Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Mississippi State Spread Offense - 2010

Besides the BCS National Title Game on January 10th, 2011 (Oregon and Auburn), the second most anticipated spread offense match-up that I am looking forward to watching is the 2011 Gator Bowl on January 1, 2011 that matches the University of Michigan versus Mississippi State University.

Not only are these two great spread offense teams, this game has arguably two of the best spread offense coaches, Rich Rodriguez and Dan Mullen.

Here's a video below of every offensive snap by MSU in a game versus Kentucky this past regular season:



Coach Mullen has some of the best power and counter run schemes out of the shot gun spread offense. He exemplifies the philosophy that a spread offense run game can be a smash mouth concept.

Keep spreading 'em!

- Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Bringing pressure from the field versus a Spread Offense

Hey Folks! Below is a nice instructional video detailing a blitz package (called a: field dog) from the field or wide side used by Virginia Tech University against a spread offense. Coach Bud Foster is without a doubt one of the best defensive coaches in college football.



Keep spreading 'em and defending 'em!

--Mark

Defending The Spread Offense Resources

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Youth Football Spread Offense | Highlights

Hey Folks! I love getting emails and calls from youth football coaches who are interested in implementing the spread offense. They usually come with some hesitancy that the execution of the shot gun snap may be to much to handle physically, or the quarterback can not handle the nuances of the offensive packages mentally, etc...

That's why I love when I'm able to post videos like this, showing youth football players executing the spread offense and having great success.



The only coaching tip I would give is to the Quarterback (#8) in the first segment. On the hand-off plays (traps, sweeps) to the tailback, the QB should always carry out his run fake hard after handing the ball off, especially if you're a good running QB. As we know, football is a game of inches and if you can make the defense hesitate just a split second on a carry out fake, that can be the difference between a 5 yard gain and a 50 yard touchdown.

I compliment the offensive line play by these young guys, like at any level, it all starts upfront at the line of scrimmage.

Keep spreading 'em!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Thursday, December 2, 2010

A Wild Game - Michigan vs Illinois 2010

Hey folks! Just in case you hadn't seen this game last month, here's a video below of the spread offense fest between Michigan and Illinois. The game went into triple overtime, with Michigan finally prevailing 67-65.



Keep spreading 'em!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Monday, November 15, 2010

The Shot Gun Spread Wing-T Offense - QB Plays

Hey folks! One of the things that gets me real excited is when coaches take a certain element of one offense, in this case the Delaware Wing-T (which was the first offense I ran as a coach way back in 1993 thru 1995) and blend it with the shot gun spread offense.

In the video below, you'll see highlights of wing-t plays ran solely out of the shot-gun (trips) formation, with the dual threat QB executing the run plays usually run by the tailback.

Knowing that by using the quarterback as the predominant runner, they gain an extra blocker within the offensive scheme, which is always a positive in the spread offense on QB runs.



Keep spreading 'em!

-- Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Cam Newton Through The Air - Auburn Spread Offense

Hey folks! I wanted to share with you a great video highlighting Cameron Newton, quarterback and Heisman front-runner at the time of this post from Auburn University.

This video highlights Cam's pass plays through his first 8 games. Most people think of the Heisman front-runner as a run dominant dual threat QB, but he shows in this highlight reel a strong ability to move the ball through the air out of Auburn's spread offense.



Keep spreading 'em!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Spread Offense TV (24/7/365)

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Boys Of Fall - Football's Life Lessons

Hey folks! Every once in a while I like to step back from the spread offense in particular and post something about the great sport of football in general. If any of you haven't seen the documentary by Kenny Chesney Boys Of Fall, you should definitely make I point of watching it in full sometime.

There's so much I can say about this great sport and the life lessons I've personally learned and benefited from since the age of 7 years old. It's without a doubt the most important thing that has molded me in my life, being a football player and football coach.

Here's a small clip below from Boys Of Fall by Kenny Chesney



Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Oregon Spread Offense Highlights vs UCLA 2010

Hey Folks! Here's a highlight video of the Oregon vs UCLA game this past Thursday Night (October 21, 2010) on ESPN.

The Oregon Ducks spread offense was running on all cylinders, executing the offense with great precision and at a torrid pace.



Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

Get Your Spread Offense Playbooks - Offense Defense

Monday, October 11, 2010

Taylor Martinez - Nebraska Dual Threat Quarterback

Hey folks! I found this highlight video of Taylor Martinez from the University of Nebraska in there game last week versus Kansas State.

Martinez is showing a lot of ability, leadership, field vision, and break-away speed running Nebraska's spread option offense.



It will be exciting to watch Martinez throughout the rest of year.

Keep spreading e'm!

-- Mark

www.SpreadOffense.tv (Video Sharing - Spread Offense TV)

Get your Spread Offense Playbooks at www.SpreadOffense.com

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Denard and QB Sweep Pass Out Of The Spread Offense

Hey Folks! As I've been watching film of the Michigan spread offense from this year to date, there is one specific play and/or scheme that Coach Rod and Coach McGee have been calling and the players executing that makes me go 'Wow'!

Now we all know the threat that Denard Robinson brings with his legs at the dual threat quarterback position, and one play that has been working extremely well is the QB Sweep out of trips formation.

Basically this QB run play is a 'hat on hat' play where the superback (or half-back in the shot gun alongside the QB) will lead the QB on a sweep play with the rest of the offensive players executing 'on' blocks, especially on the perimeter. The interior linemen are executing outside zone and reach blocks on this play, trying to work to the outside of the 'V' of the neck of the defensive linemen and working to drive the opponent off the line of scrimmage while working to the second level linebackers once movement occurs.

