This is the play and formation we discussed on Episode 15 of The Rookie Playbook following on from Gary’s Challenge for Episode 14.
It is a play that was designed by Jon Gruden and Andrew Luck on Gruden’s QB Camp, see below (skip to 6:15 to see the discussion about the play, or just click here):
It is a play formed from the ‘West Coast Scheme’ and is based on a quick play setting to get you down the field with your most prominent offensive playmakers.
See above for a diagram of the play, and then look below for a full description by Rhys in addition to his explanation on the pod in hopes of getting your minds in full ‘Gruden mode’.
The full name of the play is as follows:
Green Right Strong Slot Spider 2 Y Banana
Let’s break it down:
Green Right
The Green tells the offense that the formation is a base formation which includes two backs (FB and HB), two receivers (X and Z) and a tight end (Y). The Right tells the Z and Y receivers to line up on the right side of the formation.
Strong
This tells the fullback to off-set to the strong side, or the side where the tight end is, instead of lining up on the base I formation.
Slot
This tells the Z receiver (receiver on the strong side) to move to the slot. So he originally lines up on the right side but motions to the slot on the weak side (left).
Spider 2
This is the protection. This tells the offensive linemen to slide protection post-snap. Note that the first two letters in the word Spider is SP for slide protection. Usually called max protection as there HB will block as well making 6 blockers for the QB.
Y Banana
This is the entire route combination where the fullback is the primary target. It’s telling the fullback to fake a block on the defensive end and run to the flat, Y receiver to run a corner route, the Z receiver to run a shallow cross, the X receiver to run a go or come back and the RB to cut the defensive end. The QB does a play-action and throws to the fullback in the flat. If the FB is covered, he either hits the Y in the corner or Z running across.
This in general is meant to be used to be a quick pass play to get 5-10 yards but is essential to any play action call used by Jon Gruden.
1 Pingback