Madden Scheme Guide

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MADDEN SCHEME GUIDE
By: DL Byrum
With assistance by Joshua Phillips
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
OFFENSIVE SCHEMES:
WEST COAST OFFENSES:
WEST COAST - CLASSIC
WEST COAST - EDWARDS
WEST COAST - 90s & 00s
WEST COAST - MODERN
VERTICAL OFFENSES:
AIR CORYELL - CLASSIC
AIR CORYELL - AIR MARTZ
AIR CORYELL - AIR GARRETT
K-GUN
INDY
WIDE ZONE - CLASSIC
WIDE ZONE - MODERN
MULTIPLE OFFENSES:
ERHARDT-PERKINS
MODIFIED ERHARDT-PERKINS
SPREAD & COLLEGE OFFENSES:
PISTOL
ONE BACK
SPREAD OPTION
AIR RAID - CLASSIC
AIR RAID - MODERN
SMASHMOUTH SPREAD
RUN AND SHOOT
FUN N GUN
DEFENSIVE SCHEMES:
MIAMI 4-3
4-3 UNDER
SEATTLE 3
4-3 QUARTERS
TAMPA 2
46
46 - MODERN
PHILIPS 3-4
BULLOUGH 3-4
SABAN 3-4
LeBEAU 3-4
WHAT IS A "SCHEME"?
In football, a scheme is an organized strategy and play-calling language for either offense or defense. In the early days of the sport these schemes
were more based on man-to-man rules and a very physical brand of football based around running the ball. As the sport has evolved and rules have
changed, the forward pass has slowly taken over the game and a constant battle rages between offensive innovation and defensive responses. For
every genius offensive play designer, there are dozens of defensive coaches finding ways to neutralizing it, and when they find the best way to
neurtralize it, the offensive guys will come up with a new wrinkle… and the saga continues. Innovators like Sid Gillman, Paul Brown, Dutch Meyer, Jack
Elway, Ray Perkins, Mouse Davis, Ted Marchibroda, Tom Moore, Alex Gibbs, Hal Mumme, Rich Rodriguez, Dana Holgorsen, Urban Meyer, and Art Briles
have changed the game, and in response Tom Landry, Bum Phillips, Jimmy Johnson, Tony Dungy, Buddy Ryan, Bill Belichick, Gary Patterson, Nick
Saban, and plenty of others refined their systems that when executed, win games.
WHAT MAKES UP A GOOD OFFENSIVE "SCHEME"?
Formations generally are broken into 3 components: The Backfield, the Receivers, and the Ends.
Most successful schemes are made up of 2 types of formations and 4 types of plays, they are:
TYPES OF FORMATIONS:
1. Base Formations
2. Situational Formations
TYPES OF PLAYS:
1. Base Plays
2. Counter Plays
3. Special Plays
4. Situational Plays
Base Formations are the formations an offense will primarily call plays from in a given game.
Yes, even "multiple" teams that use a lot of looks, often within a given game only utilize a handful of base formations per game, or create a lot of
these looks with motions. Some teams only use these same base formations every week (the 2000s Colts), while others change them up weekly
(2000s Patriots).
Situational Formations are formations or sets you only utilize in key situations such as 2 minute drill, 4 minute offense, red zone, goalline, etc.
These might be more off balance formations or stack formations or lighter formations or heavier formations for dealing with formational needs your
base formations perhaps lack in. For instance the 2010 Houston Texans primarily were under center in the I form or single back ace looks. When
down 3 scores late, they went to a gun doubles look instead. And at the goal line they would sometimes even use 3 TE sets.
Base Plays are your offenses core plays. They are what you hang your hat on and build your identity around running them at a high level and forcing
the opponent to adjust to stopping.
Counter Plays are plays that look a lot like your base plays for that first second after the snap but then go differently allowing you to punish
overreactions by your opponent.
Special Plays are trick plays and gadget plays that keep your opponent guessing and unsure how to stop your scheme. On offense this includes:
screens, jet sweeps, qb powers, etc. On defense this would include combo coverages, bluff blitzes, & blitzing qb spies.
Situational Plays are special plays for key situations like 4th and Short, Goalline, Hail Mary, 2 Minute Drive, etc.
No offensive playbook is infinite in size and even pro athletes have limits to what they can memorize and execute, so most offenses have to find the
right balance between formations, concepts, and their desired play speed. Uptempo teams generally run smaller playbooks, while teams that huddle
have to choose between many concepts out of a few formations or a few concepts out of many formations.
A good offensive scheme should also answer the following questions:
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Ball Control, Various Tempos or Hurry Up No Huddle
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Formations, Compressed Formations, Multiple Backs
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Many Forms / Few Concepts or Few Forms / Many Concepts or Few Forms / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Run first or Pass First
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs or Mostly Gap Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Efficient Ball Distribution or Big Time Throws
Now that we have a good conception of what an offensive scheme is and what questions a good offensive scheme has answers for, let's take a look at
defensive schemes.
WHAT MAKES UP A GOOD DEFENSIVE "SCHEME"?
Defensive plays are made up of 3 components, they are:
DEFENSIVE PLAY COMPONENTS:
1. Fronts
2. Coverages
3. Pressures
TYPES OF FRONTS:
1. 40 Front - Any Front with 4 down linemen (4-3, 4-2-5, dime)
2. 30 Front - Any Front with 3 down linemen (3-4, 3-3-5, dollar)
3. Odd - Any front where the number of defensive players on the line is an odd number.
4. Even - Any front where the number of defensive players on the line is an even number.
5. Okie - 5 0 5 Front
6. Tite - 4 0 4 Front
7. Over - Any 5 1 3 5 Front
8. Under - Any 5 3 1 5 Front
9. Bear / Double Eagle - Any 2 0 2 Front
TYPES OF COVERAGES:
1. 1 High Drop Zone - Cover 3 Sky, Cover 3 Drop, or Cover 2 Invert
2. 1 High Match Zone - Cover 3 Match, Cover 3 Blitz
3. 1 High Man to Man - Cover 1 Blitz, Cover 1 Robber, Cover 1 Bracket
4. 2 High Drop Zone - Cover 2 Hard Flats, Tampa 2, Cover 2 Drop, Cover 3 Cloud, Cover 3 Buzz, Cover 4 Drop,
5. 2 High Match Zone - Cover 4 Quarters, Cover 4 Palms, Cover 6, Cover 9, Cover 3 Buzz Match, Cover 2 Blitz
6. 2 High Man to Man - Cover 2 Man (More commonly called cover 5)
7. 0 High Man to Man - Cover 0 Blitz, Cover 0 Double Buzz, Cover 0 Double Bracket
TYPES OF PRESSURES:
1. 3 Man - also referred to as “drop 8”. 8 players in coverage, 3 rush the passer. Almost always from a odd front.
2. 4 Man - this is the standard pressure. 7 players in coverage 4 rushing the passer.
3. Green Dog - man assignment, but if man assignment blocks, the defensive player blitzes.
4. Red Dog - a 5 man pressure where the 5th man is coming in hot without reading a player.
5. Blitz - a 6 or 7 man pressure. 4 or 5 players in coverage, the rest rush the passer.
FRONT “TECHNIQUES”: While the offensive running game looks at things in terms of gaps (counting outwards there are A,B,C, and D gaps to either
side of the center), for the defensive front its all about leveraging these potential running lanes with players in particular alignments called
techniques. Bum Phillips in the 60s popularized what is now the standard terminology for these techniques defensive fronts line up in.
“Attacking” style defenses will often have their d linemen attempt to shoot the gaps.
“Base” style defenses will often try and steer or bull rush the linemen blocking them to clog the running lanes, then if a pass, shed the block and get
the QB.
COVERAGE SHELLS:
When discussing most defensive plays, the coverage is key, its got to put defenders in position to stop the offense long enough for the pressure
package to get to whoever has the ball on offense. In the event of a run, they need to be position in a way that allows them to crash on the ball
carrier and eliminate a big run, and in the passing game they need to be able to cover the 5 eligible receivers and the QB scramble and be ready to
break up a pass or force a turnover.
In real life, there are Man-to-Man, Drop Zone, Pattern Match Man, and MatchZone, in Madden we don’t have pattern match man, but we do have the
other 3 in the game that we can deploy from different coverage shells. A coverage shell is a 1 high, 2 high, or 0 high look.
The Shell of the Coverage is often played by the outside corners and safeties. In cover 3, its the Deep Thirds. In Cover 2 its the Deep halves. Its the
part of the coverage that protects against giving up the big play.
The Under Coverage is the remainder of the players in coverage, this includes flats, cloud flats, curl flats, quarter flats, hooks, 3 rec hooks, mid reads,
and man to man coverage.
1 High or 2 High is the number of safeties high pre-snap.
While drop zone and man to man are fairly straight forward, matching coverages key off of the offenses play post snap. Allowing defenses to play
man to man vs certain looks and zone vs others based on different matching rules. For more on this topic, check out www.MatchQuarters.com
UNDER PRESSURE:
The pressure call never takes away from the coverage shell, but it does pull players from the under coverage to bring pressure in dog and blitz
scenarios. Zone Blitzes and Man Blitzes make up the blitzes in Madden, but the zone blitzes all utilize different matching principles underneath. The
idea being to turn up the heat on the QB so you force him to make a quicker throw that might lead to a incompletion, a turnover or result in a sack.