Here's a video showing the play I mention above, with the trips being created on this play by a tight end (TE) and two flankers (FL). You'll notice on this play the play-side offensive tackle (OT) executes a nice fold block to get to the perimeter backer with the TE blocking down.




Now that we've seen a visual of the run play, lets look below at a very hard to defend counter to that play, a QB Sweep Pass.



Lets take a look at this in a static play diagram below.



OK, now put yourself in Notre Dame's defenses shoes on this play - you have the best dual threat quarterback in the nation coming at the perimeter of your defense with his lead back ahead of him, you're thinking QB Sweep right?

Wrong! Denard pulls up and flips an easy touchdown pass to his #3 receiver out of the trips formation. Notice in the video how the Notre Dame's linebackers Sam, Buck, and Mike come flying up to defend the QB run, leaving the defense one defender short in covering the pass to the trips formation.

This highlights the pressure a dual threat QB can place on a defense.

Keep spreading e'm!

Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Monday, September 27, 2010

Michigan Spread Offense - Every Snap vs Bowling Green in 2010

Hey Folks! How does a spread offense video sound to you that shows 82 offensive snaps, 721 total yards of offense, 31 first downs, and 9 touchdowns?





Keep spreading e'm!

Mark

Get Your Spread Offense Playbook - Offense and Defense

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Denard Robinson Show - Michigan vs Notre Dame 2010

Hey Folks! In case you didn't see the game, here's every offensive snap of Denard Robinson and the University of Michigan spread offense versus Notre Dame last weekend.

Robinson, a dynamic dual threat quarterback in Rich Rodriguez's spread offense contributed 502 yards of total offense, with 258 on the ground and 244 yards passing.

Being a coach, I have to give a lot of Robinson's early season credit to the Michigan offensive line and the perimeter blocking by the wide receivers.

Great job!

Here's the video:




Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.tv (all spread offense videos, 24/7/365)

Main Portal: www.SpreadOffense.com

Monday, September 6, 2010

Michigan Spread Offense Solid In 2010 Season Opener

Hey folks! The University of Michigan football team had a nice opening day victory over the University of Connecticut out of the Big East.

Coach Rich Rodriguez's spread offense was very effective, especially highlighting dual threat quarterback Denard Robinson. I really like what they did with the quarterback isolation play (QB ISO) in this game, spreading the field out and then using the numerical advantage in the box to run Robinson, an athletic QB with the Ace (or superback) leading through the hole.

Robinson's throwing was probably the most impressive, he showed great accuracy, great decision making, and had nice zip on the ball.

Here is a nice video clip segment of all the Michigan offensive plays in the game.



Keep spreading e'm!

Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Monday, August 16, 2010

Florida Gators Zone Read Video Clips

Hey Folks! I found this nice video online showing some classic zone read run plays by the Florida Gators during the Tim Tebow days. Speaking of Tebow, I caught his first appearance as a Denver Broncos last night. It was a good outing, not great out he did throw a perfect ball on a 9 route that a receiver dropped and scored his first rushing touchdown on a 6 yard run to end the game (of course, he smashed into two defenders while crossing the goal-line.).




Keep spreading e'm!
--Mark

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Notre Dame Spread Offense Hits The Field For 2010 Season

The University of Notre Dame football team hit the field for its fall first practice of the 2010 season under new head coach Brian Kelly. Kelly and his staff will continue the implementation and development of the spread offense that he has run so successfully at his past coaching stints.

The below video is some highlights of this first day of practice, with a fast pace tempo the main theme throughout the day.



Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.tv (video sharing platform)

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Nick Saban Comments at 2010 SEC Media Day On The Spread Offense

Last year, we posted what Coach Saban said at the 2009 SEC media day, so I thought it would be nice to post what he had to say this year about the spread offense. With the popularity of the spread (especially in the SEC), it seems to be a consistently popular question for the head coach of the defending national champions and 2009 SEC champ.

Question: As many football college teams are using the spread offense. Do you see many teams in college football perhaps taking advantage of what you do and mimicking some of what you do? Could that be a trend in college football, to go back to more of a pro-style set? What advantage does that give you on the recruiting trail when you're recruiting offensive athletes who can play in a set like they would eventually play in the NFL?

COACH SABAN: You know, I think one of the things we always tell players when we're recruiting them is, you know, when you go to college, you're in the business of developing two careers. You want to develop a career off the field by graduating from school, and that's the most important career that you have to develop when you go to college. But you also want to have a great college experience as a football player, win a championship, be as good as you can be, and see if you can develop a career as a football player and play at the next level.

Being a little bit of a pro background guy, we've always tried to sort of pattern our systems out of how we could best develop guys to be able to do that. That's probably why we play offense the way we play it, and it's the way we play -- why we play defense the way we play it. And even special teams, we haven't gone to the spread punt, all that stuff, which is pretty predominant in college football. I think there is some concerns at the next level, which is not our concern in college.

I will say this: the spread offense, some of the things that are being done offensively in college football, is very challenging and very difficult to defend, especially if you have the kind of personnel to do that. So this is in no way a criticism of that style of offense, because I think it's very difficult to defend.

But I do think it's more difficult for the people in the NFL, which is really not our issue as college coaches, to sometimes evaluate players, a left tackle that never gets in a three-point stance, a quarterback who never takes a snap from under center, a runner that never gets the ball with his shoulders pointed down parallel to the line of scrimmage. Some of those things are evaluation issues, which it's the player's choice when he chooses that, where he wants to go to college, the style of offense or defense he wants to play.
This is interesting - see Dan Mullen's reply to Nick Saban's comments on the spread offense, go to: http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20100722/SPORTS/7220304

Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Athletic Quarterback In The Spread Offense

Hey folks! I hope your summer is going well, football is right around the corner... get your R&R in now and charge that battery for the season ahead!

