The West Coast Offense: Timing-Based Passing By rufio May 27, 2011, 3:00pm EDT Share One common misunderstanding about West Coast offenses is that they only throw short or that they utilize. The West Coast Offense would then equate to the tactic of blitzkrieg developed by the Germans in WWII. O-D Kick Game Install 2021. 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. If youre still confused about the orientation of the numbering system, remember this: They are oriented based on the location of the TE. For West Coast teams that love to use quick-hitting pass plays to move the chains, the POP play is a God-send for how it integrates what that team has to spend practice time on. These indeed are the most common route combinations and concepts. Rip/Liz only applies to the weak-side (so 54 is TE to the right, meaning weak side is left, so Liz is ran. the diagram below. Receivers, tight ends, and running backs will go in motion to try and draw a slower linebacker in coverage to create a mismatch. 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. The West Coast offense is a fast-paced system that relies on short and quick throws to sure-handed receivers who run precise horizontal routes. %PDF-1.2 % One of the most important elements in this system is the quarterback dropback. For this article we show several common pass routes and route combos that you will find in real football and video game football. A Guide to How They Work, What Are Audibles in Football? 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. Ohio is a features two receiver route combo that has outside receiver running a go route, while the inside receiver runs an out route. 9,884 posts . The terminology you will see in this article are being borrowed from this. 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. Let's . Since the West Coast system has so many pass catchers on the field, when a defensive player blitzes, the quarterback just needs to find the open, unguarded player. 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. 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. If the OLB does not blitz, the back releases. Since this article is about pass protection, we will cover what in Walshs system are the 20s, 50s, 70s, 80s, and a BASIC introduction to 2/3 Jet protection. Play action means the offense will fake a run, then throw a pass. 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. The Pivot passing concept has an outside receiver running a dig route over the top of the inside receiver next to him, who is running a pivot (zig zag) route. Air raid is a spread passing attack looking to throw the ball to 5 playmakers in space using triangle reads. These types of pass routes are very effective in man coverage is called. Scat protection strong-side with both backs free releasing. 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.. Those combined, with the wide zone running offense, make for a deadly play-action passing game that stresses linebackers to their extreme. While thats a general overview of the West Coast offense, theres a lot more that goes into calling and running plays in the system. Additionally, Roger Craig, Dwight Clark, and Tom Rathman were among many Pro-Bowl caliber players on offense during this era. When McCarthy called plays as Green Bay HC, he used the West Coast offense a system dependent upon short passing. Still confused about the play numbers. Personnel Preferences: Kingsbury runs modified/evolving Air Raid passing concepts with Andy Reid run game concepts. The West Coast passing offense is comprised of a lot of slants and crossing routes. 200/300 Jet is the same protection, but now the QB is taking a 3-step drop, and the line is blocking aggressively. we call plays in the following series: a) teens: all runs. Backs split-flow using Rip/Liz rules (back closer to the right Rips, back closer to the left Lizs. 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. In addition to the innovation of avid dedication to precisely timed short routes, the West Coast Offense was one of the first systems to implement a complex strategy for protecting the QB, while also allowing the offense to use its tight-ends and running-backs in the passing game with almost an equal amount participation in the passing game as the wide receivers. Scat protection weak (TE to that side free releases). If youre a fan of the NFL, youve probably heard the term West Coast Offense. You have also probably seen or heard NFL content where a coach or player says an incredibly long play-name that sounds like a language only C-3PO could translate. In order to fully grasp such an intricate philosophy, one must be able to appreciate how a play-caller schemes his receivers into space. 69 H Option-Lavelle Edwards.pdf. Low-inside, high-outside. 20/21, 22/23: Basic split-flow rules as described above. The players Hey there! The offense relies on a smart, accurate, and mobile quarterback running the offense under center. Gruden had spent his 10 years out of coaching . The Spacing is quick passing concept that has three receivers running a three route combo. Generally one of them gets open once they cross each other. Hb```f``:&23 ?s4 9L*. Along the way, Ill also answer general sports related questions. What we like about it is its a simple high/low read for the quarterback to make. 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. BYU Passing Game - Lavell Edwards.doc . The TE is not blocking at all, and both backs go weak, so there are only lineman blocking to the strong-side, requiring the scat protection. Your center and guards protect the center-three defenders of the defense. The quarterback looks to throw to the receiver once he makes his break towards the side line. The Slot Cross has an inside receiver running a intermediate crossing route underneath the outside receiver who is running a deep dig route. This was effective as defenses could keep offenses guessing by blitzing linebackers, safeties, or cornerbacks from any part of the field. First, our offense uses "precision-timed passing, variable formations, and the exploitation of each player's skills" (quote by Bill Walsh) to attack the opposition. Frankfurt, Germany. 26/27: The back to the strong-side scats and the strong guard/uncovered lineman scat protects. 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). If the safety does not bite on the dig route, then quarterback would look to throw to that receiver underneath. 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. 2/3: A-gap (between center and guard), 4/5: B-gap (between guard and tackle), 6/7: C-gap (between tackle and TE), 8/9: Outside. A new kind of offense has taken over the college level and has made its way into the NFL recently called the Spread offense. Due to this, when they see any type of potential run play, the defense may overact, letting the offense take them off guard. Diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas and challenging perspectives that's nothing but good news for an Eagles offense that smashed its skull against the same West Coast spacing concepts. A core concept in West Coast systems, here are four combinations within the Hi-Lo series that we see across the league. 