Man blitzes focus on taking away the offenses weapons at the snap and sticking to them, however these can be risky because if the coverage is not
tight you could give up a big play.
Zone blitzes are a bit safer, but they leave more openings for a smart QB to get the ball out fast to. However, sometimes the pressure and dropping
linemen into coverage to replace a red dog LB can result in a QB making a bad read and throwing interceptions or holding on to the ball too long,
especially if the zone blitz was well disguised.
Many 40 Front teams tend to build their identity around not blitzing, and when they do its a rare green dog or red dog at most. This is due to
defensive specialization many 40 front teams focus on, whereas most 30 front teams need more multi-faceted players.
TAKING AWAY THE BIG BADS:
Some defenses focus on just being sound across the board, while others key in on stopping an opposing offenses best weapons. Numerous
techniques such as QB Spies, run blitzes, and doubling the top WR can be utilized to neutralize opposing offenses. This might mean calling a safety
blitz then manning up the blitzing safety on an elite TE or WR that the opponent seems to be prioritizing in their passing attack. It might mean putting
a off ball LB who is set to rush the passer and putting him in a QB spy or manning him on a HB.
A good defensive scheme should answer the following questions:
1. Should the Defensive Line attack the gaps or clog the running lanes?
2. 30 or 40 Front?
3. What are the two primary front alignments?
4. Predominantly 1 high or 2 high shell?
5. Predominantly Man, Zone, or Match Coverages?
6. More Man Blitzes, Zone Blitzes, or Minimal Blitzes?
7. How will you deal with a scrambling QB, an elite RB, or a QB’s go to pass target?
Now that we have a good conception of what a scheme is and what questions a good scheme has answers for, let's take some deep dives into the
schemes in the game.
THE WEST COAST OFFENSE - CLASSIC
(WEST COAST POWER RUN)
INNOVATORS: Paul Brown (70s Bengals) & Bill Walsh (80s 49ers)
DESCRIPTION:
The old school West Coast Offense featured a power running game and a quick passing game to compliment it. The offense was developed and
expanded by Paul Brown, Bill Walsh, Mike Holmgren, and Denny Green This approach is best carried forward today by Jon Gruden. This offense was
a 2 back offense, with the FB as a running power back and the HB as a receiving back.
Much of the West Coast Offense came down to timing routes, where the QBs drop, from under center and mostly split back sets, would sync up with
the WRs routes. The 70s and 80s version of the offense typically employed a Split End (X), a Flanker (Z), a Tight End (Y), a Receiving Hal�ack (H), and
a Power Running Fullback (F).
(VOCABULARY: A Split End is a WR who lines up out wide and on the line of scrimmage, a tight end is an eligible receiver who lines up in tight to the o line and on the line of
scrimmage, a flanker, is a eligible wr who lines up off the line of scrimmage and thus is easy to motion around. In WR Twin sets, where 2 WR are to one side of the field with only a
TE to the other side, the Flanker lines up in the slot typically)
Alert or Peak routes would be run often by the Split End (sometimes by the Flanker as well depending on the concept), while the Flanker, Tight End,
and one of the backs would attack the other side of the field with a zone overload or man beating concept, with the back’s route being the third in the
progression. The QB would drop and at the end of their drop the ball should be out if the first read is open, if not, the QB hitch steps forward and
throws to the second read, if he is also covered, the QB gets the ball to the back. Many of the plays were designed so that if the first 2 options
weren’t open the HB route would almost always be open. The Alert/Peek route would be only considered if the QB likes the matchup pre-snap,
during his dropback, if the pre-snap advantage stays true, he can throw to that route instead, which often was a Streak route or a Post Route. One
modern version of this type of route would be the outside streak on most Stick concepts. If that streak is pressed with a 1 high safety look, the QB
might key that alert first, if the WR beats press, the QB can then lob one up to him, otherwise he never would read the streak in his normal
progression.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Ball Control
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Multiple Backs
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Many Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Pass First early, Run First with the lead in the second half.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Gap Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Efficient Ball Distribution
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Improviser
HB – Powerback
FB – Utility
WR – Route Runner
TE – Possession
OL – Power
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
West Coast
AN EXAMPLE WEST COAST - CLASSIC SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: West Coast - Classic
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Ball Control (Bill Walsh) or Multiple (Sam Wyche)
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Hank (Curl Flat)
02. Texas
03. Drive
04. Slants
05. Flood
06. Smash
07. PA Boot
08. HB Slip Screen
09. Inside Zone
10. Power
11. Counter
12. Trap
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “Controlling the Ball With the Pass”
LINK 2: “Football 101: Breaking Down the West Coast Offense”
LINK 3: “Summer School: Breaking down the West Coast Offense”
LINK 4: “1985 Stanford University QB Manual”
LINK 5: “1982 San Francisco 49ers Playbook”
LINK 6: “The Genius of Bill Walsh”
http://www.westcoastoffense.com/bill%20walsh%20article%201.htm
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1087386-football-101-breaking-down-the-west-coast-offense
https://www.bigblueview.com/2016/7/1/12072334/summer-school-west-coast-offense-playbook-walsh-mcadoo-beckham
https://www.scribd.com/document/2939769/1985-Stanford-University-QB-Manual-Bill-Walsh-232-pages
https://www.scribd.com/document/2944596/1982-49ers-Offesne-Walsh
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/9/6/17822756/gridiron-genius-mike-lombardi-bill-walsh
THE WEST COAST OFFENSE - EDWARDS
(WEST COAST POWER RUN)
INNOVATORS: LaVell Edwards
DESCRIPTION:
In the 1970s LaVell Edwards path was also shaped by Virgil Carter, the QB who inadvertently nudged Walsh towards developing the West Coast
Offense, however at BYU it was for different reasons. Virgil had been QB at BYU a few years prior to LaVell’s hiring and showed the school how
dynamic a pass first offense could be. But now LaVell had to figure out how to reproduce that sort of production when you didnt have a 5 star QB with
a rocket arm. LaVell studied all the passinggurus of the time and put together a comprehensive system built around a split back set and a QB slinging
the ball. Most of the passing concepts featured “Triangle reads” where 3 receivers stress a coverage by overloading the zone. The offense thrived,
producing many NFL QBs at BYU in the 80s and 90s, including Hall of Famer Steve Young and Bears great Jim McMahon.
In the 80s assistants like Mike Holmgren and Andy Reid would work their way into the NFL. Holmgren being hired on by the 49ers to work with Bill
Walsh on developing Steve Young, and Reid eventually joining Holmgren in Green Bay after bouncing around the lower levels of college football in
the 80s. In the 1990s Norm Chow became the Offensive Coordinator and eventually landed at USC in 2001 under Pete Carroll. At USC Norm would
oversee an offense that would bring national championships to Southern California and result in numerous Quarterbacks, Runningbacks, and Wide
Receivers being drafted into the NFL, including: Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Matt Cassell, Reggie Bush, LenDale White, Mike Williams, and many
others. Former BYU QB Steve Sarkisian joined the staff, along with the son of the 4-3 Under guru Monte Kiffin, Lane Kiffin.
The best plays of the BYU passing game were later taken by Hal Mumme and Mike Leach and became the base passing concepts of the Air Raid
Offense. While both Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin’s careers would lead them eventually to be OC at Alabama under Nick Saban and running the Pro
Style Spread offense.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Various Tempos
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Multiple Backs
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Many Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Pass First early, Run First with the lead in the second half.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Gap Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Efficient Ball Distribution
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Improviser
HB – Powerback
FB – Utility
WR – Route Runner
TE – Possession
OL – Power
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Power Run
AN EXAMPLE WEST COAST - EDWARDS SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: West Coast - Classic
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Ball Control (Bill Walsh) or Multiple (Sam Wyche)
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Curl Flat
02. Mesh
03. Drive
04. Slants
05. Stick
06. Verticals
07. PA Slide
08. WR Screen
09. HB Slip Screen
10. Inside Zone
11. Outside Zone
12. Power
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “BRIGHAM YOUNG'S LAVELL EDWARDS: More than a passing legacy”
LINK 2: “BYU’s Winning Formula, Part 1”
LINK 3: “Old LaVell Edwards notes illustrate his philosophy when in the 'scoring zone'”
https://archive.ph/20120908203901/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2000/Sep-22-Fri-2000/sports/14445555.html
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/61231-byus-winning-formula-part-1
https://www.deseret.com/2018/4/13/20627428/old-lavell-edwards-notes-illustrate-his-philosophy-when-in-the-scoring-zone#byu-football-coach-lavell-edwards-raises-trophy-at-holiday-bowl-on-dec-23-1983
THE WEST COAST OFFENSE - 90s & 00s
(WEST COAST POWER RUN)
INNOVATORS: Mike Holmgren (90s Packers & 00s Seahawks) & Dennis Green (90s Vikings and 00s Cardinals)
DESCRIPTION:
In the 1990s the Classic West Coast Offense evolved to more I Form, Strong I, Weak I, and even some 11 personnel sets. The vertical aspect of the
passing game also received a new level of attention. Denny Green with the likes of Cris Carter, Randy Moss, and Randall Cunningham had one of the
most explosive offenses in NFL history at the time in 1998, with Randy Moss showing early and often he was arguably the greatest Deep Threat
reciever in NFL History. Elsewhere in the NFC Central, the Packers had the most natural big armed QB the league had seen until that point in Brett
Favre who could sling the ball all over the yard and was fearless. While many West Coast staple plays were still part of the offense, more vertical
passing plays with outside posts, comebacks, fades, and digs and more 3 wide receiver sets became the norm. As time moved on, into the early
2000s, numerous disciples put their own spin on this newer take on the West Coast Offense. Brian Billick and Mike Tice went from coaching under
Denny Green to becoming head coaches in their own right, while Holmgren’s disciples and Favre’s backups spread throughout the whole of the NFL
with the most notable coaches being Jon Gruden and Andy Reid.
