Duke Football on Sportscenter

[Bob Green]

This discussion demonstrates why FB is a massively more complex game than BB.

But BB is a massively more interesting game than FB.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

kinda off subject but i read this today on sports illustrated about duke football. it mentioned the possibility of duke-unc being for the division title (very very optimistic thinking i KnoW) it's on page 3 under the letter about unc's game against rutgers

Now that kind of thinking sounds a lot like me!

[RainingThrees]

Definately. Although I am a football fan I'm a much bigger basketball soccer fan. I just can't get into a sport where there is constant stoppage that much more than a sport where there is almost constant action.

[BigDuke6]

Okay you both sound like you know what you're talking about and it almost sounds like ya'll are saying very similar things to varying degrees. I do know about football even played a little, so it isn't like this question is coming from a person from Estonia. But #1 kind of confused me, so at the risk of sounding like an idiot I will go ahead and ask.

The center is the Mack Daddy of the offensive line, I knew that much. Please give me a scenario (fictitional is fine) how the cadence from the QB can be relayed to the center as who blocks whom. We have all seen the center point out assignments in games (that kind of gets awkward pointing to your right with your left hand or the other way around) but we've all also seen defensive linemen switch it up as the play is being called. Is the center calling out to block a player or an area of the field kind of like a zone defense?

Then when there is a blitz who is calling out assignments then? By that I mean a lot of times a fullback or running back will be in charge picking up part of the blitz. Where is he getting his assignment from? Is he just suposed to watch and block the first guy who gets through or does he have a player assigned in the scheme?

I'm glad I was a reciever. Blocking schemes sound really bloody complicated. And I'm just thinking about pass protection right now. Making a hole for a running back seems like it gets even more complicated, but what do I know. Any further explanation would be appreciated and thanks beforehand.

OK, I'll do my best. I was a receiver too and I am also glad I didn't have to worry about blocking schemes and blitzes.

The qb can give out the play by using key words in his cadence. Generally, the cadence is a color followed by a number. I say that pretty loosely because it may be different from other offenses. The quarterback can change the colors and the numbers so the different variations can describe the type of play to use. (ex. Colors could signal run or pass and the numbers could describe the side the play goes on. Remember a lineman does not have to know all the receivers routes. They only need to know which direction the qb may be rolling out or which direction the screen pass will be thrown or if it is a short/deep qb drop. For runs they need to know blocking assignments based on the play call.) The quarterback does not need to know the all blocking assignments. He may get concerned about a blitz from a middle linebacker or a safety and would then point out a potential blitzer to the O-line or RB. The qb is also responsible for outside blitzing. He needs to know (determined by the play) who will be his protection (if any at all). He may have an empty backfield and would react accordingly (focus on a quicker route, change the play to something quicker or attempt to avoid the rusher athletically).

The center could be signaling both. He could signal a potential blitzer or he could point out an area for zone blocking. It really depends on his read of the potential rush.

Now, the backs (which includes the quarterback) have to determine when and where somebody may come in unblocked and needs to be picked up. If one side of the line is overloaded (more rushers than linemen or TE's) the back and the quarterback need to recognize the mismatch. This is also determined by which side is the strong or weak side. (Generally, the side with a TE is the strong side which means there is an extra blocker or receiver on that side.) The back needs to hedge in that direction (weak side or the side where there are more rushers than blockers) after the ball is snapped to pickup the mismatch. The QB will also need to recognize this blitz and look for the hot receiver if he feels like he doesn't have enough time. The hot receiver is usually a quick passing route close to the same spot the blitzer left from. A good receiver will recognize that the defensive player that should have guarded him was on a blitz and run his route to that spot that was vacated.(Works well on a zone. If it was man to man coverage then he will generally look for a mismatch on a linebacker for a quick route.) If there were no blitzers and the defense was only rushing their front four the back could help and chip on a D-lineman (Hitting the closest rusher that is already engaged (we would hope )without hitting them below the waste which is a flag.), or continue out into a pass pattern for a dump off.


