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

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Spread Offense - Speed Option To Trips

I found this great video below of the University of Michigan executing a speed option out of a trips, open (3x1) spread offense formation.

Two things to notice:

1) Watch the offensive line really sell the zone play left on the snap, this freezes the inside backers and gets the front 6 of Iowa moving left.

2) The perimeter (stalk) blocking by Michigan is very good (notice I didn't say 'excellent', or the play would have went for an even longer gain) on this play, I can't stress enough the importance of blocking by your receivers on all run plays out of the spread offense, this is critical for success. It must be worked on in practice just as much as catching the ball.



Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.tv (video sharing platform)

Thursday, January 14, 2010

What's Next For Pat White Of The Miami Dolphins?

Pat White, the 2nd round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2009 out of West Virginia University had an up and down rookie campaign. He showed certain flashes of that explosive dual threat athlete that we all watched during his days at West Virginia, like in the first New England Patriots game.


In that game, White frequently substituted for Chad Henne at QB in the 2nd quarter, and lead the Dolphins to a touchdown drive, mixing in some nice pistol spread option plays that showcased White's ability to get to the perimeter alley on the speed option (one play he ripped off a 33 yard run) and on the final play of the drive execute a perfect option pitch to Ricky Williams for a red zone touchdown.


In other action throughout the year, White came into games during some very important moments, like in the final drive of the Dolphins/Jets first game, where he ran a QB draw for an important first down, and the Tennessee game, where he came in on an important game tie-ing two point conversion and executed the wildcat for the score (handing off to Ricky Williams) with under a minute to play.

A lot has been made of Pat White not completing a pass this year out of 5 total attempts, but on the flip side he also did not throw any interceptions. Now to the 'fan' of football, this may sound terrible, but to a 'coach' of football, I'd rather see a guy not throw an interception and not complete a pass as opposed to say completing 2 of 5 passes, with 2 picks!

Pat also never turned the football over in his 13 game appearances in 2009, with the only 'bad' play I saw being an option pitch in the 2nd New England game that was deflected when he got hit, resulting in a 15 yard loss as Ricky Williams fell on the ball.

I think it's obvious that the Miami coaching staff likes Pat's work ethic, intelligence, athletic ability, and knowledge of the situations he was being placed into, as knowing Tony Sparano, he doesn't take anything for granted in regards to player preparation on the field.


I personally feel that the following needs to happen with Pat White in the future to ensure success in the NFL.

1) Get Bigger - I know Pat was quoted as saying he's been trying to gain body weight since birth, but it is critical that he come in next year at 6'0 205 lbs (as opposed to the 190 lbs he is now). Obviously he needs to maintain his speed, agility, etc... with the added muscle. Basically he needs a nutritionist and the Miami strength program to help him accomplish this.

2) Call Steve Young - 'If' Pat is going to remain as just a quarterback, he needs to spend some quality time with Steve Young, the ex-BYU Cougar, Tampa Bay Buc, San Fransico 49er and hall of famer. Some may forget, but Young had it rough when he entered the league out of BYU. In addition, he's physically the same as Pat White (6'0-6'1 ish, great runner/scrambler, lefty thrower, strong football IQ, nice guy, etc..).

Use the off-season to get with Young for days at a time, learn his techniques, field tactics, training methods, throwing motion as a fellow lefty, throwing on the run, situational stuff, field general ship, etc...

Parcells worked with Young during his ESPN stints, I'm sure he could make it happen.

3) If #2 (being a full-time QB) is not in the plans... If the Dolphins feel the QB experiment is over, then Pat needs to work in being a 'slash' guy. Watch film of Josh Cribbs, Brad Smith, get bigger (as #1 explains above), get reps catching passes, punts, kick-offs, taking reverse hand-offs and pitches, continue throwing the ball, etc..

I think it's safe to say that the 'wildcat' position is here to stay, I still feel Pat could be the "WildCat in HD" that the league still has not seen. Pat White can throw the football, I think you'll see that next year.

The ironic part of it all is that Ronnie Brown (of the Dolphins) in my opinion is the best WildCat runner in the league, he has such a sense for that position, especially on the runs. Pat has a great guy to learn off of.

Finally, as some of you may know Pat took a nasty helmet to helmet hit in the final game vs the Steelers. Nothing was dirty about it at all, Ike Taylor was just playing hard, and Pat was tripped up prior to contact, placing him in a vulnerable position.

He seems OK, and you couldn't find a better time to get that injury, with the off-season starting the next day.

Below is a nice interview with Pat White by Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel website.






Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

http://www.spreadoffense.com/

Friday, January 8, 2010

Shotgun Spread Offense Wing-T Football

I know I've posted it before, but when I started coaching back in 1993 we were a Delaware Wing T team on offense. I really still love that offense, all the misdirection, guards pulling, down blocks, fullback play, waggle play action, wing counters, etc...

Well, I found this awesome video below from Coach Pat Murphy who is running a really nice combination shot gun, spread wing t at his school.

See for yourself... this is a defenses worst nightmare!



See more of Coach Murphy's videos by clicking here.

Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Dan LaFevour - Watch His Last College Game In The Spread Offense

SpreadOffense.com wants to give much deserved recognition to Central Michigan quarterback Dan LaFevour, who had a fantastic career for the Chippewas.

This dual threat QB out of the Mid-American Conference is the only player in NCAA history with over 12,000 passing yards and 2,500 rushing yards (he could break 3,000 yards rushing in the bowl game) and is currently third all time in total offensive yards. He also holds the FBS record for total touchdowns with 148.

If you haven't seen LaFevour play, you have one last chance Wednesday night (January 6, 2010) in the GMAC Bowl. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM (ET) on ESPN. CMU will take on Troy, champions of the Sun Belt Conference.

Here's some video of LaFevour in a game versus Eastern Michigan this past season.




Keep spreading e'm!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.tv

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Thank You Tim Tebow - From SpreadOffense.com

When I think of the name Tim Tebow, the first thing I think of is 'genuine'. He's a bishop, teacher, world class athlete, humanitarian, role model, scholar, and just plain old good guy all wrapped into one skin. Not to mention, a dual threat quarterback who runs an amazing spread offense for a nationally prominent college football program over the last 4 years.

We all know the accomplishments, the stats, the records, the trophies, the good will missions, etc... over that span. Will we ever see that again, the 'whole package' like I explained above... I highly doubt it.

I guess we can consider ourselves blessed, to have witness it and been around for this special time of Tim Tebow at the University of Florida.

My hope is on Friday in the Sugar Bowl vs Cincinnati, we could see one last jump pass, one last stiff arm, one last bomb for a TD to Cooper, one last bulldozer-ing of a defender, one last inside shovel option pass to Hernandez, one last Gator chomp after a big run, one last explosive speech in the defensive huddle on the sideline, one last biblical eye black, and finally ... one last Gator win for #15.

Enjoy the video, a tribute to Tim Tebow:



Keep spreading e'm.. and Go Gators!

--Mark

www.SpreadOffense.com

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Most Influential Spread Offense Games Of The Last Decade

When you think of the spread offense over the last decade (2000-2009), there have been some specific games and moments that have helped solidify this offensive style as the most dynamic and exciting offense over the past 10 years. In addition, on the defensive side of the ball there have been a few important stops against spread offenses that have helped define the need for a new style of defense.

Lets take a look of some of these moments and games over the past decade:

1) Appalachian State University vs the University of Michigan -September 2007

The 2007 Appalachian State vs Michigan game was held on September 1, 2007 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

It pitted the #5 ranked Michigan Wolverines against the two-time defending champions of the Division I FCS (1-AA), the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

In what was hailed as one of the biggest upsets in all of sports, the Mountaineers shocked the Wolverines 34–32. It was the first win by a team in Division I FCS team over a ranked team in Division I FBS (formerly Division I-A) since the NCAA split the divisions in 1978. The game has been referred to by one sports writer as the 'Miracle in Michigan'.

Appalachian State ran a potent spread offense, lead by sophomore quarterback Armanti Edwards. Many college football experts credited the spread offense system that ASU ran as the ultimate equalizer and the reason for the win.

The game made the front page of The New York Times, which called the game "one of the biggest upsets in college football history" and drew a comparison to David and Goliath.




2) University of Pittsburgh vs West Virginia University - November 2005, December 2007

November 2005 - The 98th version of the Backyard Brawl saw WVU dominate a much slower PITT team 45-13, as admitted by head coach Dave Wannstedt: "They're just faster then us out there, we need to get faster in order to compete".






Pat White rushed for a record 220 yards and two scores, while Steve Slaton rushed for 179 yards and two scores in the game for the potent WVU spread offense.


December 2007 - The 100th edition of the Backyard Brawl had national implications, with West Virginia ranked #2 in the BCS, all they needed was a win over there rival PITT to get into the BCS Championship game vs Ohio State. The Mountaineers were a 4 touchdown favorite in the game.