Meanwhile Holmgren and Denny Green moved on to new teams and attempted to see if their success was repeatable. Holmgren’s new style attack
stayed in the I form largely in Seattle, but it focused far more on the Run Game than most West Coast offenses that had come before, headlined by
back Shaun Alexander and FB Mack Strong along with all pro Guard Steve Hutchinson and QB Matt Hasselbeck game managing, they took this
attack all the way to breaking the rushing TD record and a superbowl appearance, Holmgren’s third as a head coach. Denny Green meanwhile
drafted Larry Fitzgerald and tried to build around Josh McCown and later Matt Leinart, but struggled to turn around the culture in the desert. Andy
Reid in Philadelphia took the Eagles to 4 straight NFC Championship appearances, getting over the hump finally in the 4th year with the help of
all-pro WR Terrell Owens joining the team via a 3 way trade. The Eagles were abandoning the 2 back sets and instead were largely in 11 personnel
and used a committee of backs for different situations, with a power back for short yardage, and Brian Westbrook as their receiving back.
As Greg Roman described it when he was the offensive coordinator of the 49ers in 2008:
"Bill used flat backs, even backs in the backfield, whether they were split backs or what he would call brown or blue, and most teams as the 80s brought on more I-backs in
college football, more backs in college ran the ball from the I. Bill never really wavered from flat backs. He always had what he looked for in a back, the Ricky Waters, Roger
Craigs, etc. It's different, plays are read out differently by the running backs in these types of backfield sets, as opposed to from the I when the back is at seven yards deep. Also,
what it allows you to do is involve more two-back, pre-releases by the backs into the routes. So, what people do nowadays is instead of having two backs in the backfield with
one of them running the corner route, now they just split a receiver out and have him run the corner route, but it's the same principles."
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Various Tempos
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Multiple Backs
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Many Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Pass First early, Run First with the lead in the second half.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Gap Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Efficient Ball Distribution
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Improviser
HB – Powerback
FB – Utility
WR – Route Runner
TE – Possession
OL – Power
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Oakland
AN EXAMPLE WEST COAST - 90s & 00s SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: West Coast - 90s & 00s
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Hank (Curl Flat)
02. Drive
03. Smash
04. Flood
05. Divide
06. Smash
07. Scissors
08. Verticals
09. PA Boot
10. HB Slip Screen
11. Power
12. Sweep
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “SEAHAWKS: Not just the West Coast offense”
LINK 2: “An Offense By Any Other Name”
LINK 3: “1991 49ers Passing Game”
LINK 4: “David Shaw’s Stanford Offense (2020)”
https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1999/08-14/0058_seahawks__not_just_the_west_coast.html
http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/s/westcoast/history.html
https://www.scribd.com/document/2944818/1991-49ers-Pass-Holmgren
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th-6GDzpNjc
THE WEST COAST OFFENSE - MODERN
(WEST COAST SPREAD)
INNOVATORS: Andy Reid (2000s Eagles, 2010s Chiefs) & Chip Kelly (Mid-2010s Eagles)
DESCRIPTION:
This scheme was the evolution of the West Coast Offense by Andy Reid and his coaching tree (Pederman, Reich, Nagy, etc) It mixes elements of the
Air Raidand the Spread to Run offences with the West Coast Offense as first synthesized fully by Chip Kelly in Philadelphia. While the old school west
coast offence loved being under center, expect these teams to be in the gun and utilizing RPOs along with classic west coast offence passing plays.
One thing that is important with the Chiefs offense in particular is the use of double move WR routes along with QBs who can buy time by leaving the
pocket. Other modern West Coast Offenses include Jon Gruden’s revival with the Raiders and David Shaw at Stanford. These more modern West
Coast offenses tend to emphasize scoring and using tempo as a weapon when it makes sense to do so. They definitely favor a QB with enough
mobility to extend plays.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Various Tempos
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Formations
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Many Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Pass First early, Run First with the lead in the second half.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Big Time Throws
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Scrambler
HB – Receiving Back
FB – Utility
WR – Slot
TE – Possession
OL – Pass Protector
LT/RT – Power
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Kansas City, Philadelphia, Chicago
AN EXAMPLE WEST COAST - MODERN SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: West Coast - Modern
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Hank (Curl Flat)
02. Spacing
03. Drive
04. Y Corner / Z Spot
05. Stick
06. Dagger
07. Double Move
08. Verticals
09. PA Shot
10. Power
11. Inside Zone
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “Sam Bradford Breaks Down Pederson’s Offense”
LINK 2: “Andy Reid's West Coast Offense”
LINK 3: “Andy Reid Is Creating Football’s Future, and Patrick Mahomes Is Living It”
LINK 4: “Andy Reid’s Beautiful Mind”
LINK 5: “How Andy Reid has Transformed the Chiefs Offense”
LINK 6: “How the Kansas City Chiefs use RPO's in their top-ranked offense”
LINK 7: “All-Go Special Hal�ack Seam isn't the only play the Chiefs have borrowed from college football”
LINK 8: “BOOK PREVIEW: Breaking Down The 2018 Kansas City Chiefs Offense”
LINK 9: “The Complete West Coast Spread Guide”
https://www.phillymag.com/birds247/2016/05/31/philadelphia-eagles-sam-bradford-doug-pederson-offense/
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2010/6/2/1495432/some-ducks-playbook-andy-reids
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/11/12/future-football-offense-andy-reid-patrick-mahomes-kansas-city-chiefs
https://www.theringer.com/nfl-playoffs/2020/1/30/21114965/andy-reid-super-bowl
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1777667-how-andy-reid-has-transformed-the-chiefs-offense
https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/6755/how-the-kansas-city-chiefs-use-rpo-s-in-their-top-ranked-offense
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2018/07/13/all-go-special-halfback-seam-isnt-the-only-play-the-chiefs-have-borrowed-from-college-football/
https://rileykolstefootball.com/2019/06/14/book-preview-breaking-down-the-2018-kansas-city-chiefs-offense/
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WqD5fV1FV1TVWKWFAGYd3LshkQ_3qrv0nDO-8F_VZhk/edit?usp=sharing
THE AIR CORYELL OFFENSE - CLASSIC
(VERTICAL POWER RUN)
INNOVATOR: Don Coryell (80s Chargers), Joe Gibbs (80s Football Team), Norv Turner (90s Cowboys, 2000s Chargers)
DESCRIPTION:
“The Air Coryell Offense” was developed by Don Coryell with the San Diego Chargers in the late 70s largely inspired by the work of Sid Gillman and
other passing game pioneers, Don built a cohesive system. It had a lot of success under disciples like Norv Turner and Mike Martz, but today is only
run by a few adherents like Anthony Lynn and Jason Garrett. The biggest reason why is in the salary cap era it is difficult to have a good power o line,
vertical threat TE, deep threat WRs, Power Back, and a Big Armed QB all on one roster. Without all of these pieces in place the offense can sputter.
The best modern example of this type of offense would be the 2013 Cleveland Browns or the late 2000s Chargers. Much of the offense is based
around a power run game, play action passes off of power runs, and drop back passes that stretch the field horizontally and vertically. This offense is
sometimes referred to as the Digits system for its use of 3 digit play calls based around a numbered passing tree.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Ball Control
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Multiple Backs
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Few Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Run First & Second Down, Pass on Third Down.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Gap Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Big Time Throws
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Strong Arm
HB – Power Back
FB – Blocking
WR – Deep Threat
TE – Vertical Threat
G/C – Power
LT RT – Pass Protector
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Football Team or Chargers
AN EXAMPLE AIR CORYELL - CLASSIC SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Air Coryell - Classic
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Ball Control
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Slot Post
02. Dagger
03. Divide
04. Omaha
05. Comeback
06. Flood
07. Verticals
08. Scissors
09. Iso
10. Power
11. Counter
12. Trap
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “What makes Norv Turner’s Air Coryell system go?”
