The Passing Game: Quick and throwing uncovered

Was doing some research on the passing game and came across these. Good Stuff:

http://highspeedspreadfootball.blogspot.com/2010/01/quick-game.html

http://highspeedspreadfootball.blogspot.com/2009/12/spread-101-throwing-uncovered.html

“Understanding coverages and attacking them with passing game” Manditory Reading for all OC and QB

Originally posted at http://smartfootball.com/passing/attacking-coverages-in-the-passing-game

I just wanted to make sure that I remember everything.

There are many qualities that a quarterback must possess. However, the most obvious is the QB’s ability to throw the football. Throwing the football requires a tremendous amount of coordination and teamwork for proper execution. The QB can make up for some deficiencies with proper reads. Whether it is the Pre-Snap Read, Reading on the Move, or Adjustments in routes, the QB’s recognition, anticipation and reaction are based upon his knowledge of the offense as it relates to what he sees.

Pre-snap read
The QB must make a “Pre-Snap Read” confirming the defensive secondary’s alignment. The PSR provides the QB with help in making the proper throwing decision; i.e., allows the QB to establish his thought process prior to the snap. There will be many times when the QB can determine what the coverage is before the snap. About eighty percent (80%) of the time the coverage will be given away by someone’s alignment in the secondary, typically the second defender inside. Even when the total coverage is not given away, through observation of particular alignments, you will be able to eliminate some coverages or narrow to a “Hard Focus” area. The QB must approach the LOS the same way every play and get his hands under the center. The PSR process includes a “Soft Gaze” left, middle and right. The purpose is to identify (1) the depth of the corners, (2) number of safeties, (3) weakside flat defender, and (4) the number of run defenders (“front”):

• Find the Free Safety (“FS”) and Strong Safety (“SS”) to determine the type of front – seven-man or eight-man. If the safeties adjust to motion, be aware of a possible blitz.
• Find the weakside linebacker (Whip (“W”)). This is a crucial read to recognize an outside blitz. It is the QB’s responsibility to adjust the protection to handle the outside blitz or allow the receivers to read “HOT.”

The PSR is only the first step in the throwing decision. The QB must identify the primary defender (the “Key”) to read (“Hard Focus”) and determine where to throw the ball. The Key is determined by the pattern and the related PSR. The ball is thrown based upon what the Key does within the QB’s line of sight. For example, on a strong side route the PSR must identify the SS. Upon the snap the strong safety can either man-up, cover the flat, cover deep third (1/3) or cover deep quarter (¼), and it is the SS’s action that allows the QB to decide where to throw the ball. Depending upon the route, the SS’s action might change the key (Reading on the Move [“ROM”]) to the Corner (“C”) or FS. The QB will make their throwing decision based upon what happens in his Hard Focus area and the related routes within the “line of sight”; i.e., does the Key rotate, invert or play man. When the QB keys defenders, not receivers, there are fewer throws into coverage.

- Basic Coverages
A brief summary of coverages, including strengths, weakness, and how to attack them follows. The summaries include a place (“Patterns”) for the coach and QB to write in their specific routes to attack the coverages. These are the basic coverages: Invert (“sky”); Rotate (“cloud”); Two Deep, Man Under Two; Man with a Free; Man – Zero; Quarter, Quarter, Half; Zone Blitz; Robber; and Prevent.

Three Deep – Invert (“Sky”)

The PSR is based on the alignment of SS and C on the strong side. Teams will typically define the TE as the strong side, however a scouting report will provide this information. If the SS is aligned with less depth than the C, the read is an invert by the SS; i.e., the SS is covering the flat, if a receiver is in the flat. Confirm 3D coverage by the alignment of the FS. If the FS is off the hash and favoring the middle, assume that it will be a 3D. Also the QB must be aware of the weak side, if the Weakside Linebacker (“W”) is in a stack (lined-up behind a defensive lineman or end) or walk (off the LOS outside the end) position, it denotes a soft corner, with W responsible for the weak flat. If the end (“E”) is up on the LOS or in a three (3) point stance, assume he will rush. If you are throwing to the strong side upon the snap you can determine whether E is coming or has curl or flat.

- Strengths

1. Safe – always three deep
2. strong side force against the run
3. SS can get under an out and may be able to get under a stop or flat depending upon the wide receiver splits
4. can cover eight zones with a three man rush
5. can still bring four with strong side contain and have seven in coverage

- Weaknesses

1. Versus eight in coverage the defense can only rush three with five or more to block them
2. four defenders underneath to cover the six zones – large curl and horizontal seams
3. no leverage on wide receivers; i.e., cannot bump or push inside
4. possibly late to cover stop and flat, both weak and strong
5. cannot cover a strong side flood route (three or four receivers in the pattern) without E, then it is a three man rush
6. weak flat
7. weakside force

- How to attack it:

1. Stretch vertically and horizontally
2. plenty of pass protection
3. throw in the alley created by sending three on two in the perimeter (“flood type” routes)
4. weakside curl & flat
5. sprint away from SS

