Where is it written that all plays must be ran to the short side of the field?

You know, I was wondering the same thing last night on one of Bama's runs. The play went left and Ingram tried to get around the end. Only problem was, there wasnt an end to get around....only sideline.

They did that several times when they were down around the goalline. Beats the heck out of me.

I don't have a complete answer but I do know it has to do with strategy.

http://www.gridironstrategies.com/articles.php?id=7

Keri

Depends on the defense set up and if the offensive coordinator believes his running back can gain the number of yards the play is designed to pick up.

If there is a good match up between a tight end and a corner, and if you think you can outrun the linebacker, the play should go for 5 to 6 yards.

Some schools like to throw the ball into the flat and run the same play.

The play to the short side is not designed to be a big gainer unless the ball carrier lucks out and catches the defense in a wrong set.

Depending on the speed of the linebackers and corners, plus where the safety lines up, some teams will run to the strong side of the field if they think they have the speed to make it around the end.

If theytackles and guards can pull and lead the run, it will be a successful play.

I agree with Catt as I hate running to the weak side, but then again, I don't make $500,000 to be an offensive coordinator of a college football team. 

The way I was taught is this;

Audible the play to the side where you have the numbers advantage. It's not always the short side, but if you're in a balanced set, a lot of the times it is just based on Ds trying to cheat a little.

It was always my understanding to run to the shortside of the field to take away a defense's (or certain player's) speed advantage.

It was always my understanding to run to the shortside of the field to take away a defense's (or certain player's) speed advantage.

But it adds a defensive player...the side line

Hey Catt, why not send an e-mail to Crowton.

He does that all the time!!!  ;D   ;D   ;D

Hey Catt, why not send an e-mail to Crowton.

He does that all the time!!! ;D ;D ;D

Yelp they take the fastest player ever to play college football and call a play to the short side of the field...dumb

It depends alot on certain O-coordinators mentalities.  I have been around some that prefer to run to the short side, and some that prefer to run to the wide side.  Some prefer to run to their sidelines only, and some only to the side of the passing arm of their QB to better set up play action and drop backs.  Theres lots of oddball play callers out there no doubt.

Being a novice at the rules of the game, wouldn't it help to run it out of bounds if you want to stop the clock or run it on the wide side of the field if you don't?  I imagine they must sometimes factor that in.

It probably has more to do with the left side of the offensive line being the strong side than anything else.  Still, you figure you'd run to the other side just to change it up every once in a while.