VOTE: Specify the play design of QB runs for RR versus RL/GLR

[Steve-Buffalo Bills]

As discussed in this thread (https://pnfl.biz/messageboard/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5276), this proposal seeks to make our future QB runs more realistic by category by differentiating between a QB draw and a QB sneak in play design. Specifically, this rule change seeks to clearly define the design requirements for the optional run categories so that RR plays are designed as QB draws and RL/GLR plays are designed as QB sneaks going forward. This proposal does not place any restriction on the design of QB runs for RM because some teams only use RM.

Through testing I was able to determine that Run Daylight and Run Inside from under center execute like a sneak and Run Outside, Run Left and Run Right execute like a keeper/draw.

Currently the OFFENSIVE play design rules provide no direction on the design of QB runs by category:

R06: Running Play Category Determination Requirements

1. Play Type Rules:

o Run Left: High percentage run between the field numbers to get short-yardage gains (e.g. Ace or Jumbo Plays).
 At least one Player must be recognized as a ball carrier by the defense by being inside the Box in the initial pre-shift formation.
 The ball carrier's 'move to' route must stay between (not on or outside) the field numbers before crossing the LOS and can go anywhere after it crosses the LOS, but cannot exceed 5 yards from the LOS. Basically, sweeps outside the field numbers cannot be saved in this.
 No more than one Player (HB/WR only) can be outside or on the field numbers at the snap.
 Any Players executing run-blocking logic must stay within 10 yards of the LOS.

o Run Right: Long-yardage running Plays disguised as passing Plays (e.g. Draw Plays).
 At least three Players must always start outside the Box in the initial pre-shift formation so that they are recognized as receivers by the defense. At least two of those Players must be WRs.
 The ball carrier's 'move to' route cannot exceed 5 yards from the LOS.
 Any Players executing run-blocking logic must stay within 10 yards of the LOS.

o Run Middle: Base run package, whether inside or outside. Basically, anything goes but ideally averages 3-6 yards or better.
 The ball carrier's 'move to' route cannot exceed 5 yards from the LOS.
 Any Players executing run-blocking logic must stay within 10 yards of the LOS.

o Goal Line Run: High percentage run intended to get short-yardage gains for TDs.
 Goal line Plays have additional blockers near the OL, so at least one Player other than the ball carrier must be in a 3-point stance before the snap. If you want to use a single back and no blockers, use Run Right or Run Middle instead.
 The ball carrier's 'move to' route cannot exceed 5 yards from the LOS.
 Any Players executing run-blocking logic must stay within 10 yards of the LOS.
 Unlike Run Left, sweeps sometimes do happen at the goal line so there is no restriction on the ball carrier's 'move to' before crossing the LOS, nor are there any personnel placement restrictions.

If the proposed rule change passes, this would be the new rule:

R06: Running Play Category Determination Requirements

1. Play Type Rules:

o Run Left: High percentage run between the field numbers to get short-yardage gains (e.g. Ace or Jumbo Plays).
 At least one Player must be recognized as a ball carrier by the defense by being inside the Box in the initial pre-shift formation.
 The ball carrier's 'move to' route must stay between (not on or outside) the field numbers before crossing the LOS and can go anywhere after it crosses the LOS, but cannot exceed 5 yards from the LOS. Basically, sweeps outside the field numbers cannot be saved in this.
 No more than one Player (HB/WR only) can be outside or on the field numbers at the snap.
 Any Players executing run-blocking logic must stay within 10 yards of the LOS.
 For QB runs, the QB must be under center after the snap and their run must realistically perform a QB sneak either by diving forward with a 'move to' between the tackles or using Run to Daylight or Run Inside logic.

o Run Right: Long-yardage running Plays disguised as passing Plays (e.g. Draw Plays).
 At least three Players must always start outside the Box in the initial pre-shift formation so that they are recognized as receivers by the defense. At least two of those Players must be WRs.
 The ball carrier's 'move to' route cannot exceed 5 yards from the LOS.
 Any Players executing run-blocking logic must stay within 10 yards of the LOS.
 For QB runs, the QB must realistically perform a QB draw by either beginning their run from the sawed-off shotgun or shotgun at the snap OR the performing the following if under center at the snap: use Run Outside, Run Left or Run Right logic immediately OR precede any 'move to' with a 'fake pass.'

o Run Middle: Base run package, whether inside or outside. Basically, anything goes but ideally averages 3-6 yards or better.
 The ball carrier's 'move to' route cannot exceed 5 yards from the LOS.
 Any Players executing run-blocking logic must stay within 10 yards of the LOS.
 There is no restriction on the design of QB runs.

o Goal Line Run: High percentage run intended to get short-yardage gains for TDs.
 Goal line Plays have additional blockers near the OL, so at least one Player other than the ball carrier must be in a 3-point stance before the snap. If you want to use a single back and no blockers, use Run Right or Run Middle instead.
 The ball carrier's 'move to' route cannot exceed 5 yards from the LOS.
 Any Players executing run-blocking logic must stay within 10 yards of the LOS.
 Unlike Run Left, sweeps sometimes do happen at the goal line so there is no restriction on the ball carrier's 'move to' before crossing the LOS, nor are there any personnel placement restrictions.
 For QB runs, the QB must be under center after the snap and their run must realistically perform a QB sneak either by diving forward with a 'move to' between the tackles or using Run to Daylight or Run Inside logic.

[James-Eagles]

This doens't hold with "NFL Like" If you watch the Lions-Commanders game last night 4 and short was converted by a QB bootleg. There is no reason for this restriction.

[Steve-Buffalo Bills]

This doens't hold with "NFL Like" If you watch the Lions-Commanders game last night 4 and short was converted by a QB bootleg. There is no reason for this restriction.

You mean they basically called a RM or RR on 4th and short just like we can.

[James-Eagles]

This doens't hold with "NFL Like" If you watch the Lions-Commanders game last night 4 and short was converted by a QB bootleg. There is no reason for this restriction.

You mean they basically called a RM or RR on 4th and short just like we can.

But there are clearly designed to eb short run plays. If you want RL to be just QB sneaks then just put only QB sneaks in your plan. You shouldn't be restricting the rest of us when you can self restrict if you want.

[Steve-Buffalo Bills]

I think James has made sound arguments against this proposal. This vote is unlikely to pass. Was getting a decent majority but not enough to pass it looks like.

[Brian-Broncos]

Changing my vote to NO, for now. I really do like the idea of differentiating QB sneaks vs QB runs/draws (at least in naming convention), but this needs more time for thinking/refining/experimenting to see if it works as a category rule.

Before this would ever become a rule, I'd like to see additional coaches try out (or, at minimum, think about) the play design rules that Steve came up with to see if they agree with those rules. For example, for RR, it seems like the QB should be able to take snap under center, take a step back like he's dropping back to pass and then take off running (i.e. without a fake pass)?

I also want to know the plan (short-term and long) to deal with existing plays, because I'm not sure this works at all if we allow all the existing QB run plays to exist just as they are in their current categories.

I'd like play names to somehow identify the type of QB run it is even if this doesn't become a rule (e.g. sneak, draw, bootleg, sweep, power, iso).