0/1: Off the centers left/right butt-cheek. Almost every football fan has heard the phrase, establish the run. On either side of the field are two wide receivers along with a tight end lined up next to the offensive line. They're short and timing based to get the ball out of the quarterback's hands and give a high completion percentage. With all of this success, Reid has passed his knowledge to his assistants who have gone on to be successful NFL coaches in their own right. Typically, there will be two backs in the backfield split to either side of the quarterback. The most basic formation is to have a quarterback in the backfield with a running back and full back split to either side of him. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to write more articles in the near future. Usually, they work inside-out, blocking the inner-most defender first. Walsh's original West Coast offense was built around Joe Montana's specific strengths and the players he had to work with. Ohio is a features two receiver route combo that has outside receiver running a go route, while the inside receiver runs an out route. When the running game becomes effective it causes the defense to set up to stop the run and potentially overcommit. From big throws downfield to power running the football, there are countless ways to run an offense in the NFL. Weak back free releases. These plays are designed to get the ball thrown before the defense has time to respond; there are a few different variations within the five steps to further confuse the defense. They pay Tony Romo about 17 million dollars a year to tell you this on Sunday, and Thursday Nights. Watching their highlights from with the 49ers almost certainly means you are watching the WCO. Backs protect inside-out, meaning they block an inside rush threat first, then work outside if there is no inside threat. This includes swing passes to the Running Backs and hitches to the Tight End with a regular route tree for receivers. The Shallow Cross passing concept that teams that like to run the Air Raid offense. There will be two wide receivers on the line of scrimmage on either side of the field. If the defender covers the hitch, the deep in route will be open. The Verticals passing concept sends 3 or 4 receivers on vertical passing routes. The West Coast roots come from an under-center, quick, methodical passing game. West Coast passing concepts are designed for efficiency, stretching defenses horizontally. The final passing concept is the play-action pass. The players Hey there! A fundamentally sound play that strives to contradict the basic principles of a defense, the play-pass gets the defensive team to commit to a fake run and then throwing a pass behind the defenders off the fake.. Walshs terminology talks in terms of halfbacks and fullbacks, but I am using weak and strong back so its more fluid across systems and more modern formations. Defenses then developed the zone defense, where defensive players would cover a certain part of the field rather than a certain player. Run-game terminology is much more simple. The Stick is a passing concept that features the inside receiver running a stick route, often he has option to run a quick out route as well depending on the type of pass coverage. Your backs and TEs protect the OLBs. Walsh believed so firmly the importance of the three-step or five-step drop back by the quarterback and there are specific reasons for this. Both backs flow weak, and check release. To the left side (or weak-side/back-side), the offensive line will slide. In slide protection, you call a side to set the protection to (left/right, strong-side/weak-side, whatever). Watch for defenders dropping back in buzz zones as they do a good job at defending corner routes. Lastly, this means that The Catch came from this philosophy as well. Visit our Shop to see our latest tools to help you work faster! The West Coast Offense, as developed by former San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh, is a finesse offense that utilizes a short passing game designed to control the ball. 10s: Runs to an offset back at a depth of 4-5 yards coming across the formation/behind the QB (so like a fullback in an offset-I, or a halfback next to the fullback). The three-step drop is designed to be the ball control section of the passing game. means all backs and tight-ends release, and the protection always becomes pocket protection (so if slide was called, max turns it into pocket protection). AKA Fox 2/Fox 3 if you want to sound cool, is the same as H2/H3, but now the fullback or other back is faking and taking the A-gap, while the halfback/tailback goes B-gap. The QB should see/feel the backs movement on this, telling them to quickly drop back and look to throw to the hot route, or get into the progression. The play is basic, with two curl-flat combinations either side of the formation and a receiver spotting . The Slot Cross has an inside receiver running a intermediate crossing route underneath the outside receiver who is running a deep dig route. His offense became one of the few not using the power running game as the focus through the 1980s and 1990s. Gruden had spent his 10 years out of coaching . West Coast offenses love to use concepts like Lion and Dragon to get the ball into the hands of the receiver while they're on the move. This is necessary, because both backs are going strong-side, giving the O-line no potential help to the weak-side. Bill Walsh helped changed the offensive playing field with his West Coast offensive system. His version of the West Coast offense relies on a highly athletic quarterback with an elite arm, as well as skilled receivers who thrive on making plays after the catch. Run Passes: If a run is called with pass tagged onto it, like 16 power pass, or 19 BOB pass, the offense executes the running play, but blockers do not go downfield so that a pass can be thrown. The second element was having pass catchers who could run precise routes and who possessed good hands to catch the ball over the middle of the field. The quarterback looks to throw to the receiver once he makes his break towards the side line. Play action means the offense will fake a run, then throw a pass. We'll be talking about all of those beginnings in this episode. When the backs release, the faking back who is more inside will break to the inside, and the back protecting outside will release outside. By having the inside receiver running the crossing route he will open room for the dig route coming behind him. The Ultimate Guide, How Much Do NHL Refs Make? Low-inside, high-outside. This pass route is highly effective against man coverage providing the receiver has move speed than the defender covering him. The back to the weak-side (away from the TE) scats (free releases) to their side into a route. 598 means they fake a 98 run and the line protects the gap to their backside (left), and 599 means they fake a 99 run and the line protects the gap to their backside (right). I will write another article that does a deep dive into slide protection, because its arguably the most popular and favored pass protection in football today. In this case, the protection is set to the right, so the first offensive lineman to the right of the center with no defender in the gap to their right is the first offensive lineman in the slide. This leads to the question. The Mesh passing concept has two receivers running shallow crossing route but from opposite directions. 200: The QB takes a 5-step drop, and the protection becomes slide protection (in other version of the WCO, you see 200/300 as both slide protection, and a 3-step drop). Below are some more features of the system: Finally, if you have more questions about the West Coast Offense, let us know below! There are players that play close to the ball and others that play further away. CoachingKidz.comis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking toAmazon.com. The inside receiver, runs a wheel route down the sideline. The terminology you will see in this article are being borrowed from this 356 page, 1985 49ers Playbook that can be found on Google. If the cornerback (flat defender) sits on the receiver running the low read, then the receiver running the high read will be open. If you have any requests you would like to make, please reach out and comment below. 78/79: Both backs flow weak, and check release. From. With the defense spread out at the line of scrimmage it becomes easier for the quarterback to find holes in the defense as well as for the running back when running the ball. H2/H3: H stands for halfback (so think your primary running-back. The essence of the West Coast system is rhythm & timing, and ball protection. The weak back and guard double read ILB to OLB to the weak side, and the back check-releases vs. no blitz. The back typically does not come across the formation, or at least behind the QB. It's a great concept: the shallow pulls the linebackers while the square-in -- aptly known in Airraid . Andy Reid is known as one of the most brilliant offensive minds in football and has created highly successful offenses with several different teams. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); San Jose State Spartans West Coast Offense (1991) - Terry Shea, Stanford Cardinal West Coast Offense (1993) - Bill Walsh, Cal Bears West Coast Offense (1997) - Steve Mariucci, Rutgers Scarlet Knights West Coast Offense (2000) - Terry Shea, San Francisco 49ers West Coast Offense (1982) - Bill Walsh, San Francisco 49ers West Coast Offense (1985) - Bill Walsh, San Francisco 49ers West Coast Pass Offense (1991) - Mike Holmgren, San Francisco 49ers West Coast Pass Install (1994) - Mike Shanahan, Green Bay Packers West Coast Offense (1997) - Mike Holmgren, Oakland Raiders Mini Camp West Coast Offense (1998) - Jon Gruden, New York Giants West Coast Offense (2000) - Sean Payton, Seattle Seahawks West Coast Offense (2000) - Mike Holmgren, Baltimore Ravens West Coast Offense (1999) - Brian Billick, Denver Broncos West Coast Offense (2002) - Mike Shanahan & Gary Kubiak, New York Jets West Coast Offense (2001) - Paul Hackett, Philadelphia Eagles West Coast Offense (2002) - Andy Reid, Denver Broncos West Coast Offense (2004) - Mike Shanahan & Gary Kubiak, New Orleans Saints Offense (2004) - Mike McCarthy, Nine QB Reads Multiple West Coast Offense Ron Jenkins Ppt, TopGun The Multiple West Coast Offense Pdf, Pass Protection Multiple West Coast Offense Ppt, Stanford Cardinal West Coast QB Manual - Bill Walsh, Stanford Cardinal West Coast Offense (1983), Incorporate Trick Plays into Your Offense (Part 2) Basic Trick Plays, Offense Playbook Series: Play Call Procedures, Simplify Your Run Blocking Approach With Spot Blocking, How North Dakota State Uses Tight Ends and Fullbacks, The North Dakota State Play Action Pass Game, Excellent for my team here in Canada.we usually check the Sam to. The call in the huddle could be "Jet Dart 368 Y-Flat Train on one." Here, the Redskins run their Hank concept, which is fundamental for the west coast offense. The West Coast Offense essentially provides a blue print for the modern game we know today. Concepts Efficient language. The second number indicates the specific type of protection/modification within that series. Personnel Preferences: Kingsbury runs modified/evolving Air Raid passing concepts with Andy Reid run game concepts. The West Coast Offense would then equate to the tactic of blitzkrieg developed by the Germans in WWII. In this playbook, there are two primary types of protection. While thats a general overview of the West Coast offense, theres a lot more that goes into calling and running plays in the system. X's O's Football is not affiliated or associated with EA Sports, the NFL, or their license. The West Coast offenses core elements are rhythm, timing, and ball protection. July 14, 2006, 12:04 pm ET. Both can be a hot receiver. When the offense feels this is happening, they often take chances by throwing the ball deep down the field. 284/285: Slide to the weak-side (284 means slide is left, backs right). 17 Bellstone Drive, Bellingham, MA, 02019. The weak-side back has OLB, and the strong-side back has ILB/extra/garbage. The Levels concept does an excellent job at attacking zone coverage. The back faking with the QB attacks the inside A-gap (between center and guard) and check releases reading Mike to Sam linebacker, and the non-faking back attacks the B-gap and check-releases reading Sam to the next outside threat. When McCarthy called plays as Green Bay HC, he used the West Coast offense a system dependent upon short passing. All backs (so two backs) check-release, and the TE free releases if there is one. We know that on first down our ball-control passing is vital. Defenses have found the best way to do so is by attacking the element that makes this offense elite the timing. Teams That Have a Variety of Pass Catchers - The West Coast Offense is famous for involving tight ends, fullbacks and halfbacks, in addition to at least two wide receivers. They release, because that defender theyre assigned to is not a threat to sack the quarterback, so rather than wasting a blocker, they want those players to get involved as receivers incase the primary receivers on a play are not open. 1-3 of 3 replies Sorted by. The West Coast was, at the time of its inception, known for being very pass heavy, which helped revolutionize offensive football during the 80's and 90's. McCarthy always fully embraced those. In terms of tactics, you would run the ball until the other teams defense got too strong against the run, or the defensive backs got too close to the line, then you would throw the ball deep, over their heads. Sometimes, this style is called nickel and dime defenses. While the run plays use the standard two digit. Backs split-flow using Rip/Liz rules (back closer to the right Rips, back closer to the left Lizs. The second and more common passing concept is the five-step drop back. Operation Sports Forums > Football > EA Sports College Football Offensive schemes and tactics Most Anticipated Sports Games of 2023 Five Ways EA Sports PGA Tour Can Improve Golf Career Modes If you have an I-formation, the strong back is the closest back to the TE, so its the fullback. These are great for setting up boot passes to get the defense going one way, so the QB has room to run the other way. We provide the latest Madden Tips, Madden Strategies, Madden Formations, Madden Plays, Madden News, and Madden Videos. Rip/Liz only applies to the weak-side (so 54 is TE to the right, meaning weak side is left, so Liz is ran. Coach Vigen explained what concepts fans should look for that are tell-tale elements of . Backs protect inside-out, meaning they block an inside rush threat first, then work outside if there is no inside threat. To the left side (or weak-side/back-side), the offensive line will slide. If that defender does not blitz (no dog), they then look to block the outside defender. 54/55: Rip/Liz only applies to the weak-side (so 54 is TE to the right, meaning weak side is left, so Liz is ran. an off set back is going to get the . Air raid is a spread passing attack looking to throw the ball to 5 playmakers in space using triangle reads. Rather than using tanks and planes (the passing game) to support the infantry, attack head-first with your planes first, tanks second, then let the infantry bat clean-up. One of the most popular styles has become the West Coast offense, a system that many NFL teams use today to various degrees. His very popular version of the offense averaged scoring a touchdown every ten plays and once scored 98 points in a single game. This one can get a little complicated, so take your time. The route involves a MOFO or MOFC read by the quarterback. When first introducing the system, Walsh was criticized as trying to finesse the defense or playing too conservatively. 0000000571 00000 n Your center and guards protect the center-three defenders of the defense. A popular way offenses like to attack zone coverage is flood one side of the field with mutiple receivers. wings95, JDG42, Guru03 and 1 others like this. Receivers, tight ends, and running backs will go in motion to try and draw a slower linebacker in coverage to create a mismatch. By BJ . Report inappropriate content . The Run and Shoot Offense was first developed in the 1960's by Glenn "Tiger" Ellison from Middletown, Ohio. Fire 2/Fire 3: I got this term from this page, which alters the terminology slightly (so ignore this sheet for this article, except for fire 2/fire 3). Has the outside receiver running a deep in route over the top of the inside receiver running short hitch. Weak flow is another pocket protection series normally ran from two-back sets. The idea of the Snag passing concept is to horizontal stretch the defense by creating three on two isolation. Usually, they work inside-out, blocking the inner-most defender first. 0000001747 00000 n The West Coast Offense has a simplified play action pass protection system to easily incorporate run fakes on almost any play. 56/57: Rip/Liz to the strong-side only. The Ultimate Guide, Volleyball Scoring 101: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Score. This is to get the defense to bite, or jump forward, leaving space open behind them for receivers to run. Against man coverage, the receiver running the pivot route will generally be open once he breaks towards the sideline. For quarterbacks, these backs and tight-ends often serve check-down roles, meaning if the primary receivers in the progression arent open, the QB finds these players for an easy release valve rather than holding onto the ball and risking a sack. Let's . The weak-side back has OLB, and the strong-side back has ILB/extra/garbage. The back typically does not come across the formation, or at least behind the QB. . You certainly don't need more than five 5-step concepts for a given game since you don't want to practice passes you won't run. Its a 6-man version of this play action protection where you fake to the tailback/halfback, and the 2nd back and TE are free releasing. More like you only need two or three at most. He gives us top analysis through his experience of being a franchise quarterback, and happens to be an entertaining voice, name another announcer who can do that. Enjoy! Walsh ignored the critics and at the end of his career Walshs system started a new era in the NFL with the passing attack being the focus of offenses. The comeback has the receiver taking an outside release and running about 18-20 yards up the field. They release if the ILB does not blitz. Due to innovations in offenses, the WCO has also been implemented for shotgun-based offenses. In slide protection, you BOB to the call side, and slide to the other side, with the uncovered lineman on the slide side checking the Will LB first (because in slide, the sliding linemen are responsible for the Will LB), then look for the OLB to that side. This concept is effective against Cover 2 zone coverage, as well as Cover 3 and Cover 4 coverages. However, the Walsh offense wanted to use quick, short passes as a partial substitute for a traditional running game. The original West Coast Offense of Sid Gillman uses some of the same principles (pass to establish the run, quarterback throws to timed spots), but offensive formations are generally less complicated with more wideouts and motion. Once gains separation or leverage he is will be open. If youre still confused about the orientation of the numbering system, remember this: They are oriented based on the location of the TE. Linemen in the slide protect the gaps to their back-side/weak-side (the left side in this example), and are also responsible for the Will linebacker. Conversely if the cornerback sinks back on the receiver running the high read, then the low read receiver will be open. The Shake has a receiver making a quick fake before running a shallow crossing route. Initially, the Spread looked to be a variation of the West Coast offense, but its a unique offensive system. The slide begins at the first offensive lineman to the strong-side/play-side that does not have a defender in their play-side gap. 50/51, 52/53: Backs split-flow using Rip/Liz rules (back closer to the right Rips, back closer to the left Lizs. Recently with Patrick Mahomes, arguably the best quarterback in the league, he has moved into more shotgun formations allowing Mahomes more freedom with his decision-making. A new kind of offense has taken over the college level and has made its way into the NFL recently called the Spread offense. Additionally, Roger Craig, Dwight Clark, and Tom Rathman were among many Pro-Bowl caliber players on offense during this era. 280 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 282 /H [ 712 738 ] /L 680989 /E 4908 /N 67 /T 675270 >> endobj xref 280 11 0000000016 00000 n A Complete Overview, What Is a Pick 6 in Football? In 1969, the Bengals had a rising superstar in rookie quarterback Greg Cook, but in week 3 Cook tore his rotator cuff. 69 H Option-Lavelle Edwards.pdf. understanding the concepts behind our basic run and pass schemes is essential. The goal was to get these pass catchers the ball in space as they ran across the middle of the field to allow them to make plays after the catch for extra yardage. The Switch concept is a popular Run-&-Shoot passing concept that has outside receiver running a post route with an inside receiver. Tanks were introduced in WWI to support infantry as they charged across no-mans land, and planes were used for reconnaissance, and to drop bombs over enemy strong-points in the trenches and cities. New York went from a vertical concept with elements of the old run-and-shoot implemented by Kevin Gilbride to more of a West Coast offense, in which the emphasis was put more on short to . The quick slant is the signature play of the West Coast Offense. The West Coast Offense is an innovative horizontal passing offense based on timing and route running. If the defender does not blitz, they release into a route to receive a pass. The Dagger is a two receiver route combo that has the outside receiver running a dig route, while the inside receiver next to him runs a streak down the seam. Adjusting Y Cross If the OLB blitzes, the back then becomes the hot receiver, and replaces the OLBs position to get open. 2 means fake action to the right, and 3 means fake action to the left. For those that dont know MOFO simply means "middle of the field open," or no deep middle safety. 101 Plays from The Coastal Carolina Offense, 101 Plays from the College Playoff Book Bundle, 101 Plays from the Georgia Offense - 2022, 101 Plays from the 2022 Ohio State Offense. Many of these pass protections are the gold-standard for pass protections in the NFL today. Slide Protection: This one can get a little complicated, so take your time. Watch for defenders dropping back in buzz zones as they do a good job at defending corner routes. Runs to an offset back at a depth of 4-5 yards coming across the formation/behind the QB (so like a fullback in an offset-I, or a halfback next to the fullback). Even in the West Coast offense run by some other guys the Ravens have interviewed, like Gary Kubiak, it's pretty specific what you need to make it work including a stout O-line because running backs are used primarily as pass catchers instead of extra blockers. Below is an image of the drop-back pocket-protection summary from the playbook: Popularly known today as half-slide protection all 2/3-Jet plays are slide protection with one back (always a 6-man protection). A look at common deep pass routes, passing concepts, and route combos. 74/75: Both backs free release to the backside, and the O-line scat protects to the weak-side (guard/uncovered lineman double reads ILB to OLB). Finally, a tight end will line up at the line of scrimmage next to the offensive linemen. Your backs and TEs protect the OLBs. The concept is good versus both man coverage and zone coverage. Swap: When there are two backs in the backfield, they essentially cross each other off the snap. This is similar to the idea of "concepts" in the West Coast Offense, except the West Coast terminology sometimes names plays after the primary receiver's route, like "Y Spot". One of the big differences is the removal of the fullback in the Spread system. MOFC means "middle of the field closed," or is there a deep middle guy. In the playbook this article is based off of, Walsh uses three digits. 0000001929 00000 n The West Coast system looks to establish the pass, to set up the run. A Guide to How They Work, What Are Audibles in Football? If the defender covers the deep in route, the hitch route underneath will be open. Triangle - Defense. When executed successfully, the defense would start playing more conservatively, trying to close and prevent those short passes, which would open up both the deep passing game for those gut-punch plays (tanks using speed to overwhelm defenses and get behind enemy lines), then the running game (infantry). A look at common medium pass routes, passing concepts, and route combos. Unless a specific protection says otherwise, players not mentioned use the rules described above. The terminology you will see in this article are being borrowed from this. Play action is where the offense fakes a run in an attempt to make the defense react to the run, then uses the quarterback to roll out and pass to a receiver running down the field. In the 1970's, Darrel "Mouse" Davis began having tremendous success with the offense at Portland . Some team's may refer to it as the triangle. The Y Cross has the tight end (Y) running an intermediate crossing route. The West Coast offense was one of the most revolutionary offenses when it first hit the scene. In this playbook, there are two primary types of protection. This site is owned and operated by Coaching Kidz. Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy's roots are in the West Coast Offense, which he's now bringing to The Star - with Dak Prescott and "2.5 seconds'' a centerpiece determinant for how well it'll . The weak-side back free releases, while the strong back check-releases to the weak-side. Have the ability to run many plays from multiple formations, meaning the defense shouldnt be able to predict what the offense will run. Its so popular that every offense and defense knows it to a point where offenses will just call it what it is, because it cant really take defenses by surprise anymore. Coach Bill Walsh is credited with inventing this system as a Quarterbacks Coach for the Cincinnati Bengals. Consequently, higher completion percentages are expected and, with that, fewer turnovers. The West Coast Offense would then equate to the tactic of blitzkrieg developed by the Germans in WWII. In terms of protection, scat indicates that the side a back free releases to calls for the offensive guard, or uncovered lineman to that side to double-read the the linebackers to that side. Runs to a back at 6-7 yards behind the QB (so a tailback). Offensive schemes and tactics This is a discussion on Offensive schemes and tactics within the EA Sports College Football forums. Please, The West Coast Offense Walsh used primarily relies on numbers to call pass protections. The inner most receiver runs a flat route. When there are two backs in the backfield, default rules have both backs going to the same side. They then would blitz the quarterback using a zone blitz in an attempt to disrupt their timing. The Spacing is quick passing concept that has three receivers running a three route combo. The idea behind this passing concept is to create either 3 on 2 or 4 on 3 against zone coverage, allowing for one of the receivers to be open deep down the field. Compared to other offensive systems, this style has been said to nickel and dime the defense, due to its short passing attempts, and has led to amazing success by countless teams throughout the years and is a staple in the NFL. This is almost the exact same as the 20s, but the Rip/Liz rules are now applied. 1985 BYU Passing Offense.pdf. Against man coverage, their pass routes create a rub or natural pick on defenders covering. The two outside receivers next him both run short in routes.