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Published on 05-30-2011 12:51 PM
On the stretch play the landmark for the ball carrier is the butt of the tight end. The landmark is the same regardless of whether there is a tight end or no tight end. The ball carrier will take a drop step and align with his path, the important thing here is to get his shoulders turned and going directly to the landmark.
The quarterback will open step to the play at a 45-degree angle and put the ball into the ball carrier’s belly and burst out the other side on a naked action away from the play. The quarterback gives the ball to the ball carrier between his first and second steps. As the ball carrier is about to hit the ground with his second foot the quarterback begins to deliver the ball.
On the third step, the ball carrier must make a decision. The ball carrier is either going to go downhill or take the ball outside. The reason the decision is made on the third step is the timing of the blocks of the offensive line. On the third step, the offensive linemen make their push on the defenders. The push of the offensive line and the cut of the back must coincide.
He must then make his decision and commit to it. He does not juke defenders or double-cut with the ball. He takes what the picture says and gets the ball up field or outside right away.
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