LINK 2: “Football 101: Deep Shots with the Air Coryell Offense”
LINK 3: “An All-22 Look at the Air Coryell”
LINK 4: “I Believe They Can Fly: Air Coryell, Cam Cameron & the LSU Offense, Part 1”
LINK 5: “I Believe They Can Fly: Air Coryell, Cam Cameron & the LSU Offense, Part 2”
LINK 6: “Carolina Panthers Film Analysis: Norv Turner and the ‘989’ Air Coryell pass concept”
https://www.baltimoresportsandlife.com/makes-norv-turners-air-coryell-system-go/
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1095991-football-101-deep-shots-with-the-air-coryell-offense
https://baltimoresportsandlife.com/22-look-air-coryell/
https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2013/5/29/4365488/i-believe-they-can-fly-air-coryell-cam-cameron-the-lsu-offense-part-1
https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2013/5/29/4365528/i-believe-they-can-fly-air-coryell-cam-cameron-the-lsu-offense-part-2
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2018/1/29/16944100/carolina-panthers-film-analysis-norv-turner-989-air-coryell-pass-concept
THE AIR CORYELL OFFENSE - AIR MARTZ
(VERTICAL POWER RUN)
INNOVATOR: Mike Martz (2000s Rams), Ernie Zampese
DESCRIPTION:
Mike Martz took Norv Turners passing game with the Football Team in the mid 90s where he served on his staff, and took elements from the early
spread passing attacks like the John Jenkins Houston Cougars teams and created a vertically attacking spread offense that would often put 5 eligible
receivers onto routes, and utilized a ball distributor in Kurt Warner. His Rams offenses were loaded with playmakers and for 3 years from 1999-2001
reigned supreme as THE team to beat. Their success inspired an entire generation of pass happy spread coaches to sling the ball like the Rams.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Various Tempos
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Formations
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Few Formations / Many Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Pass first, run vs light box.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Gap Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Big Time Throws
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Strong Arm
HB – Power Back
FB – Blocking
WR – Deep Threat
TE – Vertical Threat
G/C – Power
LT RT – Pass Protector
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Football Team or Chargers
AN EXAMPLE AIR CORYELL - AIR MARTZ SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Air Coryell - Air Martz
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Slot Post
02. Dagger
03. Divide
04. Omaha
05. Comeback
06. Slot Cross
07. Verticals
08. PA Shot
09. HB Slip Screen
10. Power
11. Counter
12. Trap
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “Revisiting the Greatest Show on Turf”
LINK 2: “Inside Martz’s Gameplan”
LINK 3: “St Louis Rams Shallow Cross Concepts”
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/revisiting-the-greatest-show-on-turf/
https://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008-2018-nfp-archive/inside-the-playbook/inside-martzs-game-plan/http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/12/st-louis-rams-shallow-cross-concepts.html
THE AIR CORYELL OFFENSE - AIR GARRETT
(VERTICAL POWER RUN)
INNOVATOR: Don Coryell (80s Chargers), Norv Turner (90s Cowboys, 2000s Chargers), Mike Martz (2000s Rams)
DESCRIPTION:
“The Air Coryell Offense” or the Digits System was installed in the early 1990s in Dallas by Norv Turner and was ran there for the next 12 or so
seasons, during that span, Jason Garrett served as Troy Aikman’s backup, after retirement, Jason eventually worked his way to be the Offensive
Coordinator of the Cowboys and eventually the Head Coach. During his tenure with the Cowboys running their offense the offense shifted to more of
a zone run game. The Air Garrett in many ways shares a lot in common with the Norv Turner offenses, but with the zone run emphasis they were able
to synthesize a mixture of a wide zone approach to the run game and PA with a Coryell Dropback passing game and terminology.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Various Tempos
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Formations
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Few Formations / Many Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Run to set up the Pass.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Big Time Throws
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Strong Arm
HB – Power Back
FB – Blocking
WR – Deep Threat
TE – Vertical Threat
G/C – Power
LT RT – Pass Protector
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Football Team or Chargers
AN EXAMPLE AIR CORYELL - AIR GARRETT SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Air Coryell - Air Garrett
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Slot Post
02. Dagger
03. Divide
04. Omaha
05. Comeback
06. Slot Cross
07. Verticals
08. PA Shot
09. WR Screen
10. Duo
11. Inside Zone
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “Building the Giants’ offense: Imagining a Jason Garrett passing script”
LINK 2: “Summer School: The Air Coryell Offense”
LINK 3: “Film Study: What OC Jason Garrett brings from Dallas”
THE K-GUN OFFENSE
(VERTICAL ZONE RUN)
INNOVATOR: Ted Marchibroda & Marv Levy
DESCRIPTION:
This is the offense made famous in the early 90s by the Bills, coached by the great Marv Levy and Ted Marchibroda. This offense is all about mixing
and matching different 2 man pass combinations on each side of the offense and was one of the first offenses to commit to a 11 personnel base
offense and to utilize tempo in the passing game. WRs often only played from one position and the number of formations was trimmed down. It also
was an offense that wanted to force the ball down field, often with the TE on a seam read or a post route to attack the safeties. If 2 high safeties the
Post is open deep, vs 1 high, the post eliminates the single high safety opening up space underneath for a receiver or a back to make a play. The
offense is also famous for its use of the Levels concept.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Various Tempos, periods of No Huddle.
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Formations
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Few Formations / Many Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Run on First down and Dropback passing on long downs.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Big Time Throws
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Strong Arm
HB – Elusive Back
FB – Blocking
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/6/30/21306883/ny-giants-news-jason-garrett-passing-script-daniel-jones
https://www.bigblueview.com/2016/7/8/12118050/summer-school-air-coryell-offense-don-chargers-fouts-turner-tomlinson
https://www.giants.com/news/jason-garrett-dallas-cowboys-joe-judge-scheme-offensive-coordinator
WR – Deep Threat
TE – Vertical Threat
OL – Agile
LT – Pass Protector
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Tampa Bay or Buffalo or Indianapolis
AN EXAMPLE K-GUN SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: K-Gun
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Levels
02. Divide
03. Flood
04. Dagger
05. Drive
06. Double Post
07. Comebacks
08. Verticals
09. PA Shot
10. Trap
11. Inside Zone
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “December 2, 1990 - Bills Unveil No-Huddle Offense”
LINK 2: “Film Room: Looking at a Staple of the K-Gun Offense: 4 Verts”
LINK 3: “The K-Gun Reloaded: Buffalo Bills Shooting for Respectability with New Offense”
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2010/12/2/1848736/december-2-1990-bills-unveil-no-huddle-offense
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2018/7/11/17560614/film-room-looking-at-a-staple-of-the-k-gun-offense-4-verts
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/244074-the-k-gun-a-blueprint-for-success-for-the-2009-buffalo-bills
THE INDY OFFENSE
(VERTICAL ZONE RUN)
INNOVATOR: Tom Moore, Raheem Morris & Bruce Arians
DESCRIPTION:
Tom Moore first in Detroit in the mid 90s and then later in Indianapolis with Peyton Manning took the K Gun and put his own spin on it, establishing
one of the NFL’s most simple but effective schemes. Today its championed by Jim Caldwell, Bruce Arians, Jim Bob Cooter, and Adam Gase. It focuses
the QB on taking shots down the field, an affinity for spreading the ball and highlights the use of a strong armed QB. The motto is “No Risk-It, No
Biscuit”. This offense likes to play with tempo, audibling at the line and using Hard Counts to keep defenses on edge. It was this in fact that made
“Omaha” famous.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? No Huddle but Various Tempos. Excessive use of Hard Counts.
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Formations
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Few Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Pass except vs light box. Audible Into Runs.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Efficient Ball Distribution
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Strong Arm
HB – Elusive Back
FB – Blocking
WR – Deep Threat
TE – Vertical Threat
OL – Agile
LT – Pass Protector
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Tampa Bay or Indianapolis
AN EXAMPLE INDY OFFENSE SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Indy Offense
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Levels
02. Divide
03. Shallow Cross
04. Dagger
05. Drive
06. Comebacks
07. Double Post
08. Verticals
09. PA Shot
10. Power
11. Inside Zone
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “Understanding the Indianapolis Colts Offense”
LINK 2: “One Trick Pony”
LINK 3: “From Omaha To Detroit: Moore-Manning Offense Is Coming to Ford Field”
LINK 4: “Peyton Manning (and Tom Moore)’s Indianapolis Colts Offense: How a Handful of Plays Led to a Decade of Success”
https://understandingthetrickeration.wordpress.com/2010/09/25/understanding-the-indianapolis-colts-offense/
http://grantland.com/features/how-return-simplicity-peyton-manning-indy-offense-ignited-denver-broncos/
https://www.detroitlionspodcast.com/bryce-rossler/2017/05/10/omaha-detroit-moore-manning-offense-coming-ford-field/
https://web.archive.org/web/20120526014541/http://smartfootball.com/offense/peyton-manning-and-tom-moores-indianapolis-colts-offense
THE WIDE ZONE OFFENSE - CLASSIC
(WEST COAST ZONE RUN)
INNOVATOR: Mike Shanahan, Gary Kubiak, & Alex Gibbs (90s 49ers and 90s Broncos)
DESCRIPTION:
Developed by Mike Shanahan, Gary Kubiak, and Alex Gibbs, the Wide Zone offense centers around specializing in zone blocking and the stretch run
play. Play Action, Inside Zone, and the use of crossing routes all plays off of the initial Stretch run play. Most of the passing game is off of play action
bootlegs to make the reads for the quarterback simple half field reads. This version is mostly a one back offense.
The core play is the “wide zone”, which Madden calls “Stretch” or “Outside Zone” typically. The play involves the O line reach blocking in one
direction while the HB aims for the landmark of where the TE’s butt was pre-snap, then cutting it up field. The HB must make a decision after 3-4
steps (when roughly over the offensive tackle on the run side) regarding the flow of the defense. Vs a defense that is over playing outside, the HB can
cut the ball furtherback and aim to run off the ankles of his blockers as they seal the over extended defenders outside, likewise, if a defense doesn’t
flow enough, the HB can look for the best alley to run through. The play should not be ran to the sideline and turned upfield, or immediately run up
the A gap at any time.
