Hawg Tuff

I'm a 1st year varsity o-line coach and I'm trying to learn as much about x's and o's as much as I can (I know that's about 1/4 of the battle and the rest is psychological). I played o-line in college and am pretty comfortable with run game stuff but I need help with the passing game. I know basic route combinations, but I'm just curious for some input.

1. What combinations do you find work best with which coverage?

2. How do you label your pass routes? Do you use numbers or letters or do you just say a play and teach the kids off of that?

3. What is your quarterback reading?

4. Do you use the run game to set up the pass or vice versa?

5. Is your passing game predicated off of your run game?

Like I said, I know some basics like pass out of the same formations you run out of, vary your combinations, vary your drop-backs and PAPs. I know this is a lot, but I really do appreciate your help.

RE: Passing Combinations:

Look at CONCEPTS of pass offense. These "PASSING GAME THOUGHTS" by HOF Coach (the late) Sid Gillman - "Father of the Modern Passing Game" are excellent!

SID GILLMAN PASSING GAME THOUGHTS


TIMING OF PASS:

1. The timing of the delivery is essential. It is the single most important item to successful passing.
2. Each route has it’s own distinct timing. As routes and patterns are developed on the field, the exact point of delivery will be emphasized.
3. Take mental notes on the field on timing of the throw.
4. If you cannot co-ordinate eye and arm to get the ball at it’s intended spot properly and on time, you are not a passer.
5. Keeping the ball in both hands and chest high is part of the answer.
6. Generally speaking, the proper timing of any pass is putting the ball in the air before, or as the receiver goes into his final break.
7. If you wait until the receiver is well into his final move, you are too late.

ATTACKING DEFENSES:

1. You must know the theory of all coverages. Without this knowledge, you are dead.
2. You are either attacking man for man, or zone defense.
3. Vs. Man for Man Defense, you are beating the Man.
Vs. Zone Defense, you are attacking an Area.
4. Not knowing the difference will result in stupid interceptions.
5. Study your coverage sheets so that by merely glancing at a defense you know the total coverage design.
6. Man for Man Defenses
a. Hit the single coverage man. This will keep you in business for a long time.
b. Stay away from receivers who are doubled short and long.
c. Do not throw to post if weak safety is free unless you are controlling him with another receiver, and even then it can be dangerous.
d. Flare action is designed to hold backers. If backers are loose, HIT flare man.
e. The secret to attacking Man for Man is to attack the single coverage man who is on his own with no help short or to either side.
f. You must know the individual weaknesses of our opponents and attack them.
g. There are many methods of dropping off by deep secondary men. Each method provides a weakness – know them.
7. Zone Defenses
a. To successfully attack zone defense, concentrate on attacking the slots (X-Z Curl, Y Curl, Cross Routes).
b. Flare action is a must to hold the backers close to the line to help open up the zones behind them.
8. Exact knowledge of defensive coverage and the patterns to take advantage of these is a
must.

SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPLES SID GILLMAN LIVED BY:

1. Spread the field horizontally and vertically with all 5 receivers; 2. Pass to set up the run (NOT the other way around); 3. One-Back formations are a MUST!!!

*********************************************************************************************************


PRINCIPLES OF QUARTERBACKING

It is crucial in playing quarterback in our offense that the quarterback goes through the following “checklist” every time he breaks the huddle on any given play:

Find the 25 second play clock
-If you are running out of time – possibility of making an “alert” check.

Scan the formation for uncovered receivers
-If uncovered receivers – signal uncovered check

Find the Free Safety for a PRE-SNAP coverage read
--If the safety is low – check other coverage keys for Cover 0

--If the safety is high – check other coverage keys for Cover 1 or Cover 3

--If there are 2 safety’s and they are low – check other coverage keys for Cover 0

--If there are 2 safety’s and they are high – check other coverage keys for Cover 2, Cover 2/Man, or Cover 4

--If there are 2 safety’s and they are staggered – check other coverage keys for Cover 1 Robber or Cover 3 Robber.

Identify the front
--If a run play called, can it be successful against the particular front ?
--If a pass play was called, do you know who YOU are responsible for in protection and who you may have to throw quickly off of? Also – on “Check With Me’s” – be prepared to give 2nd. Digit in pass called at L.O.S.

Execute the play or check to another play depending on game plan.
a. “OPPOSITE” in running game!
b. Call of second digit at L.O.S. in passing game, or “OPPOSITE” (change sides of call)..

Thanks

If I can be of further assistance re: the "PASSING GAME CONCEPTS" - feel free to email me at: billmountjoy@yahoo.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false

PS: We put our COMBINATIONS together as follows:


RULES FOR THE DROPBACK PASS OFFENSE


--------------------H-O-O-C-O-O-Y
--X-------------------------Q--------------------------Z

----------------------------R

H & Y = INSIDE RECEIVERS

X & Z = OUTSIDE RECEIVERS


A. OUTSIDE & INSIDE RECEIVERS TO CALLSIDE FREE RELEASE & RUN PATTERN CALLED.
B. OUTSIDE RECEIVER AWAY FROM CALL FREE RELEASES & MIRRORS ROUTE OF OUTSIDE RECEIVER CALLSIDE.
C. INSIDE RECEIVER AWAY FROM CALL CHECK/RELEASES & RUNS SAME ROUTE AS INSIDE RECEIVER TO CALLSIDE IF HE GETS OUT (EXCEPTION – FLAT ON 8-9 ROUTE).
D. RB CHECK/RELEASES TO CALLSIDE



60 SERIES = QB 3 STEP DROP (RECEIVER’S BREAK AT APPROX. 6 YDS.);

50 SERIES QB = 5 STEP DROP (RECEIVERS BREAK AT APPROX. 12 YDS.):

NOTE: EVEN #’S = RT; ODD #’S = LT.

