Balanced offense help

[rhombic21]

OK, here's my situation. I've been running a spread offense, and I've gotten pretty good at it (I've won 8 or 9 of my last 10 games when using the spread). But the spread has some problems. The main problem is that it doesn't work very well on either the A- or B+ levels, because there aren't many QB's that can run it. I've had SOME success using NC State on A- because the QB has decent THA 86, and has FOUR excellent recievers, a good OL, a vertical threat at TE, and a pass catching HB. But on the B+ level, the teams are really set up to utilize the ground game. Tennessee, Michigan, and Virginia are all teams that look to use the run to set up the pass, which is the EXACT OPPOSITE of my spread philosophy. And the talent on A-, with all those great HB's and FB's and dominant TE's, with some big armed QB's (but not necessarily accurate) and FAST (but not necessarily consistent) WR's, would be MUCH more effective in a balanced type of offense, where the offense was either tilted at the run, or was much more balanced than what I use.

What I want to install is an offense similar to what Miami uses in real life, with a lot of sets that use 2 and 3 WR's, and punish the defense if they disrespect either the run or the pass, forcing the defense to play a sort of guessing game.

I don't want 3 yards and a cloud of dust, but I also don't want to throw it more than 20-25 times in a game.

I've really had trouble implementing this scheme so far, mainly with regard to playcalling. I am having a terrible time figuring out when to try and smash it down the D's throat, and when to try and hit them with a pass.

Can anybody who runs this type of offense (or is familiar with it) give me some help. What are some of your base formations? What kinds of things do you look at when trying to read the defense, and what kinds of defenses are most common for you to see? What kinds of plays do you use in certain situations? For instance, what kinds of things do you call on 1st and 10? What about on 3rd and 4? Can you give me an example of a playcalling series, and what you try to get out of each down. What kinds of personel matchups do you like to isolate and take advantage of?

[Volunteer77]

Well rhombic21, I only use Tennessee. I have had some problems also with the spread O shotgun etc. I have for the most part only played friends online. They are about the same skill level as I am, not too good...lol give or take a little. In the games I have done well, I had 20+ running plays. I also ran out of the shotgun Which was a nono for me prior to this years game. of course it has worked best to come out in shotgun O from the start. My buds automatically thought pass. So I usually saw Dimes Nickels and 3-4 with their D vs my Shotgun. With Cedric Houston #21 I could kill them with the Draw and toss/options around the end. Well they sarted to wise up and i would usually get stuffed hard against the 4-2-5. And even a few plays in the 3-4 could stuff me. Now like I said I have not got down my D reads yet so I still have some probs and tend to throw to places I should not every now and then. but on a good series I had em guessing. even though I was in shotgun they were worried about the run. and had a 4-2-5 and one time a 5-2. and I got em on the trips clearout for a 40+ yd TD pass. I also tend to use some I form so the D really see alot against me. If I can get my guys to catch I can pass/run out of both. one of my O series might look like: 1st Shot Trips, hit the hb draw. 2nd shot norm (I think) hit the QB Choice. maybe get a first Dn. If I do I might stay with a little more run. hit an option ot toss out of shot. after they start to respect it I hit em with a trips clearout or spread wheels. Like I said I'm still learning. If I can get my timing down on all passes out both shot guns and I-Forms, weaks I could do more damage. I have gotten better but I am not consistant yet. Sorry for rambling on....