Off of this play is a bunch of PA plays off of zone action, inside zone, and overall aim to make all of their plays look the same after the snap for as long
as possible. This includes a lot of QB bootlegs. This offense has thrived with mobile and immobile QBs, with many of the best to run it being
otherwise pocket quarterbacks and aging Quarterbacks such as John Elway, Brian Griese, Jake Delhomme, Jay Cutler, Matt Schaub, Peyton Manning,
Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, Jimmy Garapollo, Jared Goff, Ryan Tannehill, Aaron Rodgers, etc. However, mobile QBs like Steve Young and RGIII also saw
success in this offense. Many different RBs have found success in this offense, from not very physically gifted backs to speed demons, the change of
direction attribute and overall durability, ball carry vision, and carrying should be the primary traits you look for. Undrafted backs have had more
success in this offense than speed demons (compare McKinnon or Tevin Coleman in SF vs Arian Foster as a classic example).
The use of FBs varies by team. Some teams have gone after top of the line FBs for the offense, others have preferred a 2 TE base look. Tailor your
wide zone attack around your personnel, it is fairly adaptable, with the Sean McVey branch preferring 11 personnel instead of a FB or a extra TE, and
uses jet sweeps. Gary Kubiak has tended to prefer 2 TE variations mostly, while Kyle Shanahan has employed multiple different packages.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Ball Control.
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Multiple Backs & Compressed Sets
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Many Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Run First, PA off Run Action. Dropback pass only in 3rd and long and comeback scenario.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Big Time Throws
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Improviser
HB – Elusive Back
FB – Utility
WR – Route Runner
TE – Possession
OL – Agile
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
MIN, TEN, CLE
AN EXAMPLE WIDE ZONE OFFENSE - CLASSIC SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Wide Zone Offense - Classic
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Ball Control
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Shallow Cross
02. Scissors
03. Smash
04. Slot Cross
05. Stick
06. Double Moves
07. PA Boot
08. PA Shot
09. WR Screens
10. Duo
11. Inside Zone
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “Gary Kubiak Helped Shape the Modern NFL. Now, He’s Stepping Back Into It.”
LINK 2: “The Vikings’ Kubiak Offense”
LINK 3: “LSU and the Alex Gibbs Wide/Tight Zone”
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2020/8/12/21364152/gary-kubiak-vikings-system-matt-lafleur-kevin-stefanski
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2019/3/24/18253195/minnesota-vikings-gary-kubiak-offense-zone-blocking
https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2018/7/2/17491352/2018-lsu-football-offense-steve-ensminger-james-cregg-alex-gibbs-wide-zone-tight-zone
THE WIDE ZONE OFFENSE - MODERN
(WEST COAST ZONE RUN)
INNOVATOR: Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVey, Matt LaFleur, Arthur Smith, Klint Kubiak, and others
DESCRIPTION:
Expanding on the base and experience of the first generation of Wide Zone gurus (Mike Shanahan, Gary Kubiak, & Alex Gibbs), Kyle Shanahan, Sean
McVey, Matt LaFleur, Klint Kubiak, and others have expanded the Wide Zone offense each in their own unique way. McVey has gone more to 11
personnel and utilized jet sweeps into the Wide Zone and PA rotation. LaFleur has leaned in to having a hall of fame QB and expanded his drop back
game and includes more from the gun. And really all of these teams have dabbled in more use of the gun, pistol, and integrating Read Options and
RPOs into their attacks when the personnel can handle it. At times they have even dabbled with tempo.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Ball Control.
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Sets & Compressed Sets
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Many Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Run First, PA off Run Action. Dropback pass usually on 3rd and long and comeback scenario.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Big Time Throws
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Improviser
HB – Elusive Back
FB – Utility
WR – Route Runner
TE – Possession
OL – Agile
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
SF, LAR, TEN, GB, MIN
AN EXAMPLE WIDE ZONE OFFENSE - MODERN SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Wide Zone Offense - Modern
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Shallow Cross
02. Smash
03. Slot Cross
04. Stick
05. PA Boot
06. PA Shot
07. WR Screens
08. RPOs
09. Options
10. Duo
11. Inside Zone
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “Defining Kyle Shanahan’s Offense”
LINK 2: “Breakdown of the McVey Offense”
LINK 3: “Overview of the Los Angeles Rams’ offense”
LINK 4: “Fifty Years of Play-Action Evolution Has Led to Sean McVay’s Rams”
LINK 5: “BOOK PREVIEW: Breaking Down the 2018 L.A. Rams Offense”
LINK 6: “Anatomy of a play: Breaking down the Rams use of fly motion”
LINK 7: “The evolution of Matt LaFleur's Packers offense”
LINK 8: “Jets 2021 offense: Mike LaFleur’s Shanahan-influenced principles (Film)”
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/sports/grant-cohn-defining-kyle-shanahans-offense/
http://naturalstatesports.com/breakdown-of-the-mcvay-offense/
http://ramstalk.net/overview-of-the-los-angeles-rams-offense/
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/2/1/18206319/rams-sean-mcvay-play-action-history-bill-walsh-mike-shanahan
https://rileykolstefootball.com/2019/01/25/book-preview-breaking-down-the-2018-l-a-rams-offense/
https://www.ninersnation.com/2020/10/17/21516937/49ers-anatomy-of-a-play-breaking-down-the-rams-use-of-fly-motion
https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2019/08/01/packers-evolution-matt-lafleurs-offense/1860523001/
https://jetsxfactor.com/2021/02/16/jets-2021-offense-mike-lafleur-shanahan-influenced-principles-film/
THE ERHARDT-PERKINS OFFENSE
(MULTIPLE POWER RUN)
INNOVATORS: Ron Erhardt & Ray Perkins (80s Patriots & Giants), Charlie Weis (2000s Patriots), and Josh McDaniels (2000s-2020s Patriots)
DESCRIPTION:
The Erhardt-Perkins offence is the offense run by the entire Bill Parcels and Bill Belichick coaching tree. This offense began as a very comprehensive
smashmouth running offense in the 70s, where the Patriots set NFL records for Team Rushing not broken until 2019 by the Ravens. The offense was
built more around concepts that could be run from any formation. Teach all the players the concept alone, and then they can run it from any
formation. Later as pass plays grew more and more complex and began utilizing 4 or 5 players on routes, this became a blessing, as other older
systems ran into long never ending play calls just to communicate clearly. One early staple of the offense that has endured is the flexibility of scheme
to adjust based on gameplan, not just minor adjustments but sometimes massive changes. One week they may be in under center Wing sets and
running power all over you, the next week in gun Doubles running Outside Zone and WR Screens. Some of the great coaches of this Power Run
variant would include Tom Coughlin, Sean Payton, Charlie Weis, Josh McDaniels, and Brian Daboll.
This offense takes all the parts of everything they can find and adds it to a big Football Play Bible, then dials up certain concepts or attacks on a week
by week basis. It is very scheme heavy and requires the offensive coordinator to scout opponents rosters and gamefilm for tendencies and
weaknesses. It features a downhill running back, a third down receiving back both as separate roster positions with seperate depth charts, linemen
that can play up and down the o-line, and a QB who can make all the throws.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Variesbased on Gameplan.
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Varies based on Gameplan.
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Varies based on Gameplan.
4. What is your offensive identity? Varies based on Gameplan.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Gap Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Efficient Ball Distribution
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Field General
HB – Powerback
FB – Blocking
WR – Physical
TE – Blocking
OL – Power
LT – Pass Protector
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Balanced
AN EXAMPLE ERHARDT-PERKINS SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Erhardt Perkins
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Ball Control vs High Scoring offenses, Hurry Up vs inexperienced defenses.
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
02. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
03. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
04. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
05. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
06. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
07. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
08. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
09. WR Screens
10. Iso
11. Counter
12. Power
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “Inside the Playbook | The Erhardt-Perkins Play Structure and Terminology”
LINK 2: ”Summer School: The simple marvels of the Erhardt-Perkins Offense”
LINK 3: “The Erhardt-Perkins Offense, Part 1”
LINK 4: “Anatomy of a game plan: How the Patriots do it”
LINK 5: “What makes Pats' offense unique?”
LINK 6: “What is OC Musgrave’s Erhardt-Perkins Scheme and What to Expect”
https://www.cover1.net/inside-the-playbook-the-erhardt-perkins-play-structure-and-terminology/
https://www.bigblueview.com/2016/7/15/12188564/summer-school-erhardt-perkins-offense-belichick-weis-parcells-brady-patriots
http://www.itsalloverfatman.com/broncos/entry/fat-camp-the-erhardt-perkins-offense-part-1
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/02/01/anatomy-game-plan-how-patriots/HK5YxisywSjxpM8DKspAjM/story.html
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/12039309/experts-makes-new-engalnd-patriots-offense-unique
https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/what-is-oc-musgraves-erhardt-perkins
THE ERHARDT-PERKINS OFFENSE PT. II
(MULTIPLE ZONE RUN)
INNOVATOR: Bill O’Brien (?)
DESCRIPTION:
Like the above, this variant on the Erhardt Perkins system is more focused on the zone run game. Typically this is due to inferior talent along the line
for the power scheme, or because of the inherited talent on the o line and backfield. Notable coaches of this variant are Bill O’Brien.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Varies based on Gameplan.
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Varies based on Gameplan.
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Varies based on Gameplan.