With the Mountaineers dominating the two previous match-ups in 2005 and 2006, Dave Wannstedt and his defensive staff engineered a great game plan, boxing in the high powered spread option offense of West Virginia, not allowing any big plays as in previous years.

After the 13-9 upset victory, Wannstedt reflected back on the comments he made after the 2005 game, "I guess we finally got faster".






3) University of Oregon vs University of Michigan - September 2007


This game was Michigan's worst defeat since 1968, a 39-7 loss in Ann Arbor. Dennis Dixon threw for 368 yards and a career high 4 touchdowns passes, he also rushed for 76 yards and one touchdown.

The Ducks led 31-7 at halftime, and faced little opposition in the second half. According to Oregon coach Mike Bellotti the game was a "good win because I think there were some questions about how Michigan was going to bounce back, and whether we would be competitive. I think our players took that to heart." This game caused Michigan to open the season with two home losses, both to spread offense teams featuring dual threat quarterbacks.




4) West Virginia University vs University of Georgia - Sugar Bowl, January 2006

The 2006 Sugar Bowl featured the Big East champions, the West Virginia Mountaineers and the SEC champions, the Georgia Bulldogs. The game is thought to have raised the Big East's profile in the wake of losing 3 members to the ACC, and being called by some in the media as 'The Big Least'.

The game was played in Atlanta as the Louisiana Superdome was still unfit to host a game in the months after Hurricane Katrina. Georgia was favored by 2 touchdowns, and had a home field advantage playing in Atlanta.

Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese proclaimed the win the most significant football victory in conference history because it gave credibility back to the revamped league.

True freshman Steve Slaton, now with the Houston Texans in the NFL rushed for 204 yards and three TDs in a 38-35 win for WVU.




5) University of Florida vs University of Oklahoma - BCS Championship, January 2009


Tim Tebow's two touchdown passes and Percy Harvin's two-yard run led the Florida Gators to their second BCS National Championship in three years. The Gators defeated the Oklahoma Sooners, 24-14, in front of a record crowd of 78,468 in Miami.

Urban Meyer became the first coach to win two BCS championship games, and one of only five coaches in NCAA history to win two titles in his first four years at a college.

Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford, two high profiled spread offense quarterbacks combined for four interceptions in the game despite throwing for just eight combined over the course of the regular season.





6) New England Patriots vs New York Giants - December, 2007


In their final regular season game, the 15-0 Patriots traveled to Giants Stadium, trying to win a record 16th game of the season. With the game scheduled to air on NFL Network, not available on some cable providers, the NFL arranged a three-way simulcast of the game with CBS and NBC, the first time an NFL game was broadcast on three networks, and the first national simulcast of any NFL game since Super Bowl I.

The high powered pro spread offense of New England lead by Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker won a hard fought 38-35 game. In this game, Randy Moss set the record for most touchdown receptions in a season with 23, and Tom Brady set one for touchdown passes with 50.

These teams met again in Super Bowl XLII a month later, with the Giants upsetting the Patriots 17-14.





7) Texas Tech University vs University of Texas - November 2008


Number 5 ranked Texas Tech led the Texas Longhorns for most of the game, and by as much as nineteen points at one point. Texas rallied to take a one-point lead with less than 2 minutes remaining in the game.

Graham Harrell's last pass of the game was to wide receiver Michael Crabtree who caught the ball near the right sideline and somehow broke away from two Longhorn defenders to scamper in for the winning score with second left to play. The extra point gave Texas Tech a 39–33 lead with one second remaining.




8) University of Texas vs University of Southern California - BCS Championship, January 2006


The University of Southern California (USC) entered the game with a 34 game winning streak, the longest active streak in Division I-A, having won the 2004 BCS National Championship.

Texas brought the second longest active winning streak into the game, having won 19 straight, and also entered as Rose Bowl defending champion, having defeated Michigan in the 2005 Rose Bowl. Their combined 53 game win streak was an NCAA record for teams playing each other.

Vince Young, possibly the most dynamic dual threat quarterback in NCAA history accounted for 467 total yards (passing and running) in the championship game, which is the best performance ever in a BCS Championship game.

Facing 4th and 5 from the 9 yard line on the games final drive, Young received the shotgun snap and found his receivers covered. He then scampered towards the right sideline and received a critical block from WR Justin Blalock as he won the footrace to the end zone. The score, Young's third rushing touchdown of the game, gave the Longhorns a one point lead with 19 seconds left in the game. Young successfully reached the end zone again on the following two point conversion, giving the Longhorns a 41–38 victory.