Minnesota Vikings Run Game - Misdirection

 By Coach Jim Jackson

Minnesota Vikings have a special young talent in Dalvin Cook, and the offensive coaching staff puts their players in positions where the entire Running Back position group can have success. The Vikings are currently 5th in the NFL with 153.6 yards per game (Week 11). Their main run schemes are Wide Zone, Inside Zone, and Counter, however, this article is going to focus Minnesota's misdirection runs. These runs are very good compliments that protect their top run schemes and also take advantage of their defense's pursuit. The two runs we will focus on are a Windback scheme that compliments inside zone and a Toss scheme that compliments outside zone blocking. 

1. Windback

Windback is based off of inside zone blocking schemes. The formation and the plays are setup to be in the exact formation of the inside zone. The offensive line will block inside knowing that the ball will automatically cutback. There is also a slice player (FB, TE) who comes across the formation and attempts to get the C/D gap defender out of his gap. The result of the play is a 13 yard gain. Let's take a look:





The next play is another Windback with a different formation and motion setup. Vs. this front the formation creates great blocking angles for the OL and TE. The result is a 21 yard TD run.





The last Windback is to an open ended side. There are more variables to this way, but because the defensive front is flowing so much, the result is a 6 yard gain.



2. TOSS CUTBACK

The Vikings run two types of Toss plays. One is the tradition 1 Back Toss where they are trying to circle the defense and get outside on the perimeter. The other is the Toss Cutback. This play can hit any hole the RB wants. The OL is blocking for the perimeter, but the backside of the OL is Man blocking. This allows the RB to get the ball early and truly read the flow of the defense. In the games we broke down, this play hits in many different holes. Plays like these allow Cook to be special and use his vision. 




The final play is a 25 yard gain by Cook on the Toss. This time the ball hits playside and has great success because of the blocking up front and the vision of the Running Back. He has space and is able to make the Safety miss a tackle.







The Vikings are running the football at a high level currently because of great coaching, great execution of the blocks, and some special running backs with great vision and ability to make DBs miss.  

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