X&O Labs Article – March 17, 2018 SIMPLE SPREAD PASS: Fast & Free Case 5 – Fast Tempo and Free Back Release Concepts 9th Grade Assistant Coach State College High School, PA Instructor in Kinesiology @ Penn State University INTRODUCTION: In 1991 when we started running no huddle flex-bone, we incorporated run & shoot pass concepts into our offensive system. We researched and studied Georgia Southern Universities “Ham-bone” that had won 2 national championships under the QB Tracy Ham and HFC Erk Russell. In 1997 we started running no huddle multiple pro @ Aurora University (D3 playoff team) where we researched and studied legendary HFC Bill Walsh of the San Francisco 49ers West Coast Offense. In 2002 we combined both run & shoot concepts with west coast using a multiple spread offense to be fast @ Luther College (D3 #1 in plays per game average and #5 total offense – 2006). In 2017 we then incorporated Penn State’s free back release concepts along with our evolved spread pass game using fast tempo (simple communication with sound cover beating pass concepts). This article will show you What-Why-How to incorporate and teach 1 back spread pass with fast tempo combined with free release back concepts – simple and sound, yet fast – free and FUN! WHAT 1. Use core run & shoot concepts combined with west coast pass concepts 2. Use simple “911” tempo and communication 3. Compliment core pass game with free release back concepts – using simple QB read progression WHY 1. We want to attack coverages with concepts and do it fast (so the picture does not change) 2. Develops automatic “2 minute” offensive thinking and game plan 3. Exploits personnel match-ups to create win-win situations for the offense HOW 1. Teach core pass concepts using fast tempo automatically 2. Use consistent QB pre and post read progression - “Tri-O” 3. Compliment core pass concepts with free release back concepts from Hback spread sets FAST & FREE WHAT – WHY - HOW WHAT: The pass concepts are nothing new but, we have attempted to minimize the number of concepts we use while still being able to attack multiple defensive coverages. Spread offenses today have taken some basic run & shoot concepts and combined those with west coast thinking. One back spread also allows you the opportunity to expose defensive match-ups that best fit your offensive personnel strengths. We start as always with what is best for our offensive line from a protection stand point. After 20 years of being an offensive coordinator at the D3 college level and using almost every type of protection scheme, we (Milt Hendrickson, former offensive line coach and current 13-year NFL-Baltimore Ravens National Scout) decided to use 1 drop back protection = 6-man half-slide. It can be hard at the beginning to grasp but, the benefit of doing 1 protection over and over paid huge benefits down the road. The key is to use both Bback shifts (late) along with Hback sets. This gives you the option of adding the Hback (7- man MAX pro) and/or use the Hback to replace the Bback, then allowing the Bback to free release. Last, we feel it is important to move the QB launch point around by using our waggle, sprint pass and screen game as compliments to our drop back pass. *Diagram 1: notice simple half-slide protection rules Next is an example of Bback free releasing and the Hback replacing the back in our 6-man Half-Slide protection. The Bback aligns a bit wider (over the OTackle) and the Hback aligns OFF LOS and OVER OTackle to replace back in double checking the mike to the sam backer in pass protection. Notice the lineman use same half-slide rules and technique where the Bback (free release receiver) and Hback (pass protection blocker) trade roles. With this we have successfully simplified our protection options. For maximum protection or 7-man MAX, both the Bback and Hback do not release into routes and instead the Bback blocks the mike backer and the Hback blocks the sam backer. *Diagram 2: notice Back Free release and Hback half-slide protection rules Most important is to simplify the pre and post-snap read progression for the QB. We use a consistent progression for both the play caller or coach from the sideline (OC) and the QB on the field. We use a 3- step process, “Tri-O Read System” of recognizing the defenses numbers, blocking angles and field. The play caller (coach-OC) and QB both learn this from the very beginning with our spread RPO’s. *Diagram 3: notice the 3-step process and then the QB read system for all levels of the defense Last, in order to play fast we must use simple and sound communication signals