umpire on pass routes

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Rick KY

Last season, in the state quarterfinals, I got caught up in a draw play just as you described. The runner, his lead blocker, several defenders, and I all met at the same spot. I was in the middle with players all around so I did not go down. But it was a tense moment to be sure.

Does anybody have tips on reading the draw or the middle screen?

Of course you'd be most concerned about a middle draw (or the middle screen). If you look at how they coach blocking schemes, middle screens (and to some extent draws) stick out in that they'll have the guards doing opposite things. If at least one guard pulls, you're probably safe (though not against a trap). Usually on non-pull plays the guards will be blocking in the same direction, left or right. If you see the RG blocking left, and the LG blocking right -- in other words, each one is giving the defender the inside, then you have a problem. If you see each one giving the defender the outside, you're probably seeing pass protection, but that could easily develop into a middle draw if they do it to an extreme.

However, if you see the middle of the line all cut block, then you have a quick pass over the middle!

Robert