Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts

Saturday, July 8, 2023

Sunday, November 7, 2021

Yankee Concept - one high - man free beater: Double Posts with Deep Cross


Man free beater pass concept, some refer to this as the Yankee concept. Clear the field side with the twin receivers running double 8 routes, run the reduced X receiver on a deep crossing route. #spreadoffense



Sunday, June 26, 2016

3 Ways Green Bay uses Randall Cobb

A lot of talented players in the league are jealous of Randall Cobb.

Not only is he one of the most exciting players in the league at his position, but he’s also been blessed with an elite quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, a talented supporting cast of offensive skill players to take the pressure off, and a creative offensive mind in head coach Mike McCarthy.

Successful teams are made up of talented players, but great teams are made up of talented players and a coaching staff who manages to get the best out of them.

Successful teams are made up of talented players, but great teams are made up of talented players and a staff that knows how to coach and manages to get the best out of them.

In this post we’ll be taking a look at three of the many ways Green Bay uses Randall Cobb, and the reasons behind each play call.

As an outlet - Trap / Quick Flat RPO

Trap Quick Flat.png

This play, what we’ll refer to as the “quick flat screen” is becoming increasingly popular in the league for a couple of reasons.

First of all, the ball comes out of the quarterback’s hand incredibly quick, in many cases quicker than the bubble screen.

Even more than the speed of the throw is the speed with which the receivers can get out in front and block almost immediately.

One thing that can hamper the ability of receivers to be effective blockers out on the edge in their hesitation before the football is thrown, for fear of picking up an offensive pass interference penalty.

Since the receivers know the football is coming out of the quarterback’s hand right now, they can come off the line immediately and get in the face of the nearest defender and start blocking.

Another positive about this play is that the moment Cobb catches the football, he’s already at, or past, the line of scrimmage, whereas there are plenty of times where an aggressive defensive back has knifed in past the receivers and made the stop in the backfield.

Combine the quick flat screen with a normal run play up the middle and now the offense has another way to beat you.

Rodgers reads the alley defender’s movement just after the snap to make his final decision on what to do with the football.

In the backfield - Mesh / Wheel

Mesh Wheel.png

Putting a guy like Randall Cobb in the backfield accomplishes a lot of things.

For one thing, it makes it a lot tougher to disguise the coverage when an actual receiver is standing in the backfield.

Because the offense is aligned in a 3x1 set, it’s already stretched the coverage to the three-receiver side by alignment, and now instead of a tailback lined up right next to Rodgers, you’ve got an even bigger pass threat, a guy who knows how to get open against different kinds of zone coverages, and someone who isn’t a great matchup for most linebackers in the league to cover.

This is a well-designed play because it gives Rodgers the ability to sniff out the defense, and he has several different options so that he’s pretty safer no matter what the defense throws at him.

The great thing here is that Cobb’s wheel route serves a couple of purposes. Against any kind of edge pressure Cobb should expect the ball coming his way immediately while he’s still in the early stages of his route.

If there’s no extra pressure, Cobb can turn up the sideline and turn up the sideline and finish his route. Depending on the matchup and ability of the defense to squeeze the route to the sideline, Rodgers could take a shot down the field, but if not Cobb can still manage to clear out the coverage to the right side of the field and open up space for the crossing route behind him.

This is a fantastic play design all around, from the formation, to the placement of the personnel, to the way the routes fit together.

Getting him all alone in space - PA Cobb Option

Slot Option.png

This concept works because of the way all three routes develop at different depths.

To the trips side, the Z receiver starts widening as he gains depth on the wide hitch route. The angle on the route is a little wider than a standard hitch in order to create as much space for Cobb’s route in the slot as possible, and stretch a defender who would be trying to cheat and play both routes at the same time.

To the single receiver side, the dig route is timed to come open late and into the window where the safety may have rotated over to play over the top of Cobb’s option route.

The play fake times up the drop for Rodgers so that he can release the football as soon as the Z receiver starts breaking to the outside.

Now we come to the option route itself with Cobb. Coaches talk all the time about how to create space for their best players, and this play is set up to do just that.

It’s a common practice to set up a playmaker in the middle of the field with lots of space to either side of him, as well as breaking on the routes at different depths, so that it’s even harder for defenders to play multiple routes.

Once Cobb gets to his assigned depth at ten yards, he’ll most likely be matched up against a single defender, in which case he just finds the best angle and works away from him to get open.

If for some reason he’s covered by the time he makes his break, Rodgers can find the dig route coming open at 15 yards, or even dump off to the back on the checkdown.

Conclusion

These are all great examples of creativity on offense, but having the ability to move guys like Cobb around, and making a consistent effort to get him the football is more important than any one single scheme.

Players win games, and more often than not, coaches lose them, but having a coherent, consistent system with answers for what the defense will throw at you will leave you in great shape in any situation your team finds itself in.


About the Author

As a writer who spent a period of time coaching high school and college football, Alex Kirby loves talking the X's and O's of the game, and prides himself on his ability to simplify the important details of the action without dumbing down his analysis. Many books, including his "Every Play Revealed" series, contain information that you simply can't find anywhere else. Alex can be found on Twitter at: @AlexJKirby

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

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)

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 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/

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.

For details on how to download our e-playbook and to purchase, select one of the purchase buttons below:

SpreadOffense.com - Offensive Playbook - Volume 1

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Looking to Defend The Spread Offense!





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.

We detail defensive alignments, responsibilities, stunts, and coverages out of the 3-3-5 stack.

For details on how to download our e-playbook and to purchase, select one of the purchase buttons below:

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Keep Spreading E'm!

--Mark