Three Deep – Rotate (“Cloud”)
The goal of this coverage is to take away the short passing game or protect against the wide side of the field when the offensive formation is strong into the boundary (short side). The PSR is based on the alignment of the SS and the C. The SS must be deeper than normal in order to cover the deep middle or deep outside (is aligned deeper than the adjacent C), the read is a rotate by SS; i.e., SS is covering the deep middle or outside. Also, in this coverage the C to the side of the rotation will be tight (up close) on the wide receiver as they have the flat. The secondary can disguise this by having both Cs up and on the snap the away (from the rotation) C back peddles to deep third [1/3] quickly (“bails”). However, we can determine the side of the rotation by the position of the Outside Linebacker (“OLB”). The OLB, whether W or S away from the rotation must be stacked or walked off as they have flat away from the rotation. You can confirm the 3D by the alignment of the FS. If the FS is off the hash and favoring the middle, assume 3D.

- Strengths

1. Safe – always three deep
2. force (to the rotation) against the run
3. leverage by the C (shut down weak flat or out)
4. can cover eight zones with a three man rush
5. can still bring four with force and contain to the rotation, and have seven (7) in coverage
6. easy to disguise

- Weaknesses

1. Versus eight in coverage the defense can only rush three with five or more to block them
2. only four defenders underneath to cover the six zones – large curl seams
3. cushion on the wide receiver away from the rotation
4. OLB is alone in the flat away from the rotation
5. cannot cover a flood route (three or four [3 or 4] receivers in the pattern) • force and contain away from rotation

- How to attack it

1. Flood routes – throw in the alley created by sending three on two in the perimeter (“flood type” routes)
2. plenty of pass protection
3. quick passes away from the rotation
4. run away from rotation
5. get TE involved

Two Deep – Five Under (Cover 2)

The PSR is based on the depth of the Cs and safeties. The Cs will usually be outside of the wide receivers and the safeties will be near the hash marks, aligned deeper than the corners. If the ball is on the hash, look to the strong side defensive back for their alignment because the safety will naturally be on the hash. If the end (“E”) drops to the curl, then all six (6) underneath zones are covered. When W has outside leverage on the second receiver, assume W has flat and rule out two (2) deep, five (5) under coverage and is possibly 3D rotation or Quarter-Quarter, Half.

- Strengths

1. Strong versus run
2. leverage on both wide receivers
3. cover five (5) of the six (6) underneath zones
4. four (4) man rush
5. takes away the outs
6. can hold up the TE
7. weakside force and contain

- Weaknesses

1. Safeties must cover half (½) the field; i.e., the three (3) deep zones are covered by two
2. inside receiver down the middle
3. LBs must cover curl
4. strong side contain
5. weak inside linebacker to curl
6. wide splits can create lanes

- How to attack it

1. Use “Spread Formations” to horizontally stretch the safeties
2. vertically stretch the flats to create lanes
3. a natural hole twenty to twenty-five (20-25) yards along the sidelines
4. weakside curl
5. corner routes
6. flood type routes

Cover 2 Man / Man under two-deep
This coverage is man-to-man with help over the top in the two (2) deep zones. This coverage allows the defense to bracket or double two (2) receivers. The PSR is based on the alignment of the Cs on the wide receivers. If the safeties give a 2D look (safeties near the hash marks, aligned deeper than the C’s) and both C’s are up tighter or looking primarily at the receiver instead of the QB, then Man Under Coverage (“MUC”) is confirmed. The Cs are the primary key, as they will usually be head up or shaded to the outside of the wide receivers. Also, the undercover (LB’s) will be head-up or at least in position to cover their man. Motion will force the undercover to adjust or run with the receiver.

Strengths

1. Double or bracket two receivers
2. four man rush
3. every potential receiver is accounted for (covered)
4. can bump because each defender has help over the top
5. excellent versus zone type routes or screens

Weaknesses

1. Poor run support
2. mismatch with the backs versus linebackers
3. hard to disguise versus motion
4. three (3) deep zones are not covered
5. one on one underneath
6. crossing routes
7. “bunch” and “snug” type sets

- How to attack it

1. Back routes on the linebackers
2. create mismatches with the TE running option (“read”) routes
3. stay shallow with routes, catch the ball short and run long
4. crossing routes (“mesh”) with the wide receivers
5. TE in the alley or fades to the wide receivers
6. running plays
7. use motion

Cover 1 man / Man-to-man with a free safety.

This coverage is man-to-man with a FS to help over the top. The PSR is based on the alignment of the Cs and linebackers on the receivers. The C’s will be head up or in an outside alignment because they have help from the FS. This allows the C’s to take away the outs. Also, if the SS aligns head up on his eligible receiver at a tight to normal depth (four to six [4-6] yards) and the FS is deeper than normal (twelve to fifteen [12-15] yards), this will confirm the Man with a Free (“MwF”) coverage. The linebackers will have the backs man-to-man. The QB should anticipate pressure from a five (5) man rush, with the possibility of the defense bringing seven (7). The QB must identify whether a blitz is coming and throw the ball to the defenders vacated spot (i.e., “hot read”) or add protection with an audible.

