Why it works?
The Cross Buck is great play for any youth football team as misdirection is a key element between the offensive backfield. Timing and rhythm of the handoffs and fakes are essential to making this play work, if done correctly and with good blocking it will keep opposing defenses one step behind allowing you to get good push up front and positive yards.
Formation
It begins with a Pro-Formation in which I call my "Blue" formation and I make a weak or a strong call to line up the wing back.
Blocking
In order for any play to be successful you need to get good run blocking from your offensive line. In this diagram you'll see we cross-block play side using LG and LT. You can also base block it where the Guard and Tackle block head up to inside but this play will give you extra second as the RB takes a timing step to the right in order to let the first RB clear.
Handoff Progression
The running backs are positioned in two-point stances three yards directly behind the tails of the LT and RT. When running this play to the left side the QB will open to the right and faking the handoff to the first RB whose aiming point is the backside of the RG. It is important to teach this player to make no false steps and hit the hole hard and sell the fake. On the snap the opposite RB who will be the ball carrier needs to make a short timing step to the right allowing the first back to get through the hole. This back will then come off the hip of the opposing RB and receive the football directly behind the QB. If blocked correctly there will be a crease or sometime a large running lane as the LB's may get caught chasing the first RB through the opposite lane.
Final Coaching Points
Make sure to emphasis to your QB to continue the fake down the line away from the play. Once you have mastered the Cross Buck to each side the next progression is to implement the dive to the first RB and finally have the QB hold onto the football around the end.
This week's play is courtesy of Brax Spirit Cups - the official fundraising partner of USA Football. To learn more about fundraising and the Spirit Cups program, log on to spiritcups.com.