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). Watch for defenders dropping back in buzz zones as they do a good job at defending corner routes. Romo will turn out to be an all time announcer for CBS. One of the big differences is the removal of the fullback in the Spread system. Weak flow with scat protection to the strong-side: The TE is now free releasing. This means you're only going to throw 5-step passes about FIVE times a game (50% of your plays = 25, 20% of this = 5). One of the biggest drawbacks in the West Coast and Air Coryell offenses are their elongated play calls. Although the system has evolved and integrated with various offensive systems over the previous three decades, the traditional West Coast offense looks to set up the run by passing first,. Another difference is that the West Coast system looks to make quick passes across the middle of the field, but the Spread looks to spread the defense out across the whole field and uses vertical routes just as much as horizontal routes. 30s: Trap and toss plays from an offset back at 4-5 yards. The quarterback is looking to see what the defense gives him and looks to take advantage of it. There are two similar but distinct offensive strategic systems that are commonly referred to as "West Coast offenses". This one can get a little complicated, so take your time. We'll be talking about all of those beginnings in this episode. Even with countless formations, the West Coast offense will have several consistent elements: NFL offenses have taken these elements to create their own unique variation of the West Coast system. The inner most receiver runs a flat route. For those that dont know MOFO simply means "middle of the field open," or no deep middle safety. The concept exploits the aggressiveness of the defense, as the passing plays are based on faking the most successful running plays. 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. First digit indicates whos carrying the ball, and the second number is the hole, or point of attack the ball carrier takes it to. Walsh then added more layers by sending players in motion to create mismatches and used the passing game to set the tempo of the game. 2019 X's O's Football. 0000001747 00000 n In this playbook, there are two primary types of protection. Remember pocket and slide protection that was mentioned above. 300: Remember, this book does not use 300 like modern WCO terminology uses it. The TE to the weak-side check-releases. What do all of those terms mean, and why is West Coast Offense said so often? Gap protection: The O-line steps to the back-side/away from the call and protects the gap. West Coast passing concepts are designed for efficiency, stretching defenses horizontally. Below is an example of the type of formation and play Coach Walsh would run: It is important to note that Coach Walsh won three Super Bowls with this offense. 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. The weak-back coming to the strong-side double-reads the ILB to strong OLB (Mike to Sam). The first was using the timing of the quarterback dropbacks to set the pace for the play. 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. In your diagram, you show 3 Jet as being the play call to the left, but the tight end is to the right! He so firmly believed in this, every play was created with a predetermined number of steps for the quarterbacks drop back. In addition to wide receivers running routes, the running back and tight end typically will also run routes to overwhelm the defense. My name is Steven and I have a passion for sports and staying physically active. The quick slant is the signature play of the West Coast Offense. If the ILB blitzes, they sneak a peak at the outside linebacker (OLB) to their side. There will be two wide receivers on the line of scrimmage on either side of the field. If that defender does not blitz (no dog), they then look to block the outside defender. Runs to a back at 6-7 yards behind the QB (so a tailback). A Complete Overview, What Is a Pick 6 in Football? The call in the huddle could be "Jet Dart 368 Y-Flat Train on one." If the cornerback (flat defender) sits on the receiver running the low read, then the receiver running the high read will be open. Football's West Coast Offense. . Before the introduction of the West Coast offense, defenses would simply play man-to-man defense and send an extra pass rusher at the quarterback. When a back or tight-end is assigned a hot responsibility, it means if their assigned defender blitzes, they bypass them and look for a quick pass from the QB. 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. Have the ability to run many plays from multiple formations, meaning the defense shouldnt be able to predict what the offense will run. Pocket/Cup Protection, and 2. Offensive schemes and tactics This is a discussion on Offensive schemes and tactics within the EA Sports College Football forums. Bill Walsh, who was the offensive coordinator at the time, had to step back and completely redesign the teams offense. Strong back only has ILB (or Mike) to their side, and check releases off them. Backs protect inside-out, meaning they block an inside rush threat first, then work outside if there is no inside threat. If the call is 314 the slide is going to the left, and 315 means the slide is going to the right. 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. 0000001428 00000 n Let the quarterback see and read the defense by utilizing his three or five step drop. The West Coast offense does the exact opposite. Hitch is a quick that has a receiver running short curl that allows the quarterback to throw a safe pass for an easy complete. Rip(Right)/Liz(Left): The back on the side called check releases on the inside linebacker to that side. From. 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. The guard or uncovered lineman to the weak-side must now scat protect to that side, meaning they double read the ILB to OLB on the weak-side. Empty protection (no backs or TEs in protection; just the five linemen) could be done with either pocket or slide protection. The weak-side back free releases, while the strong back check-releases to the weak-side. 56/57: Rip/Liz to the strong-side only. Even numbers mean the TE (strong-side) is to the right. Attack the defense and force them to adjust and react. In your summary, you say that an odd number means that the TE is on the left! The Run and Shoot Offense was first developed in the 1960's by Glenn "Tiger" Ellison from Middletown, Ohio. 55 is TE left, so we Rip). 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.