Strengths

1. Pressure from a five (5) man rush
2. every potential receiver is accounted for (covered)
3. defenders have help to the post • excellent versus screens and delays
4. C’s can play a tight man as they have help from the FS – crowd the receivers on third and five or longer
5. excellent versus zone routes
6. can take away the outs with an outside technique by the C’s
7. speed on speed – good blitz coverage

- Weaknesses

1. Poor run support
2. mismatch with the backs versus linebackers
3. hard to disguise versus motion
4. three deep zones are not covered
5. no under cover • crossing routes
6. “bunch” and “snug” type sets

- How to attack it

1. Back routes on the linebackers
2. create mismatches with the TE running option (“read”) routes
3. stay shallow with routes, catch the ball short and run long
4. crossing routes (“mesh”) with the wide receivers
5. TE in the alley or fades to the wide receivers
6. running plays
7. coverage away from FS by “looking off”

Cover 0 / Man-to-man blitz with no deep safety

This coverage is a straight man-to-man with no safety help. The PSR is based on the alignment of the safeties. Usually in Man coverage, the SS will play head up on the TE and the FS will play shallow on the weak side. Typically, there is no safety in the middle of the field. We can confirm this coverage by the inside leverage alignment by the Cs on the wide receivers. The C’s need this alignment as they have no inside help. The QB should anticipate pressure from a blitz. The QB must identify whether a blitz is coming and throw the ball to the defenders vacated spot or a crossing receiver; i.e., “hot read”. The QB could audible to add pass protection.

- Strengths

1. Pressure (blitz capability) and penetration from a six to seven man rush
2. big play potential
3. clog up the running lanes inside
4. force the offense to throw short

- Weaknesses

1. Poor run support
2. mismatch with the backs versus linebackers
3. hard to disguise versus motion
4. three deep zones are not covered
5. no under cover
6. crossing routes
7. no deep help
8. gamble defense
9. “bunch” and “snug” type sets

- How to attack it

1. Empty Formations — all receivers are one-on-one (but free rusher)
2. tough to cover slants – nobody in the middle
3. running plays – force and secondary force weakened
4. should have somebody open if QB has time

Quarter, Quarter, Half

The Quarter, Quarter, Half (“QQH”) coverage provides three (3) defenders deep, however it uses one (1) defender to cover half (½) of the three (3) deep zones and two (2) defenders each covering a quarter (¼). The underneath coverage can utilize four or five (4 or 5) defenders. This coverage employs a traditional weak side 2D with a squat corner and half coverage safety. The strong side can employ a multitude of variations (invert and rolls). The most common is a bail technique by the strong side C covering the deep quarter (¼) with the strong side OLB covering curl to flat. The PSR is based on the depth and alignment of the C’s and safeties. The weakside or side away from the quarters alignment will look like a 2D with the C head-up or to the outside of the wide receiver and the safety near the hash marks, aligned deeper than the C. The strong C can be aligned head-up and tight, but will bail (retreat) so that they are off six to eight (6-8) yards at the snap. The SS will be even with the C at the snap, and can also employ a bail technique.

- Strengths

1. Leverage on weak wide receiver, can use bump technique
2. deep routes to strong side
3. cover five (5) of the six (6) underneath zones
4. four (4) man rush
5. weakside force and contain
6. easy to disguise
7. can double (inside/outside) against a single receiver to the weak side

- Weaknesses

1. Weak safety must cover half the field
2. flood routes to the strong side
3. S must cover curl and flat
4. strong side contain
5. weak inside linebacker to curl
6. wide splits can create lanes

- How to attack it

1. Horizontal stretch on the safety covering half
2. vertically stretch the flats to create lanes
3. strong side outs
4. weakside curl
5. cannot cover a flood route (three or four [3 or 4] receivers in the pattern)
6. trips type formations & motion

Zone Blitz

The Zone Blitz is a defensive scheme used to confuse the offensive line’s pass protection schemes, and the QB’s reads. A frontal rusher — i.e. a linebacker or defensive lineman – briefly engages the offensive lineman, then retreats to his pass zone, if he reads pass. The blitzers go through their assigned gaps. The droppers replace the blitzers in the pass zone. The coverage could be anything, but the most common zone blitz is the “fire zone,” which involves three deep and three intermediate pattern reading defenders.

- Strengths

1. Run lanes are covered
2. pressure on the QB – confuse protection schemes
3. QB reads are changed
4. easy to disguise
5. can double (inside/outside) against outside receivers and cover underneath zone with defensive linemen

- Weaknesses

1. Defensive linemen and other defenders in coverage who are not skilled/used to it – limited range
2. crossing routes through the underneath coverage
3. play action, if offense can protect

- How to attack it

1. Horizontal and vertical stretch on the pass zones
2. TE versus defensive linemen
3. screen passes
4. play action, with patterns to the backs
5. Maximum protection with deep combinations through the open areas

Cover 1 “Robber”

The Robber coverage is a defensive scheme used to confuse the QB’s reads. It is designed to take away the middle pass zones, both the underneath and deep middle. It can be employed out of a four across or two deep look. A QB reading through the middle of the field (goal post) will read man or rotation and attempt to hit crossing routes or attack the deep middle which is where the “robber” is. The coverage can also be used with man coverage allowing the “robber” helping out in the middle.