4. What is your offensive identity? Varies based on Gameplan.
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Efficient Ball Distribution
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Field General
HB – Elusive Back
FB – Blocking
WR – Physical
TE – Possession
OL – Agile
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Balanced Run
AN EXAMPLE ERHARDT-PERKINS SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Erhardt Perkins
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Ball Control vs High Scoring offenses, Hurry Up vs inexperienced defenses.
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
02. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
03. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
04. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
05. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
06. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
07. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
08. All Concepts are Gameplan Specific Week to Week
09. WR Screens
10. Duo
11. Inside Zone
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “The Erhardt-Perkins System: Warning Long Read”
LINK 2: “Film Room: New England's Offense”
LINK 3: “Inside the NFL, college experience Bill O’Brien brings to Alabama”
https://boards.atlantafalcons.com/topic/4038360-the-erhardt-perkins-system-warning-long-read/
https://www.footballoutsiders.com/film-room/2019/film-room-new-englands-offense
https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2021/02/inside-the-nfl-college-experience-bill-obrien-brings-to-alabama.html
THE PISTOL OFFENSE
(PISTOL)
INNOVATORS: Michael Taylor (2000s Ohio Northern), Chris Ault (2000s Nevada), Greg Roman (SF, BUF, & BAL OC in 2010s).
DESCRIPTION:
Developed by Mike Taylor and popularized by Chris Ault the Pistol was an innovation on the shotgun that still allowed downhill running of singleback
but with the advantages of shotgun. The pistol retains the position and advantages of a shotgun formation; allowing the quarterback to see easily
over the line and make downfield reads. The running back however, is positioned further back, allowing him to time to run up and build momentum
similar to a play under center. The pistol offense can effectively use draw plays, counters, and options using three-wide receiver formations or
multiple tight ends combined with a fullback for pass protection. In a pistol formation, handoffs occur 2-3 yards closer to the line of scrimmage than in
the shotgun. In the traditional shotgun, run plays are most effectively run to the side opposite the running back, without a cutback to the other side. In
the pistol, they can be effectively executed to either side of the QB, opening up more options for the offense. This can make for a more effective
running game, but may limit pass efficiency due to quicker recognition of play action by linebackers and defensive backs. This formation works well
with dual threat quarterbacks who can both throw and run and is also used when quarterback's mobility has been limited by injury.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Various Tempos
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Sets & Multiple Backs
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Many Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Option Run first
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Both Gap and Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Big Time Throws
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Scrambler
HB – Powerback
FB – Blocking
WR – Physical
TE – Blocking
OL – Agile
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Pistol
AN EXAMPLE PISTOL SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Pistol
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Ball Control or Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Slant
02. Smash
03. Flood
04. Curl Flat
05. Slot Cross
06. Verticals
07. PA Shot
08. Option
09. Inside Zone
10. Outside Zone
11. Counter
12. Power
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “The future is already here - How the Pistol Offense is changing the NFL”
LINK 2: “Basic concepts of The Pistol Offense”
LINK 3: “How the Nevada Wolfpack and coach Chris Ault effectively utilized the pistol zone-read”
LINK 4: “Pistol resource notebook”
LINK 5: “The Complete Pistol Offense Guide”
https://www.sbnation.com/longform/2012/12/27/3792740/pistol-offense-nfl-redskins-rg3
https://www.slideshare.net/LanceJohnson/basic-concepts-of-the-pistol-offense
https://blogs.usafootball.com/blog/6491/how-the-nevada-wolfpack-and-coach-chris-ault-effectively-utilized-the-pistol-zone-read
https://coachgrabowski.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/pistol-resource-notebook/
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17Kci0PUd04BbVDIKnnt3xSOU7k5OUFwygiJDidm-vsU/edit?usp=sharing
THE ONE BACK OFFENSE
(SPREAD)
INNOVATORS: Jack Elway (1970s-80s SJSU), Stanford), Dennis Ericson (1980s WSU, 1990s Miami), Joe Tiller (1990s-00s Purdue), Noel Mazzone (OC late 90s-Current)
DESCRIPTION
Jack Elway, the father of THE John Elway, was the grandfather of what is now known as the “Spread Offense”. While at San Jose State, he decided
that the decades of power running with a fullback lead blocker was not going to be successful for his squad, he replaced that fullback with a slot
receiver. With a man named Dennis Erickson as his offensive coordinator, they penciled an offense that would directly influence even the greatest of
coaches to come after.
Elway and Ericson would design this offense around a strong zone running scheme, but with the QB under center with 11 personnel.Ericson would
later take his offense to Miami where he would win a national championship using his “One Back Offense”. Perhaps the most influential “One Back”
coach though, was Joe Tiller. He adapted his passing game to include the bubble screens we see so frequently now. He even did something neither
of the two before him: went into the gun. He took the same passing concepts he learned from Elway and Ericson and added the Shotgun snap to
allow his QB more time to read the defense. His version of the offense, in fact, was the leading figure in today’s spread-em-out and outflank the
defense. While Ericson wanted to run between the tackles and be known for physicality, Tiller was okay with throwing short to those “little guys” like
what has become the Air Raid.
According to Ericson, these are the main principles of the One Back:
1. One-back formations, with the base being three wide-receivers, one tight-end and one runningback.
(Other coaches would put different spins on it, whether with four receivers or two tight-ends.)
2. A running game consisting of inside and outside zone, Power-O and the counter trey.
3. A heavy emphasis on the three-step drop passing game.
4. “Option routes” as the base of the five-step drop passing game.
5. A systematic or “constraint play” approach to playcalling.
Enter Noel Mazzone. Mazzone took the One Back offense and expanded it even further. Known as the N-Zone, Mazzone added break-neck tempo to
the core of the offense. Taking the core principles of the offense he learned from Dennis Ericson (Oregon State 2002), he introduced the “keep it
simple” attitude. A few concepts from multiple formations, shifts, and motions.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Various Tempos
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Sets
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Few Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Run First
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Efficient Ball Distribution
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Scrambler
HB – Elusive Back
FB – Utility
WR – Route Runner
TE – Vertical Threat
OL – Agile
LT – Pass Protector
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Spread
AN EXAMPLE ONE BACK SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: One Back
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Ball Control or Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Stick
02. Spacing
03. Ohio
04. Corner
05. Choice
06. PA Shot
07. WR Screen
08. RPO
09. Counter
10. Power
11. Inside Zone
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “The Original One-Back Spread Offense”
LINK 2: Dennis Erickson - Miami Offense
LINK 3: Joe Tiller - The One Back Offense - Full Video
LINK 4: “An in-depth look at what Noel Mazzone brings to the Texas A&M offense”
https://youtu.be/V5qBJ4C1j6I
https://youtu.be/Tj7Scfxi8SA
http://smartfootball.com/offense/the-original-one-back-spread-offense#sthash.k9wOUJGa.hi4gU9ws.dpbs
https://youtu.be/V5qBJ4C1j6I
https://youtu.be/Tj7Scfxi8SA
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tamu-football/in-depth-look-at-noel-mazzone-offense-texas-am/
THE SPREAD OPTION OFFENSE
(SPREAD)
INNOVATORS: Rich Rodriguez (2000’s WVU) & Urban Meyer (Late 2000s UF)
DESCRIPTION:
The Spread Offense is the Spread-To-Run offense ran by Rich Rodgriguez, Chip Kelly, Urban Meyer, etc. Spread-To-Run squads aren't
looking to smash people out of the paths of their runners but use conflicts to out-leverage them. The zone read play was one of the initial
means to achieve this goal but now teams have a wide variety of QB option schemes and RPOs to allow them to put conflict on defenders
all over the field and "hit em where they ain't."
