NFL Run Game Duo Scheme: Taking Advantage of Double Teams

Sep 28, 2024

The article below is one I worked on with Coach Jim Jackson, a well respected offensive line coach!

Duo is run it from a variety different formations, RB alignments, and motions. It is a downhill run that that allows the OL to come off the ball with double teams to create vertical movement. This is a statement play! It is often called Power without the puller as it fits into the power and gap family run game game, The rules are easy for OL as their first responsibility is to take their inside gap.

Duo is a gap scheme play that can be run from under center, pistol, or gun. It also can be run out of 11, 12, and 22 personnel. WFT runs this every week to compliment their wide zone game. Simply put, the OL is blocking on gap scheme angles in one direction and the RB is running the opposite direction. We will dissect the RB read in the diagrams.

People often talk about the center stepping opposite but in theory it’s the whole Oline. The premise is everyone has to block their backside gap first. If it’s duo left then every offensive lineman should protect their right gap first if their is a hand in the ground. If not then they will step the other direction and help on the double team.

The best part of duo is you will often get 2-3 double teams at the point of attack. It is a usually solid play on early downs for that reason. You get to double the 2 DT vs an even front or even the DE if you get into some 12 personnel.

Vs Odd fronts you will also get double team combos. We will get into these below

Here's how you separate Duo vs Inside Zone.

Why gap and duo schemes?

You often see gap schemes when teams struggle with offensive lineman who don't move particularly well laterally. Teams that need lack athleticism on the perimeter that is needed for those wide zone type schemes. Look at the Eagles last year. They adjusted their scheme when they lost many of their offensive lineman and went from a Wide zone team to primarily runs in the gap family as a result.

Well lets look at some teams that run duo. Again duo is fueled by 2-3 double teams with the interior lineman and at most times the tight end as well. It is a down hill run with a vertical push by the offensive line. It is a vertical push run play where it starts as a true double team.

RB CUT

The best part of duo is it allows the RB to hit the line of scrimmage down hill and read the 2nd level LB. He has the flexibility to get vertical or make a lateral cut depending on how the LB plays it. If the 2nd LB ducks inside you will see the RB make an outside cut. If he widens, you will see the LB get vertical now. It’s an excellent play as it is often tough for the LB to see the RB.

3-4 combination rules

Every Olineman steps to their inside gap as the play is duo right. So step and protect your inside gap(left) on the duo right play.