- Strengths

1. Middle zones
2. confuse QB’s reads
3. easy to disguise
4. can double (inside/outside) against inside receivers
5. can lock-on QB’s eyes

- Weaknesses

1. Deep outside versus man
2. outside breaking routes by inside receivers
3. play action

- How to attack it

1. Outside on timing routes
2. play action with deep routes
3. crossing routes to the outside versus man
4. QB must look robber off
5. clear lane throws

Prevent
The Prevent is a defensive scheme designed to force the offense to use time to score. It protects against the quick scores, while allowing the offense to pick up chuncks of yardages. The QB must be descipline when facing the Prevent by taking the easy yardage. At the high school and collegiate level, attack the middle of the prevent because the clock stops to move the chains for first downs. The defense linemen will use outside rush techniques to keep the QB in the pocket. The QB must be patient throwing in the underneath zones to recievers on the run.

- Strengths

1. Deep zones, four defenders deep
2. can get under deep outs and curls
3. can keep the QB in the pocket with an outside rush
4. defensive backs can fly to the ball when it is thrown deep
5. protect the boundary

- Weaknesses

1. Inside run – draws
2. backs on delays to middle
3. middle hook zones
4. quick routes on time
5. in the undercover seams

- How to attack it

1. Horizontally stretch the pass zones
2. deep crossing routes
3. underneath at twelve yards or less with stops, flats and outs on time
4. empty sets
5. draws
6. backs on delays
7. get the ball to speed underneath

Review
A critical component to a successful pass is that the quarterback recognize the coverage. Materials given to a quarterback (DVD, flash cards)

1. Quick recognition of the secondary.
2. The strengths and weaknesses of the coverage.
3. Where to attack the coverage based upon the play called.

COACHES CHECKLIST FOR OFFENSIVE GAME PLANNING

COACHES CHECKLIST FOR OFFENSIVE GAME PLANNING
by Hank Schrader, Bellevue (WA) High School - The Coaches Checklist for Offensive Game Planning

• Offensive Strategy
• Running Attack
• Passing Attack
• Developing a game plan

OFFENSIVE STRATEGY
Balance- what kind of balance of run to pass plays ratio do you want
Diversity- multiple points of attack
Flexibility- an ability to adjust plays to attack defensive schemes and weaknesses
Deceptiveness- using run and pass plays that look alike to confuse defenses
- Switching assignments on same play

OFFENSIVE EMPHASIS:
Attack- Strike the first blow
Dictate- force the defense to match your formation and game tempo
Execution- you win by how well you performed the designed play
Be unpredictable- confused defenses play slow

STYLES OF PLAY:
Field Position Theory- play calls designed by field position
Ball Control Theory- 3 yards and a cloud of dust, keep away from opponent
Big Play Theory- chop away then go for the big play
Running Game Theory- run the ball more
Passing Game Theory- throw the ball more unless forced to

RUNNING ATTACK
ESTABLISHING THE RUN
YOUR RUN GAME NEEDS 3 KIND OF PLAYS:
Power Game- getting more players to the point of attack than the defense
Speed Game- Plays in which the ball carrier quickly attacks the L.O.S. before the defense can react
Finesse Game- plays based on misdirection to fool the defenders

12 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN FORMING YOUR RUNNING ATTACK:
1. What plays should we run ?
2. Where should we run the play ?
3. We should we avoid running ?
4. How can we dictate defensive alignments by our formations, shifts, and motions ?
5. How many yards rushing are needed to win the game ?
6. How many times do we want to run ?
7. How many practice reps do we need to accomplish our goal?
8. How many different sets do we need to win this game?
9. How many tight end and split end formations do we need to use to win ?
10. How will field position change our running game (both hash marks and by vertical field positions)
11. Do we need an audible run plan for this game?
12. What is our plan for the following situations :
- Short yardage
- Goal line
- Danger zone
- Red zone
- 2 minute offense
- Slow down offense
- 2 point conversions
- Must have first downs
- Killing the clock

RUNNING STRATEGY BY DOWN AND DISTANCE:
FIRST AND 10:
- Use your best ball carrier
- Quick hitting dives and traps
- Try for positive runs of 3-5 yards or sweeps to the outside for a sure gain
- Defenses vary looks on first down- sweeps, zone, toss

SECOND AND LONG:
- Use high % runs to get into 3rd and medium/short situation
- Counters, reverses, bootlegs
- Run/Pass option plays are excellent
- Draws can be successful since defenders will make their drops sooner and deeper
- Play action passes

THIRD AND LONG (10 or MORE)
- Use your fastest ball carrier with big play potential
- Need to designate plays with big play potential
- Avoid screens and draws (Defenses expect this)
- Run pass option plays
- Must prepare players mentally for this situation

