章 17: 017 Three-dimensional Deconstruction
Prediction, layout, setting traps.
That's the game before each play begins.
Blocking, interception, coordination.
That's the confrontation after each play starts.
Bit by bit, Li Wei savored the different charms of football, because as a turn-based game, there was time to discuss and layout anew after each offense and defense, meaning that every offensive and defensive effort needed the formulation of tactics to engage, and tactics could vary greatly depending on the situation.
No wonder Burns said—
Football requires physicality and confrontation, but if one only has these, they will never become an excellent player, let alone a top legend.
So, Li Wei began to observe and deconstruct, attempting to establish a framework of football through his own understanding, amidst the series of offensive and defensive plays.
As a running back, he naturally began with the offensive group.
Within the offensive group, there were eleven players that could be divided into three parts.
The first part, the quarterback.
The quarterback is the field commander of the team, with the coach communicating through a headset built into the helmet, setting the tactics for each play, which the quarterback then relays to the teammates.
Responsible not only for executing tactics, choosing whether to pass the ball or to give it to the running back to carry; the quarterback is also tasked with interpreting the opponent's defensive tactics. Top quarterbacks are often able to decipher the strategy of the opponents within three to five seconds and can make on-the-spot changes to the tactics, completing the final push forward.
The second part, the offensive line.
This is a "defensive line" composed of five people, with the center in the middle, guards to each side—left and right guard respectively—and tackles at both ends—left tackle and right tackle.
The task of these five players is to block the opposing team's players, buying time for the quarterback; their capabilities determine the range of space the quarterback has for thinking and adjustments.
The protective net constructed by the offensive line is known as the "pocket," and from it, types of quarterbacks emerge:
Pocket quarterback, which is the traditional quarterback, staying entirely within the pocket, relying on the brain to control the game, with passing as their ultimate weapon.
Mobile quarterback, the new generation of quarterbacks, who dare to leave the pocket, seeking opportunities with their legs, be it passing or running with the ball themselves.
The third part, wide receivers, tight ends, running backs.
Typically, there are three wide receivers, one tight end, and one running back, but the specifics might differ, with the possibility of two tight ends or two running backs due to the different functional roles of the players.
The running back, responsible for carrying the ball, forms a counterpart to the passing game in the air, seeking ground advancement, hence also known as the ground offense in complement to the passing offense.
Wide receivers and tight ends are responsible for catching passes; they are the intended recipients of the quarterback's throws. However, there's a slight difference between the two.
Wide receivers are more agile and faster, while tight ends are more robust and heavier.
Therefore, wide receivers often receive long passes, also known as deep strikes; tight ends often receive short passes, using their physique to push through in the short-range area.
Of course, this is all relative; different tactical combinations can always bring out the unique traits of various players.
How to find space within rigid prototypes, as well as how to break these prototypes and create surprises by forging new paths, is also a form of gaming.
Just like the advancement that had just occurred.
In seven-man Football, the offensive line has only three people, and there are only two receivers.
Naturally, the pocket is relatively less stable, and the offensive line must withstand tremendous pressure.
So, Hertz and Jacobs used a deception tactic, with Jacobs not taking on the role of a running back but rather completing the offensive line duties, filling in the gaps in the pocket, and buying time for Hertz.
In the end, Hertz completed the pass.
This kind of tactic is very interesting; within the traditional framework, it utilizes a misalignment to create an advantage, which is particularly refreshing to an outsider like Li Wei.
Li Wei approached Clark, "The fifth substitute, was that tactic just now something they came up with on the spot, or is it a standard tactical routine of the team?"
Clark got somewhat excited and, without noticing how Li Wei addressed him, eagerly explained, "Fake run, real pass – it's a very common tactic. That is, to make a movement suggesting a running play but actually pass the ball; the running back needs to complete the offensive line's tasks, helping to dismantle and block."
Li Wei realized: a running back does not only need to be skilled in running with the ball but also needs to be skilled in blocking, providing cover, and tackling.
Then, by generalizing, Li Wei asked, "So, is there also a tactic involving a fake pass but an actual run?"
Clark, with a face full of surprise, said, "How did you know?"
Li Wei felt that it couldn't be that difficult. "Then, when executing a fake pass and a real run, are there also players who need to help clear the way for the running back?"
Clark nodded, "Generally speaking, after discussing the running routes, the tackle on that side will coordinate movements to complete the block, and at the same time, the tight end will help dismantle the block. The tight end rams ahead like a bulldozer, and the running back follows in their footsteps behind them, then bursts through to continue advancing."
So that's how it is.
Within the short passing area, the tight end not only has to receive passes but also has to play the role of dismantling blocks and covering.
"Short passing area," that was also a piece of knowledge Li Wei had just learned.
Based on the quarterback's passing distance, anything within ten yards falls into the short passing area, emphasizing quick and frequent passes; between ten and twenty yards is the medium passing range, which calls for more tactical coordination; passes over twenty yards fall into the deep pass range, and such long-range strikes often rely more on the individual ability of the players, including the quarterback and wide receivers.
In the NFL, there is no lack of uniquely gifted quarterbacks who can throw a pass sixty yards, covering half the field; but generally, accuracy drops sharply for throws over thirty to forty yards. Also, players need more time to build up their throwing power, which means the pocket protection provided by the offensive line has to be even more solid.
Without a doubt, Football is a team sport—
Even though the quarterback is the core of the offensive group, without the running back sharing the pressure, without wide receivers and tight ends to catch passes, without the offensive line providing cover and clearing the path, individual ability alone is just for show.
Only when the team works together does Football progress forward.
The same goes for the running back.
If there weren't the quarterback's cover on passes, the offensive intents of ground attacks would be exposed early, and the defensive group from the opposite side would press forward immediately, using a swarm tactic to block the path, making it difficult for even a Hulk-like running back to break through.
Also, during a ground advance, the offensive line and the tight end need to block, and the wide receivers need to run routes to distract the defense. Only then can the running back search for openings to advance.
The fundamental reason is that while the offensive group is strategizing, the defensive group on the opposite side of the field also initiates a comprehensive confrontation.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
If one wishes to understand the coordination of the offensive group more comprehensively and in more depth, it is necessary to understand how the defensive group operates and to decipher their tactics.
Without offense, there would be no defense, and without defense, there would be no offense. The two are both opposing and unified forms, just like in Go or chess, which is the ultimate charm of Football.
Who says that running backs don't need to understand defense?
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