The Wedge Right 32 Lead Smash is a youth football lead-smash running play from the Wedge Right formation. The Wedge Right formation creates a compact, downhill offensive structure with the strength and initial surface called to the right. The tight spacing can help the offense create double teams, lead blocks and controlled running lanes while making complementary perimeter plays harder to identify before the snap.
The play sends the 3-back toward the 2-hole behind a lead-smash blocking concept. A designated lead blocker enters the lane first and accounts for the first unblocked defender while the runner presses the path and makes one decisive cut.
Wedge Right 32 Lead Smash Play Summary
- Formation: Wedge Right
- Play type: Lead-Smash Running Play
- Ball carrier: 3-back
- Point of attack: 2-hole on the right side
- Lead blocker: Enter the lane before the runner and account for the first unblocked defender
- Best use: Short-to-medium yardage when the offense wants an extra blocker at the point of attack
- Main objective: send the 3-back through the 2-hole behind a concentrated lead block
What the Wedge Right 32 Lead Smash Play Name Means
The EZPLAYZ naming system identifies the formation, ball carrier, point of attack and running concept directly in the play call.
- Wedge Right identifies the formation and calls the initial strength to the right.
- 3 identifies the 3-back as the ball carrier.
- 2 identifies the numbered point of attack on the right side.
- Lead Smash identifies the running and blocking concept.
Teaching the call in sections helps young players understand their assignment without memorizing an unrelated play name.
How the Wedge Right 32 Lead Smash Works
The offense aligns in the Wedge Right formation with consistent backfield depth, line splits and eligible-player positions. The quarterback receives the snap and uses the coached opening step toward the 2-hole.
The quarterback presents the football securely to the 3-back at the practiced mesh point. The runner stays square through the exchange, protects the football with two hands in traffic and follows the designed path.
The offensive line secures the interior gaps and creates the initial crease. The lead blocker must enter the lane under control, identify the first threat and maintain legal leverage without stopping in the runner’s path.
Why the Lead Smash Concept Can Be Effective
The lead-smash concept can give the offense an extra body at the point of attack. In a compact Wedge formation, the lead path develops close to the line of scrimmage and can help the runner get downhill before linebackers redirect.
The formation becomes more difficult to defend when the offense can run interior, lead and perimeter concepts without changing its alignment. Similar stances and first steps prevent defenders from identifying the final direction before the snap.
Player Assignments
Quarterback
- Receive the snap cleanly and use the coached opening step.
- Present the football securely to the 3-back at the correct 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.
- Protect the football if the exchange is disrupted.
3-Back
- Align at the correct depth and maintain a consistent stance.
- Take the coached path toward the 2-hole without drifting.
- Secure the football with two hands through the mesh and initial traffic.
- Press the lead block, read the blocker’s leverage and make one decisive upfield cut.
- Finish the run with proper pad level and ball security.
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 ball carrier’s path.
- Continue working through the whistle without holding.
- Adjust to defensive movement using the team’s established rules.
Offensive Line
- Apply the team’s lead smash blocking rules.
- Protect the interior gaps before climbing to a linebacker.
- Use combination blocks when the defensive front requires them.
- Maintain compact spacing without creating congestion for the runner.
- Avoid illegal blocks or unnecessary contact away from the play.
Best Situations for Calling the Play
- Short-to-medium yardage when the offense wants an extra blocker at the point of attack.
- After the offense has established another Wedge play with similar initial movement.
- When the defensive front provides favorable leverage at the 2-hole.
- When the offense wants a clear, easily communicated assignment for every player.
- When defensive pursuit is overcommitting to the opposite part of the formation.
Coaching Points
Use the Same Alignment Every Time
Line splits, backfield depth and stances should remain consistent across the Wedge series. Small changes can reveal the play before the snap.
Win the First Step
Blocking leverage begins with the first step. Players should step to the correct landmark without standing up or crossing their feet.
Protect the Mesh Point
The quarterback and 3-back should meet at the same location on every repetition. A consistent mesh reduces fumbles and keeps the runner on the designed path.
Press the Landmark
The runner should force defenders to commit to the intended lane before making a cut. Leaving the path too early removes the value of the blocking concept.
Finish North and South
Once the lane is identified, the ball carrier 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: Blockers stop working before the runner clears the point of attack.
How to Install the Wedge Right 32 Lead Smash at Practice
1. Align the Wedge Formation
Confirm line splits, backfield depth, formation strength and eligible-player positions before running the play.
2. Drill the Exchange
Work the quarterback and 3-back together until the opening step, mesh point and ball security are consistent.
3. Teach the Blocking Tracks
Use cones, bags or shields to show each blocker’s first step, leverage and landmark.
4. Run the Play on Air
Execute the full play without defenders so every player understands the timing and intended path.
5. Add a Defensive Front
Walk through common alignments and teach players how the blocking rules adjust when defenders shift or slant.
6. Finish with Situational Repetitions
Practice the play in the down-and-distance situations where the coach expects to call it.
Building a Wedge Formation Series Around This Play
The Wedge Right 32 Lead Smash becomes more effective when it is paired with complementary Wedge runs that use the same alignment and opening movement. A balanced series forces defenders to protect the interior, lead lanes and perimeter.
Useful companion concepts include:
- Wedge Left 41 Lead Smash
- Wedge Left 43 Lead Smash
- Wedge Left 45 Lead Smash
- More Wedge Formation Plays
Why This Play Is Useful for Youth Football
The Wedge Right 32 Lead Smash gives a youth offense a lead-smash running play with a clearly identified ball carrier and point of attack. The compact formation can simplify communication and help young players understand how coordinated blocking creates a running lane.
The play also fits naturally into a broader Wedge Formation package, allowing coaches to add complementary calls without teaching an entirely new alignment.
Wedge Right 32 Lead Smash FAQs
Is the Wedge Right 32 Lead Smash a running play?
Yes. It is a lead-smash running play from the Wedge 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 2-hole or 2-side area on the right side.
How should the offensive line block?
The line uses the team’s established lead smash rules, protects the interior gaps and prevents penetration from crossing the runner’s path.
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 other Wedge concepts?
Yes. Interior blasts, lead-smash plays and sweeps become more effective when they begin from the same Wedge alignment.
Explore More Youth Football Plays
Browse additional Wedge 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.