Wow, there is a lot I said there. I'm sure I may have missed something but that is the best I could do at this hour. Who knows I may have been describing the wheel play in baseball this whole time.

[gvtucker]

1.) Blocking schemes can be relayed to the offensive line through the QB's cadence. Also you'll notice that the center will hear the cadence and look at the defensive front. He will then point out blocking assignmnets to other linemen with his off hand. (The one without the ball.) He is the captain of the linemen and will ensure the line picks up blitzes for different fronts or setup blocks for running plays.

2.) The coaches use a key signal (or gesture) mixed in with a bunch of other signals. Based on what the key is and when it appears in the group of signals determines the play. Key signals can be changed week to week, half to half, or series to series.

The way that most teams do it (including Duke) you not only have that key signal, you also have two separate people giving signals. In Duke's case, 3rd string QB Mike Capetto is also giving signals to the team.

[PDDuke85]

Look, all I know is Coach Cutcliffe's birthday was Tuesday. Anyone send a card? Buy a cake? Let him know we think he's doing a great job? Show the man some love already!

[CameronBornAndBred]

Look, all I know is Coach Cutcliffe's birthday was Tuesday. Anyone send a card? Buy a cake? Let him know we think he's doing a great job? Show the man some love already!

LOL..that made me laugh, my wife thinks I'm crazy sitting here chuckling to myself. Happy BDAY coach!

[Uncle Drew]

OK, I'll do my best. I was a receiver too and I am also glad I didn't have to worry about blocking schemes and blitzes.

The qb can give out the play by using key words in his cadence. Generally, the cadence is a color followed by a number. I say that pretty loosely because it may be different from other offenses. The quarterback can change the colors and the numbers so the different variations can describe the type of play to use. (ex. Colors could signal run or pass and the numbers could describe the side the play goes on. Remember a lineman does not have to know all the receivers routes. They only need to know which direction the qb may be rolling out or which direction the screen pass will be thrown or if it is a short/deep qb drop. For runs they need to know blocking assignments based on the play call.) The quarterback does not need to know the all blocking assignments. He may get concerned about a blitz from a middle linebacker or a safety and would then point out a potential blitzer to the O-line or RB. The qb is also responsible for outside blitzing. He needs to know (determined by the play) who will be his protection (if any at all). He may have an empty backfield and would react accordingly (focus on a quicker route, change the play to something quicker or attempt to avoid the rusher athletically).

The center could be signaling both. He could signal a potential blitzer or he could point out an area for zone blocking. It really depends on his read of the potential rush.

Now, the backs (which includes the quarterback) have to determine when and where somebody may come in unblocked and needs to be picked up. If one side of the line is overloaded (more rushers than linemen or TE's) the back and the quarterback need to recognize the mismatch. This is also determined by which side is the strong or weak side. (Generally, the side with a TE is the strong side which means there is an extra blocker or receiver on that side.) The back needs to hedge in that direction (weak side or the side where there are more rushers than blockers) after the ball is snapped to pickup the mismatch. The QB will also need to recognize this blitz and look for the hot receiver if he feels like he doesn't have enough time. The hot receiver is usually a quick passing route close to the same spot the blitzer left from. A good receiver will recognize that the defensive player that should have guarded him was on a blitz and run his route to that spot that was vacated.(Works well on a zone. If it was man to man coverage then he will generally look for a mismatch on a linebacker for a quick route.) If there were no blitzers and the defense was only rushing their front four the back could help and chip on a D-lineman (Hitting the closest rusher that is already engaged (we would hope )without hitting them below the waste which is a flag.), or continue out into a pass pattern for a dump off.


Wow, there is a lot I said there. I'm sure I may have missed something but that is the best I could do at this hour. Who knows I may have been describing the wheel play in baseball this whole time.

Well I can honestly say I learned a lot and I have more respect for the QB position as well as the offensive line. All you explained makes me also see why defenses try and show what they are actually planning at the last minute to give the QB less chance to audible. I appologize for you having to type all that out but I do appreciate it and I hope you can get workmans comp for the carpel tunnel syndrome.

