Defining terms of Georgia Tech’s offense

A few phrases Georgia Tech coaches use when talking about Paul Johnson’s offense:

• Arc block: When a play-side A-back blocks outside.

• Load block: When an A-back blocks inside.

• Cut block:A block thrown below a defender’s waist, often at knee-level or lower. “We want the A-backs to cut the safety on the play side,” said A-backs coach Jeff Monken. “It is not a chop-block [when a defender is already engaged with a blocker high, and another blocker cuts him low], which is illegal.”

• Keep or keeper: When the quarterback opts to retain the ball and run it on any option play.

• Log block: When a pulling guard tries to get outside a defensive end and pin him inside.

• Mesh: Coaches use this term to describe the ball being in the B-back’s gut. A bad mesh can lead to a fumble or a botched play.

• Midline option: The B-back runs straight toward the center, while the quarterback holds on to the ball and decides if he wants to hand it to the B-Back or keep it while reading the defensive tackles. “If the [defender] takes the B-back, the quarterback will keep” and run off the B-back’s block on the defender, said B-backs coach Brian Bohannon. If the defender takes himself out of the play, the B-back runs the ball through the gap he left. This play is frequently called in short-yardage situations.

• Pitch: The process of the quarterback (or other player) tossing the ball backward — legally — to a teammate while on the run.

• Ride and decide: When the quarterback sticks the ball in the gut of the B-back and holds it there while reading defenders and deciding whether to give up the ball or keep it as both players are moving.

• The triple: Coach-speak for coach Paul Johnson’s signature play, the triple option. The quarterback rides and decides as the B-back runs off guard. If there is a hole, the B-back runs the ball through it. If not, the quarterback pulls it back and then has the option of either keeping it or pitching it to a trailing A-back as he runs outside roughly parallel to the line of scrimmage.

• Scoop block: When offensive linemen on the opposite side [weak side] of a play block. They will try to keep their helmets between the defender and the play.

• Trap block: When a guard tries to block a defensive end outside and allow the running back to run inside them.