Goal Line Grit: How Tennessee Punches it in with Belly G and Lead Variations

When it’s time to cash in down in the low red, finesse goes out the window. You need attitude, angles, and answers. Tennessee leans into all three with a pair of goalline concepts from the Power-I, one rooted in classic Belly G principles, the other a smartly designed lead variation with built-in reads and a quarterback reverse out. These plays don’t just move bodies, they create structure and conflict. Let’s break down how the Vols blend old-school grit with tactical execution inside the 5.

Belly G from the Power I – A Wing-T Nod in the Goal Line

If you’re a fan of classic Wing-T principles with a physical twist, this one’s for you. Tennessee dials up a goalline gem from the Power I, arguably one of the most underused short-yardage formations in today’s game. It’s downhill, it’s nasty, and it brings back that hard-nosed feel you love when it’s 1st-and-goal from the 3.

Here’s the setup: Power I base, offset fullback motions across the formation to a wing alignment which is a classic misdirection window dressing to pull eyes and create flow. On the snap, they run Belly G to the tailback, a staple of old-school gap schemes. The play side guard pulls and kicks out the end man on the line, who happens to be a defensive back (advantage offense). Meanwhile, the in-line fullback becomes the lead insert, fitting up inside the kick and leading through the alley.

Now, coaching point, your wing has to stay hip-to-hip with the tight end. He’s loose here and gets too vertical, losing the down-block wall integrity. But even with that detail missed, the play pops clean. The OL gets the kick, the fullback inserts, and the tailback finds daylight.

Bottom line: this is how you play bully ball down in the red zone. It’s a nod to the past with results built for today. Belly G. Power I. Touchdown.

Punch It In: Power I Belly Lead

Tennessee lines up on the 1-yard line in, you guessed it, the Power I. It’s a formation built for attitude and leverage, and this version of their goal line package brings some subtle detail worth studying.

The surface is set with a strong down block from the play side tackle and tight end. They collapse the front inside. Everyone else on the line works scoop technique to the left, creating lateral wash and stress for any backside pursuit.

The offset fullback (motioned to wing earlier in similar looks) has the kick-out assignment on the end man on the line of scrimmage, it’s often a DB or outside backer trying to anchor on the edge. If he lands that clean, it’s a wrap. The in-line fullback wraps underneath and climbs to the second level. Ideally, he’s fitting on the inside linebacker. But there’s a key read baked into this design: if the offset tailback gets cross-faced by the end, the in-line fullback has the awareness to lead wider and seal the alley.

One subtle gem: the quarterback uses a reverse out from under center. It’s a small detail, but one that hides the ball and delays linebacker key reads just enough to give the play its edge.

This is the kind of short-yardage concept that works when everyone’s on the same page. It is gap sound up front, clean kick-out, and smart lead by the wrap fullback. Just another way to put defenses in a blender near the goal line.