Complete Offense Guide — Core Formations, Blitz Pickup, Beating Man, Flooding

Six steps to a complete offense: three base formations, blitz pickup, run plays keyed to fronts, man-beaters, universal floods, and formation shifting.

The three main formations

1. Bunch Spread Nasty (Kentucky book)

Outside Zone

When to call it: vs mid blitz or any man look — the edge blocking is elite, and a fast RB means a first down or a house call. Do NOT run it into zone.

Branch Return — Setup A (vs zone)

Setup (pre-snap):

1. Put R1 on a curl.
2. Stem the curl up twice.
3. Streak the outside WR.
4. Put the RB on a wheel.

The read, in order:

1. TE first.
2. RB wheel up the sideline — open every time if the zone sits on the TE.
3. Right-side curl — sits in the middle of Cover 3.
4. Return route checkdown.

Branch Return — Setup B

Setup (pre-snap):

1. Stem the out route up once.
2. Stem the in route up once.
3. Put the TE on a slant.
4. Put R1 on a streak.
5. Put the RB in the flat.

The read, in order:

1. RB flat.
2. TE slant.
3. The in route — the streak clears the middle for 20-30 yards.
4. Return checkdown.

Why it works: the stock return route cuts sharp; hot-routing a return ruins the cut. Hunt plays with stock returns.

2. Pistol Deuce / Pistol Deuce Close

HB Stretch

Pre-snap:

1. Find the slot corner.
2. Flip the run AWAY from him (right stick left/right).

Numbers advantage = effortless touchdowns.

Hitch Corners

When to call it: vs man, when they sell out on the run — both TE corner routes cook man.

Setup (pre-snap):

1. Hot-route the corners to make them cut sharper.

Flood vs zone

Setup (pre-snap):

1. Corner on the TE.
2. RB flat left.
3. Return by the TE.
4. Out by circle.

The read, in order:

1. Corner.
2. Return.
3. RB.

3. Bunch Tight End

HB Draw

When to call it: vs any zone — linebackers back up, and the TE and WR reach the second level. Vs man, run Outside Zone/off-tackle instead.

Gun Bunch TE RPO

One of the best RPOs in the game.

When to call it: sparingly — 3rd-and-7, 2nd-and-10 — so it isn't scouted.

At the snap:

1. Throw it QUICK — linemen release downfield fast this year.

The RPO counter pass

Setup (pre-snap):

1. Stem the outside WR's corner route all the way down.
2. Put the slot on a slot fade.
3. Streak the inside receiver.
4. Put the TE on a drag.
5. Put the RB on an angle route.

The read (drag vs corner-out):

1. Flat defender sits on the corner → throw the drag.
2. Flat defender jumps the flat → throw the corner.
3. Users hanging mid-field → the RB angle beats them.