Defensive Run Plays are a MESS

[Steve-LA Chargers]

These are the current rules for these plays.

Goal Line Run
Minimum player requirements: 4DLs-3LBs; 5DLs & 2LBs; 6DLs & 1LB & 7DLs & 0LBs.
 No more than 4DBs allowed.
Other requirements:
 At least 6 Players (ANY) must have RUN FOCUSED defense, which includes ‘Reads’.

Run Razzle Dazzle
Minimum player requirements: 3DLs-4LBs; 4DLs & 3LBs; 5DLs & 2LBs; 6DLs & 1LB; 7DLs & 0LBs.
 No more than 4DBs allowed
Other requirements:
 At least 7 Players (ANY) must have a RUN FOCUSED defense.

Run Right
Minimum player requirements: 3DLs-3LBs; 4DLs & 2LBs; 5DLs & 1LB; 6DLs & 0LBs
 No more than 4DBs allowed
Other requirements:
 At least 7 Players (ANY) must have RUN FOCUSED defense

Run Middle
Minimum player requirements: 3DLs-3LBs; 4DLs & 2LBs; 5DLs & 1LB; 6DLs & 0LBs
 No more than 5DBs allowed
Other requirements:
 At least 6 Players (ANY) must have RUN FOCUSED. defense


What is wrong?
1. GLR requires less run focused players than RRD and RR? Why?
2. GLR doesn't let you have 3 DL? Why?
3. RRD and RR are the same because the 11th player for RRD can only be a 7th DL/LB. Why? Might as well just make RR plays and never make another RRD play ever again.

Considering the stubbornness of several coaches to keep RR with 4 DBs, this would be the best way to fix this mess. Changes are underlined.

Goal Line Run
Minimum player requirements: 3DLs-5LBs; 4DLs-4LBs; 5DLs & 3LBs; 6DLs & 2LB; 7DLs & 1LBs
 No more than 3DBs allowed.
Other requirements:
 At least 8 Players (ANY) must have RUN FOCUSED defense, which includes ‘Reads’.

Run Razzle Dazzle
Minimum player requirements: 3DLs-4LBs; 4DLs & 3LBs; 5DLs & 2LBs; 6DLs & 1LB; 7DLs & 0LBs
 No more than 4DBs allowed
Other requirements:
 At least 8 Players (ANY) must have a RUN FOCUSED defense.

Run Right
Minimum player requirements: 3DLs-4LBs; 4DLs & 3LBs; 5DLs & 2LBs; 6DLs & 1LB; 7DLs & 0LBs
 No more than 4DBs allowed
Other requirements:
 At least 7 Players (ANY) must have RUN FOCUSED defense

Run Middle
Minimum player requirements: 3DLs-3LBs; 4DLs & 2LBs; 5DLs & 1LB; 6DLs & 0LBs
 No more than 5DBs allowed
Other requirements:
 At least 6 Players (ANY) must have RUN FOCUSED. defense

[Mitch-Oilers]

Since I know they are coming, let me put the usual responses here:

- no need for change
- the league is the most active its been in years
- the league is highly competitive, so don't change anything
- this is a solution in search of a problem
- we need to let the other rule changes take shape longer before we change anything else
- we have too many rules and restrictions
- we need a rules committee to review all of our rules

I'm sure I have forgotten a few.

Now, people can share some new feedback for you.

[Dean-Atlanta]

How many team owners who are puking that pabulum are also the ones that rarely or NEVER submit new plays?

[Steve-LA Chargers]

Fine. If we don't fix it, I won't submit any new more run defensive plays. There is insufficient clarity and distinction between them to bother and the league is clearly more interested in taking a tunnel vision mentality toward improvement, so there is no point in trying to fix what is obviously still broken if you take the time to actually read and compare the four rule types.

I'll leave you with a quote from the owner of the real LA Chargers after he fired his coach and GM today for the 63-21 beat down they suffered against their rivals. Doubt we can live up to what he says in his quote because all we care about here is blindless continuity. I'm done trying.

"We are clearly not where we need to be, however, and we need new vision. Doing nothing in the name of continuity was not a risk I was willing to take."

[Mitch-Oilers]

Personally, I I'm cool either way. I don't spend a lot of time creating plays.

I just thought I would list out the common responses I get whenever I share a new idea or propose a change.

[Matt-Jacksonville]

I'm not against having a GLR play have 3 DL; however, I don't think it makes much sense. When you are trying to stop a team from gaining even 1 yard you want more beef on that line. However, if someone wants to only have three guys on the LOS when I'm trying to go for 4th and goal at the 1 yard line to win the game...be my guest. =)

[Dean-Atlanta]

"We are clearly not where we need to be, however, and we need new vision. Doing nothing in the name of continuity was not a risk I was willing to take."

That sounds like my team this season, and last season too.

[Steve-LA Chargers]

I'm not against having a GLR play have 3 DL; however, I don't think it makes much sense. When you are trying to stop a team from gaining even 1 yard you want more beef on that line. However, if someone wants to only have three guys on the LOS when I'm trying to go for 4th and goal at the 1 yard line to win the game...be my guest. =)

We should allow 3DL on GLR but if we do we should require 6 players to defend the LOS along with the current 6 run focused players already required.