I found this great video (courtesy of Coach Ayinde in California) of Francis Parker (CA) High School and their spread offense featuring a really dynamic athlete at quarterback.

I love the chess match between the offense and defense, especially with those 'grey area' outside backer defenders versus the spread offense. Do you respect the perimeter bubbles and quick screens? or the inside run with the athletic QB and tailback? The dilemma of the spread offense for any defense.

You'll see how the offense does a nice job of attacking the 6 defenders in the box (3-3 stack) with a lot of nice QB wraps, QB ISO's, and tailback counters between the tackles.




Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.tv (24/7/365 Spread Offense TV)

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Spread Offense Preseason Checklist For Coaches

Repost from July, 2008:

Happy 4th of July folks!, I always felt during my coaching days that the next big holiday will have me knee deep into football (Labor day), so I better get busy now on the details!

This is a great time to get your preseason checklist in order if you're a football coach running the spread offense.

One other house keeping item, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily spread offense updates and announcements.

Here's my list of what you should be working on daily with your players during preseason sessions:


  1. Quarterback/Center Exchange

If you're running a true shot-gun spread offense, your quarterbacks and centers should be getting hundreds of snaps in weekly. These snaps should include different tempo's, ques, and verbal communications used to ignite your offense.

I always like to add some D-linemen in my centers face for half of these practice snaps, making simulated jerking movements, verbal 'smack', and the like to simulate wars in the trenches.

2. Bubble and Rocket Screens (Turning the double play)

My personal feeling is the bubble screen and rocket screen are two very important plays in the shot-gun spread offense. They assist in keeping defenses 'honest' on the perimeter vs. the zone run or zone read, and when executed correctly they can break for big plays for your offense.

These two plays need to rep'd daily in the preseason, just as an infield in baseball rep's 'turning the double play' over and over, the quarterback bubble or rocket screen throw needs to be practiced from all spots across the field (based on college or high school hash-marks and your #2 receivers alignment) over and over.

3. Situational Football

Bill Belichick from the New England Patriots has made the word 'situational football' a very important term in the sport of football. What is it? Well, it's making your players and coaches think of the situation at hand (down, distance, time on the clock, area of the field, score of the game, weather conditions, protecting the football, time outs remaining, etc..) in practice so during the game when the scoreboard is on, your team is intellectually prepared for the situation at hand.

I feel the preseason is a great time to discuss this stuff with your team, it will also allow your coaching staff to think about situations prior to it happening during camp or more importantly the season.

I know Urban Meyer has really made a conscious effort down at Florida to train his team on 'situational football'.

With the competitive SEC becoming like the NFL in respect to the slim margin of error involved in winning or losing a game, this is a priority as you would imagine.

4. Know the Rule Book Inside-Out

How many of you can say you know the rule book of your league, state, or conference equal too or better than the officials calling your football games? Well, you should! Especially if you run a spread offense with unbalanced lines and hybrid type sets.

The month of July is a great time to get a copy of your latest rule book from your Athletic Director or League Representative and learn it all.

5. Pick up the tempo

It's time to start getting on your players and coaches about 'picking up the tempo' in everything they do. In the weight room, in running drills, in 7 on 7 passing camps, etc...

Set the tone now so that when camp opens, it's already ingrained in their DNA.

6. The Eye In The Sky Doesn't Lie

Get your team on film as much as possible and go back and watch old film from last year. Set the tone with your team that you and your coaches are perfectionists, and not only are we watching you live at practice and in games, but we are also videoing you constantly and reviewing your every move in slow motion and rewind.

There's nothing like visual feedback for a player, no matter how much it may hurt them to see it (In the long run, it'll only help them become better).

Best of luck in your preseason preparation leading up to camp.

--Mark

http://www.spreadoffense.com/

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Auburn Spread Offense - Video Highlights from Spring Practice 2010

I found this nice video clip courtesy of Grid Iron Source



This video shows some nice practice drills that Auburn uses to work on their spread offense techniques and skills at a bunch of different positions.

Remember that proper execution on gameday has to be refined and perfected on the practice field, and a lot of times that means stripping down the layers and really practicing the fundamentals part by part.

Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.tv

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Deception With Pre-Snap Motion In The Spread Offense

Hey folks! I found this great video over at Smart Football on Auburn Universities offense under offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.

It is very well edited and really shows how Malzahn's offense uses pre-snap motion to deceive the defense. It reminds me of the Delaware wing-t in high school, how the wing back would motion pre-snap and really get the defense thinking, which is never good. This makes sense, considering Malzahn started his coaching career at the high school level.

It just shows that with practice and repetition, a well coached offense can make even some of the best defenses in the SEC guess wrong when they execute their fakes.




Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Goal Line Defense vs The Spread Offense

Hey folks! I just posted a new article on our main site on defending the spread offense in a goal line situation. A successful goal line defense not only keeps the opponent out of the end zone, but it also provides a tremendous momentum shift and confidence boost for your entire team.

It's football emotions at your best!

In this era, teams who are good at spreading the field between the 20's are also spreading you right up to the goal line, and heck why not!?

Here's the article link:
http://www.spreadoffense.com/ssp/defend_spread_offense_goal_line

Keep spreading e'm and defending e'm!


