How to Run a Draw Play in Football

Football is about strength, power and dominating your opponent at the line of scrimmage. However, that is not all it's about. When played at a high level by players at the high school, college or professional level, the difference between winning and losing is usually in the execution of plays. Sometimes a team will be able to physically dominate its opponent, but just as often the difference between running a successful play and one that fails is recognition and deception. Both of these are significant factors when it comes to running the draw play.

Instructions

1. Run the draw play when your opponent is expecting you to pass. You may be in a 3rd-and-long situation or you could be in the middle of a drive where you have been successful passing the ball. Your opponent will line up with four linemen looking to get to the passer and may even plan on bringing a linebacker or defensive back to add further pressure. In cases like this, you will have your opponent at a disadvantage as the quarterback calls signals because a heavy pass rush will only help the well-executed draw play.

2. Approach the line of scrimmage as if you are going to pass. A single-RB formation with three or four receivers will help "sell" the draw play. This is traditionally a throwing formation and the more obvious the passing situation, the more likely the defense will go along with your plan.

3. Offensive linemen must retreat upon the snap of the ball as if they are pass blocking. On most running plays, the offensive line charges forward. On most passing plays, they retreat and establish position in order to give the quarterback a protective "pocket" to throw the ball from. On the draw play, the offensive line will further sell the concept of pass by retreating as if the quarterback is about to throw.

4. The quarterback must drop 5 to 7 steps back in the pocket as if he were going to throw a pass. This is the final step that tells the pass rushers that the football is about to be put in the air. At the last second, the quarterback hands the ball off to the running back who has observed the initial charge of the defensive linemen and runs to a spot that one of those linemen have vacated.

5. Follow the defensive end. In most, but not all pass rushing situations, the defensive end will run to the outside in order to sprint by a bigger, stronger and slower offensive tackle. This speed rush may open a huge hole between the defensive tackle and end that the running back can use to his advantage. If the running back can get into and through this hole, he should find a wide open field to run through since defensive backs and linebackers may have also "dropped" into the secondary in order to prevent a big pass play.

6. Prepare yourself for heavy contact. Ideally, the running back will have open spaces to run through on a perfectly executed draw play. However, perfect execution and subsequent deception is rare. The running back needs to be prepared for initial contact and must find a way to bounce away from the first hit. That is his responsibility. If the running back is accomplished at keeping his feet after initial contact, the draw play has an excellent chance to succeed.

Tips & Warnings

• The draw play is based on deception. Scout your own tendencies by keeping a play chart. If you have run this play the last 5 times you have been in 3rd-and-8 situations, your opponent knows it too. You have to switch up your play calls in order to be successful.

• Quickness and acceleration are the most important characteristics a running back needs to run the draw play successfully. A back who can run a 4.5 40-yard dash but has a hard time getting started will not be able to make this play work. A quick first step and a moves to make an opponent miss are the biggest factors in running a good draw play.

• The best football teams are versatile. You want your opponent to defend the run when you are going to pass or defend the pass when you are going to run. However, there comes a time in most games when it is a battle of strength and power and you must have the determination and ability to win that fight when it occurs.