2nd 3RD AND 7-10
- Spread the field if possible and use traps or counters
- Use the back with the best chance of getting the first down
- Quick toss plays
- 3 step pass game

3RD AND 4-6
- DEFENSES often use their best formation/call in this situation so go with your best call
- Force the defense out of their comfort zone by forcing a switch in alignment, or tempo
- Your runner must get up field on one cut, no dancing
- Often the defense will blitz so consider a run-pass option play

3rd and SHORT (3 or less)
- Power type plays with lead blocker (iso, belly, power)
- Run away from opponents strength
- Use most consistent back and best blockers
- Change up cadences (go on first sound or 2 or 3)

- RUNNING STRATEGY BY DOWN AND DISTANCE:
RED ZONE (opp. 25 AND IN)
- Anticipate man coverage, use quick hitters and more consistent plays
- Give the ball to the 2nd back using lead blocker type plays
- Anticipate blitzes: use draws, traps, screens, and tricks possibly

RED ZONE (15 and IN)
- Consider roll out, sprint passing game, with possiblility of QB run
- Make the defense defend the entire field with counters, reverses, sweeps
- Attack weakest links of defenses
- Use the run to set up the pass (sweep then fake sweep bootleg pass)

DOWN AND GOAL RED ZONE
- Eliminate mistakes
- Best back should run behind best blockers
- Protect the football and eliminate extra ball handling
- Run your best plays
- Must score

DANGER ZONE - BACKED UP (your own 30 to your own goalline)
- Use quick hitters with most reliable back
- Avoid slow to develop plays
- If on the goaline, you must gain at least 5 yards for the punter to not be crowded

COMPOENENTS FOR BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL PASSING GAME:
• You must develop a wide (horizontal) and deep (vertical) game
• A TOTAL PASS PACKAGE includes: drop back passes (3, 5, 7, 9, step drops), quick passes, sprint out passes, play action passes, screens, and some sort of blitz control
• Time to throw is critical meaning you can’t throw it if you can’t block it

12 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN FORMING PASS GAME PLAN:
1. What pass plays should we run
2. Where should we pass
3. Where should we avoid passing
4. How can we make the defense change alignment by motions, shifts, and formations
5. How many yards passing do we need to win the game
6. How many times do we want to pass
7. How many practice reps do we need to accomplish these goals
8. How many different sets to we need for this game
9. How many tight end or split end sets do we need
10. How will field position change our passing game
11. Do we need an audible pass plan for this game
12. What is our plan / call for certain situations

PASSING ATTACK BY DOWN AND DISTANCE:
1st and 10:
- Use play action passes that look like run plays
- Utilize high % quick throws (3 step game)
- Qb must not take a sack
- Defenses vary their looks the most in this situation so disguise high % plays

2nd and long:
- Use high % calls to get to 2nd and medium or less
- Have your qb use rhythm throws of 3 or 5 step drops with an option to 2nd level if short receivers are covered
- This is a blitz down, use a hot receiver
- Delay routes are effective, DBs use drops sooner and deeper

3rd and 12 or more:
- deep flag routes are usually high % throws, switch routes, dig routes, are also very good
- consider hook routes and running plays vs. soft zone
- Consider keeping one blocker in to give QB time and play call to develop

3rd and 7-10
- Possible blitz situation- Think Max Protection
- Use hooking routes vs. zone coverage and comeback routes on boundaries vs. man
- Short crosses and delays are also good in this situation
- QB has more time to wait for WRs to get open, WHY? A sack on 3rd down is not as bad as a sack on other downs

3rd and 4-6
- Defenses are going to use their best call, QB and WR pre snap reads are critical
- WR must be aware of first down marker and run route accordingly
- WR must get up field after catch
- Common blitzing down, have a hot receiver

3rd and 3 or less
- Expect tight coverage, so WR must push hard to get up field, Teach WRS to get up field and break contact at LOS
- Hot receiver must always be ready for the ball
- Out routes in the flats should be ran at least 1 yard pass first down marker

PASSING ATTACK BY ZONE (FIELD POSITION)
Red Zone (25 and in)
- Anticipate man coverage
- Use at least 1 play with possible TD ability
- Anticipate blitzes , think hot routes, and protection adjustments

Red Zone (15 and in)
- Use crossing routes and attack corners of endzone – teach QB to lead receivers when throwing into this area
- Have a blitz plan
- Recievers must know to find the back of the endzone if original route breaks down
- Use distinct receiver breaks and push hard – reduced room = tighter coverage

Red Zone (down and goal)
- Receivers must run all routes over the goaline
- Use crossing and play action routes
- QB must not take a sack, get rid of the ball
- Misses must be outside and deep, do not throw off the back foot or late
- Recievers must work to get to the back of the endzone if route breaks down
- Expect tight coverage, teach receivers how to break free

Danger Zone - Backed up (your 30 and in)
- Have a hot receiver ready in case of blitz
- Use isolation routes on the edges away from traffic
- Use max protection to give your QB time

DEVELOPING AN OFFENSIVE GAME PLAN
9 Steps for Developing your Game Plan:
1. Break down game film of your opposition
2. Self scouting is crucial
3. Gather printed scouting material
4. Create scouting reports
5. Diagram / staff chalk talk
6. Develop the game plan
7. Educate your players
8. Design the practice
9. Execute the game plan

• GAME FILM OF YOUR OPPOENENT:
What is their basic defensive scheme ?
Do they play passively or attack ?
What are their situational defenses ?
What are their tendencies by field position, formation, and down & distance ?

