The Pro Right 36 Lead is a lead-blocked running play from the Pro Right formation, using a Pro Formation alignment with the formation strength called to the right. The balanced backfield and eligible-receiver spacing allow the offense to run or pass without changing personnel.
The play is designed to send the 3-back toward the 6-hole behind a designated lead blocker. Its back-and-hole numbering makes the assignment easy to teach while preserving the same Pro Formation structure used by related runs, passes and option concepts.
Pro Right 36 Lead Play Summary
- Formation: Pro Right
- Play type: A Lead-Blocked Running Play
- Ball carrier: 3-back
- Point of attack: 6-hole on the right side
- Blocking: Use the team’s lead rules and secure the point of attack
- Best use: medium-yardage situations where the offense wants an extra blocker at the point of attack
- Main objective: use the lead blocker to account for the first second-level defender in the running lane
What the Pro Right 36 Lead Play Name Means
The EZPLAYZ naming system identifies the formation, ball carrier and point of attack directly in the play call.
- Pro Right identifies the alignment and calls the formation strength to the right.
- 3 identifies the 3-back as the ball carrier.
- 6 identifies the numbered point of attack on the right side.
- Lead identifies the running and blocking concept.
Teaching the play name in sections helps young players connect the call to their assignment instead of memorizing an unrelated label.
How the Pro Right 36 Lead Works
The offense aligns in the Pro Right formation. The quarterback receives the snap and executes the exchange with the 3-back using consistent footwork and ball security.
The 3-back takes the coached path toward the 6-hole. The runner should press the intended landmark long enough to set up the blocks, keep the shoulders square and make one decisive cut when the lane becomes clear.
The offensive line, backs and eligible receivers apply the team’s lead rules. Every blocker should know the first threat in the assigned area and avoid chasing defenders who are already removed from the play.
Why the Lead Concept Can Be Effective
The Pro Formation keeps the backfield balanced while allowing the offense to define strength through receiver alignment. That balance can make it difficult for the defense to predict whether the play will attack the interior or perimeter.
The regular receiver spacing preserves room for outside routes while keeping the same balanced backfield used by the running game.
The play becomes more effective when several calls begin from the same stance, splits and backfield alignment. When the first steps look alike, defenders must read the play rather than reacting to an obvious formation change.
Player Assignments
Quarterback
- Receive the snap cleanly and use the coached opening step.
- Present the football securely to the 3-back at the proper mesh point.
- Complete the exchange without pulling the runner away from the intended path.
- Carry out the assigned fake after the handoff to influence pursuit.
3-Back
- Align at the correct depth and maintain a consistent stance.
- Take the coached path toward the 6-hole without drifting.
- Press the aiming point and read the leverage of the primary block.
- Secure the football with two hands through traffic before accelerating.
- Make one decisive cut and finish the run north and south.
Lead and Perimeter Blockers
- Use the proper first step to gain leverage on the assigned defender.
- Keep the head out of the block and maintain a legal body position.
- Do not allow penetration to cross the runner’s path.
- Continue working through the whistle without holding.
Offensive Line
- Apply the team’s established lead blocking rules.
- Secure the interior gap before climbing to a linebacker.
- Use combination blocks when the defensive front requires them.
- Maintain spacing so no immediate run-through lane opens for the defense.
Best Situations for Calling the Play
- Medium-yardage situations where the offense wants an extra blocker at the point of attack.
- After the offense has established another play with similar backfield action.
- When the defensive front provides favorable leverage at the 6-hole.
- When the offense wants a direct, easily communicated assignment for every player.
- When the formation strength can influence linebackers or edge support away from the point of attack.
Coaching Points
Use a Consistent Formation
The stance, receiver spacing and backfield depth should look the same on every play. Alignment changes can reveal the call before the snap.
Win the First Step
Blocking leverage begins with the first step. Linemen and backs should step to the correct landmark without standing up or crossing their feet.
Press the Landmark
The runner should not abandon the designed path too early. Pressing the landmark forces defenders to commit and gives blocks time to develop.
Protect the Football
The ball carrier should use two hands through the exchange and congestion, then transition to proper carrying position in open space.
Finish North and South
Once the lane is identified, the runner should accelerate upfield rather than continuing laterally.
Common Execution Mistakes
- Mistake: The runner leaves the designed path before the blocks develop.
- Mistake: A blocker chases the wrong defender and allows immediate penetration.
- Mistake: The quarterback and back meet at an inconsistent mesh point.
- Mistake: The ball carrier carries the football loosely through traffic.
- Mistake: Perimeter players stop blocking before the runner clears the point of attack.
How to Install the Play at Practice
1. Align the Formation
Confirm the receiver spacing, formation strength and backfield depth before running the play.
2. Drill the Exchange
Work the quarterback and 3-back together until the footwork, mesh point and ball security are consistent.
3. Teach the Blocking Tracks
Use bags or shields to show each blocker’s first step, leverage and landmark.
4. Run the Play on Air
Execute the complete play without defenders so every player sees the intended timing and path.
5. Add a Defensive Front
Walk through common defensive alignments and adjust assignments using the team’s rules.
6. Finish with Situational Repetitions
Practice the play in the down-and-distance situations where the coach expects to call it.
