In football, a strong running game is the cornerstone of an effective offense. One play that stands out for its simplicity and power is the Duo play, a gap scheme concept that has become a staple in many playbooks.
In a recent YouTube clip from his video course The Duo Play, Coach Cody Kennedy—currently the offensive line coach at Mississippi State and previously at the University of Arkansas—offers an in-depth look at how to read and scheme the Duo play against different defensive fronts.
This blog post explores the mechanics of the play, the roles of each player, and the adjustments needed to make it successful, drawing directly from Coach Kennedy’s insights.
Watch the video below or keep scrolling to learn more.
What is the Duo Play?
The Duo play is a gap scheme running play designed to create double teams at the point of attack, allowing the offensive line to “dent the defense” and open lanes for the running back. Unlike zone blocking schemes, where the running back might read a defensive lineman or end, Duo focuses on the first-level linebacker—typically the Mike—as the key read. This second-level focus gives the running back a clear decision point, which Coach Kennedy likens to “playing basketball on a fast break with the Mike linebacker.” He explains, “If he shoots here, we want to press it and now get to here. If he shoots here, now we’re going to press it and go here. We’re going opposite of the read key.” This straightforward read makes Duo a favorite among running backs and a versatile weapon for offenses.
Offensive Line Responsibilities: Building the Wall
The foundation of the Duo play lies in the offensive line’s execution. Each lineman has a specific assignment based on their priority gap:
- If the gap is threatened: The lineman executes a down block on the defender in their gap.
- If the gap is not threatened: They assist an adjacent lineman, forming a combo block to drive the defense backward.
For example, against an under front, the right tackle checks their gap. If it’s empty, they use a timing attack to help the right guard, who might be down blocking a defender. The center and left guard work together to build a combo block vertically toward the linebacker, aiming to maintain playside leverage.
Coach Kennedy emphasizes the “down shoulder” technique for these blocks: “Same foot, same shoulder is the most powerful position on a football field. We want to deliver that surface of the shoulder and my knee through the crotch of that first-level defender.” This method ensures linemen get hip to hip with defenders, creating movement and opening running lanes.
On the backside, patience is critical. Linemen must stay alert for stunts or games—defensive tactics like pirate stunts or zone beaters—especially in tight zone or under front alignments. “You’ve got to be patient,” Coach Kennedy notes, “because a lot of times they’re going to be running all their pirate games over here.” By building a solid wall and maintaining leverage, the backside linemen protect the play from collapsing.
The Tight End’s Role: The Broadway Block
One concern coaches often raise about Duo is the tight end’s ability to handle the edge defender. Coach Kennedy addresses this with the “Broadway block”, a term that underscores its visibility but simplifies its execution. “Your ankles have to get out of the backfield,” he says. “It does not have to be a drive-the-guy-10-yards-down-the-field block. A stalemate is a win on this edge defender.” The tight end’s job is to maintain the block on the end man on the line of scrimmage, ensuring the edge is sealed without requiring an elite performance. This approach makes Duo accessible even for teams without an exceptional tight end.
The Running Back’s Read: Press and Cut
The running back’s role is central to the Duo play’s success. They must press the line of scrimmage vertically for two steps before making a cut based on the linebacker’s movement. If the linebacker shifts one way, the running back goes the opposite direction, exploiting the defense’s reaction. “He’s got to hold his poker hand,” Coach Kennedy advises, meaning the running back must disguise their intent pre-snap based on leverage clues. This read allows the play to hit in multiple ways—inside, outside, or even “out the back door” in sets like 12 personnel with a tight end wing.
The timing of the double teams gives the running back this flexibility. As Coach Kennedy explains, “You can take time getting to this guy because he’s the read. If he comes up here and fits it, now this running back’s gonna hit it and bounce it here.” This design ensures the running back can “make us right” by reacting to the linebacker’s fit.
Adapting to Defensive Fronts
The Duo play’s versatility shines in its ability to adjust to different defensive alignments. Coach Kennedy highlights two common fronts and how to handle them:
- Under Front: Here, the offensive line focuses on combo blocks to dent the defense while the backside remains patient against stunts. “We want to dent the defense—600 on 300 for as long as we can get it done,” Coach Kennedy says, referring to the combined weight of two linemen overpowering a single defender. The running back reads the linebacker’s fit—inside means an outside cut, and vice versa.
- Tite Front: Against a tite alignment, the challenge is an extra defender, often a nickel. Coach Kennedy outlines three strategies to handle a seventh man in the box:
- RPOs (Run-Pass Options): Target the boundary safety with a post route or use a field bubble to stretch the defense horizontally.
- Motion: Short motion a slot receiver to block the nickel, creating a favorable matchup. “Let him hat up the nickel right there,” Coach Kennedy explains, “and that’s where you’ll get this play to roll off the table.”
- Checks: Switch to a different play, like zone away or GT counter, based on the defensive pressure.
These adjustments keep Duo effective even when the defense loads the box, maintaining its core principles while adapting to the situation.
Why Duo Succeeds: Power and Simplicity
At its core, the Duo play is about power and leverage. The double teams aim to overwhelm the defense—600 pounds against 300—while the running back’s read simplifies decision-making. “I can’t overemphasize enough: dent the defense, especially with the first combo,” Coach Kennedy stresses. This approach not only moves the line of scrimmage but also buys time for the running back to find the optimal lane.
The play’s design also ensures adaptability. Whether hitting inside gaps, bouncing outside, or trailing out the back, Duo can exploit defensive reactions. In formations like 12 personnel, it can even hit “out the front door,” showcasing its flexibility across personnel groupings.
Conclusion
The Duo play is a powerful and adaptable tool for any offense, blending simplicity with strategic depth. By leveraging double teams to dent the defense and providing a clear linebacker read for the running back, it thrives against various fronts—from six-man boxes to tighter alignments with extra defenders. Coach Kennedy’s insights reveal why it’s a go-to play: it’s easy to teach, effective to execute, and flexible enough to counter defensive adjustments through RPOs, motion, or checks.
For coaches and players looking to master the running game, the Duo play offers a reliable option to move the chains. As Coach Kennedy demonstrates, it’s not just about brute force—it’s about precision, patience, and letting the running back make the offense right.
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