• SELF SCOUTING
Are you faking well ?
Do you run the same exact play in the same exact situation ?
Do you substitute one player than give him the ball ?
Is your team predictable ?

• GATHER PRINTED SCOUTING MATERIAL
With your film breakdown determine:
Their best players by position
Who is their best tackler, best pass rusher, best coverage player
Relative strength of DLs, LBs, DBs
Key backups and situational subs
Tip offs such as blitz alignments
Position techniques of opponents such as favorite moves

• CREATE SCOUTING REPORT
Profile the opposition by: height, weight, starters, numbers, class, best and worst players
Diagram defensive fronts and coverages with notes for players
List play % on fronts, coverages, blitzes, by down and distance, and field position
Tell your team what they must do to win

• DIAGRAM / STAFF CHALK TALK
Staff needs to focus on play selection and blocking schemes
Select your play list from master play list and adjust blocking scheme if necessary
Consider developing a list of best plays versus certain defenses/fronts

• DEVELOPING THE GAME PLAN
Two Types of Game Plans:
Situational - plays organized by down and distance
Script- pre determined plays from a script with a plan for situations that call to go off script

• EDUCATE YOUR PLAYERS
Its not what you know, its what they know
If you have a film session reviewing previous game, afterwards have a quick overview of upcoming game
Monday- give out scouting report, only include information that players will need to succeed
Practice new plays or seldom used plays , handouts with blocking adjustments helpful
Keep education process going Tuesday and Wednesday with final review on Thursday

• DESIGNING PRACTICES
Monday: individual and group skills, some team front and coverage recognition
Tuesday: features group and team units with the 1st team look at scout defense (scripted), adjust game plan if needed
Wednesday: Team live vs. scout in scripted special situations
Thursday: Run through script vs bags, make sure each play is executed perfectly, if I do not run a play 10 times in practice, I will not use it in a game
How you accomplish this task is not as important as establishing a practice routine that your players know and understand

• EXECUTING THE GAME PLAN
Get a moment alone to practice your play calling while watching film. Before a team meeting, check in with the booth coaches to review game plan and forms and to insure they know what to look for. Review the game plan with the team and any last minute reminders. Game time communication- develop sound techniques and procedures. Look for early adjustments and fix them quickly. At the end of each series coaches must provide feedback, make sure players know what is expected

Halftime adjustments: What were our most successful plays (CHART PLAYS !) Why ? What must we do to win this game?
Never forget the players. Its not the X and Os, it’s the Jimmies and Joes. If you got a stud, make sure you use him all you can despite criticism.

10 things about coaching ball

1. The job you have right now is the best one in the world. you will look back when you move on and say to yourself, I wish I would have enjoyed that experience more

2. Never stop learning and asking questions...remember those guys your asking were not born with that knowledge out of the womb

3. Enjoy the process. The product will come and it will be that much more rewarding. If you really work at it you'll succeed.

4. Be loyal to the guys you are working with and for. I read on one of the threads that the OL coach was underminding the OC. For what purpose? Did it help them win? In my opinion there is no place for this on a staff and must be dealt with by the HC immediately.

5. Believe in a philosophy and run with it. Know it so well you will have the answers to make adjustments.

6. While evaluating players dont pigeon hole a kid. How can he best help your team win. Thats whats important.

7. The only way a true team can survive is from the inside out. That goes for families, businesses etc. If you are strong inside your group who can tear it apart....no one

8. I would tell my coaches to coach the performance and never demean a player. I have found that players want to be coached and by coaching them hard they will respond if they know you are there to help them and care about them. This is especially true on the upper levels also. I would tell my coaches what if a player comes back on you? You are in a no Win situation. Take the player aside and keep both yours and his dignity intact.

9. There are no badges of honor for the guy that can stay there the latest. I would tell my staff when you get yourself done go home. The biggest pet peeve I have in coaching is when a coach tells everyone how late he stayed. Those guys are not on my staff. We have always gone into games prepared. Take a look at your watch right now and draw a three technique on your board. Go home and come back at three in the morning and he will still be a three. Go find out a way to block him. You can both be a great coach and a great family man. We had just recently moved and we were unpacking...there were some old pictures of my kids. It saddened me to not have remembered those times with them because I wont have the opportunity to get those times in their lives back. Your kids only turn a certain age once be there.