--Mark

http://www.spreadoffense.tv/ (video sharing platform)

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Spread Offense Q&A With Villanova University WR Coach Brian Flinn

Hey folks! I just posted on the main site a great Q&A session I had with Brian Flinn, Wide Receiver Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Villanova University. Villanova is a spread offense team, and they are the 2009 NCAA Division 1 (subdivision) champions, beating Montana.

In addition to the Q&A, Coach Flinn also sent me a bunch of video clips to go through... really looking forward to diving into that, and I'll get some of it posted either here or on Spread Offense TV as soon as possible.

Here's the link to the Q&A session, go to:
http://www.spreadoffense.com/ssp/news?news_id=54
Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark


Wednesday, June 9, 2010

What Will Texas Tech's Spread Offense Look Like In 2010?

Hey folks! I think one of the biggest questions coming into the 2010 season is, what will Texas Tech's offense look like post Mike Leach?

Now with Tommy Tuberville as the head coach (formally from Auburn) and Neal Brown the offensive coordinator (formally from Troy University), The Red Raiders will be running under a little different philosophy on the offensive side of the ball.

Just to give you a little taste of what you'll see, here's a video of Troy's offense versus LSU in 2008.



Notice the fast pace of the offense, they are in 'Indy or Jet' mode a lot of the time, trying to out pace, confuse, and wear down the defense. I also think you'll see Tech run the ball more, especially if it's working as this is what Tuberville likes to do.

Here's a 2010 Texas Tech preview video with some interviews:



I'm looking forward to seeing the new Texas Tech Offense in 2010!

Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Zone Read As Seen By Video Game Maker EA Sports

Hey folks! I found this really cool website by the team over at EA Sports (NCAA Football video franchise) where they get into an analysis and conversation on the spread option offense.

Below are some videos from the blog post over on the EA Sports - NCAA football Site








Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

http://www.spreadoffense.tv/

Sunday, May 23, 2010

QB Wrap Out Of The Spread Offense

Hey folks! I wanted share with you an article with diagram I posted on our main website in regards to the quarterback wrap or 'gut' play out of the spread offense. When I look at this play, I can't help to think about Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans and the break out year I believe he's poised to have in 2010.

I'll make a bold prediction that if he stays healthy, he'll be the league MVP in 2010, I just have that feeling.

To view the full article on our parent site, go to:

http://www.spreadoffense.com/ssp/qb_wrap_spread_offense

Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.tv (video sharing platform on the spread offense)

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Be a Football Coach, Player and Change Agent

Hey folks! I know this is an X's and O's blog on the spread offense, but as most of you know I'm a former coach and enjoy so many aspects of the great game of American Football.

I came across a few things this week that I want to share with you. The first was an article written by a former colleague of mine when I worked as an athletic performance trainer. This gentleman's name is Martin Rooney, and in addition to this article he just released, his 3rd book on what he calls, 'Warrior Training' came out this week (look it up at your favorite online bookstore), the title is Ultimate Warrior Workouts.

I reviewed it and it is just an unbelievable collection of training knowledge from across the world. It's focus is predominately on the martial arts, but lets be honest, football players are warriors to a certain extent!

To get back to the recent post by Martin I mentioned above, it was an eye opening piece that I'll let you read and digest for yourself. It's one of those that you read and say... oh ya, I kind of knew that, BUT am I practicing this daily and am I a change agent for that!?

Here's the article: Evolution Revolution: My Manifesto

When I say 'change agent', what I'm asking you is are you spreading the word to your players and teammates about the necessity to not only become a great football player, but to live and practice a healthy, active lifestyle for life!

I thought about it the other day and I made the assumption that if everyone in the United States was like me, the health care industry would be bankrupt because they'd have no business!! Here's the extent of my health care for the last 20 years... I go once every 18 months for blood work and a full physical, and that's basically it!! Now I understand that some physical conditions and health ailments are predisposed and unpreventable for some, but lets be honest... most are totally preventable by what we do!

I take no prescription drugs, no therapies, nothing... I'm the worst nightmare for the health care industry... because I work to take care of myself (physically and mentally) and live a healthy, active lifestyle. That means drinking no soda, no sugary juices, moderate alcohol (I love an occasional beer, grey goose, etc), I drink lots of water, one coffee a day, and unsweetened green or black tea (hot and cold) to quench my daily thirst.

As a coach... are you a good role model for your players? Well you better be! That 'Do as I say, not as I do' crap is exactly that... crap!

One of the best joys for me is to reconnect with some old warriors I coached over 10 years ago... they are now adults with families, jobs, and there own lives. When I see them still physically and mentally fit, productive in society... still with that 'warrior' mentality... that's what gets me just as excited as a zone read play busting for a 50 yard touchdown!

Now to the video I mentioned, see below:



Good stuff isn't it!? Remember, moments like this in practice when you break through a barrier, watch a kid or group of kids grow right in front your eyes, that's what it's all about... the journey to victory is sometimes more fun then the actual wins!

Those days in the weight room when no one's even thinking about football in town, but your players and coaches are making those 'victory deposits' that can be exchanged for wins in the fall when the scoreboard is on.

Whatever religion, creed, doctrine, or nothing you believe in... you'd be foolish to think the universe does not possess something bigger then all of us... it rewards those who work hard towards a goal, and leaves behind those who slack off in the loser pile!

I'll leave you with a quick video scene from the movie Gladiator... "What we do in life, echoes in eternity" --Maximus




Go be a change agent to your players and teammates, preach victory to your fellow warriors, and keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Sunday, May 9, 2010

3x1 Spread Offense Set - Quick Screen Off Zone Action

Sorry guys for not posting lately... I've been like a one legged man in an ass kicking contest the past few weeks! Anyway... I found this nice video below and I'll give my take on it.

