25 Two Point Conversion Plays
From the 2016 Season
ALEX KIRBY
CoachingProcessWins.com
Overview
Here’s a play from the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 of the season. This is designed to get the ball out of the QB’s hands
in a hurry. It’s pretty self-explanatory, and out of this formation a lot of coaches may think about adding something
else like an RPO to the opposite side of the play.
Player
2 - QB
Assignment
Read Flat-Hitch-Fade
24 – TB
11 - #1 WR
Pass protection
Fade
16 - #2 WR
Hitch
12 - #3 WR
Flat
83 - TE
Pass protection
Coaching Points
Can throw fade vs press depending on matchup. Ball
should come out quickly.
Expect ball vs press. Your primary job is to get vertical
and create space for flat. Drift toward the back middle
if no throw immediately and play breaks down.
First responsibility is to get vertical and create space
for flat.
Get vertical to a yard past the goal line and then cut
underneath the vertical release of #2 WR. Expect the
football immediately after your out-cut.
Secure inside gap.
1
Overview
This play is from the Raiders playbook, and they ran it in their opening win against the Saints.
Player
4 – QB
15 - #1 WR
Assignment
Carry out fake. Read SitBend-Slant
Carry out fake and pass
protection.
Slant
10 - #2 WR
Bend
86 - #3 TE
89 - #1 WR
Sit
Shallow Out
30 – TB
Coaching Points
Can work single receiver side depending on matchup.
Be ready to abandon the fake vs heavy pressure.
Stay vertical until the goal line before making your cut,
allow time for Bend route to develop.
Expect the ball if your man blitzes. Bend it back to the
middle of the end zone to take defenders with you and
open space for the slat behind you.
Sit down past the goal line between the hashes.
Stand up the DB, get a yard deep into the end zone,
and cut back out immediately expecting the ball.
2
Overview
This is a great twist on an old favorite.
Everybody knows the play where you run a 4th guy out in a hurry, take the snap, and throw it to him because you’ve
got the defense outnumbered. Well in this version, the QB has the ability to take off up the middle if the defense
moves a guy out of the middle.
Most teams aren’t ready for a QB draw from under center, so this can be super-effective for you this season.
Player
QB
Assignment
Read defense and throw
smoke screen to TB or
run draw into A-gap
24 – TB
11 - #1 WR
16 - #1 WR
Motion to Diamond
Bunch, run smoke
screen
2-step Slant
Block
12 - #2 WR
Block
83 - #3 TE
Block
Coaching Points
Read how defense responds to motion. If there is room
in the A-gap, take it. Carry out pump fake to smoke
screen to set up blocking. Can throw backside slant if
defense over-compensates vs motion
Expect the ball immediately after the snap. Make the
defense see you waving your arms if you don’t get the
ball thrown your way.
Expect ball vs lots of open space.
Take 2 quick steps and establish yourself in space and
wait for defender to come to you, then create
movement on contact.
Take 2 quick steps and establish yourself in space and
wait for defender to come to you, then create
movement on contact.
Take 2 quick steps and establish yourself in space and
wait for defender to come to you, then create
movement on contact.
3
Overview
The Miami Dolphins used this play against Cleveland early in the year. They came out in goal line personnel, then
shifted to a flexed out formation designed to put slower defenders in space. This is where the athleticism of the TE
position really comes in handy.
Player
17 – QB
Assignment
Read Slant-Wheel
88 – TE
87 – TE
Fade
Slant
82 – TE
Slot Fade
42 – FB
20 – TB
Pass protection
Pass protection
Coaching Points
Can throw fade depending on matchup. Can check to
QB sneak if defense is poorly aligned after shift.
Come underneath the release of #82. Be aware of close
alignment after the shift.
Get vertical to the goal line to time up the slant route
from #87, then run a fade
4
Overview
This is two plays in one. If you’ve got a stud receiver, you can put him by himself to the single receiver side and throw
him a fade. You can also throw this great timing route to the opposite side if the defense tries to take him away.
Player
15 – QB
Assignment
Read Sit-Sit-Dig
(Inside Out)
26 – TB
11 - #1 WR
Pass protection
Fade
80 - #1 WR
Dig
16 - #2 WR
Sit
82 - #3 TE
Sit
Coaching Points
Can throw fade depending on matchup. If neither sit is
open keep eyes on slot receiver to hold defense until
dig comes open.
Stack up on the DB and get vertical quickly. Expect
ball right away. Line up inside the numbers to give
yourself lots of room for the fade.
Stem to simulate a fade route. Widen off the line to
create space for the sit route. Take easiest path to get
around the DB, get open in the back of the end zone
near the goal post.
