Play Call Sheet - Game Day
Reference
Personnel Packages
| Package |
Players |
When to Use |
| 11 |
1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR |
Base offense, balanced |
| 10 |
1 RB, 0 TE, 4 WR |
Passing downs, spread |
| 12 |
1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR |
Power running, short yardage |
| 21 |
2 RB, 1 TE, 2 WR |
Heavy running, goal line |
- “Bunch Right”: 3x1 formation, bunch to the
right
- “Bunch Left”: 3x1 formation, bunch to the left
- “Trips Right”: 3x1 spread formation right
- “Trips Left”: 3x1 spread formation left
- “Tight”: Bunch with 1-yard spacing
- “Wide”: Bunch with 3-yard spacing
Running Game Play Calls
Zone Blocking Calls
Inside Zone Package
| Call |
Formation |
Assignment |
Key Read |
| “52 IZ” |
11 Personnel |
Inside Zone to Mike LB |
Follow double teams |
| “53 IZ” |
12 Personnel |
Inside Zone with TE |
Tighter gaps |
| “IZ Check” |
RPO Ready |
IZ + Slant option |
Read ILB |
| “IZ Alert” |
Hot route |
IZ + quick game |
Check protection |
Line Call: “52 is the Mike! 52 is the
Mike!”
Outside Zone Package
| Call |
Formation |
Assignment |
Key Read |
| “OZ Right” |
11 Personnel |
Outside Zone right |
Press edge, cut back |
| “OZ Left” |
11 Personnel |
Outside Zone left |
Stretch defense |
| “OZ Bubble” |
10 Personnel |
OZ + bubble option |
Count the box |
| “Jet Sweep” |
Motion back |
Outside zone action |
Edge defender |
Line Call: “Reach! Reach! Reach!”
Gap Scheme Package
| Call |
Formation |
Assignment |
Key Read |
| “Power O” |
11/12 Personnel |
Pull RG, FB lead |
Attack hole hard |
| “Counter” |
11 Personnel |
Pull LG & RT |
Press, then cut |
| “Trap” |
12 Personnel |
Pull RG, trap NT |
Quick hit |
| “Wham” |
12 Personnel |
TE blocks down |
Short yardage |
Line Call: “Power! Power! Power!”
Passing Game Play Calls
Bunch Passing
Concepts
Zone Beaters
| Call |
Formation |
Concept |
Primary Read |
| “Stick Right” |
Bunch Right |
Stick concept |
Middle LB |
| “Stick Left” |
Bunch Left |
Stick concept |
Middle LB |
| “Mills Right” |
Bunch Right |
Flood concept |
Inside-out |
| “Mills Left” |
Bunch Left |
Flood concept |
Inside-out |
| “Four Verts” |
Any 3x1 |
Verticals |
Coverage type |
Man Beaters
| Call |
Formation |
Concept |
Primary Read |
| “Smash Right” |
Bunch Right |
High-low corner |
Corner/Safety |
| “Smash Left” |
Bunch Left |
High-low corner |
Corner/Safety |
| “Pick Right” |
Tight Bunch R |
Natural picks |
Leverage |
| “Pick Left” |
Tight Bunch L |
Natural picks |
Leverage |
| “Rub Slants” |
Bunch |
Crossing slants |
Pick action |
Deep Shots
| Call |
Formation |
Concept |
Primary Read |
| “All Go” |
Any |
Four verticals |
Safety coverage |
| “Post Corner” |
Bunch Right |
Deep combination |
High safety |
| “Deep Stick” |
3x1 |
Deep version |
Leverage |
| “Dagger” |
Any |
Post + Dig |
Middle coverage |
Quick Game Package
3-Step Drop Concepts
| Call |
Routes |
Read |
Hot vs. Blitz |
| “Quick Slants” |
All slants (0) |
First open |
Built-in hot |
| “Hitches” |
All hitches (4) |
Leverage |
Slant conversion |
| “Speed Outs” |
All outs (1) |
Outside-in |
Quick release |
| “Now Screen” |
Bubble action |
Numbers |
Already quick |
| “Stick” |
Stick combo |
LB leverage |
Slant underneath |
RPO Package
| Call |
Run |
Pass |
Read Key |
| “IZ Slant” |
Inside Zone |
Slant route |
ILB |
| “IZ Bubble” |
Inside Zone |
Bubble screen |
Box count |
| “IZ Stick” |
Inside Zone |
Stick route |
MLB |
| “OZ Fade” |
Outside Zone |
Back shoulder |
Safety |
| “Power Pop” |
Power O |
Quick slant |
Edge rusher |
Situational Play Calls
3rd Down Package
3rd & Short (1-3
yards)
| Priority |
Call |
Backup |
Why |
| 1st |
Power O |
IZ Check |
Movement + lead blocker |
| 2nd |
IZ Alert |
Quick slants |
Simple execution |
| 3rd |
QB Sneak |
(if 1 yard) |
Highest % conversion |
3rd & Medium (4-7
yards)
| Priority |
Call |
