Introduction to the Dairy Raid Offense - Power Scheme

This piece was written last February for Badger Notes as part of my effort to introduce the Dairy Raid Offense to a wider offense. I put a lot of effort into these pieces and the accompanying videos, and since they are no longer online I’d decided to re-upload them here. The Dairy Raid Offense is gone, but it’s important to look to the past as we shape the future. Enjoy!

In today's discussion, we're delving deeper into the Air Raid rushing attack, particularly focusing on the complementary nature of various schemes within the offensive playbook. Establishing a balanced rushing attack is essential for any offense, and achieving this balance requires a strategic integration of different schemes and actions.

One fundamental aspect of building a balanced rushing attack is the utilization of complementary schemes. These schemes work in harmony to keep the defense guessing and create opportunities for the offense to exploit. One such example is employing different backfield actions within the same blocking scheme, as seen in variations of inside zone blocking. Another effective approach is the horizontal stretch provided by the outside zone blocking scheme, which creates flow for the defense in one direction while the ball carrier looks to cut against that flow, exploiting gaps in the defense.

Furthermore, the blocking schemes themselves can complement each other. For instance, the contrast between inside and outside action, or the distinction between North/South and East/West movement, adds layers of complexity for the defense to contend with. Building on this concept, the next evolution of complementary football involves leveraging the flow generated by initial blocking schemes to set up counter actions. This is precisely where the power scheme comes into play.

In our terminology, the power scheme encompasses any blocking scheme aimed at pushing away from the point of attack, typically achieved through down blocks or double teams, to create a seal with a pulling offensive lineman. Power serves as a gap scheme run designed to generate movement with double teams at the point of attack while incorporating a pulling lineman to create a numbers advantage on the play-side.

The essence of the power scheme lies in its execution. It involves the backside guard pulling and either executing a kick-out block on the end man of the line of scrimmage or wrapping through to engage defenders at the second level. Variations of the power scheme abound, adapting to different personnel groupings, formations, and defensive alignments.

Ultimately, the goal of the power scheme is to create movement and a double team on the play-side, while also incorporating a kick-out block and providing a lead blocker through the resulting play-side hole. This concerted effort aims to establish a specific running lane with lead blockers effectively working their way to the second level of the defense, paving the way for successful rushing plays within the Air Raid offense.