Get 1-2 yards past the goal line and face QB. Expect
the ball immediately.
Get 1-2 yards past the goal line and face QB. Expect
the ball immediately.
5
Overview
Another play from the Dolphins, this time they move their tough receiver Jarvis Landry back into the backfield, and
sneak him out to the flat on a boot, where he’s wide open for an easy catch.
Player
17 – QB
23 – TB
Assignment
Carry out fake, boot
right
Read Flat-Delay-Drag
Carry out fake, flare
away
11 – #1 WR
Drag
14 - #1 WR
Motion to backfield,
Slide route
10 - #2 WR
Cross
48 - #3 TE
Delay
O-Line
Slide Left
Coaching Points
Carry out your fake and look for the slide route right
away.
Carry out zone read fake and flare away from the
action. Drift toward the goal line and make yourself
open if the play breaks down.
Get over the goal line then start drifting toward the
back pylon on the opposite side, gaining depth as you
cross the field.
Get over the top of the tailback immediately to create
space for the fake. Come off the hip of the TE and get
past the goal line and look for the ball immediately.
Create confusion for interior defenders. You’re trying to
make room for the passing game to the boot side. Get
over the top of the drag route coming from the
backside.
st
Block down on 1 man inside of you for 2 counts, find
space and sit down near the right hash.
Simulate inside zone left
6
Overview
This is a great play from the Arizona Cardinals playbook. Bruce Arians puts his best receiver Larry Fitzgerald inside
the bunch to run the flat, and he’s also got it designed to get a couple people open behind the defense along the end
line. This is great if you’ve got a defense who likes to sit on the goal line and not give up anything easy.
Player
3 – QB
31 – TB #1
Assignment
Read leverage pre-snap
and pick a side
Pivot
14 – WR #2
Skinny Post
12 – WR #1
Dig
84 – TE #2
11 – TE #3
Sit
Flat
Coaching Points
Flat-Pivot route to either side is first read. When in
doubt go with bunch side.
Get 1 yard past the goal line and pivot back out. Use
the vertical release of #14 to get a free release. Stay
shallow if play breaks down to make room for skinny
post-pivot behind you.
Get vertical and aim for near goal post to settle down.
Pivot to back near pylon if play breaks down.
Stem to simulate a fade route. Run ¾ speed and widen
off the line initially to create space for the flat route.
Take easiest path to get around the DB, get open in the
back of the end zone and settle down near the right
goal post.
Get 1-2 yards past the goal line and face QB. Get
Get 1 yard past the goal line and look for the ball
immediately.
7
Overview
Tampa Bay pulled this one out of the hat, putting a nice spin on a classic boot design.
Player
3 – QB
10 – WR #2
Assignment
Carry out fake and boot
to right. Read FlatDelay-Drag
Motion to tailback spot
in backfield, carry out
fake with QB, flare
away.
Sail
84 – TE #3
Delay
13 – WR #1
Drag
11 – WR #2
Slide
36 – TB #1
Coaching Points
Can also run if nothing is open.
Flare away from fake.
Inside release and establish yourself before getting
vertical and cutting to the back near pylon
Block down on 1st man inside of you for 2 counts, find
space and sit down near the right hash. Make contact
on EMOL to clear space for slide route.
Inside release. Get 2-3 yards past the goal line and get
horizontal.
Get off the hip of the TE and get a yard into the end
zone and expect the ball right away.
8
Overview
Depending on the kinds of defenses you see in your league, this may or may not be one that can work for you. It
relies on using 13 personnel and lining up in empty so that the defense is forced to show their hands. Here, the
Ravens have WR Steve Smith (#89) lined up in the slot, and he’s the only WR on the field. If the defense is playing
man, they’ll have a corner over him. If not, he’ll be playing against a linebacker. Either way, the QB Joe Flacco knows
the coverage before he takes the snap.
Player
5 – QB
Assignment
Pick a side based on
pre-snap coverage read
88 – TE #1
Slant
30 – TB #2
Wheel
84 – TE #1
Fade
86 – TE #2
Stick
89 – WR #89
Stick
Coaching Points
If zone coverage, look to three receiver side and read
stick routes inside out. If man coverage, look to two
receiver side and read Slant-Wheel.
Momentary delay off the line to time up the wheel
route and allow him to run the wheel over the top of
you.
Hard outside release to create a rub for the slant
underneath. If the corner follows expect the ball on
your outside. Aim for back pylon.
Hard outside release to make room on the goal line for
stick routes. Get vertical ASAP to back pylon.
Stick. Sit down vs outside leverage defender. Widen vs
inside leverage zone defender. Expect ball
immediately.