I have to say as complicated as all of that is I can see why a QB would need a lot of experience / knowledge about the system to be able to call an audible. I think both Duke QB's have improved their play. But I can also see a freshman starting out in the system from day one being that much more valuable as a senior. Last but certainly not least it gives me more insight into Cut and Co. at being able to draw up and get a team to execute these plays. To learn an entirely new system and show a marked improvement already speaks volumes about everyone involved with Duke football in my book.

Happy Birthday Coach Cut! Thanks for coming to Duke. Your gift is a set of leg shackles with a ball and chain (no, not either of my ex wives) so you can't run off.

[gep]

OK, I'll do my best. I was a receiver too and I am also glad I didn't have to worry about blocking schemes and blitzes.

Thanks for taking the time to describe all that goes on before the play. I've heard that the center is the "captain" of the o-line and calls out schemes for each play. And I just assumed that everyone else knew what to do... But for the QB, and the team... signal calling with colors, numbers, cadence... how does everyone remember all of that stuff, which I'm sure changes game to game... maybe even within games. Just amazing how it "all comes together". With Coach Cut, and Duke players , even after only 3 games, it must be "easy" for them. I sure would not be able to handle all that mental stress, let alone just playing football

[BigDuke6]

Thanks for taking the time to describe all that goes on before the play. I've heard that the center is the "captain" of the o-line and calls out schemes for each play. And I just assumed that everyone else knew what to do... But for the QB, and the team... signal calling with colors, numbers, cadence... how does everyone remember all of that stuff, which I'm sure changes game to game... maybe even within games. Just amazing how it "all comes together". With Coach Cut, and Duke players , even after only 3 games, it must be "easy" for them. I sure would not be able to handle all that mental stress, let alone just playing football

Players do forget sometimes. (Missed blocking assignments...) Let's also remember that conventional offenses huddle so that eliminates having to figure out the play by the cadence unless it is an audible. That is half of the thought process. Cut said that we need inteligent football players to run his kind of offense. They spend a lot of time offseason installing the offense and learning the basics. During the season the offensive packages will change depending on the opponent from week to week and they will practice using the changes to the signals. Repetitive practice will prepare the players.

[Scorp4me]

BigDuke6 is right, the hardest part is getting them to recognize an audible. Since they go on cadence every time it's a bit easier. Obviously as you get older the demands place on the quarterback are more, but I was reading hand signals and calling plays by candence when I played pee-wee ball. Course it was cause we only had 11 players and so didn't have the luxury of a player to run the play in like the rest of the teams, lol. So I would think that Duke football players can handle the current system.

[Jarhead]

BigDuke6 is right, the hardest part is getting them to recognize an audible. Since they go on cadence every time it's a bit easier. Obviously as you get older the demands place on the quarterback are more, but I was reading hand signals and calling plays by candence when I played pee-wee ball. Course it was cause we only had 11 players and so didn't have the luxury of a player to run the play in like the rest of the teams, lol. So I would think that Duke football players can handle the current system.

My son and I were discussing this mode of signal calling last Saturday at the game. It used to annoy the he11 out of me last year when several of the visiting teams followed the same pattern. Now, I see it as a pretty good advantage for my team.

Back in the day when Bud Wilkinson was the head coach at Oklahoma, his teams used a hurry up offense on just about every play. They must have had some way to make the play calls since they did not huddle. Sometimes the defense was still getting to their feet when the ball would be snapped. Thanks to that and the break away jerseys, the Sooners went undefeated for 47 games spanning five seasons ending in 1957. Some pretty good players, and the coach had something to do with that, also. Check out the scores in most of those games. High scoring? Has a team ever been more dominant?

IIRC, that was the main reason for the rules change that prevented the ball from being snapped until the referee signaled ball set for play. That rule has been in effect all these years until this year when the NCAA adapted rules similar the the NFL. I think the game has speeded up considerably, at the same time giving the QB more time to communicate without a huddle.

[TwoDukeTattoos]

I passed the link on to everyone I could think of, Nursery Blues and True Blues alike.