Kansas I with Swap Sweep and Bait submitted by Kody Page (a.k.a. SouthTitanDude). Suggestions for Swap Sweep made by Patrick Roach (PimpDaddyPat) and Arkaein.

Formation Overview

Kansas I is a tight formation which uses a fairly conventional set of personnel. The main wrinkle is the relative positions of the FB and HB, with the HB in front. While this looks odd it provides for some interesting possibilities in the running game, one of which is shown below in Swap Sweep. The off position of the TE also give him the chance to play lead blocker in situations where the FB would be too slow to get going. The short set of the HB also allows slightly quicker than usual release into pass patterns than in a standard I formation.

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Again, I like a Full House formation to modify into the Kansas I. Keep the players in close to the same positions by swapping the roles of the rear HB and FB, and move the right HB over to TE. Quickness and explosiveness at the HB position are key. A versatile FB is a big plus with this one.

Swap Sweep

Kansas I - Swap Sweep

This outside running play takes advantage of the unusually short set of the HB in front of the deeper FB. Though a delay, this play develops a bit faster than some delay runs due to the position of the HB, and the timing is just right for the FB to build up a full head of steam to lay a crushing lead block. It also gives the HB a chance to survey the defense and pick a good running lane while forcing the defense to reveal the coverage and letting the attackers get upfield. Once the HB does get the ball this often means more room to run to the outside. A back with good acceleration and the ability to make cuts is what the doctor orders here. Don't be deceived by this deceptively simple looking play, Swap Sweep can break some big gains.

Player Assignments

Position Action
O-line Run Block
QB Handoff to RB
SEs and TE Run Block
FB Lead Far Left
RB Delay - Sweep Left

Blocking Assessment

The idea is quite simple here. You get a nice chance to watch the play develop for a second before taking the handoff, and in most cases the next step is towards the outside, around the FB and hopefully to make some moves in the open field. Once in a while the outside blocking will collapse while the O-line gets a good push up the middle. Look for this especially when the D-line spreads out wide or stacks the target weak side, and be ready to make a sharp cut back to the middle in this case. Patience is important, as you don't want to outrun the lead block of your FB, usually saving your big burst of acceleration until just after he takes out a defender.

Analysis

Pros:

  • Good Playmaker control to run play to either side
  • Surprising ability (considering the tight formation) to get to the outside and make moves in the open field

Cons:

  • Slower developing play will lead to some tackles for loss against heavy defensive rushes on the run side
  • Can require WRs to sustain long blocks

Bait

Kansas I - Bait

Bait is a play where FB versatility comes in really handy. With five receiving routes there's a great chance for someone to be left uncovered, especially against a blitz, and as the most likely candidate a FB who can make a catch and run can break a defense's back. The HB on the other side is also a good option, and a defense that pulls it's corners and safeties in close to protect the seams against the dual streak routes can be burned deep by a good throw to the WRs aimed to the outside. Because this play is made up only of stock routes and employs symmetry between the paired backs and wideouts it is very easy to learn and can be used effectively despite little practice in most situations. Attacking blitzes successfully takes a bit more practice (as with almost all plays) but in this case using the TE as a hot read works the majority of the time.

Player Assignments

Position Action
O-line Pass Block
QB Drop 3yd
SEs 20yd Streak
TE N3-W6 (open)
FB Swing Left
RB Swing Right

Read Progression

  1. TE in
  2. Right SE streak
  3. Left SE streak
  4. HB swing
  5. FB swing

Bait has a progression about as straightforward as the play itself. Look first to the TE. As a hot read against the blitz (which you may well need with no blocking support) look to hit this pass up the seam before he makes his break. Otherwise try to throw just after the break as most TEs lack the speed to outrun defenders horizontally across the field. Next look to the streaks. The strong side streak might be the best early against man coverage, while the left side might be in a little less traffic, the order isn't too important here. I find that the most success can be had throwing up the seam before hitting the deep safeties, though if all routes are covered early and the QB has time a throw deep and far to the outside can make for the occasional big gain or TD.

Finish the play up with the swings. These quickly became my favorite targets, especially the FB because many defenses only put 4 players in man coverage, and the FB is usually the one left alone. This can make for some of the easiest 5-15 yard gains you'll ever see. The HB to the left is more likely to draw coverage but can often outrun a LB down the sideline.

Analysis

Pros:

  • Slot streaks and in route pull in LBs and DBs and give backs great chance to get wide open in flats
  • Can be used effectively with very little practice

Cons:

  • Well executed blitz will quickly pressure QB
  • Defenses playing full coverage will be able to take away most throws and may lead to coverage sacks or throwaways

Contact Arkaein with any comments or questions regarding the Monstrous Madden Playbook.