Stick and sit down. Expect ball immediately.
9
Overview
This is great if you’re facing a man defense and you use a lot of jet motion. Just fake the jet sweep and toss it the other
direction.
Player
QB
22 - TB
87 – WR #1
16 – WR #2
86 – TE #3
10 – WR #1
Assignment
Carry out jet sweep fake
then toss to TB away.
Run toss path away
from jet motion
Motion into formation
and carry out jet fake,
flare away from toss
Block man on
Outside release to 2nd
level block
Block MDM for jet
sweep fake
Coaching Points
Open up to jet sweep action, carry out fake and then
toss to TB.
Receive toss and get to the edge. Read blocks of WR
and TE at the POA.
Carry out fake. Put head down and cradle an invisible
football with both hands as you run away from toss.
Vs 2 possible defenders to block work outside-in.
Leave EMOL to work up to 2nd level. Vs 2 possible
defenders at second level work outside-in.
The secondary is watching you for a cue. Block as if
the play is headed your way!
10
Overview
This was USC’s 2 point play from the Rose Bowl this season, and it’s one of several “Polecat” or “Swinging Gate”
plays we’ve included in this packet.
Player
QB
Kicker
Left TE
Assignment
Sprint right
Read Flat-Sit-Corner
Wheel Route
Drag
Right TE
Corner
Left Wing
Flat
Right Wing
Sit
O-Line
Stand still and don’t do
anything
Block to the right
Center
Coaching Points
Take snap and sprint right so the routes can develop.
Can also run as a last option if necessary.
Run a wheel route to hold the backside of the defense
Get yourself open on the backside of the play and sit
down in the back of the end zone between the goal
posts.
Get halfway into the end zone and head for the back
near pylon.
Get to right hash then gain depth ASAP and get a yard
deep into the end zone before aiming for near front
pylon.
Get outside of the right hash and gain depth to about
3-4 yards deep in the end zone before showing your
numbers to the QB.
Just stand there
Blocking for the QB sprinting out to his right.
11
Overview
A staple of many teams who use a lot of sprint out, it’s what we used to call “Y Throwback”
Player
QB
Z
U
Assignment
Sprint Right, throw
back to Y
Sprint out right
protection
Motion across
formation,
Flat route
Fade
Skinny Post
Y
Delayed Crossing Route
TB
X
Coaching Points
Flat route is there in case of immediate pressure in
your face.
Gain depth, get past the goal line and break to the flat.
Expect ball immediately in the EZ.
Expect ball vs pressure or press coverage
Attract a lot of attention to yourself and pull as many
backside defenders with you as possible.
Outside release and get vertical for 2-3 yards. Sell the
frontside route. Get into the end zone and slip away
from the frontside of the play. Find open space away
from the sprint out and look for the football.
12
Overview
This is the new-age triple option. You’ve got the shovel pass mixed in with a rub concept that gets the TB open in the
flat. The defense won’t know what hit em!
Player
QB
Assignment
Read FS-Will for
Flat-Keep-Shovel
TB
Flat
Y
Trail pulling guard on
shovel route
Z
S
X
Slant
Slant
Sit
O-Line
Block Open-Side Power
Coaching Points
Eye FS pre-snap. If he is out-leveraged or is blitzing,
throw the flat. If FS covers flat, look to Will for Shovel
read.
Shovel read is usually EMOL, but here it’s the Will b/c
the DE is in a 4i technique.
Get to the LOS and break to the outside. Expect the
ball immediately after your break.
Run your path and keep eyes on QB expecting shovel.
If QB keeps it, turn upfield and block first defender
you see.
Take the defender with you
Take the defender with you
Get past the goal line and create a rub on the FS
chasing the flat. Show your numbers to the QB.
13
Overview
Here’s another great “Swinging Gate” play. It’s an RPO that allows you to throw a wide open corner route. If the QB
just drops back, those two guys will drop into coverage and the route will be covered. Instead, you’ve given them a
run threat to that side, meaning that now there is no one left to cover the corner. If they drop back, then you’ve still
got the run play going too!
Player
QB
Assignment
Sprint right and read
Corner-Run-Pitch
Kicker
Left TE
Right TE
Left Wing
Right Wing
Present smoke screen
threat
Block Zone Left
Block Zone Left
Block Zone Left
Run Pitch Phase w/ QB
Center
Corner
O-Line
Block Zone Left
Coaching Points
Sprint right and look to throw the corner right away.
Get to the hash and get downhill and pitch off the first
defender that shows.
Maintain 4x1 pitch relationship with QB with your eyes
on QB at all times expecting the pitch.
