a sunlit region to explore.
[After THE JUMP: Enough with the thwack blocks; show me the #SpeedInSpace part!]
-------------------------------------
* [Some coaches say a "Trap" block is when a TE or FB hits his target horizontally while a "Wham" block is when he makes vertical contact. Others say the difference is a trap happens outside the tackles and a wham is inside. Surely this will elicit a response from Space Coyote et al. in the comments; personally I like "Wham" because of the line in Suffragette City.]
-------------------------------------
So as I alluded to before all that clicking and scrolling, there's a run-pass option attached to this play too (I think). We'll get to that.
Ronnie Bell is coming on a jet motion, a very common trick for shaking up the defense's assignments right before the snap. Watch the play again but this time see how all the defensive backs have to react when Bell crosses them. Bell's jet transforms this from a 13 set to a 23 set (two backs, three tight ends). Remember how the running back's setup will threaten a run in a certain direction? For the tradeoff of an extra cornerback behind the defense, the jet motion has added another running back threatening to scoot out wide. That should result in the backside defenders responsibly staying in a position to run down Bell on a hypothetical sideline chase, i.e. the hell away from our backside A gap run.
But wait there's more. Bell's job here isn't simply to cross everybody up. Let's go back to our still-frame from the mesh point:
Shea is looking right at J'Marick Woods, watching to see if the free safety will crash inside to gum up the works. It might just be a zone read but I don't think so. I think Shea has the option here to put the jet motion receiver, Ronnie Bell, one-on-one with Woods if Woods takes a wrong step.
The likelihood of that happening isn't super-high, but some defenses do just man up and "travel" on motion, meaning the cornerback (#31 Vincent Gray in this case) would follow the motion man wherever he may go, and thereby freeing up the rest of the defense to mind their gaps. That would be bad; as you can see Gray would have a tough time getting to the corner before Bell.
As happened here, the free safety is forced to mind the jet man, removing Woods from any chance of helping. One less safety to worry about means once Eubanks has his wham on there are only cornerbacks—one who just joined the box and isn't yet quite sure where his help is needed—between the back and the endzone.
Unfortunately it's a 5'9" guy named Julian Garrett who probably won't get his name mentioned on MGoBlog ever again, and Garrett chooses to run face first into Onwenu's block rather than test his cutting ability against Ambry Thomas. In a goal line situation, a back versus an unblocked DB should be a win. Here it's not. Lucky D.
I love learning about Football. Thank you Seth.
Marvelous. Both the write-up, but also (what seems to be) the play. MOAR RPOs or RROs please.
Neat stuff Seth! This seems like an interesting mix of typical Harbaugh smashmouth (WHAM* out of a heavy 3TE package) while ensuring that a false step or two results in a TD. This seems like a play they could run with Mason or VanSumeren taking the handoff and powering forward, while setting up an easy pitch-and-catch if the defense sells out too much.
*Or trap, whatever. I'm only a purist when it comes to cars
This is such good analysis. My expectations for the offense are starting to be unbridled. Gattis holding the keys has me excited in a way I haven't been in a long time.
Side thought: is MGoAnalysis too good? In the age of technology there HAVE to be opponent staff analysts who find things like this to build better defensive game plans. With UFRs and Neck Sharpies is there a chance the enemy is learning too much?
*timidly removes tin foil hat*
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Defensive coaches get way better film and already have a general understanding of what these plays are and how they work. Unless you get into very specific rules (which Seth isn't because of a) lack of access to the level of detail necessary to divulge that info and b) the intended audience).
This is good stuff that helps the fan experience and has no negative impact on the program (if anything, it marginally helps the program because it adds interest/insight into what Michigan is doing).
Future opponents have tons of tape available for analysis. Not only will they be breaking down the spring game, but they will be looking at games Michigan has played the last few years, and some offensive plays of PSU and Bama while Gattis was at those schools. They also have have dozens of people breaking down film between the official coaching staff, GA's, and analysts. All of those people are well schooled in the concepts of football, so they will not be looking for any tips here.
The lucky D gives all the tips ?
Only if the Mgoblog staff are playing the 11 Warriors staff.
FWIW, for most, "Wham" is a type of trap play. A trap has a DL intentionally left unblocked at the point of attack, only for another OL to pull from another area and kick him out. There are "short" (or quick) traps, which are typically 2 gaps away (a RG trapping a 3-technique over the outside shoulder of the LG) and "long" traps ~3-4 gaps away (a RG trapping a 5-technique over the outside shoulder of the LT, or a RT trapping a 3-technique over the outside shoulder LG, or even a RT trapping a 5-technique over the outside shoulder of the LT).
A "wham" replaces a pulling OL with a skill player from the backfield, traditionally a FB or H-back (or in rare instances a RB or even WR). Because in the change in angle, the block can be more vertical at times, but traditionally comes from the side still. There are front side wham blocks, backside wham blocks, etc (and especially from the classic I-Form/Veer playbooks, they really come from a lot of different angles, and are given more specific names). They can also be combined with primarily zone or man/gap blocking schemes (Harbaugh/Drevno previously "Bash" their zone wham play, while "Crunch" was their gap wham play).