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Hurry Up No Huddle
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Sets
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Many Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Option Run first
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Efficient Ball Distribution
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Scrambler
HB – Elusive Back
FB – Utility
WR – Route Runner
TE – Vertical Threat
OL – Agile
LT – Pass Protector
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Spread
AN EXAMPLE SPREAD OPTION SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Spread Option
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Ball Control or Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Y Corner
02. Smash
03. Flood
04. Shallow Cross
05. Mesh (Sit)
06. Y Cross (Bubble Y Over)
07. PA Shot
08. WR Screen
09. RPO
10. Option
11. Inside Zone
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “Study Hall: Rich Rodriguez and the concepts that have built his reputation”
LINK 2: “Oregon Spread Offense Tutorial No. 1: The Inside Zone Read”
LINK 3: “Chip Kelly offense 101: Inside run game”
LINK 4: “Chip Kelly Playbook 101: Shotgun Formation, the Inside Zone and Outside-Zone Run”
LINK 5: “Spread Offense Football Coaching Guide (Includes Images)”
https://olemiss.rivals.com/news/study-hall-what-has-made-rich-rodriguez-successful-as-an-offensive-mind-
https://fishduck.com/playbook/the-chip-kelly-oregon-spread-offense-analysis/understanding-the-oregon-offense/first-fish-tutorial-the-inside-zone-read/
https://www.ninersnation.com/2016/1/29/10841452/chip-kelly-offense-101-inside-run-game
https://ninernoise.com/2016/08/21/chip-kelly-playbook-101-shotgun-formation-inside-zone-outside-zone-run/
https://footballadvantage.com/spread-offense/
THE AIR RAID OFFENSE - CLASSIC
(AIR RAID)
INNOVATORS: Hal Mumme (90s Kentucky) & Mike Leach (2000s TTU & 2010s WSU)
DESCRIPTION:
As Hal Mumme put it: “We want to throw it short to people who can score.” The Air Raid is a spread passing attack that works to overload
zones and scheme WRs free vs zone. Quarterbacks are taught to find green grass and throw to it. Much of the offense is centered around
repetition of the core passing concepts, many of which are Triangle Passing Reads which attack both man and zone alike.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Hurry Up No Huddle
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Sets
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Few Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Pass First & Often
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Efficient Ball Distribution
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Improviser
HB – Receiving Back
FB – Blocking
WR – Slot
TE – Blocking
OL – Pass Protector
RT – Power
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Arizona
AN EXAMPLE AIR RAID - CLASSIC SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Air Raid - Classic
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: HUNH
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Mesh
02. Shallow Cross
03. Y Cross
04. 4 Verticals
05. Stick
06. Flood
07. Hitch
08. Y Corner
09. WR Screen
10. Draw
11. Inside Zone
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “The Air Raid Offense: History, Evolution, Weirdness – From Mumme to Leach to Franklin to Holgorsen and Beyond”
LINK 2: “Coug Center: The Air Raid Playbook”
LINK 3: “Air Raid Offense Football Coaching Guide (Includes Images)”
LINK 4: “The Complete Air Raid Offense Guide”
http://smartfootball.com/offense/the-air-raid-offense-history-evolution-weirdness-from-mumme-to-leach-to-franklin-to-holgorsen-and-beyond
https://www.cougcenter.com/air-raid-offense-playbook-mike-leach
https://footballadvantage.com/air-raid-offense/
https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1yW8aUMrc8yzpK2CxsBMvA3ch4bYT7gINpnfOLRfpY-k/edit
THE AIR RAID OFFENSE - MODERN
(AIR RAID)
INNOVATORS: Dana Holgorsen (2010s WVU Mountaineers), Sonny Dykes (2010s Cal), Kliff Kingsbury (2010s TAMU, 2010s Texas Tech, 2020 Cardinals),
Lincoln Riley (2010s ECU & 2010s Oklahoma), Sonny Cumbie (2010s TCU 2020s Texas Tech) Graham Harrell (2020s USC), Phil Longo (2020s UNC)
DESCRIPTION:
Early on at WVU it was clear Dana Holgorsen’s offense wasn’t going to be a carbon copy of Mike Leachs with just a few little tweaks. The offense was
adapting. Mesh disappeared for several years, more 2 back pistol and gun sets. More running than passing plays, more vertical style passing
concepts off PA. Holgorsen would joke that Hal Mumme called him up and told him he was kicked out of the Air Raid club. He wasn’t the only one.
SonnyDykes in Arizona coached Rob Gronkowski which he used as a movable chess piece. Come out in empty, audible into a power set with an
inline TE and run over opponents. Or vice versa. That team basically invented “Audibling Down”.
Kliff Kingsbury who coached under Holgorsen at Houston, would also venture far from the traditional air raid, constantly tinkering with the pass plays
at Houston, and expanding that even more with freshman phenom Johnny Manziel his first year at TAMU. He’d continue changing and tweaking the
passing game as Head Coach at Texas Tech with walk-on freshman starter Baker Mayfield and later the QB Baker helped recruit, Patrick Mahomes.
Kingsbury adapted his tweaks and changes to his personnel, giving Johnny Manziel scramble opportunities and Mahomes vertical passes that
accentuated their gifts. His prowess at this aspect of the game held him as one of the brightest offensive minds in college football before he was
plucked into the NFL as the Cardinals Head Coach despite have a few more Ls than Ws on his HC record.
But perhaps the greatest disciple of all is Lincoln Riley, who at ECU had stayed largely close to the Leach Style attack, but he had ideas and
adjustments, like the out on Y Cross being deeper vs Quarters, or the Meshers being able to get vertical instead of hitch up. He became the kind of
the tag game, and he began dabbling in GT Counter from the gun. He soon was brought to Oklahoma and within a few years replaced Bob Stoops.
He has helped make Oklahoma a powerhouse, dominating the Big 12 and an almost regular member of the college football playoff. He’s done so with
varying types of QBs, from Jalen Hurts to Baker Mayfield, they’ve all thrived in his system and he’s made room for mobile QBs by including QB power,
QB Counter, QB Draw type designed runs for them. One thing he really innovated was drills designed to simulate QBs being under extreme pressure
and having to get the ball off. By drilling this so well his QBs tend to thrive in those pressure situations and rarely look lost. While RPOs were dabbled
in early on by Air Raid teams, most do not use them today, instead preferring PA Pop Passes that simulate a RPO, but are fully play action.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Hurry Up No Huddle
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Sets
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Few Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Run or Pass based on Box Count
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Gap Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Efficient Ball Distribution
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Improviser
HB – Receiving Back
FB – Blocking
WR – Slot
TE – Blocking
OL – Pass Protector
RT – Power
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Arizona
AN EXAMPLE AIR RAID - MODERN SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Air Raid - Modern
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: HUNH
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Mesh
02. Shallow Cross
03. Y Cross
04. 4 Verticals
05. Stick
06. Y Corner
07. Hitch
08. PA Shot
09. WR Screen
10. Option
11. Inside Zone
12. Counter
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “Coach’s Corner: The Houston Offense”
LINK 2: “Installing the Power Raid”
LINK 3: “Breaking Down Graham Harrell's USC Offense (2020)”
LINK 4: “Breaking Down Lincoln Riley's Oklahoma Offense (2020 Sooners Football)”
LINK 5: “The Lincoln Riley Oklahoma offense”
LINK 6: “Book Preview: Breaking Down the 2018 Oklahoma Offense”
https://www.cougcenter.com/2019/9/12/20860739/coachs-corner-wsu-houston-offense-air-raid-rpo
https://encfca.org/2020/11/25/installing-the-power-raid-offense/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvpu5YNRiLw
https://youtu.be/lfL057QECaI
https://www.footballstudyhall.com/2017/6/8/15760764/the-lincoln-riley-oklahoma-sooners-offense-bob-stoops-legacy
https://rileykolstefootball.com/2019/03/18/book-preview-breaking-down-the-2018-oklahoma-offense-2/
THE SMASHMOUTH SPREAD OFFENSE
(WEST COAST SPREAD)
INNOVATORS: Art Briles (2010s Baylor), Lane Kiffin (2010s Alabama, 2020s Ole Miss), Steve Sarkisian (2010s USC, 2010s Alabama, 2020s Texas)
DESCRIPTION:
One of the more interesting things taking place in college football in the 2020s is the convergence of several different offences all around one core
base scheme. While Baylor under Art Briles was probably the first team to really embrace this approach, other offenses have been evolving to the
same place in the wake of the explosion that was Baylor football in the early and mid 2010s. Most notably has been the Alabama offense since Lance
Kiffin’s arrival in Tuscaloosa. With Alabama having run variations on this basic idea since 2014, and really accelerating the evolution of the scheme
under Steve Sarkisian, this style of offense is one of the most exciting schemes in football today.
While Lane and Sark both have had their offenses evolve out of the West Coast Offense that BYU ran under LaVell Edwards and Norm Chow, their
offenses the last several years have looked less and less like those BYU and USC offenses and more and more Spread. With Jalen Hurts, Tua
Tagaviloa, and Mac Jones seemingly breaking the old mold of Alabama QBs being unfit for the NFL. So what exactly is it that is college football’s new
favorite scheme? On Offense its very simple.
