Running plays inside the red zone

• 1
  Practicing the I-formation will lead to success in the red zone.Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
  
  Choose strong-side dive as a way to add yardage inside the red zone. Line up in I-formation with the fullback and tailback behind the quarterback. Hike the ball. The quarterback should to the strong side and hand the ball to the tailback. Handoffs reduce the risk of fumbles, and the fullback serves as a blocker to will increase the yardage gained.
  
  
• 2). Inside trap plays bring extra blockers through the line of scrimmage in an attempt to engage and eliminate defensive backs and middle linebackers. Lineup with two tight ends and two running backs. The quarterback can freeze linebackers by taking a three-step drop and faking a throw prior to handoff. As the quarterback drops back, the right pulling tackle will move behind the linemen toward the gap between the guard and tackle. Following closely behind, the fullback will enter the same hole to block a defensive player. The tailback moves quickly behind his blockers and runs up field.
  
  
• 3). Split veers is an advanced play for high school, college and professional teams and gives the quarterback four options.
  
  Assessing the defensive formation, the quarterback can select weak- or strong-side trap, draw, back-side pitch, or quarterback sweep. The offense disguises its intentions with seven men on the line of scrimmage and a single wide receiver on the strong side of the field. The tailback and fullback line up 4 yards behind the tackles, and the quarterback signals the play at the line.
  
  

Passing plays inside the red zone

• 1). A sweeping screen pass to the tailback is a safe play for teams at all levels. Line up with the quarterback under center to reduce the risk of fumble. The tailback should be 4 yards behind the right tackle and tight end. One receiver runs a post route to the sideline. The line blocks left as the other two receivers do 5-yard post blocking routes and the tailback sweeps behind. The tailback takes a soft lob pass for at least an easy 5- to 10-yard gain.
  
  
• 2). Simple inside slant passes open up the outside routes. The quarterback gives a quick toss to a designated space for the receiver to catch. Two slot backs line up on the outside edge of the tight end and tackle to protect the quarterback. One receiver goes 4 yards upfield and another 2 yards, both then turning at 45-degree angles in crossing post routes. If the play is a bust, a slot back should pull away into the flat for a quick-release pass.
  
  
• 3). Use a pair three-receiver sets to spread the offense the width of the field for the the explosive A-11 play. Place receivers A, B and C on the left and X, Y and Z on the right. Send Receiver B in motion, and when he reaches tailback, hike the ball to the quarterback. Receiver A runs a 10-yard post and Receiver B runs a 5-yard slant. Receiver C drops behind the line of scrimmage 10 yards to become a secondary quarterback, the tailback runs a 12-yard post, Receiver X drops into the backfield as a pass blocker, Receiver Y runs a 15-yard post, and Receiver Z runs an out-and-up. The quarterback's options are passing to any open receiver, running the ball himself, or throwing a lateral to his secondary quarterback. This play gains 10 yards every time.