You'll see Michigan vs Illinois here in 2009 in a 2nd and 6 situation just outside of the red zone. Michigan is in a 3x1 shot gun spread set, on the right hash mark. They line with trips to the field, and the open (X) to the boundary.

Illinois is in a 40 Cover 1 (Man, Free) with 6 defenders in the box. If you guys have read some of my stuff in the past, I'm surprised that Calvin Magee didn't call down to Coach Rod on this play to run the zone read ... because we know with 6 in the box (based on a positive down and distance), the offense has the advantage with the 5 down linemen having equal blocking numbers, and the QB in effect 'cancelling out' or blocking the 6th man in the box on the read concept.

But, Michigan instead goes with the quick screen to the trips (notice I didn't say bubble screen) off zone action, because to me this isn't a true 'bubble screen' based on the path of the receiver and the lack of the usual quarter moon arch path of the bubble receiver. You'll see, the play is very successful and Michigan gets the first down on the 8 yard gain.

Last point, based on the o-line movement of Michigan, I get the impression this was not a progression play that Forcier decided to go with, but instead a predetermined play called from the booth based on a tendency? Then again, it is the 1st quarter so how many tendencies can the coaches have upstairs?? There I go again... over thinking the play... lol - Just play ball!!



Keep spreading e'm!

-- Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Sunday, April 25, 2010

The Basics Still Work - Simple 4-3 Cover 2 versus Empty Spread Offense

Sometimes the most simplest things are still the best. I know we all look to challenge our offenses and defenses as coaches with exotic stuff that keeps everyone excited and the opponent off balanced.

But remember, winning football games comes down to execution and personnel no matter how simple or complex the scheme or play.

In the modern era of football, the team that blocks and tackles better, and protects the football will still win more games.

Below is a video of a simple 4-3 Cover 2 by Michigan in a game versus Purdue. You'll see on this play that Purdue motions out into an empty set, and Michigan adjusts nicely with the corner coming out on the running back.

At the snap, you'll see the Michigan defense in great position across the field, the backers have their heads on a swivel... covering bodies and not air. The left corner (#3) does a nice job on sinking with his head in the backfield, just waiting to smack the first flat threat on this 2nd and 6 play.



Tell your team to 'Win This Play' every time they're in the huddle, no matter how simple or complicated the scheme.

Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.tv (video sharing platform)

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Spread Offense Q&A with Head Football Coach Art Briles of Baylor University

I found a nice article that includes a Q&A with Art Briles of Baylor. The entire article link is below, but here's some exerts in regards to his discussion on the spread offense.

Your spread offense really served as a catalyst in the state of Texas. After they saw the success you were having in the 1990s, dozens of schools changed their offenses and patterned them after yours. Where did you come up with your version of the spread? Did you have any influences when you designed your offense?

I appreciate you saying that, because honestly we were some of the first people to start throwing it around and spreading it out. I just kind of came about it through trial and error. I had my first head coaching job back in 1984 in Hamlin, Texas. That first year, we made it to the quarter-finals and got beat on penetration. So the next year, I understood that if we didn’t spread the field and give our guys space to create plays in, somebody with better talent was going to shut us down and beat us. We started it in 1985, spreading in the ball around. We were in the shotgun, throwing it and running the zone read. It just kind of evolved through the years. We fluctuated with our personnel and with our philosophy, and with the defenses we were facing. I think it’s fun; I like how everything has evolved in the game of football. I’m excited about what the future holds, because it’s been a fun journey watching the way everything has transpired on both sides of the ball.

How much has your particular brand of the spread changed since you started running it?

Quite a bit. To some extent, we’re a little more screen-oriented now than we were then. We had more of a vertical passing game then, because we got more single [coverage] matchups than you get now. I’ve always liked a real mobile quarterback. We’ve always had our best teams that way. Even having Kevin Kolb at Houston. He’s fixing to be a star quarterback for the Eagles. You know, Kevin’s a mobile guy. He’s one of only three quarterbacks in college football history to throw for 400 yards and rush for 100 yards in a game. He had that capability; we just didn’t pull it out of them that much because he’s such a precise passer and we had other weapons around him. I like a guy who’s mobile. I like a guy who can move around and make things happen, and create plays for other people. Fortunately, we have a guy like that in Robert at Baylor.

The spread really took off in the college game early in the 2000s. Offenses enjoyed a lot of success for several seasons, but last year, it seemed like defenses found a way to at least slow down the spread. Do you think the spread is here to stay in college football, or will it be like the wishbone or West Coast offenses that were en vogue for a while before fading away?

I definitely think it will continue to change, but I also think it’s here to stay. I think the game has become a lot faster from the standpoint of putting people in space and letting them make plays. I don’t think that we’ll consistently see people lining up with a full house backfield, handing the ball to a guy who’s running downfield. I think that part of the game is definitely valuable. You can have some advantages doing that today, because people don’t recruit defensively to stop teams that pound the ball at you. But I don’t think the spread offenses are going anywhere for a while.

You left Stephenville to become running backs coach at Texas Tech. That was the same year Mike Leach arrived in Lubbock. What was it like working with Mike? How similar is your offensive philosophy to his?

We were on the ground floor of the Texas Tech process. Spike [Dykes] had done a great job there for many years. I think at that time, they had been to a bowl nine of the past ten years. That situation has continued there since then. The thing about Leach and his philosophy – like with Hal Mumme at Kentucky, Al Wesland at Valdosta – is it’s set, it’s patternized, and you do what you do. The thing I was impressed about was they had what they had, they believed in it, and it was successful for them.