10. Have fun, its a game. When you look back on your career you will remember the players and coaches. The people you surrounded yourself with. I promise on your death bed you wont be thinking about cover three.

a good play to put in

"Putting Out the Fire (Zone)" - Gunter Brewer (Part II)

Another way OSU looks to attack the fire zone is with their quick passing game.
(for a detailed view of the staple of OSU’s passing attack, the four verticals package, check out Chris Brown’s blog)

SCAT out of 3 x 1
The scat concept out of 3 x 1 is a great way of exposing the horizontal stretch of a 3 underneath zone coverage. It is an evolution of Y Stick, and further evolved itself to the current spacing concept.

Just like the spacing concept detailed before, the inside receivers are looking to put the middle hole defender in conflict. They work to get in between the MLB and the PSL B at 6 yards and sit down.

The Z (playside outside receiver) runs the clearing fade (FOR / Force Outside Release) to draw greater a void underneath. The shoot by the F converts to a wheel if seeing press man coverage.

The added benefit of 3 x 1 is the bubble route run by the H. This not only provides a release outlet, but also stretches the SCIF player to defend the sideline to the hash.

Regardless of the coverage, this concept is adaptable and can stress the defense regardless of the assignment. The X & Y run a “sneak” (stick) route at a depth of 6 yards to 2-on-1 attack the MLB.

• Vs zone – split the difference between defenders
• Vs man – push in hard and bounce back out

If the linebacker crosses the receiver's face, he should look for the ball. If the receiver gets walled (from an inside stem), he will sit and bounce back out (working off of MLB)

This provides a failsafe plan of attack for the quarterback. All he has to determine is if it is MOFC or MOFO coverage and then immediately attack the appropriate defender.

• Vs 1 high – look weak (key the flat defender)
• Vs 2 high – look strong (key the flat defender)
• Vs man – Sneak/Wheel

It is important to see the seams / voids created with so much defensive movement of players replacing one another.

“You have to get them, before they get you”

Attacking the Linebackers

Against the zone blitz, the inside receiver should look for the dropper (weight not on the hands), and anticipate his drop. The rationale on spotting the dropper, is because in 3x1 the MLB is the target. He will have to expand to #3 away from the hole to match #3’s route dispersion.

When the playside linebacker is in man coverage, he will not be sitting or dropping to the seam, he will be expanding to chase the back on flare (leaving a large void in the area he is leaving). The WR to the chasing linebacker must look for the ball in his first 3 steps. To take advantage of this big-play potential, it is important to identify the coverage presnap via shifts, motions, and altering the tempo.

If the linebacker drops, the receiver will go underneath, work the hole inside, and off the drop of the MLB.

If the linebacker “sits”, the WR must decide the over/under position to best work (find the hole).

If the linebacker walls or prevents an inside release (typically if the defense is aggressively trying to stop follows, meshes, etc) the WR should use a bounce technique and work back outside.

The following is an example of the evolution of the (double stick) scat concept (and how it helped evolve spacing)

SCAT @ Yahoo! Video

Shown here by BYU and NC State, featuring a young Philip Rivers

Does this Y Stick concept from Norm Chow's 1995 playbook look familiar?

It should

Y Stick vs the Fire Zone
This is a great concept to work against the leverage of hole and seam players. This also works against both 1-high (MOFC) and 2-high (MOFO) coverages equally well. Where spacing featured 3 sticks, Scats featured 2 sticks, now Y Stick features just the TE sticking based on the MLB.

1 high defense

With the backside 2 receiver combo, the inside receiver route essentially becomes the shoot route being run on the TE side. Rather than elongate the throw by immediately pressing the sideline, the receiver vertically presses 6 yards and then keys the corner on whether he should sit (if corner sits / flat) or continue expanding to the flat (if corner retreats).

2 high defense

An illustration of the stick concept vs 2-high defense against Texas Tech (actually the very play that the opening picture was taken from)

This play / pictorial best illustrates identifying the 'hot' key of a man-linebacker. Watch the 8 technique SLB racing to chase the shooting F out of the backfield. The SLB isn't dropping, he is quickly widening flat. Recognizing this, the Y quickly turns his shoulder in anticipation of receiving this quick throw.

Once the QB identified man-coverage, he locks onto his Y and is going to deliver the ball away to the shoulder away from the MLB on his hitch step.

(Very little thining required here - just react to the immediate key)

The TE makes a great catch outside his body, which affords him more room and momentum to turn upfield away from the MLB. Now it is the Y versus the Safety.

The receiver runs over the safety, the chase ensues, and makes a bad-angled corner miss.....and its SHOWTIME in the endzone!

More on Y Stick

How to turn this situation around

1. Have an attendance policy and stick to it.
All absences must be notified to the coach before hand or they are considered unexcused. If you are sick from school, the absence is excused and no added conditioning. For all other excused absences:
1 absence= 100 updowns and no start
2nd abscence= 100 updowns and no first half
3rd absence= 100 updowns and no dress
This is on a weekly basis.
3 unexcused absences a year and you are removed from the team. Once you quit or are removed there is no coming back.
2. Build a weight program and require kids to attend.
3. Run a systematic offense. I would recommend running something that is not run in your league ala double wing or Navy Flexbone.
4. Build relationships with everyone.
5. Teach fundamentals over scheme.
6. Do it your way, you may get fired, but if you do the job wasn't worth it.
7. Teach character over winning.
8. Create high expectations for the classroom.
9. Don't accept background as an excuse.
10. Drug test, if it is legal and there are funds.