Get past the goal line and then break toward the back
pylon.
14
Overview
One of the sneakiest things to do in the passing game is to run “bunch-type” concepts without actually lining up in
bunch sets. This is a perfect example of that, and the three routes to the right give the QB three quick threats running
and stretching the same area of the field.
Player
QB
X
Z
Assignment
Carry out fake.
Read Angle-BendFollow
Carry out fake and
pass protection
Fade
Follow
S
Bend
Y
Angle
TB
Coaching Points
Can also throw fade backside depending on matchup.
Expect the ball right away.
Hard outside release, stack up the defender, get to the
goal line and pivot hard back toward the middle of the
field, staying horizontal and giving the QB and easy
target.
Your job is to get vertical and not get too close to either
the route inside of you or the route coming underneath
you. Bend the route wide enough to get inside leverage
on the defender, then get vertical and look for the pass.
Look for the pass off the cut back to the inside ASAP.
15
Overview
Another great boot play in this area of the field, it’s a great concept if you’ve already set up some kind of run play
where the receivers really get involved with run blocking.
Player
QB
FB
Assignment
Boot Right
Read Slide-Drag-Corner
Slide
TB
X
Carry out fake
Drag
Y
Cross
Z
Corner
Coaching Points
Can also run as a last resort.
Get past the right tackle and gain depth ASAP. Get a
yard deep in the end zone and break toward the
sideline, looking for the ball right away.
Get to 2-3 yards deep in the end zone then get
horizontal immediately.
Your job is to get in the way of the linebackers, and
maybe even take the near safety with you. When in
doubt stay just over the top of the defenders to put
them at a bad angle to defend the flat.
Get to 5 yards deep in the end zone and break toward
the back pylon.
16
Overview
In the college and high school game, coaches love to use the short side of the field to manufacture short and easy
throws for the QB. If you know you’re going to get a lot of pressure and/or man coverage when you line up in empty
here, this is a concept that can work for you.
Player
QB
Assignment
Pick a side
TB
X
Z
S
Y
Slot Fade
Pivot In
Pivot In
Corner
Slant
Coaching Points
Can pick a side depending on pre-snap look. When in
doubt go to the short side of the field.
Come underneath the vertical release of #2
Come underneath the vertical release of #2
17
Overview
Backfield misdirection is the name of the game here. It’s a pass play off of the Statue of Liberty action that a lot of
spread teams have brought back, and while the QB is spinning around and faking in the backfield, the receivers are
trying to get behind the defense.
Player
QB
TB
FB
Assignment
Statue of Libert Fake.
Look for X on Crossing
Route
Pass Protection
Statue of Liberty Fake
X
Crossing Route
Y
Corner
Z
Hitch
Coaching Points
Read Crossing Route – Corner – Hitch – Corner (Pivot)
Look for FB sneaking out late in case of a broken play.
Fake outside zone blocking
Continue on flare route, get into end zone and get open
in case play breaks down.
Fake stalk block, get over the top of the near safety and
get open.
Break toward back pylon, drift back toward middle if
the ball isn’t thrown on time.
Very short route, break back toward the QB at the goal
line. You’re trying to open up space for the corner route
behind you.
18
Overview
Here’s another gadget play built around the jet sweep, a reverse throwback to the QB!
Player
QB
TB
X
S
Z
Y
O-Line
Assignment
Hand off to X Jet,
Reverse Out and Get
Open Away from the
Play
Block for Jet Sweep
Strong
Receive Jet Sweep &
Hand Off to Z on
Reverse
Drag
Reverse Throwback to
QB
Coaching Points
Slip away backside. Find open space away from the
play in the end zone and make yourself an easy target.
Aim for EMOL
Take handoff and then give it to Z receiver coming
underneath.
Try to take near defender with you
Delay then come underneath jet sweep and receive
handoff. Run reverse track and pull up for a pass at
about the opposite hash and look for QB.
In case of emergency take off and run.
Block Outside Zone
Block Outside Zone
19
Overview
This is another reverse play, but here the X receiver has the option to throw the flat route to the Y if he sees an
opportunity. He doesn’t have to, he can always just run it in himself, but it just makes this play that much more
dangerous.
Player
QB
TB
X
U
Z
Y
O-Line
Assignment
Carry Out Outside Zone
Fake, Handoff to X on
Reverse
Carry Out Outside Zone
Fake Away
Run Reverse
Block Outside Zone
Away
Come in short motion,
run Drive route
Delay
Coaching Points
Run reverse and receive handoff from QB. Come
underneath the QB for the handoff. Read pursuit and if
the defense is in your face you can throw the delay
route to the Y
Try to take defenders with you
Block outside zone away for a count, run route that
gets you into the end zone.
