One Harvard variation of Wing-T
In one Harvard variation of the wing-T, the opposite side halfback is winged. This puts six men on side of the center. The defense must adjust to this or risk being weaker on one side. The advantage here is one of power, and the offense can pull a power sweep to one side, or utilize the wingback for pass protection blocking, among other plays.
Harvard Slot-T
Once in a while you may see the Crimson use this pro-type pattern, with a half-back stationed inside a split, or wide, end. This is ordinarily a passing formation, as the wingback and the wide end can both break downfield and overload the secondary defenses. To make it work, though, you need a good line and a good blocking fullback to protect the passer. Grana is up to the fullback blocking; the question is whether or not the line is ready for such assignments. Yovicsin said the Crimson will probably run as well as pass off this formation.
Other variations Harvard may use from time to time include the double wing, and the "end-over," which creates an unbalanced line.
Yovicsin usually spaces his line about two to three feet between each man. Until the line gains experience line assignments will be generally uncomplicated, but Harvard will probably employ traps, double-teaming (two on one) blocking techniques, and occasionally will pull guards and tackles in singe-wing fashion.
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So much for formations. What happens when the ball is snapped. Yovicsin, of course, won't give out detailed information, but he described the basic play series on the Crimson list.
Power Sweep
With his concentration of running power, Yovicsin is apt to call for heavy use of the "power sweep," particularly off the basic-T. (When talking about the plays we will assume a motion to the right. The Crimson runs the plays both ways, however.) In this play the right halfback often cuts off tackle, the fullback off guard, and the left half through the middle. The quarterback can either pitch-out or hand-off to one of these men, or keep the ball and go around the end. If the quarterback pitches out, look for the halfback to try to sweep around the end. If it is a hand-off, the play is apt to go "inside," over tackle. The whole idea is to overload the defense with concentrated pressure on one side of the line.
Belly Series
Harvard is also fond of the "outside belly" or "ride" series, perfected at Oklahoma by Bud Wilkenson. The key man in the series is the quarterback, and Bassett excells in this type of work. In the play, when run from the basic-T, the fullback and the right half-back both plunge toward the tackle. The left half-back runs wide to the right and parallel to the line of scrimmage. The quarterback takes the snap and thrusts the ball into the belly of the fullback (giving the series its name). He has the option of letting the fullback keep the ball and carry over tackle, or withdraw-it.
If he elects to retrieve it from the fullback's stomach, he can either attempt to crack the line himself, or drop back for a pass. Bassett, who has the agility to spin from tackler's grasp, does well on the "keeper."
Another possibility is to fake to the fullback and pitch out to the left half-back (who is running approximately parallel to the line). The halfback can either run the ball around end, or pass downfield.
To make the series work, the quarterback must react to the development of the defense and chose his option in a split second. If the quarterback is capable of this, the "outside belly" series is extremely tough to defense. Yovicsin may also employ an "inside belly" series now and then.
Run-Pass Option
The third major play series in the Crimson repertoire is the run-pass option, and probably will be the favorite of Humenuk and Bartolet. The quarterback takes the snap from center and fades back five to six yards. Up to three receivers (usually the two ends and one halfback) go downfield. The other provide blocking protection. If the quarterback sees no one open, he yells "go" and the potential pass receivers cut back to block out the secondary as the quarterback runs the ball over the line