Backup |
Why |
| 1st |
Stick Right |
Smash Right |
Zone/man options |
| 2nd |
Quick Hitches |
Speed Outs |
Quick timing |
| 3rd |
Mills Concept |
Pick play |
Multiple levels |
3rd & Long (8+ yards)
| Priority |
Call |
Backup |
Why |
| 1st |
Four Verts |
Post Corner |
Stretch defense |
| 2nd |
Deep Stick |
Mills |
Coverage beater |
| 3rd |
All Go |
(if desperate) |
Home run swing |
Red Zone Package
Red Zone (Inside 20)
| Down |
Primary |
Secondary |
Goal Line |
| 1st Down |
Power O |
IZ Check |
Power O |
| 2nd Down |
Fade Combo |
Smash |
Pick play |
| 3rd Down |
Stick/Pick |
Slants |
QB Sneak |
| 4th Down |
(Situation) |
Fade |
Sneak/Power |
Two-Minute Drill
| Situation |
Call |
Clock |
Timeout? |
| Need 1st Down |
Quick slants |
Stops on 1st |
Consider |
| Need Sideline |
Speed outs |
Stops clock |
No |
| Need Big Gain |
Four verts |
Stops on 1st |
After play |
| Near Goal |
Fade combo |
Stops on score |
No need |
Audible System
Line of Scrimmage
Changes
| QB Call |
Meaning |
Action |
| “Kill! Kill!” |
Change play |
New play call |
| “Alert! Alert!” |
Hot route |
Convert to slants |
| “Check! Check!” |
RPO read |
Execute read |
| “55 is Mike!” |
New Mike ID |
Adjust protection |
Protection
Adjustments
| Call |
Meaning |
RB Assignment |
| “Razor!” |
Slide right |
Pick up right |
| “Laser!” |
Slide left |
Pick up left |
| “6-man!” |
Max protect |
RB is 6th protector |
| “Hot!” |
Quick game |
RB releases immediately |
Route Adjustments
| Coverage |
Automatic |
All WRs Know |
| 2-High Safety |
Seam routes |
Split safeties |
| 1-High Safety |
Comeback routes |
Under safety |
| Cover 0 (No Safety) |
All slants |
Beat blitz |
| Heavy Blitz |
Max protect + slants |
Hot routes |
Down & Distance Tendencies
1st Down
- 1st & 10: 60% run, 40% pass
- Calls: IZ, OZ, Play action, Stick
- Goal: Stay ahead of chains
2nd Down
- 2nd & 5-7: 50% run, 50% pass
- 2nd & 8+: 30% run, 70% pass
- Calls: Based on previous play success
3rd Down
- 3rd & 1-3: 80% run, 20% pass
- 3rd & 4-7: 20% run, 80% pass
- 3rd & 8+: 10% run, 90% pass
- Goal: Convert at all costs
4th Down
- Own territory: Punt
- Midfield: Consider situation
- Opponent territory: Go for it
- Goal line: Almost always go
Field Position Strategy
Own 1-20 (Backed Up)
| Priority |
Calls |
Avoid |
| Safety |
IZ, Power O |
Deep shots, outside runs |
| Get Out |
Safe passes |
Turnovers |
Own 20-50 (Normal
Field)
| Priority |
Calls |
Philosophy |
| Balance |
All concepts |
Keep defense honest |
| Efficiency |
High % plays |
Methodical drives |
Opponent 50-20 (Scoring
Zone)
| Priority |
Calls |
Opportunities |
| Points |
Aggressive |
Take deep shots |
| Red Zone |
Efficient |
Don’t settle for FG |
Opponent 20-Goal (Red
Zone)
| Priority |
Calls |
Must Score |
| Touchdown |
Fade, Pick, Power |
Use all 4 downs |
Weather Adjustments
Windy Conditions
- Avoid: Deep passes into wind
- Use: Short passing, power runs
- Direction: Throw with wind when possible
Rain/Wet Field
- Avoid: Outside runs, timing routes
- Use: Inside runs, quick slants
- Footing: Expect slips on cuts
Cold Weather
- Avoid: Timing passes (ball hard)
- Use: Power running game
- Hands: Expect drops early
Substitution Packages
Entering Game
Situations
| Personnel |
Subs In |
Subs Out |
Signal |
| 11 → 10 |
4th WR |
TE |
“Spread” |
| 11 → 12 |
2nd TE |
WR |
“Heavy” |
| 11 → 21 |
FB/2nd RB |
WR |
“Power” |
| 10 → 11 |
TE |
WR |
“Base” |
Special Situations
- Goal Line: 21 or 22 personnel
- 3rd & Long: 10 or 11 personnel
- 2-Minute: 10 or 11 personnel
- Short Yardage: 12 or 21 personnel
Coaching Communication
Sideline to Field
- Hand Signals: Formation calls
- Wrist Coach: Play concepts numbered
- Verbal: Only if necessary (crowd noise)
Quarterback to Team
- Huddle: Clear, confident delivery
- Line: Protection and hot route alerts
- Cadence: Consistent rhythm and hard count