In order to combat the rise of 2 high match coverages, they use RPO Screen plays from spread sets almost exclusively vs 2 high coverages. This
allows them to put the slot defender or “Apex” defender into conflict, and whatever they do is wrong. If teams roll a safety down to erase that conflict
then the offense adjusts to 2nd Level RPOs (Glances, Looks, and other down field RPOs and PA Read type plays that look like RPOs initially with
bubble routes and fake screens, before throwing over routes and post routes. Then if you bring the defense down to defend the RPOs and Over
Routes, they will hit you with PA Shot plays down the field. In the dropback game its a slim playbook. They love Outside WRs on Dig routes like on
Dagger and Salem concepts, and their go to play is what they call Railroad, but Madden calls it “Mesh Spot”. The RB vs most coverages is the first
read and almost always comes open, if not the rest of the play has answers for tight man coverage. PA Shot plays down the field fill out the last bit of
the playbook. While the Briles variation at Baylor had far more option routes and super wide splits by the WRs, Alabama has found ways to
accomplish much of the same things with a more traditional spread alignment and solid play designs. One last thing that Steve Sarkisian has brought
to this approach is an emphasis on throwing to players ON THE MOVE. Not stationary targets. Think of it like RAC catching all the time. From the HB
on Mesh Spot on the wheel route to those RPO glance and screen routes, he wants his players catching it on the move.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Hurry Up No Huddle or Various
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Sets
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Few Formations / Few Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? RPOs and Shot Plays
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Big Time Throws
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Scrambler
HB – Receiving Back
FB – Utility
WR – Slot
TE – Possession
OL – Pass Protector
LT/RT – Power
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Philadelphia
AN EXAMPLE SMASHMOUTH SPREAD SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Smashmouth Spread
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Mesh
02. Hitch Seams
03. Salem
04. Drive
05. Dagger
06. Flood
07. Switch
08. PA Shot
09. RPO
10. Option
11. Inside Zone
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “Breaking down six base plays in Steve Sarkisian’s offense”
LINK 2: “Breaking down the Alabama offense”
LINK 3: “Lane Kiffin: A Complete Offensive History”
LINK 4: “Breaking Down Steve Sarkisian's Alabama Offense (New Texas Longhorns Coach)”
LINK 5: "Why Lane Kiffin’s ‘Baylor-like’ offense is creating issues for SEC defenses”
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2021/1/11/22224185/steve-sarkisian-offense-base-play-run-pass-options
https://buckeyescoop.com/fulton-analysis-breaking-down-the-alabama-offense/https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2020/8/31/21331795/ole-miss-football-2020-lane-kiffin-offense-lebby-gruden-briles-nick-saban-pete-carroll-chow-weis-jr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlXC87s029Y&t=602s
https://www.al.com/sec/2020/10/why-lane-kiffins-baylor-like-offense-is-creating-issues-for-sec-defenses.html
THE RUN AND SHOOT OFFENSE
(RUN AND SHOOT)
INNOVATORS: Mouse Davis (90s Lions) & June Jones (90s Falcons & 2000s UH)
DESCRIPTION:
A commitment to a 4 wide receiver approach, option routes, and QBs who can sling it while half-rolling out, this offense was the brainchild of Mouse
Davis with further expansions on it coming from June Jones, Kevin Gilbride, John Jenkins, and Nick Rolovitch. The offense centers around the “Inside
Streak Read” more commonly referred to as a “Seam Read” and out leveraging the defense no matter what they do while pushing the ball downfield
and opening up running lanes for the backs.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Various Tempos
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Sets
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Few Formations / More Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Pass to Option Routes Often
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Zone Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Big Time Throws
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Field General
HB – Receiving Back
FB – Utility
WR – Slot
TE – Vertical Threat
OL – Pass Protector
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Run And Shoot
AN EXAMPLE RUN AND SHOOT SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Run And Shoot
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Choice
02. Levels
03. Verticals
04. Switch
05. Shallow Cross
06. Smash
07. PA Shot
08. Slip Screen
09. WR Screens
10. Option
11. Power
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “A Simple Approach to the Run and Shoot - Part 1”
LINK 2: “Understanding the Run & Shoot Go Package”
LINK 3: “Tracing the History of the Explosive Run and Shoot Offense In Football”
LINK 4: “The Complete Run And Shoot Guide”
http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/03/simple-approach-to-run-and-shoot-part-1.html
https://understandingthetrickeration.wordpress.com/2011/08/07/understanding-the-run-shoot-go-package/
http://culturecrossfire.com/sports/football/runandshootoffense/
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJ34oUdriFxHmlaq5pOCjkOqslPPEDLxRN6oC0TGGSo/edit?usp=sharing
THE FUN ‘N’ GUN OFFENSE
(RUN AND SHOOT)
INNOVATORS: Steve Spurrier (90s UF, 00s Football Team, 00s SC)
DESCRIPTION:
Steve Spurrier lit the SEC on fire in the early 90s when he was hired following Scandals at his alma mater, the University of Florida. He entered a
Conference that only passed when they were losing, and no team had ever really averaged more than 290 passing yards in a game ever. Spurrier
changed all that. With deep drop backs, Draw plays off those dropbacks and even PA on those Draw plays, Spurrier schemes up ways to get the ball
in the air often, while making his running game look largely the same. He lit up the SEC and won a couple national championships, in the process he
sent several QBs into the NFL. The Fun N Gun’s biggest contribution has been the Mills concept, which Spurrier perfected.
1. What is your Clock Management Philosophy? Various Tempos
2. How do you intend to Stress the Defense? Spread Sets & Multiple Back Sets
3. What is your Formation/Concept Balance? Few Formations / Many Concepts
4. What is your offensive identity? Pass to Option Routes Often
5. What is your identity in the Run Game? Mostly Gap Runs
6. What is your identity in the Passing Game? Big Time Throws
ARCHETYPES:
QB – Field General
HB – Receiving Back
FB – Utility
WR – Slot
TE – Vertical Threat
OL – Pass Protector
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
Run ‘N’ Gun
AN EXAMPLE FUN ‘N’ GUN SCHEME:
OFFENSE NAME: Fun ‘N’ Gun
TEMPO PHILOSOPHY: Multiple
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Mills
02. Dagger
03. Verticals
04. Shallow Cross
05. Slot Cross
06. PA Shot
07. WR Screen
08. Option
09. Lead Draw
10. Counter
11. Inside Zone
12. Outside Zone
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “1995-1996 Florida Offense - Steve Spurrier”
LINK 2: “The Science of the Post: Going Deep with “Mills””
LINK 3: “Was Spurrier's offense a failure in the NFL?”
https://coachhoover.blogspot.com/2013/05/1995-1996-florida-offense-steve-spurrier.html
http://smartfootball.com/offense/the-science-of-the-post-going-deep-with-mills
http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/was-spurriers-offense-failure-in-nfl.html
MIAMI 4-3
(BASE 4-3)
INNOVATORS: Tom Landry (60s & 70s Cowboys), Jimmy Johnson,
DESCRIPTION:
This is your basic traditional 43 with a strong side and a weak side. This scheme is built to stop runs inside/right and Cover 1/3 will work well with the
safety playing near the box. Base 4-3 teams prefer the over alignment and the LB stack of the 4-3 Normal formation and play multiple coverages and
pressures out of that look. The scheme has evolved over time to also include many Wide 9 defensive looks. Vs 2 back formations they typically go to
a 4-3 under or 4-3 over alignment where one Lb goes down on the line, while vs 1 back sets they stay in a 4-3 stack with a over alignment by the D
Line. They like fast lighter OLBs and a thumper at MLB.
1. Should the Defensive Line Attack the Gaps or Clog the Running Lanes?
2. 30 Front or 40 Front?
3. What are the two primary front alignments? 4-3 Normal, 4-3 Wide 9
4. Predominantly 1 High Shell or 2 High Shell?
5. Predominantly Man, Zone, or Match Coverages?
6. More Man Blitzes, Zone Blitzes, or Minimal Blitzes?
7. How will you deal with a scrambling QB, an elite RB, or a QB’s go to pass target? Disguise the coverage and drop 8.
ARCHETYPES:
LE – Run Stopper
RE – Speed Rusher
DT – Run Stopper
LOLB – Run Stopper
MLB – Field General
ROLB – Pass Coverage
CB – Zone
FS – Zone
SS – Run Support
RECOMMENDED BASE PLAYBOOK:
4-3, Cowboys, Chiefs
TYPICAL FORMATIONS:
4-3 - NORMAL
4-3 - NORMAL DE FLIP
4-3 - OVER
4-3 - OVER PLUS
4-3 - WIDE 9
BIG NICKLE - OVER G
NICKLE - NORMAL
NICKLE - WIDE 9
NICKLE - DOUBLE A GAP
DIME - NORMAL
DIME - RUSH
DIME - SUGAR WEAK
AN EXAMPLE MIAMI 4-3 SCHEME:
DEFENSE NAME: Miami 4-3
BASE: 4-3
FRONTS: (Over, Odd, Bear, Under, Even)
01. Over
02. Even
03. Under
BASE CONCEPTS:
01. Cover 1
02. Cover 3
03. Cover 2
04. Cover 6/Cover 9
05. Man Blitz
06. Cover 4
07. Zone Blitz
FURTHER READING:
LINK 1: “Miami 4-3 Breakdown” (Old Forum post, click cancel on pop up)
LINK 2: “Alignment, Coverages, and Basic Wrinkles for a 4-3 Defense”
LINK 3: “Miami/UNC: The 4-3 OVER/Slide front”
LINK 4: “Coaching the 4-3 Defense: The Basics”
http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=403484&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2010/3/3/1320038/alignment-coverages-and-basic
https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2010/9/28/1695461/miami-unc-the-4-3-over-slide-front
https://joedanielfootball.com/43defensebasics/
4-3 UNDER
(4-3 UNDER)
INNOVATORS: Monte Kiffin, Ron Rivera, Steve Wilks
DESCRIPTION:
This is a defense centered around gap integrity and sound coverage behind it. Originally pioneered by Monte Kiffin, this style of 4-3 has surged in
recent years under the eye of Ron Rivera, whose history as a former player in the Bears 46 defense and who learned the Tampa 2 from Lovie Smith
both combined in his DNA to form a very multiple defense that isnt afraid to put OLBs on the line of scrimmage or drop 8 into coverage, but typically
will rush 4 drop 7 and just play fundamental style 1 gapping defense out of the 4-3 under and 4-3 over.
1. Should the Defensive Line Attack the Gaps or Clog the Running Lanes?
2. 30 Front or 40 Front? (Can be based out of either)
3. What are the two primary front alignments? 4-3 Under, 4-3 Over
4. Predominantly 1 High Shell or 2 High Shell?
5. Predominantly Man, Zone, or Match Coverages?
6. More Man Blitzes, Zone Blitzes, or Minimal Blitzes?
7. How will you deal with a scrambling QB, an elite RB, or a QB’s go to pass target? Gap integrity and sound coverage.
ARCHETYPES:
LE – Speed Rusher
RE – Run Stopper
DT – Speed Rusher
LOLB – Power Rusher
MLB – Field General
ROLB – Run Stopper
CB –