Crunch
I've talked about this play a lot on here w/ Harbaugh's OFF. Influence Wham where you can get 3 traps in one play. UM terminology = Crunch pic.twitter.com/6HKju5jYBD
— James Light (@JamesALight) June 2, 2017
Blast
Michigan Blast play (Zone Wham). pic.twitter.com/ar3e4jXVg5
— James Light (@JamesALight) August 6, 2017
Lead Wham (note the "sniffer" starts backside and works backward to 3T)
Michigan uses a Fullback/H-Back to manipulate opposing Linebackers into the wrong gaps with a subtle fake into the backside A gap before curving back towards the play side. pic.twitter.com/DEv8Hj8kA2
— Kyle Morgan (@KyleMorgan_ASU) November 23, 2017
Wham with what's known as "Pizza" call (that ends up like an Iso play; I'll be interested if Michigan uses this)
Doug Pederson discussing his "Pizza Theory" as Philadelphia runs a wham concept. The TE is whamming the NT, while the center is working up to the backside LB. When the NT works weak, the center takes the NT and the TE leads up on the LB. Nice on the fly adjustment by Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/oYD8Bhvtfe
— Zach Dunn (@ZachSDunn) June 17, 2018
You can also add midline to the mix as a type of wham
Thanks man, always enjoy your contributions
Trap:
Wham:
. . .pfft, amateurs.
Poor walk on. No reason to trash the kid. He suited up, touched the ball, and didn't shit himself. That's better than most of us can say.
And he arguably made the right decision. Seth would have him cut back into an unblocked defender instead of following 700 pounds of beef. Let’s give credit where credit is due; Jeter (I think) made a nice play taking on the block. A lot of Big 10 defensive linemen would have been shoved into the end zone.
The Jeter block isn't relevant, it's the block on Jordan Anthony by Onwenu. Watch it in real time; I think the back might have lost his balance on his cut and stumbled into the Onwenu block. There's no way cutting inside of that block was going to work because the whole idea is for Onwenu to get a seal to the other side and use all that space against a cornerback. A cut and you're taking on a small guy who's off balance for 1 yard. There's no excuse for what Garrett did except maybe it wasn't on purpose.
Excellent analysis in this post, thanks again
I think a couple of things happen here that remove some of the blame from the RB. First, I think if Gattis had his druthers he'd have Eubanks arriving a bit sooner and with some more authority, getting that LB (and his own feet) out of the way more quickly. But it's an effective block overall. Second, Onwenu kind of catches Anthony rather than mows him down. I know that's a seal and he did fine with it, but with that angle and at his size, he really should be getting movement on a LB. Even meeting him with an impact gets his momentum moving backward and probably allows the RB (even at his small size) to plow his way into the end zone. My compliments to Jordan Anthony here: he doesn't have a lot of options but sees the play and meets Onwenu violently, in fact popping him back and retaining enough leverage and force to bring the RB down as well.
As you note, given the RB's starting position, his momentum is taking him on an angle left when gets the ball, and he has to continue further on that path with a sort of jump cut in order to miss Eubanks. It would be nearly impossible to halt that motion and jump cut back the other way (to his right) in that situation. A more patient running back like Leveon Bell? Sure. I'd guess many college RB's would end up in a similar spot as Garrett.
The flipside of the Anthony-Onwenu encounter is that Anthony does a decent job. He holds his own and sheds enough of the block to make the play. Given what we are replacing at that position, I choose to be encouraged.
Absolutely dumpin on the poor kid, haha. It's all good Julian, congrats on livin a dream almost none of us ever will. And next time use your block correctly, ya dick :D
This is awesome and demonstrates how Harbaugh's philosophy can fit into Gattis' offense.
The defense plays this very well and the offense should still score...that's the sign of a good play. ZC, Chris Evans, and CT almost certainly run for six points here.
Great stuff, Seth. It almost looks like Shea could pull it if he reads the safety (Woods) is crashing in and then set up an option for him to take to it the house himself or pitch to Bell if he doesn't have the best lane. Is that what you were thinking? Or were you thinking he stands in and either tries Bell in the flat or let's him break to the endzone and chucks it over Woods?
He has to throw it most likely. The angle that Eubanks blocked Gil with is not going to keep a linebacker blocked for very long. It should be long enough for Patterson to step back and loft a pass, but I do not think he has enough time or space on this play that they would make a roll out high/low the second option. Just get the ball out and let Bell's speed take him to it.
Nice post. Glad to see Gattis still retaining some of the flavors of Harbaugh's offenses, especially for short yardage or ball control situations. Would really like to see Eubanks do better here. Blocking wasn't his strength, but I assume he'll be used as an H quite a bit and this block wasn't very good (although good enough, he got a bit lucky; but that's one of the nice things about wham plays is generally that block doesn't have to be great to be enough).
The fly motion is a nice addition as it effectively occupies two defenders, which is of extra importance down by the goal line. It limits some of the vertical threat, but with the vertical threat already largely limited because of the end zone, it's more upside than downside. With the TEs, you can also get pretty creative in getting match ups for them in the pass game by drawing the DB's eyes to the fly motion and getting the LB/TE match up you want either in the middle of the field or to the pylon/corner.
