The Power I Right 46 Lead Smash is a youth football lead smash from the Power I Right formation, which adds a strong downhill run threat and favorable lead-blocking angles to the right that sends the 4-back through the 6-hole on the right side.
The play is designed to combine lead-blocking angles and power at the point of attack. The quarterback, runner and blockers should make the first steps look like the offense’s complementary I Formation plays so the defense cannot identify the call before the ball reaches the line.
Power I Right 46 Lead Smash Play Summary
- Formation: Power I Right
- Play type: Lead Smash running play
- Ball carrier: 4-back
- Point of attack: 6-hole on the right side
- Blocking: Offensive line and backs use the team’s established run-blocking rules
- Best use: Short-to-medium yardage and complementary series football
- Main objective: Create a defined running lane for the 4-back through the 6-hole
What the Power I Right 46 Lead Smash Play Name Means
The EZPLAYZ naming system connects the formation, ball carrier, point of attack and blocking concept directly to the play call.
- Power I Right identifies the formation and its alignment.
- 46 identifies the 4-back as the runner and the 6-hole as the point of attack.
- Lead Smash identifies the blocking and running concept.
Teaching the call in sections helps young players understand their assignment instead of memorizing unrelated words.
How the Power I Right 46 Lead Smash Works
The offense aligns in Power I Right formation. At the snap, the quarterback opens toward the right and presents the ball to the 4-back.
The runner attacks the 6-hole with the footwork and tempo established by the coach. The 3-back works as the primary lead blocker ahead of the 4-back.
The offensive line secures the point of attack while the receivers handle perimeter support. The runner presses the designed landmark, reads the first clean crease and gets vertical.
The play should not become a sideways run. Even on a sweep, the runner must identify an upfield seam and finish north and south.
Why the Lead Smash Concept Can Be Effective
The smash variation adds a physical blocking emphasis to the lead concept. It is useful when the offense wants vertical movement and a decisive downhill cut.
Because the play begins from the same I Formation alignment as other runs and passes, it can be used as part of a series that forces defenders to hesitate before committing.
Player Assignments
Quarterback
- Receive the snap cleanly and open toward the point of attack with consistent footwork.
- Deliver the football securely to the 4-back without forcing the exchange.
- Carry out the assigned fake after the handoff and protect the football if the exchange is disrupted.
- Use the same tempo on complementary runs and play-action concepts.
4-Back
- Take the coached path toward the 6-hole and keep the shoulders square.
- Secure the handoff before accelerating into the blocking surface.
- Press the landmark long enough to set up the blocks, then make one decisive cut.
- Protect the football through contact and finish the run moving north and south.
Backfield Support
- The 3-back works as the primary lead blocker ahead of the 4-back.
- Use the same initial tempo used on companion plays so the defense cannot read the backfield.
- Block with legal leverage and avoid chasing defenders across the field.
- Continue the assignment through the whistle rather than watching the runner.
Offensive Line
- Secure the 6-hole and prevent immediate penetration at the point of attack.
- Use the team’s established gap, zone or rule-based blocking system.
- Communicate combination blocks and linebacker responsibilities before the snap.
- Stay balanced and keep the feet moving through contact.
Receivers
- Block the assigned perimeter defenders with proper position and leverage.
- Avoid holding, clipping and blocks in the back.
- Maintain the block long enough for the runner to clear the point of attack.
- Be prepared to adjust if the defender changes alignment before the snap.
Best Situations for Calling the Play
- When the offense wants a clear, teachable run with a defined point of attack.
- After complementary plays have caused the defense to shift or overpursue.
- In short-to-medium-yardage situations where ball security and vertical movement are priorities.
- When the offense wants to remain in its base I Formation personnel.
- When the blocking angles match the defensive front shown before the snap.
Coaching Points
Win the First Two Steps
The runner and blockers must take purposeful first steps. False steps and hesitation allow defenders to cross the line of scrimmage.
Protect the Exchange
The quarterback and runner should practice the mesh until the handoff remains secure at full speed.
Press the Landmark
The runner should threaten the designed hole before cutting. Cutting too early can bring the runner directly into an unblocked defender.
Get Vertical
Young runners often bounce every play outside. Teach the ball carrier to take the first clean crease and finish downhill.
Finish Legal Blocks
Blockers should use leverage, balance and foot movement rather than grabbing or chasing defenders from behind.
Common Execution Mistakes
- Mistake: The runner takes a false step or drifts away from the point of attack.
- Mistake: The quarterback exposes the ball or rushes the handoff.
- Mistake: A blocker leaves the first-level defender before the point of attack is secure.
- Mistake: The runner cuts before the lead block develops.
- Mistake: Perimeter blockers hold or block defenders in the back.
How to Install the Play at Practice
1. Align the Formation
Confirm splits, backfield depth and stance before adding movement.
2. Teach Backfield Footwork
Walk through the quarterback opening, handoff path and runner landmark without a defense.
3. Fit the Point-of-Attack Blocks
Place defenders or bags at the expected front and teach each blocker’s first responsibility.
4. Add the Perimeter
Include receiver blocks, lead blocks and backside pursuit responsibilities.
5. Practice Against Multiple Fronts
Show the players how the blocking rules adjust without changing the play call.
6. Finish with Ball-Security Repetitions
Require the runner to secure the football through contact and finish every rep beyond the line of scrimmage.
Building an I Formation Series Around This Play
This concept becomes more effective when paired with plays that begin from the same alignment and use similar quarterback and backfield footwork. When the first several steps look alike, defenders must hesitate before committing.
Useful companion concepts include:
- Power I Right 44 Lead Smash
- Power I Left 43 Lead Smash
- Power I Left 45 Lead Smash
- More I Formation Plays
Why This Play Is Useful for Youth Football
The Power I Right 46 Lead Smash gives young players a structured running concept with a defined ball carrier, landmark and blocking purpose. The play can be installed with simple rules and repeated from a familiar I Formation alignment.
It also gives coaches a foundation for complementary runs, options, bootlegs and play-action passes without rebuilding the offense.
Power I Right 46 Lead Smash FAQs
Is the Power I Right 46 Lead Smash a running play?
Yes. It is a lead smash from the Power I Right formation.
Who carries the football?
The 4-back is the ball carrier.
What is the point of attack?
The primary landmark is the 6-hole on the right side.
How should the offensive line block the play?
The line uses the team’s established run-blocking rules while preventing penetration at the point of attack.
What should the runner read?
The runner presses the designed landmark, follows the lead or blocking surface and uses the first clean vertical crease.
When is the play most useful?
It is useful when the offense wants a dependable I Formation run for short-to-medium yardage or as part of a complementary series.
Explore More Youth Football Plays
Browse additional I 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.