Article link: http://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/04/23/10/QA-with-Baylor-Head-Football-Coach-Art-B/landing.html?blockID=221983&feedID=3742

Keep spreading e'm,

Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Wheel Route out of a 2x1 Spread Offense

In a previous post I highlighted the lead read play that Coach Rod loves to run to the open side out of the 2x1 shot gun spread offense formation.

In the video below, you'll see Michigan run a nice wheel route pass play off of lead read action in the same 2x1 set. In this situation, Michigan is right outside of the red zone and the down and distance is 2nd and 8.

To me, it looks like the Wisconsin 'Will' backer is covering 'air' instead of players and he gets caught out of position.





It's a simple, yet nicely executed play action pass by the Wolverines.


Keep spreading e'm,


--Mark



Sunday, April 11, 2010

Facing a Fast Flow Defense? Keep Them Honest With A Reverse

Lets face it .. defensive coordinators at all levels are getting pretty damn good at slowing down the spread offense. I mean just take a look at how well the spread offense was defended last year at the college level compared to the previous 4 years and you can see much improvements to the philosophies and execution in defending the spread offense.

At the core of any defense philosophy is aggression, getting to the football, and pursuit angles which leads to eventually bringing the ball to the ground as quickly as possible.

That being said, a well balanced spread offense needs to have in its arsenal a counter, misdirection, or reverse play for just about every important base play in your scheme.

So for example if your base spread offense run plays are zone and zone lead (with a QB read), Power, and Sweep (especially a QB sweep with a solid dual threat QB) - you need to have counter or reverses off of all of these plays to keep the defense honest.

As a coach, you have to explain to your team that these are not 'trick plays' or gimmicks that will be run maybe once a game. These are important plays that need to be executed and practiced in game speed in order to get the best results.

As coaches, you need to be able to communicate real time during the games and have your 'eyes in the sky' up in the booth scouting the defense for over aggressive, fast flow defenders who are setting themselves up for a misdirection or reverse. Also, don't be afraid to use these plays more then once in a specific series, back to back, or whatever. If at the end of a game your stat's show you ran 12 mis-direction or reverses and you won the game... who cares! I'll take the W!

Remember, there are two ways to slow down a defense - Get them to 'over think' on the field, and wear them down physically. In the perfect world, you want to do both as the game progresses.

Here's an excellent video of Auburn catching the 2009 national champs Alabama 'fast flowing' on defense last year.




Now no one studies defending the modern day spread offense more then Coach Saban and his staff at Alabama, but like any aggressive defense, his guys got caught fast flowing on this play.

Notice also this play was ran in the opening drive of the game by Auburn, when the defense is even more 'geeked up' (a slang term for 'over excited') and looking to knock someones head off.

Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com
www.SpreadOffense.tv (video sharing platform)

Friday, April 2, 2010

Cut Back Adjustment On The Zone Read - Michigan Spread Offense

I've always enjoyed breaking down Rich Rodriguez's spread offense, especially in the run game. I truly feel Michigan is on the brink of turning it around, and even in 2009 it wasn't the offense that let down the team as much as the defense.

I found two videos below showing a variation of the zone read run concept that really makes it difficult to defend Coach Rod's zone read.

In this first video in a 2009 game versus Penn State, you'll see the traditional zone read play to the tight end side of the formation, which is actually the weak side of the offense, opposite trips.

Penn State's defense looks they're in a classic Ron Vanderlinden Stack Cover 3 defense versus the trips formation.



Now in this play, Michigan is in the same offensive formation as above (and Penn State is in the same defensive alignment), but watch the difference in the zone read play.



Look at the right tackle on the offensive line, instead of zone blocking and trying to cut off the defensive linemen like in the first zone read play above, he blocks out or 'fans' the defensive end to set up the nice cut back run by the tailback. What's great is not only the cut back by the tailback, but the concept that the QB still needs to be respected by the Eagle linebacker (which is what Penn State calls him... he's really the Sam, #11), keeping him on the perimeter and hesitant to squeeze down hard on the tailback, honoring the QB read keep that the traditional zone read presents.

Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.tv

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Exotic Double Zone Blitz Look On 3rd and 5

I found this nice defensive look by Michigan versus Purdue in their 2009 game. Purdue's offense is in a 3rd and 5 situation, mid-field and they come out in a 3x1 (with TE) shot gun spread formation.

Michigan is in a 4-3 "2 high" look pre-snap... but watch all the action once the ball is snapped by the defense.



Michigan runs a double zone blitz on the right side, the open side of the offense, and basically bring the kitchen sink to the field (or strong side) of the play.

I diagrammed the look below.




















Some really exotic stuff here by Greg Robinson, Defensive Coordinator at Michigan.

Keep spreading e'm,

Mark

http://www.spreadoffense.tv/

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Zone Read Lead To The Open (Weak) Side | 2x1 Formation

One of Rich Rodriguez's favorite plays out of the classic 2x1 shot gun spread offense is the read lead run play to the open or 'weak' side of the set. As a result of the formation and Coach Rod's preference, this play is often run to the short side of the field or the boundary.

I found a great video of this specific play from last years Michigan vs Purdue game.



I know when Coach Rod was at West Virginia, he and Calvin Magee (Offensive Coordinator) loved running this play with Pat White, Steve Slaton, and Owen Schmitt.