The Colts

Plays are simple & basic. Runs are Inside Zone, Counter, Stretch, Draw, etc. Passes roughly same as everybody elses'. They KEEP IT SIMPLE & OUT-EXECUTE PEOPLE.

Personnel = basically 1 TE - 3 WR - 1 RB, AND, 2 TE - 2 WR - 1 RB. They can go from one to the other by flexing Dallas Clark out as a WR, or bringing him in tight as a second TE (he is good enough to do both).

The PLAY CALLING at the LOS is the big thing. Essentially, they give Manning a 3 play package of choices (run left, run right, pass). He makes the decision based upon the number of safeties deep, or, the front alignment (techniques of DT is an important factor).

His big answer to blitz = WR screens.

This is some stuff on their philosophy I have pieced together:

TOM MOORE OFFENSIVE THINKING

1. “LESS IS BETTER”!

2. “IF THINGS ARE GOING BAD – REDUCE. GET BETTER AT WHAT YOU DO BEST”!

3. “DON’T ADD OR CHANGE THINGS (IF IT WAS THAT GOOD – WE WOULD HAVE PUT IT IN DURING AUGUST”)!



FROM AN ARTICLE: Offensive coordinator Tom Moore is a brilliant minimalist who keeps it simple. He stretches the canvas and lets his quarterback paint masterpieces. Sometimes it seems like the Colts only have four formations and seven plays, but defenses never know what's coming next.


TONY DUNGY PHILOSOPHY:

1. BE SIMPLE

2. TEACH FUNDAMENTALS

3. PLAY HARD


PEYTON MANNING: “KEEP IT SIMPLE”:

MANNING’S STRAIGHT FORWARD BUT EFFECTIVE PHILOSOPHY: “EVERY TIME YOU DROP BACK TO THROW, YOUR GOAL IS TO POSSESS THE BALL ON THE NEXT PLAY”!!!!!

Limited runs, but TONS of passes, & TONS of protections. MOVEMENTS (shifts/motions/finished fortmation packages) can be difficult to assimilate also. I spent 1 year working with a NFL Taxi Squad - what they have to learn is unreal!

One of the ways the good ones make a complex scheme somewhat simplified (at least we did) was by "conceptualizing" just about everything. For EXAMPLE:

1. We may have 25-30 formations, but all of them fell into two CONCEPTS:

a. Pro Family (Flanker & TE on SAME side);
b. Slot Family (Flanker & SE on same side).

Most all of these are accomplished ONLY by alignments of TWO people (Flanker & Slotback or H-Back).


2. We may have 80-100 passes, but all of them fall into 7-8 CONCEPTS. Each of the 8 concepts may have 10-12 passes. Each pass within that concept has the same READS (& generally the same PROTECTION).

3. We may have 23-24 protections, but each protection is a VARIATION (usually a "call") WITHIN a few basic protection categories. EXAMPLE: This is a CHART of the 7 basic protections we taught (& all 7 of these were "offshoots" of only 3 basic CONCEPTS). Each of these 7 had about 3-4 variations, that if multiplied by 7 - made it appear there were 21-28 protections:

7 BASIC PROTECTIONS CHART


“BASE”
TYPE = man
# = 7 (can be made 8 with H/Y both checking)
DB Action = split flow
Hot = none
B.O. = #4 str/wk
REDIRECT CENTER = 4 man side Call side
WEAKNESS = Ins. A gap dogs; mismatch RB on outs.
VARIATION = “OH” (RB takes H’s man; Y takes RB’s man; H takes Y’s route)


“HI/LO”
TYPE = man
# = 7
DB Action = wk flow
Hot = none
B.O. = #4 str/wk
REDIRECT CENTER = 4 man side Call side
WEAKNESS = same as BASE


“SCAT”
TYPE = man
# = 6
DB Action = split flow
Hot = #3/4 str
B.O. = #4 str/wk
REDIRECT CENTER = call side R/L 4 man side
WEAKNESS = strong side dogs


“SCRAM”
TYPE = man
# = 7
DB Action = wk flow
Hot = #3/4 wk
B.O. = #4 wk
REDIRECT CENTER = Center always weak
WEAKNESS = weak side dog


“OPTION TRIPLE”
TYPE = turn back
# = 6
DB Action = Str flow
Hot = #3/4 str
B.O. = #4 weak
REDIRECT CENTER = opposite into reduction
WEAKNESS = Str side dogs; wk 4 man rush


“OPTION SINGLE”
TYPE = turn back
# = 7
DB Action = str flow
Hot = none
B.O. = #4 weak
REDIRECT CENTER = none
WEAKNESS = wk 4 man rush; # of receivers out


“FLASH/LIGHTNING”
TYPE = man
# = 8
DB Action = split flow
Hot = none
B.O. = none
REDIRECT CENTER = weak
WEAKNESS = receivers check way out

Could go "on & on", but I simply do not have the time!