Building a Pro Formation Series Around This Play
The Pro Right 36 Lead is strongest when paired with complementary runs, passes and option concepts that begin from the same formation. Consistent initial movement prevents defenders from identifying the point of attack too early.
Useful companion concepts include:
Why This Play Is Useful for Youth Football
The Pro Right 36 Lead gives a youth offense a clearly defined running concept from a balanced formation. The back-and-hole numbering helps players understand who carries the football and where the play is intended to go.
The play also fits naturally into a broader Pro Formation series, allowing coaches to add complementary calls without introducing an entirely new alignment.
Pro Right 36 Lead FAQs
Is the Pro Right 36 Lead a running play?
Yes. It is a lead-blocked running play from the Pro Right formation.
Who carries the football?
The 3-back is the designated ball carrier.
Where is the play designed to go?
The play attacks the 6-hole on the right side.
How should the offensive line block?
The line uses the team’s established lead rules and protects the intended running lane from penetration.
What should the runner read?
The runner should press the assigned landmark, read the leverage of the primary block and make one decisive upfield cut.
Can this play be paired with passes or option concepts?
Yes. Using the same formation and initial backfield movement can make complementary play-action passes and option plays more effective.
Explore More Youth Football Plays
Browse additional Pro Formation plays, animated football diagrams and downloadable EZPLAYZ playbooks for your youth football offense.
How to use EZPLAYZ
Organization and execution….those 2 words are crucial to the success of any youth football program and I’m not aware of a coach who wouldn’t utilize all the tools at his disposal to ensure that his team enjoys the most successful season possible. This is where EZPLAYZ can help! Coach Ragland and I have teamed up to bring you the simplest, most comprehensive animated football playbook ever created. With its easy-to-use format, your players will be able to VISUALIZE the plays at home which, in turn, will afford you more time to INSTRUCT them on how to properly EXECUTE the plays. From there, all you have to do is WIN!
EZPLAYZ Receiver Designations
In a Balanced Formation (eg. Wishbone):
- X receiver is always on the left side of a balanced formation (typically a Tight End).
- Y receiver is always on the right side of a balanced formation (typically a Tight End).
Wishbone Formation
In a Strong Side/ Weak Side Formation* (eg. I Left)
- X receiver is the eligible receiver on the weak side of the formation.
- Y receiver is the inner eligible receiver on the strong side of the formation.
- Z receiver is the outside eligible receiver on the strong side of the formation.
I Left Formation
- For the understanding of your players, the strong side of the formation is the side on which there are more players. Conversely, the weak side is the side with fewer players. Make sure your players don’t get this confused with the wide side and short sides of the field.
EZPLAYZ Passing Routes (Passing Tree) and Play Naming
Receivers Passing Tree
Play Naming with Passing Routes
- EZPLAYZ utilizes two (2) play names for some passing plays. In this example, there is a long version (I LEFT X POST Y OUT Z SCREEN) to make sure that when the play is called, it is completely clear to the players; specifically those who are going out on the routes.
- The shorter version (I LEFT 830) is for the more experienced players. The numbering system always goes from Weak to Strong Side. In the example above, X-8; Y-3; Z-0
EZPLAYZ Blocking Schemes
EZPLAYZ offers three different blocking schemes:
- Zone Blocking
- Blocking Rules
- Pass Blocking
We have intentionally chosen not to put in detailed blocking assignments for a number of reasons:
- Quite simply there are just too many combinations of blocks and defenses the line may be encountering to cover them all. For example, if you were to cover all the blocking possibilities for a 7 man front against a 4 man D-Line, there are 840 possibilities of how that 7 man front can block!
- You have your own blocking rules that you want to implement in your strategy.
- Specific blocking schemes that I design as a coach are based on my talent and strategy which will both differ from yours. The last thing you need is a play that demonstrates something very specific which will not be applicable to your team.
Blocking Rules
Blocking rules are your rules that you want your kids to follow. Whether GOOLS (Gap-On-Outside-Linebacker-Safety) or some other standard blocking scheme or even your own, our Blocking Rules play format allows you a great deal of flexibility.
Blocking rules are your rules that you want your kids to follow. Whether GOOLS (Gap-On-Outside-Linebacker-Safety) or some other standard blocking scheme or even your own, our Blocking Rules play format allows you a great deal of flexibility.
Zone Blocking
Zone Blocking is blocking towards the play side of where the play is going. I’ve had a lot of coaches argue with me over Zone Blocking. They say, “Why in the world would you want to block where the play is going?”, well I’ll tell you why, simple physics.
“Push the player in the direction they are already going!”
This is exactly what makes this an effective blocking scheme. It is much easier to push someone in the direction they are already moving, versus pushing them in the opposite direction. This also allows the opening up of running lanes for a quick footed running back to exploit as well as upfield blocking by your linemen in the second and third levels.
Blocking away from the play is effective only as long as you can hold your block, once you lose your block you are out of the play and the player you were blocking is free and clear to wreak havoc on your runner.
Zone blocking also allows you to better utilize a smaller line and still be effective. Let’s face it in youth football you can have mismatches of 140 pounds versus 80 pounds. If the 80 pounder is trying to push the 140 pounder in the opposite direction, he will lose that battle 99% of the time.
