Duo

Duo is a great running play.

It’s versatile, so it can be run effectively out of different personnel packages and formations, and it works against a variety of fronts. It can also be used for different purposes from the offense’s perspective. Want to knock the defense off the ball and play a more physical brand of football? Call Duo. Want to provide a change of pace from your zone-running schemes? Call Duo. Want an answer for aggressive linebackers and blitzes inside? Better call Duo.

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So what is Duo? It’s a gap-scheme run (down blocks to the play-side) without pullers like you have on power and counter. It generally gets multiple double-teams, although the number of doubles will vary based on the formation and defensive front.

Below, you can see how the 49ers ran it with success against the Steelers during Week 1 of the 2023 season:

I won’t go through the count rules, but the basic premise is that each blocker is responsible for a defender, but if a blocker’s backside gap is clear and their assigned man is off the line of scrimmage, they double-team until their man attacks or declares.

Below you can see the double-teams and individual assignments from the play above: