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.

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

Add to Cart

Buy Now

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:

Add to Cart

Buy Now

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)