ROUTE COMBOS-----------INS. REC.-------OUTS. REC.------RB

60-61-----------------------HITCH-----------HITCH------------CIRCLE

60 UP/61 UP---------------SEAM------------UP-----------------CIRCLE

62-63-----------------------FLAT-------------SLANT------------CIRCLE

50-51-----------------------CORNER----------HITCH------------POST

52-53-----------------------OUT---------------POST-------------SWING

54-55------------------------TURN------------OUT---------------CIRCLE

56-57------------------------FLAT------------CURL--------------CIRCLE

58-59------------------------POST------------POST/CORNER----FLAT


******************************************************************************************************************************************************


PS: Descriptions of all the ROUTES used in the above PATTERNS are below:

BASIC ROUTES FOR X & Z (ALIGN WITH OUTSIDE FOOT BACK)

60-61 & 50-51 = HITCH: Align at normal. First step with your outside foot. Your fifth step will find you on your outside foot. Plant this foot and pivot your inside hip to the OUTSIDE staying low and stationary. After the catch roll to the outside.

62-63 = SLANT: Align outside normal. First step with your inside foot at 45 degrees and you look for the ball right away. (VARIATION: SLANT can also be run breaking on third step (OR fifth step) at 45 degree angle – has to be “game planned”).

60 UP-61 UP = UP: Align at normal. First step with your outside foot. Sprint off the ball and attack the inside shoulder of the defender. When you break down the cushion make an inside move to force an inside turn by the defender. Push off your inside foot and give off to the sideline. Stay 4-5 yds. from the sideline. You should catch the ball about 18-25 yds. deep. If you get a hard corner with deep help, release outside of the corner and get into the fade area (18 yds. deep).

50-51 = HITCH (SAME AS 60-61)

52-53 = POST: Align inside normal. First step with outside foot. Your seventh step will find you on your outside foot. Plant this foot and break to the near upright. Note: If away from callside, don’t cross hash (turn straight up hash when you reach it).

54-55 = OUT: Align inside normal. First step with outside foot. With your seventh step ROLL to the outside. Your eighth step will bring you completely around. (Snap your head and shoulders around ON your seventh step and look for the ball AS your eighth step hits the ground). This route has a rounded effect – it is NOT a sharp break. Vs. hard corner – run a “fade”.

56-57 = CURL: Align at normal. First 7 steps exactly same as POST. On your seventh step plant your outside foot and break to the near upright for two steps SELLING THE POST. Plant your outside foot and come back DIRECTLY to the QB exposing your numbers to him. When the ball is thrown come back to meet it – NEVER sit and wait on the ball.

58-59 = POST/CORNER: Align inside normal. First seven steps exactly same as POST. On your seventh step plant your outside foot and break to the near upright for three steps SELLING THE POST. Plant your inside foot and break to the corner aiming for a point 22 yds. deep on the sideline.

NOTE: ALL ROUTES (EXCEPT FOR “OUT” – 54/55 - WHICH CONVERTS TO “FADE”) - ARE “RUN-IT’S” AND WILL STAY ON VS. HARD CORNERS (PRESS OR ROLL).




Complimentary Routes In “50” & “60” Series

A) H & Y

60-61 – H & Y take an outside release gaining width & “hitch” at 6 yds. deep.

62-63 – H & Y take an outside release & run “flat” route 4 yds deep.

60 UP-61 UP – H & Y – take an outside release gaining width & run “seam” route up the hash.

50-51 – H & Y take an outside release & run “corner” breaking at 10 yds. to a depth of
22 yds. deep on boundary.

52-53 – H & Y take an outside release and at 10 yds. deep break “out” at 90 degrees.

54-55 – H & Y take an outside release to a depth of 8 yds. & break out & down to a
depth of 6 yds. NOTE: Can run “corner” (same as 50-51) by Game Plan.

56-57 – H & Y take an outside release & run “flat” route 4 yds. deep. Hook up if you get to
width of original align of WR & ball isn’t in air (leave room).

58-59 – Callside H or Y take inside release to a depth of 10 yds. & break to near “post”.
Offside H or Y run “flat” route (same as 56-57).

NOTE: CALLSIDE H OR Y HAS FREE RELEASE. OFFSIDE H OR Y HAS CHECK RELEASE (ON ALL OF ABOVE).


B) RB

On ALL passes above EXCEPT 50-51, 52-53, & 58-59 – your assignment is the same. Check release & run a “circle” route over the ball about 5 yds. deep hooking up & showing QB’s your number.

50-51 – Check release & run a “post” to near upright.

52-53 – Check release & run a “flat” route to a depth of 4 yds. deep.

58-59 – Check release & run “swing” route behind LOS. As you turn up – you should catch ball roughly where WR lined up.