Below is the play diagram for your reference. You'll see this is your classic outside zone blocking play, but what makes this play tough to defend a lot of times is the defense over defending to the 'field' and/or strength of the formation.


As a coaching point, it's important to stress to your quarterback (especially if he's a dual threat QB who can run well) that he still needs to read that backside end and if that end knifes down or collapses hard on the zone lead he should keep it and progress to the strong side of the formation where he has the #2 receiver running a bubble screen or pitch option.

Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark



Tuesday, March 9, 2010

SpreadOffense.com - Downloadable Playbook's











By popular demand, we present our first addition spread offense playbook's (offense and defense) for coaches and players.
These playbook offers over in depth running and passing plays out of the popular spread offense on the offensive side of the ball, and a detailed 'how to defend' the spread offense on the defensive side of the ball.

You'll see breakdown's and diagrams of specific offensive formations, pass protections, run blocking techniques, and defensive looks seen most often versus the spread offense in football.

This spread offense playbook will be beneficial to the beginner, intermediate, or advanced football coach -- from Pop Warner to the Pro's.

Gain immediate access to this playbook right now from your computer, there's no waiting for it to arrive in the mail.

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Defending the spread offense in football has become a difficult task. We have assembled what we feel is the best defensive playbook to get you on the path to successfully defending the spread offense.

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Keep Spreading E'm!

--Mark

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Now Is The Time Coaches!

It broke 50 degrees today in NJ on this 4th day of March, 2010... and I got that feeling of football for some reason. Even though snow is still on the ground from the 20 inches we got last week, you can tell that the tide of the 2010 football season is on the horizon.

We got the NFL combine that wrapped up, Major League Baseball is in its second week of spring training, college spring ball is right at the front door, and during my football coaching days I always got this itch around now that it was time to pick it up a notch with our off-season stuff.

I pulled out my old favorite football quotes notebook (which I have saved now on my computer) and the first one, and my favorite still is:

"Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price" - Sun Tzu

To me, this quote wrapped up everything that off-season football preparation was all about... I couldn't put it into better words then Sun Tzu did in 6th century BC times.

My first year ever coaching high school football was 1993. That year, our team went 1-8. We had 5 seniors, 16 juniors, and 15 sophomores on the varsity team.

Immediately after our last game that year, a core group of about 25 kids made a commitment not to be embarrassed anymore, as I did ... not only as there football coach, but the guy running the off-season strength program.

Four days a week this core group of guys showed up in the weight room with a lot of enthusiasm, did everything that I told them to do, and continued to get better. They paid the price!

As the guy who had to be there at everyone of these sessions in the off-season, I too had to pay the price as a coach. It meant sometimes disappointing my wife (which was actually our first year married), missing family functions, etc.

In the end... the hard work and commitment paid off! That season (1994), we went 7-3 and made it to the NJ Group 1 state finals, hosted at Giant Stadium. The team we beat in the semi-finals (a triple overtime win) was a team from our league that we hadn't beaten in 13 years, they had a 21 game winning streak snapped that day, by the same team they demolished 38-0 the year before. We actually played them opening day in 1994 and lost 17-6, just itching for another shot at them in the playoffs.

The euphoria after that win was intoxicating, the smiles on the faces of this collective group that gave the ultimate sacrifice to turn it around from 'worst to first' was unforgettable.

That's what it's all about coaches... paying the price now for victories in the fall. No matter what situation you're in now... trust me, it can be turned around if the commitment is made.

Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Running Barefoot Is Great Conditioning For Football Players

I know this is a bit off topic... but if you're reading this blog you're likely a football coach or player who is looking to get better.

We all know how important that off-season training is for building strength, speed, power, flexibility, and injury prevention.

I picked up a book today at the book store ("Born to Run: a Hidden Tribe, Superathletes and the Greatest Race the World has Never Seen" ) and it reminded me of my days working at the Parisi Speed School in NJ.

Martin Rooney (Twitter account: @martinrooney1), the lead trainer and NFL combine preparation coordinator at Parisi's first introduced to me the concept of training athletes barefoot to help improve the strength and flexibility in their feet and lower extremities.

I came home and Googled the concept to try to find out a little more... and I found this interesting article that just came out today.

Go to: http://www.thepilot.com/news/2010/mar/03/rubber-gloves-for-the-feet-trendy-running-shoes/

Keep your athletes conditioned and injury free (and obviously be careful doing any barefoot running training - it should be done only on clean artificial surfaces or exceptionally well groomed natural grass) ... and keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Defending The Spread Offense with a 30 Zone Blitz - Cover 4


We recently posted a new article on our main site diagramming a 30 Front Zone Blitz with a Cover 4 (quarter, quarter, half's) versus a 2x2 shot gun spread offense.
This is a nice scheme when the defense has the offense in a throwing situation (needing 7 yards or more for a first down).

To view the entire article, go to:

http://www.spreadoffense.com/ssp/3_4_cover_4_zone_blitz_vs_spread


Keep spreading e'm!


--Mark


www.SpreadOffense.tv (video sharing platform)

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Tim Tebow Looking To Improve His Throwing Motion and Delivery

Just as you expected, Tim Tebow is doing whatever it takes to become a successful NFL quarterback, and this video shows him working to make himself better.

You gotta love the 'Rambo' beard that Tebow is sporting during his re-building process... "He drew first blood, he drew first blood..."



Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Friday, February 19, 2010

Videos: Nevada Pistol Offense In Action

I found a nice series of videos with slow motion shots of the Nevada Pistol Offense in action. The pistol offense was created by longtime and current head coach of the University of Nevada Chris Ault, and first implemented in 2004.