I was thinking, after watching the D's response, Gattis could run this play again (or as a counter punch in a future game), where the TE #84 could feign a block on his man and slip out to the flat that the DB just vacated after following the jet motion. At worst, he'd be 1-on-1 with the guy on which he faked his block, and at best, he'd be wide open.
I think we are going to get some "good shit Josh" moments out of Harbaugh this year.
Break off a piece of that Get Gat bar
Every time I read one of these I am overwhelmed by how little I understand about football, despite having watched it for decades. And I am impressed that players can learn all this stuff while taking university classes at the same time.
I never really got into the Xs & Os strategy stuff, but we seem to be breaking down Gattis quite a bit and it all sounds positive. I just hope it's enough to finally end this 0-7 (and 2-16) streak against OSU and get back into the rivalry in a way that we can be again proud of our program while talking with Buckeye fans without having to point to times college students were not alive for. We had a chance in '16 & failed. We had a chance in '18 and failed. We've got them at home with a senior 5-star QB and veteran offensive line. If the d-line can stay healthy this should be a great opportunity.
Wham, bam thank you.........Seth. Appreciate the analysis in terms a novice like me can understand.
Power and trap blocking (Harbaugh) PLUS options putting the defense in conflict (Gattis).
I'm on board!
Good shit, Seth.
What a treat to read this. Thank you Seth. I am so looking forward to this Offense. It is encouraging however that the D really well also on this play.
Offense is on the bottom now because I want that one coach to stop DM'ing me about it.
Thanks, coach!
The engineer in me is asking... when you say "vertical", do you mean on the north-south axis, i.e. downfield ? Or is vertical the sideline to sideline axis ? I'm in a momentary lapse here...
The Y/vertical axis is up and down the field, the X/horizontal axis is sideline to sideline, and the Z axis is the direction my foot is going in relation to the engineer in you.
Vertical = toward the endzone = North/South
Horizontal = toward the sideline = East/West
Great post.
One of the "intangibles" in athletics is the ability for the athlete to "move in space" during their sport.
Gattis' "speed in space" is essentially the same notion.
Some folks say that trait is what made AC an incredible wide receiver - he was able to move on the field at a pace, and angle to the defender - that enabled him to position himself for a catch or to seemingly "make the big play" (punt return, tipped pass catch, get open, get past someone, etc)... I'd offer that Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson both had this trait as well.
Interestingly, the concept of 'space investigator' is in modern soccer (football) with the German national team/Bayern Munich player - Thomas Mueller aka "Raumdeuter" or Space Invader.
It will be great to see how creative Gattis can design plays using space on the field & how specific athletes are able to 'raise their game' or make big plays based upon athletic instincts regarding space on the field.
Go Blue!
This is the kind of content that we pay for on this site.
Very good write-up. Thanks for posting.
I think it is worth pointing out there are several other options off the formation and pre-snap motion that allow you to take advantage of any defensive tendencies seen during the game or leading up to the game.
The first one was kind of touched on but I believe Shea was reading for a "keep" read. Who he was reading is impossible to know but his first step after the snap are forward toward the B or C gap on the weakside. So a keep seems possible.
Second, that route for Bell could easily turn into a speed option with Bell and Shea.
Third, use a "return" motion fora quick pass in the flat. If a defense is letting the corner follow as suggested above with Gray then you could use this to take advantage of the aggressive approach. Bell starts what looks like jet motion hard slamming on the breaks once he gets even with Eubanks reversing field looking for a quick pass in the flat. This would give Bell leverage against the corner that was focusing on trying to get over linebackers. Add in a corner route for #84 and you'd have a very easy read for Shea on the pass.
Lastly, turn Eubanks from blocker to receiver. Eubanks has the same motion at the snap but instead of setting up for a trap block he sprints into the flat, most likely bluffing an edge defender. The line would block this differently to not allow the free runner that Eubanks blocked above. 85 runs a corner, Bell stays on almost a flat line in the backfield with a flare route, Shea pulls and does a half roll using his eye to either puller the corner up on Bell or dropping on the corner which create space for Eubanks. Any chasing linebacker would most likely get lost in the wash. The play would create 4 easy reads... Corner for 85, flare to 8, flat to 82 or call his own number and run.
I love plays like this because no one defensive call can stop every option, so when called and executed correctly the offense should always win.
I hope to see this "play" run 30+ times this coming season.
Thanks for the follow up post, Seth! Enjoyed it, as always.
Good point about Gattis saving the good stuff for later and not putting the best plays on film yet. Looking forward to more of these once some actual game film is available.
We may not have to worry about too many of these inside the 10 goal line plays. In a real game one of our slot WR would have darted free on a crossing pattern, after catching the pass inside the 20 for a TD, back when the ball was on the 30 or 40. But you should always at least practice for when you are inside the 10.
I dunno how it was for you guys, but on my HS FB team Wham was when a TE or FB did the hittin' and Trap was when the OL did the hittin'.
Wham is a hell of a lot more fun to say tho.
Comments