WEST COAST OFFENSE Installation at the Youth League Level By John E. Anderson Jr. Contents The Foundation (Basic West Coast Offense Part I).............................................................. Introduction................................ 4 A viewpoint from success.................... 4 Terminology................................. 6 Basic Philosophy.............................7 Step One - How to get started................8 Fundamentals of throwing the ball............8 OK, now who is going to catch the ball?......8 Pass Protection .............................9 Teaching Running Backs to Block..............9 Anchoring the Middle.........................10 What is your demeanor?.......................11 Practical Application (Basic West Coast Offense Part II).................................................... Installing the Basic Routes..................13 Combination Routes...........................19 The "Keys"...................................21 Slant-Shoot Combination versus Zone coverage.22 Clinic for Slot Offense (Basic West Coast Offense part III) ............................................. Terminology .................................26 The Format...................................26 Pass Protection..............................27 Basic Pass Patterns..........................30 Additional Patterns & Terminology ...........31 Releases.....................................31 Blitz Beaters................................32 Slot - Flex Post/Slant.......................35 Installation.................................37 Conclusion...................................38 2 PREFACE After coaching at several levels, and learning numerous systems, I found that there were a number of different ways to achieve the desired goals. There was no one "correct" way, just as there was no "wrong" way, when it came to a system that would cover all the bases. One thing I did find was that there were some stubborn ways that were being hailed as the "only" way, only to see them crash and burn on the playing field. A solid running game is always of great benefit to any team. However, when the running game starts to sputter, you have to have a solid plan in place on how to change your fortunes on the playing field. By having a plan in place, you not only improve your chances of success, but you instill the confidence in your players that you be successful when one phase of your offense is not being effective. What I am about to propose to you is an idea that will do just that. This idea is not an entire system, but simply a scheme that can help you during times of ineffectiveness on the ground. I have written this book so that any coach or prospective coach, experienced or novice, can gain understanding in the concepts that are being depicted in this book. Chapter One deals with an introduction as to some of the solid principles of the scheme. Chapter Two deals with some of the concepts of the practical applications there are to installing this offense. Chapter Three is the actual clinic to installing this scheme in your offense, and teaching the concepts to your players. Also, I inject a little humor in this book to keep things on the lighter side. Please remember that Football is a game, and isn't the "life or death" situation. Take advantage of the time you have with these kids, because you do not realize how much of their young lives you will actually influence. Thanks to my boys Andy, David, and Mark! And to Elly for making this book happen. 3 The Foundation (Basic West Coast Offense Part I) Introduction – Why to install a Youth sized version Of the West Coast Offense Before we start with the passing game, let me be the first to say that I am a strong believer in a good, solid running game. I have coached some pretty good running teams over the years. So, that being said, I am not a “pass happy, gun-slinging” kind of coach. I do believe in taking some chances, but I will play it straight for as long as I can. When some defensive coordinator is bringing up eight, nine and ten players up to the line of scrimmage and saying “run it, I dare you”, will you be able to consistently beat those defenses? That is the question you have to ask before you go any further. If so, then you may only consider this as an option. Because if you’re running game is running over folks, then you may only be looking for ideas on how to be more explosive. If not, then maybe you can consider the contents of this short book and think seriously upon the ideas that will be portrayed here. Either way, this can provide you with some ideas to make your running game more valuable, or give you some ideas that can open up an anemic running game. If you have a tool box at home, you will more than likely have a variety of tools that you may have to do things around the house. I am basically providing you with a tool that you can use in your offense, and giving you some ideas in the next three chapters on how to use it. Whichever the answer may be, it is my objective to give you a introductory and simplistic view on how to install a timed passing game that you can use at your discretion. But, that is only one aspect of what we will be discussing here because the second most important facet of this offense is the “run after catch”, or “RAC” yardage. So, sit back and get comfortable, and lets remove any doubts you may have about this subject, shall we? A viewpoint from success You may be asking either of two questions. One may be “I have no idea what I am doing…where do I possibly begin?” The other may be, “I know I can do this but where do I find the guidance as to where to get started?” Well, I hope that I can answer both questions. 4 First of all, you have to believe in yourself, and believe in what you are doing. It is easy for things to fall apart at the beginning, and that happens often with anything new. Only those who believe in what they are doing will eventually succeed. Although, you may have to make some adjustments along the way, maybe you already believe in yourself, and you may just need a starting point. Now that we addressed that subject, I want to address the “Nay- sayers”. Anytime something new comes down the block, there will be those whose basic argument is “What if it doesn’t work”? Or my favorite, “what if the other team doesn’t do what you think they will do”? This usually comes from folks who have absolutely no idea what they are talking about, and they are unwittingly trying to get you to do it the way everyone else is doing it. Let me give you the example that I use with individuals like this. I used to install windows and doors for a living. If I saw someone using a tool, that I thought would benefit me and aid me in doing my job cleaner and better I am going to invest the money to get one, and invest the time to learn how to use it. Why would I do that? So that I can be more productive. I can install them faster and easier than before because I invested in the time to learn how. Will I always do it right when I take the new tool out of the box? Probably not! I will have to tweak and adjust until I become very proficient at using it. The same works in Football. As far as the argument, what if the defense doesn’t do what I think they will, I have a separate argument for that. I ask them, “have you ever played Chess”? That is what this is all about! I am putting another tool in your hands that you can either choose to use or discard. The choice is yours. But, before you choose to discard his….remember there are kids who have been using offenses like this and even the “Run & Shoot” out in other areas of the country for over 20 years! Kids as young as 10-12 whipping the ball all over the place. If you take the time to stress the fundamentals, you can add this scheme to your toolbox, and have answers to the questions that defenses can sometimes pose. Can you really run the ball? And if you can’t, what are you going to do about it? Football is as much a chess match as the game of chess itself. When I was asked to coordinate an offense for the first time, I knew I could do it. There was not a doubt in my mind and I had a basic idea of what I wanted to do. But, after working in several systems, I had to work out what I thought was the most productive for the people we had. So, I had settled on the Power Sweep from the Lombardi years of the Green Bay Packers, because that was the running game I knew inside and out. 5 Lombardi has always said that the team that blocked better than anyone else, and tackled better than anyone else would win the contest. So, it seemed logical to utilize a system that was easy to teach and easy to play, and stress blocking and the rest of the fundamentals. This turned out to be a wonderful fit. Now as far as the passing game, we had probably the most basic of anyone in the league. I had looked at what Joe Gibbs had done as the offensive coordinator out in San Diego, and what the Raiders were doing out on the west coast. At the time, out in San Francisco, there was an offensive “genius” named Bill Walsh. Now, even back all those years ago, coaches took what they liked and tossed out what they didn’t like and they proceeded from there.