While the Air Raid is known for throwing the football, Mike Leach's offenses were at their most dangerous when defenses forgot about the run. By spreading the field with four and five receivers, Texas Tech forced light boxes and deep safeties-creating perfect numbers to
CUT 26 Coins
run.
RPO Alert Screen out of Spread Wide Flex capitalizes on this. Before the snap, count the box. If you have equal or better numbers, hand the ball off and take the free yards. If defenders pinch inside or crash downhill, flip the ball outside to the alert screen and let your blockers work in space.
This run-pass balance forces defenses into impossible decisions. Stay light and get gashed on the ground, or load the box and give up free yards outside.
Motion HP Swing: Space and Numbers
Motion HP Swing out of Trips Y Slot Strong is another elite way to attack the edge. Motion helps identify coverage and creates a numbers advantage. With multiple blockers leading the way, your running back becomes a true weapon in the open field.
If defenders overcommit to the swing, the backside glance route attacks the vacated middle for chunk gains. Against man coverage, aggressive users often leave massive throwing lanes inside. This play also gives mobile quarterbacks an escape lane if everything flows wide.
Smash: The One-Play Touchdown Machine
Despite the Air Raid's reputation for short passes, Mike Leach's philosophy always included attacking deep when the opportunity presented itself. Smash out of Empty Trey Flex is one of the best vertical shots in CFB 26.
Against Cover 3, motioning and route adjustments allow a seam fade to get behind deep blues for walk-in touchdowns. Against two-high and match coverages, option routes, and corner combinations stress safeties and force late reactions. If defenses take away the deep shot, the drag and hitch routes give you reliable checkdowns to keep the chains moving.
This play ensures the defense can never sit comfortably in coverage.
Y Cross: The Air Raid Staple
No Air Raid offense is complete without Y Cross, and it remains one of the most reliable concepts ever created. The deep crosser works behind linebackers, while the post sit route punishes zone coverage by settling into soft spots.
Quick adjustments like
CFB 26 Coins
whip routes and running back swings add flexibility, giving you answers against blitzes and coverage rotations. Whether it's man, zone, or pressure, Y Cross gives you a solution.
Read More...