Coach Ault has credited the inspiration for his invention to the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers' performance at the Fiesta Bowl versus the University of Florida, where they ran the option from a spread offense and crushed the Gators, 62-24.

Tommie Frazier was the quarterback for the Cornhuskers in that game.. one of my personal 'dual threat' quarterback all-time favorites.

Read Option - Dive (RB)



Read Option - QB Keep



Half-Back Smash (outside zone)



Counter Reverse - Pitch



Read Option - Dive (RB)



Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

SpreadOffense.com

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Clemson Football In 1999 - Coach Rod's Spread Offense

I found this great video below of Clemson University during the 1999 season. The Offensive Coordinator at Clemson was Rich Rodriguez, now the head coach at Michigan.

The quarterback for Clemson at the time was Woody Dantzler, who was just a fantastic dual threat quarterback.

You'll notice the last touchdown of the video shows Dantzler running the 'Tebow play action' play, where the quarterback runs play-action with himself, faking a QB ISO into the interior line (freezing the middle linebackers), then pulling back into the pocket for a seam pass.

This really proves that Rich Rodriguez is one of (of not 'the') pioneer of the current spread offense we see so much now in high school and college football ten years later.

You can bet Urban Meyer and Dan Mullen borrowed that one from Coach Rod way back from 1999.



Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.tv (video sharing platform)

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Video: Blocking Techniques By The Center

I found this short video below that gives some good insight on how the center should block (or at least his thought process) when the left guard is pulling (left to right).

I personally always thought the center is the most important position on the offensive line. This is not only your ignition point, but usually your communicator to the other linemen in regards to fronts, blitz looks, etc...


How an Offensive Line Center Does a Choke Block -- powered by eHow.com

Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Thursday, February 4, 2010

The Pro Spread Offense Will Be The 2010 Super Bowl Offense of Choice


Back in the summer, I wrote an article on the Long Tail Of The Spread Offense, and the various styles of the spread offense we see throughout all levels of football.

Well on Sunday, Super Bowl XLIV will feature two pro style spread offenses. Both Indianapolis and New Orleans run a multiple set, pro style spread offense that features a lot of throwing the football and timely runs and screens.

You'll be seeing two of the best quarterback's in the NFL executing these offenses, with precision passing and exceptional route running by both teams receivers.

What I love about both of these teams is how they attack the seams in the passing game... that area on the NFL field between the numbers and the hash marks.

Don't forget about the offensive lines... both these teams have excellent O-Lines that give these quarterback's enough time to throw.

Enjoy the game... and keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Friday, January 29, 2010

Senior Bowl 2010 - Tebow Grabs The Spotlight

We are on the eve of the 2010 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. The game will kickoff Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 4pm (ET)/3pm (CT) and will be nationally-televised by the NFL Network.

A lot of the buzz as you can imagine has been around Tim Tebow, the dual threat spread offense quarterback out of the University of Florida. Tebow will be one of three quarterbacks for the South team, coached by the Miami Dolphins staff.

It'll be interesting to watch Tebow in action as he begins his professional career. During the week leading up to the game, we've heard a lot about Tebow's passing ability, his 'non-traditional' NFL arm release, his ability (or lack of) to take a snap from under the center, etc...

All I know is this... the guy is a WINNER who works hard and will always do the right thing. You give me a bunch of those guys on my team, and we'll be very successful.

Here's a video I found on Tim Tebow leading up to the Senior Bowl this Saturday.



Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.tv (video sharing platform)
www.SpreadOffense.com (main website)

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Urban Meyer: Execution and Personnel Trump The System You Run

I found this great video (and interview by Todd McShay of ESPN) below of Urban Meyer after the 2007 BCS National Championship Game vs Ohio State.

I have always said that the offensive system you run is only as good as the players running it and their execution. The same is true at NASA in regards to aerospace, Goldman Sachs in regards to investment banking, and so on, and so on.

Now a lot of you reading this don't have the advantages that someone such as Urban Meyer has, being able to recruit the top football players in the country. So what's your plan? How are you going to make those players you have better players who 'execute' on the football field?

Well my friends... that is what makes the winning Pop Warner, high school, and lower level college coaches so good?

What I used to do is do my best as a coach to control what I can control... meaning I couldn't change the genetics of my 5'9 165 lb QB, but I could make him faster and stronger (off-season conditioning), smarter, create a good game plan for him, and as prepared as possible for the games.

See the video below... and keep spreading e'm!



--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Monday, January 25, 2010

SpreadOffense.com - Business Plan and Investor Introduction Deck

Two years ago I began the website SpreadOffense.com and like any other new endeavour I was optimistic, yet unsure how it would be received by the public.

I'm happy to announce that it is now time to take this endeavour to the next level, as the response and feedback I've received over the last 2 years has convinced me to 'Go For It'!

I present to my loyal fans, coaches, and players the SpreadOffense.com Business Plan. As you will see in the presentations below, we are looking to rapidly expand the franchise both online and offline.

My goal is to bring on either one individual (be it a single person or company) or a group of 2 to 4 people to join me as an investor and more importantly a strategic partner to help the business grow.

I invite you to read my plan below, send me feedback, or forward it on to anyone you feel might be interested in partnering with me based on my vision to help 'spread the word' about the spread offense in football.

If you personally cannot invest, but may know of someone (individual or a group) who would consider it, please feel free to contact me (mark at spreadoffense.com) as I'm willing to offer a referral fee to you in company equity for any leads that become investors.

Business Plan





Investor Introduction Deck





Keep spreading u'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com