OFFENSIVE LINE SPLITS
The use of intelligent line splits by the offensive guards, tackles and ends must be mastered in order to realize the full potential of our basic offensive attack. Without proper line splits, it is impossible for the offense to function at 100% efficiency. Therefore, we must present line split theory and coach our linemen in such a way they will have a clear understanding of why and when we want to move in, out or remain stationary. Mastering the intelligent use of line splits is one of the most important single duties of the offensive linemen. (The other is a quick offensive charge together on the starting count.)
The Pre-Shift Position
When the linemen leave the huddle and come up to the line of scrimmage in a pre-shift position (hands on knees in a semi-upright stance), the basic split rule for the guards is to split one full man. The tackles and ends will split slightly more than one full man. As the linemen go down into their offensive stance, each man (except the center) will move in, out or remain stationary, depending upon the particular defensive alignment and the individual’s split rules.
Our Basic Split Rules
Our offensive basic split rules are as follows:
Even Defense:
1. Guards—full man; don’t move.
2. Tackles—man over you, split one-half man. If no one is there, use a common sense split which would be to cut the split down on a wide play and take a maximum split on an inside play.
3. Ends—Line up a little over a full man split, and use the common sense split rule which would depend upon the play. Never move more than one-half man either way.
Odd Defense:
1. Guards—Take a full man split, but never so wide that if a man should jump into the gap between the guard and center, you could not cut him off. After taking the proper split, then apply the common sense split rule.
2. Tackles—If there is no inside linebacker:
(a) Wide play called—split in one-half man.
(b) Inside play called—fake split and don’t move. Inside linebacker: Split out one-half man.
3. Ends—Take good wide splits and apply common sense rule, never split more than one-half man either way.
In order to split intelligently it is important to determine first of all if the defensive man will move with you when you move ([Figure 99a]), or whether he is keeping his spacing on his own defensive man ([Figure 99b]). You are attempting to determine as quickly as possible if your defensive man is taking a variable or a static position. [Figures 99a-b] illustrate variable and static spacing, respectively, by the defensive linemen.
Figure 99a
Figure 99b
Do not ever emphasize that you are splitting to get good blocking angles, but you split in order to isolate a defender. If the defender splits when the offensive man splits, you can isolate him. If his split is static, a good blocking angle will be the result. Your linemen should never split merely to get the angle, however. It will also help the linemen if they have a clear picture of where the ball crosses the line of scrimmage (the critical point of attack), and from where the ball is being thrown on a pass play. Then, too, there is no set rule that will cover all defensive situations and the offensive men must be able to apply the common sense split rule along with the basic split rule.
[Figure 100] illustrates the pre-shift position of the right side of the offensive line and the application of the guard’s, tackle’s, and end’s split rules. From the pre-shift stance and position, the offensive men are allowed to split one-half man either way, according to the defense. The inside always must be protected. A defensive man must not be allowed to penetrate or shoot the inside gap as he is likely to stop the offensive play for a loss.
Figure 100
If the defensive man will move with the offensive man, then the offense should be able to isolate one man and the point of attack should be directed toward him. [Figures 101a-b] illustrate the center’s man and the offensive right tackle’s man being isolated respectively, and the critical point of attack being directed at the isolated defenders.
Figure 101a
Figure 101b
It is very important for the offensive lineman to know his main objective in proper line splitting is either (1) to spread the defense out, or (2) to isolate a man. The main objective is never to split in order to get a good blocking angle. This latter misconception can destroy any advantage we gain by splitting the line.