How I Gameplan Playcall Sequences, Pt. 2
Last week, we established a base, multiple ways to run a base, and counters off of it. What goes in the gameplan next? **UNLOCKED**
Once we’ve established a baseline against the defense, the ball’s in their court. If they don’t adjust, then don’t overthink it—just keep calling what’s working.
I almost messed this up last season. By our fourth drive of the game, we were still moving the ball effortlessly. But I caught myself glued to the same tiny corner of my call sheet labeled “FIRST 10.” We were nearly halfway through the game, and I hadn’t even touched the rest of the sheet.
Then it hit me—it was still working.
I nearly started out-coaching myself. I’d spent so much time prepping adjustments and answers that I felt like I had to use them. But if the defense doesn’t force your hand, there’s no reason to move off the plan.
That’s the purpose of the call sheet: your base is meant to work until it doesn’t. Everything else—the motions, the counterplays, the changeups—are answers, not starters.
When the Defense Adjusts
Now, most games don’t go that smoothly. Defenses that can’t stop you are going to try something different. That’s when gameplanning really begins.
I’ve spent most of this offseason living in that space—building run schemes that don’t fall apart the second a defense shifts from Even to Odd, or vice versa. Yes, I have favorites against each look. But if we’ve repped our base correctly, all of them should hold up structurally. We can make minor sideline reminders, but we’re not reinventing anything mid-game. That’s what a base with built-in answers is for.
But here’s the truth: just because something works doesn’t mean it’s going to be explosive. And football games aren’t won by avoiding negatives alone. Our core runs—the ones we install to beat a team’s base front—should be explosive when executed well. Against other fronts, they might still work, but the ceiling drops.
So how do we prepare for that next layer? Simple: we anticipate.
Anticipating Adjustments
Let’s pause and recap.
We’ve got:
a base play we trust,
a counter/misdirection that hits the defense when they overcommit,
and motions to dress up both.
Now the next step: What is the defense most likely to do when they adjust, and what do we already have installed that can be explosive against it?
We don’t have the time (or practice reps) to install answers for every possible defensive look. But neither do they. Most coordinators have a few go-to adjustments when their base plan isn’t working. So instead of prepping for every possibility, we focus on the most probable one.
By midseason, we’ve usually got enough film to see what that changeup is. If we’re shredding their base front, what’s their next move? Whatever it is, I want to have one play in each series that can hit it.
This doesn’t mean we install something brand new. It just means building a plan around what’s likely—not what’s possible.
What If There’s No Film?
Sometimes, especially early in the season, we don’t have much to go on. That’s when relationships matter. Do you know the defensive playcaller? Did you play them last year? Can someone in your network give you insight?
If I’m totally flying blind, I default to the Under front as the most likely adjustment. Here’s why:
Most teams base out of Over (4-down) or Odd (3-down).
Shifting to Under is easy from either.
From Over: flip the strength call.
From Odd: it’s just a half-man slide across the front.
So in my weekly prep, I’ll tag a play specifically designed to beat the Under look—even if it’s not their base. That gives me confidence we’re covered without wasting practice time on every possibility.
What’s Left? Blitz
Once you’ve built in answers for a secondary front, the next tool in a DC’s bag is blitz. That’s their wildcard—try to create chaos.
Every run scheme I use has baked-in answers for most blitzes.
Zone runs? No pullers, so we may lose some double teams, but we’re also less likely to have defenders run through gaps untouched.
Gap schemes? Trickier, especially if we’ve got multiple pullers. If that backside ‘backer blitzes, and we’re pulling the guard and tackle… that can get hairy.
In that case, we need a built-in escape hatch—maybe alerting the perimeter screen or just eating it and living to fight another down.
Blitz-Beaters
One of the better blitz-beaters is a slow screen. The Shanahan/McVay tree is loaded with screen variants, but I’ve found that unless you’re ready to spend real time on them, they’re hard to rep well.
So I simplified our approach.
Every screen we run uses the same blocking rules, regardless of the skill player we’re throwing it to. That way, linemen aren’t learning something new every week. Here’s the breakdown:
Play-side Tackle: first defender OUT (kick out the DB—corner or nickel)
Play-side Guard: first defender UP (lead through the alley)
Center: first defender IN (seal inside at second level)
Back-side Guard: first defender DOWN (clean up any retrace)
The release timing can vary—sometimes it’s block for two counts, sometimes just a punch and go—but the mentality is always the same: tracks. After engaging, get to your 45° angle and block the first defender in your direction, unless you're the tackle, who kicks flat.
Another answer is play action.
Whether it's a boot or a true play-pass, you’re likely to get a clean look with space to work—especially if they’re bringing pressure and trying to live in man or quarters.
And remember: play action doesn’t require a perfect run game. If you’ve made them respect the run, you’ve earned that space.
Next week, we’ll close out this Gameplanning the Run series by strategizing how to carry multiple run game sequences into the game. Remember, this article and last week’s article are just one sequence. So what makes sequences different? When do we transition between them? We’ll get into all of that next week.
But a good gameplan can only be built on a strong foundation. Before we can sequence anything, we have to be crystal clear on what our core plays actually are. The gameplan changes week to week. Your core doesn’t. Defining that is the real starting point—and it’s exactly what I want to help you solve ahead of fall camp.
I’m putting together a 5-day preseason challenge to help you cut the fluff, lock in your core, and walk into the season with a plan that’s adaptable and built to last. If you want a head start before install season kicks off, get on the early list here. You’ll be the first to hear when it opens.