Howdy!

Last time I showed you the basic principles of pinning down a 303 defensive line, where the linemen are spread out as far as possible, in the L3, 0, and R3 columns. Today, we're going to discuss a strategy for beating the 101 line, where the linemen are bunched together in the center. This particular offense is especially good if you have a lot of Block, and are willing to maximize the number of blocks you make.

First, let's assume that the line you're facing is a "weak" line rather than a "strong" one. The opponent's goal on the LOS isn't to make you overcommit or to dominate the central position. It's to fulfill the rules of the game, that say you have to put 3 men up on scrimmage. In further installments, I'll talk about how to beat a strong line, like Lizardmen or Orcs might put up, but for now, I'm going to assume that you're facing three ST3 linemen, probably rookies, with maybe a little Block and up to one Guard thrown in for giggles.

First, let's look at the defense. 101 lines are very common, and you see them on both interior and exterior defenses.

101 Boat
- - - -|- - X Y Z - -|- - - -
- - - -|- - - - - - -|- - - -
- - - -|- - - - - - -|- - - -
- - - -|U - - V - - W|- - - -
- - - -|- P Q R S T -|- - - -

101 Ziggurat
- - - -|- - X Y Z - -|- - - -
- - - -|- - - - - - -|- - - -
- - T -|- U - - - V -|- W - -
- P - -|Q - - - - - R|- - S -

It's not that beating a line such as this one is all that difficult. But pushes happen, and you want to maximize your chances of getting a pow.

So let's line up and see where we go, shall we?

First, line up 5-7 menz on the LOS. I'm going to show a 7-man line, because if you have 7 players with Block, you can take the play in either direction. I'm also going to put two more players in the wide zone to thwart Blitz! results on the kickoff table. This leaves you two men in your backfield. You could do this line with as few as 5 players, leaving you up to 6 in your backfield. It really is up to you.

- - H -|A B C D E F G|- I - -
- - - -|- - X Y Z - -|- - - -

If you have limited amounts of Block, D and either (B and C) or (E and F) will be throwing the opening hits, and you want them to have the Block skill. If you have any Guard for the line, put them at C and E. If you have Mummies or some other ST5 player without anti-skills, put them at B and F.

First, pick a direction for the play. Let's say, using this diagram, that you're going to the offense's right (the reader's left). You could do it the other way if that's how the ball lies. But today we're going to the right.

D, in the center, makes the opening block on the back-side lineman, Z in this diagram. If he gets a pow, he pushes diagonally away. If he gets a push, he pushes laterally, so G can take a second bite at the apple. Whether you pow or push, do not follow.

- - H -|A B C D E F G|- I - -
- - - -|- - X Y - Z -|- - - -

In the event of a push, G can block him now too. If he gets a pow, he follows. If he gets a push, he pushes him laterally, so F can throw a block. Follow on the push if F needs the assist, don't if E has Guard or F has ST4+.

Then C blocks Y, using the same logic, not following. This leaves B with two assists against Z. If A is ST5, that's a 3d block. If B pushes, E is still free to throw a followup block. A and H are free to blitz after this; they should blitz the screener on the play-side (U in the "boat" diagram above, T or U in the "ziggurat" diagram).

So at the end, your position might look a little like this.

- - - -|- - C D E - G|- I - -
- - - -|- - B x F - -|- - - -
- - - -|- - - - y z -|- - - -
- - - -|H A - - - - -|- - - -
- - - -|- u - V - - W|- - - -
- - - -|- P Q R S T -|- - - -

E and I, and maybe G, haven't moved, you can use them to screen off the back side of the play.

What do you think? Questions? Suggestions?

Next installment: beating a "strong" 101 line without all that much ST.

Edit: I'm taking photos with BBpusher, will soon replace the diagrams. Maybe tomorrow it'll be done.