Block Outside Zone
Away
20
Overview
This is a great option play from the Air Force playbook. Depending on the skill level of your QB, you can either have
him read this, or just pre-call it from the sideline. Regardless, the formation is what’s important here, and if you can
force the defense into a phone booth like they did, and then pitch the ball to the outside, you’ve got a recipe for a
winner.
Player
QB
Assignment
Read DE for Give-Pitch
FB
Arc Block avoid EMOL
TB
Run A-gap Power
Y
X
Z
Block Power
Block man over
Orbit Motion to Pitch
Phase
Block Power
O-Line
Coaching Points
Open up and to the DE and read him.
When in doubt, pitch it and let Z beat the defense to
the edge.
Come on a path outside the DE, work hard to stay
outside of him, even if he widens. Climb to 2nd level and
work outside-in when looking for defenders to block.
Get to the meshpoint and work with QB. If he gives it,
run A-gap power. Can work it to the backside A-gap if
the frontside is cloudy. If he keeps it, carry out the
downhill fake.
Leave EMOL, Look for near ILB
Look for the pitch as soon as you round the meshpoint
and start to get vertical,
21
Overview
Another swinging gate play, this time with the classic “sprint right option” built in.
Player
QB
Assignment
Sprint Right and Read
Pursuit of #3 defender
Kicker
Left TE
Right TE
Pitch Phase
Fade
Rub to Corner
Left Wing
Right Wing
Block Down
Flat
Center
Block Man On
O-Line
Do Nothing
Coaching Points
Force the #3 defender (boxed) to make a decision.
When in doubt, pitch it. Can work the pass concept if
it’s uncovered.
Present a credible threat. Stay in pitch phase
Draw attention to yourself
Sharp inside release to create a rub on the defender
over RW. Once you reach the goal line, pivot and break
toward the back pylon.
Worry about sealing the edge.
Get to goal line and break to the sideline. Expect pass
thrown your way immediately.
Careful not to get downfield. Stand your ground, but
don’t chase defenders.
22
Overview
This is a pretty weird way to get to the classic “spacing” concept, but it accomplishes a lot of the same things, and if
you run it correctly, you’ll be able to catch the defense unprepared for a bunch play and get your receiver wide open in
the flat.
Player
QB
S
Assignment
Sprint Out to Bunch
Read Flat-Sit-Pivot
Secure edge.
Sprint Out Protection.
Motion to opposite side
of formation, run Sit.
Secure Backside of
Sprint Out Protection
Pivot
X
Flat
O-Line
Sprint Out Protection
TB
Z
Y
Coaching Points
Read outside in. Be aware of leverage and how the
defense adjusts to motion. Can run as a last resort.
Get 3-4 yards deep in the end zone and sit down in
open space near the right hash.
Hard inside release to create a rub on defender
covering X. Get to 3-4 yards deep in end zone then
show your numbers to QB.
Get past the goal line and break to the sideline. Expect
the football right away.
23
Overview
Here’s another play from the Raiders offense, in fact, it’s the one that won them the game against New Orleans.
The fullback starts out wide to give the QB an idea of how the defense will match up. Is it man or is it zone? The
inside zone fake draws the defense in, and it sets up the short throw to the boundary to their best jump ball receiver.
Player
4 – QB
49 – FB
15 – WR #1
86 – TE #2
89 – WR #1
10 – WR #2
O-Line
Assignment
Carry Out Fake and
Throw Near Fade
Motion to Backfield and
Carry Out Fake
Fade
Block Inside Zone
Fade
Fade
Block Inside Zone
Coaching Points
Can pick a side based on defensive alignment. When in
doubt throw fade left because of distance.
Expect the ball immediately
Expect the ball immediately
Expect the ball immediately
24
Overview
When you’ve already done a great job setting up the zone read option or maybe even the outside zone, you can force
the defense to pay by setting up this cutback run. The defense over pursues and moves the line of scrimmage to the
right, and the orbit motion occupies the alley defenders. All the while, the back cuts it back to the left and scores.
Player
8 – QB
TB
14 – WR #1
85 – TE #2
84 – WR #1
82 – TE #2
O-Line
Assignment
Hand off to TB and
carry out pass fake
Take Handoff and sell
outside zone before
cutting back
Block Man On
Block Outside Zone
Orbit Motion and Pitch
Phase
Block Outside Zone
Block Outside Zone
Coaching Points
Can either carry out a zone read option fake or pass
fake.
Don’t need more than 2-3 steps toward the frontside
before you cut the play back.
Draw attention to yourself
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