along with word cues for everyone involved. We call this our “911” tempo, meaning it is an emergency so that we process and play fast. It also can serve as our 2-minute offensive, helping us to manage the clock intelligently as a team. Since installing our “911” tempo we have been very successful at scoring fast both at the end of the first half and if needed at the end of the game. It is critical in the design of your system to condense and combine concepts with tempos so that the players do not process as new plays. We use a scaffolding principle with teaching that allows the players to apply previous concepts and terms as we install or add complimentary plays. By scaffolding or chunking schemes with rules we are able to simply combine concepts while presenting a different look or offensive attack to the defense. Maybe most importantly, we can concentrate on personnel match- ups that provide offensive advantages without running a new play. Our core pass concepts are scaffolded from our RPO route concepts so that there is re-learning involved for our receiver’s routes and for our QB’s “Tri-O” read progression. Concept #1: PSU Bubble and Power Pop These are Quick Play-Action-Pass plays that incorporate run & shoot concepts or route adjustments to attack both zone and man coverages. The beauty of RPO’s is that the OLine does not have to learn a separate pass protection scheme, we simply use the run scheme for our quick pass game from day one. *Diagram 4: notice This is our Power Pop RPO route concept which we use as our #1 quick pass – blitz beater concept. *Diagram 5: notice Concept #2: Four Verticals We like to install this as our first pass play in order to get as many reps as possible for learning and mastering. It also is a great way to stretch the defense both horizontally (by formation) and vertically, providing an opportunity for mis-matches, lots of open grass (field) and a must versus 1 high safeties. *Diagram 6: notice This is our Bback free release combined with our 4 Verts concept, making it a 3 Verts with the Bback free releasing into the flats fast. *Diagram 7: notice Concept #3: Smash Great compliment to 4 Verts and sound man cover beater by using whip routes versus digs with the outside receivers. This is a safe pass, good man-blitz beater and great in the Red zone or Goal line. *Diagram 8: notice This is a great way to attack 2 high safety coverages by putting the strongside safety in a bind while creating a mis-match with your personnel by having your Bback go vertical against a backer. Remember, speed in space is a beautiful thing. *Diagram 9: notice Concept #4: Double Post or Vertical Crosser Our most effective and explosive Play-Action-Pass over the years because it provides Play-Action for both the box defenders (Power fake) and the secondary (bubble pass fake). This exploits 2 high safeties that want to roll down into the box for run support (classic cover 4 teams). We understand the bind it puts fill safeties in since we are a cover 4 team ourselves. Last, this combines a vertical concept to the play side while using a crosser on the backside, providing a man beater component within. Ohio State under Urban Meyer has won a couple national championships using a Vertical Crosser pass concept. *Diagram 10: notice We then add our free release of the Bback doing a wheel route backside. This is a great way to attack recently popular 4-2-5 defenses (one high safety with man under cover) versus RPO concepts. The backside X-receiver automatically runs a whip route when Bback wheel is called (scaffolding example). *Diagram 11: notice We like to have balance in our system by being able to run our core pass concepts from both 2x2 and 3x1 sets. By using Bback free release concepts we can easily run our double post concept while creating personnel mis-matches for the defense. *Diagram 12: notice WHY: First, you want to be sound offensively by attacking coverages with proven concepts and do it fast. In order to simplify our pass game, we have selected pass concepts that can attack multiple zone coverages along with having the ability to handle man coverages (pressure packages). We also considered concepts that scaffold routes and reads easily (stacking or chunking), therefore minimizing new learning for both the receivers and backfield. The goal as always is to do more with less. Joe Moorhead, former Penn State OC (current HFC @ Mississippi State University) states it best: “Attack coverages + Protect QB + Be blitz sound” Second, by using a fast tempo and one core protection scheme for learning you have helped protect your QB.