xogridmaker

XO Gridmaker

Faster on the app — free on the App Store

For leagues Pricing

Sign in Get started

Loading the selected football play…

Tour Coach Cal Paper Mode Film Room Library Examples Pricing League management

© 2026 XO Gridmaker · Cedar Park, TX

About Contact FAQ Youth safety Terms Privacy

Football Library · Plays

QB Draw· 11v11 Tackle

basicaka Quarterback Drawaka QB Lead Draw

11v11 Tackleonly

Designed QB run from shotgun — blockers sell pass, QB attacks the soft middle.

Make this play yours

Add the diagram and assignments to your playbook, then tailor the details to your team.

Try another concept

Matched to this play and your game type.

01DrawAnother empty answerLate-developing interior run that sells pass first — blockers sell pass, back hits the soft middle late.
02SweepA different backfield answerWide perimeter run — blockers pull or reach playside, back attacks the edge.
03DiveA different backfield answerNorth-south interior run — back attacks A/B gap downhill, blockers inside-zone-block.
04PowerA different backfield answerGap-scheme downhill run with a pulling lineman as lead through a designated gap.

Browse more

The design

How QB Draw works

Designed QB run from shotgun.
The blockers pass-set to sell pass (tackle); receivers run vertical clears to pull defenders away from the middle (every variant); the QB hesitates as if reading, then runs straight through the soft middle the rush vacated.
Best against rush-heavy fronts on obvious passing downs — coverage drops, the box is light, the QB takes the easy yards.
In flag the OL doesn't exist, but the same mechanic works because rushers must start behind the rush line — the QB times the run to attack as the rusher commits upfield.

Coach the details

Every player's job

: draw — delay then accelerate — read the rush lane.
: blitz pickup — find the unblocked rusher.
: 18-yard go — full-speed release, ball goes over the top.
: 18-yard go — full-speed release, ball goes over the top.
: 18-yard seam — split the safeties, run through the post.
: 18-yard seam — split the safeties, run through the post.
: run-block — drive your man off the ball to the playside, combo to the second level.
: run-block — drive your man off the ball to the playside, combo to the second level.
: run-block — drive your man off the ball to the playside, combo to the second level.
: run-block — drive your man off the ball to the playside, combo to the second level.
: run-block — drive your man off the ball to the playside, combo to the second level.

Call sheet

When and where to run it

Money downsBest on 3rd-and-medium against a deep-rotation defense — pass-rushers vacate the middle, coverage drops, the QB takes the easy 7-8 yards.
Game planEspecially deadly when the QB is a running threat.
Defensive lookCount the box before the snap and check away if the defense has an extra fitter inside.
Defensive lookLet the QB sell two pass beats, then follow the center's leverage through the first clean crease.
Money downsOn 3rd down, aim the track at the line to gain; in four-minute offense, coach ball security before extra yards.

Pre-snap to post-snap

Read the defense

Keys to watch

Best on 3rd-and-medium against a deep-rotation defense — pass-rushers vacate the middle, coverage drops, the QB takes the easy 7-8 yards.
Count the box before the snap and check away if the defense has an extra fitter inside.
Let the QB sell two pass beats, then follow the center's leverage through the first clean crease.
The blockers pass-set to sell pass (tackle); receivers run vertical clears to pull defenders away from the middle (every variant); the QB hesitates as if reading, then runs straight through the soft middle the rush vacated.

Be ready to change the answer

Cover 0: Anything that develops slowly — pressure gets home first Better answers: Four Verticals, Mesh,

Troubleshooting

What can break the play

Avoid it against a disciplined mush rush that keeps interior gap integrity, or when the quarterback cannot safely absorb designed-run contact.
It is a constraint on aggressive pass rush, not a base call into a packed box or a defense already spying the QB.
QB telegraphs by stepping up too early; should sell the dropback for at least two beats.
Blockers don't sell the pass set (tackle); rushers stay home and the lane never opens.
Receivers don't widen on their clears; LBs hold the middle and the lane closes.

Cover 1: Outside vertical shots — the free safety caps them over the top Better answers: Mesh, Drive, Smash, Y-Cross, Four Verticals, Levels

Cover 2: The flats — the corner squats and jumps anything quick outside Better answers: Smash, Four Verticals, Flood

Tampa 2: The deep middle — the Mike runs it, so a straight seam is contested (unlike base Cover 2) Better answers: Smash, Flood

Cover 3: Deep outside — the three-deep shell caps outside verticals Better answers: Curl-Flat, Slant-Flat, Smash, Flood, Four Verticals, Snag, Dagger, Stick

Cover 4: Deep shots — four deep defenders make it very hard to win over the top Better answers: Stick, Snag, Slant-Flat, Curl-Flat, Mesh