Installing Today’s Hybrid Pistol Offense Run & Pass from Top to Bottom
This manual provides you with the full offensive line, receiver, and quarterback mechanics for installing each offensive play presented. Coach Campbell has left no stone unturned for implementing today’s Pistol Offense into your program.
FASTEST and BEST TACKLERS OF THE FASTEST GUYS ON THE TEAM, I MAKE THE GUNNERS. (ALIGN ON VERY ENDS OF THE LINE) AND GO DIRECTLY TO THE BALL. THE NEXT 2 MEN INSIDE ON EITHER END OF THE LINE ARE MY CONTAIN MEN. THEY LOOP OUTSIDE, ALWAYS GOING FORWARD RIGHT OFF THE BUTTS OF THE GUNNERS AND COME DOWN EITHER SIDE, NEVER ALLOWING THEMSELVES TO GET MORE THAN 3 YDS. FROM THE BOUNDARY AT ANY TIME UNTIL THEY REACH THE DEPTH OF THE BALL. THEY THEN ARE PERMITTED TO DRIFT INSIDE TOWARD THE BALL CARRIER, BUT ALWAYS ALEERT FOR THE MISDIRECTION COMING BACK THEIR WAY! WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR THEM TO MAKE THE TACKLE, UNLESS A REVERSE IS RUN TO THEM! THE THIRD MAN IN ON BOTH SIDES ARE MY HEAD HUNTERS! COACHING POINT: YOU HAVE HEARD SINCE POP WARNER "STAY IN YOUR LANES" ON THE COVERAGE TEAM! THE EASIEST MAN TO BLOCK IS ONE WHO STAYS IN HIS LANE AND RUNS A STRAIGHT ARROW TO THE BALL CARRIER! HE SHOULD BE COACHED TO 'SNAKE" TO THE BALL, JUST MY TERM BUT PICTURE A SNAKE CRAWLING ALONG THE GROUND AS HIS BODY UNDULATES FROM SIDE TO SIDE, THIS IS THE "ROUTE" YOU WANT TO RUN. THE NEXT 2 MEN ON BOTH SIDES ARE YOUR WEDGE BUSTERS. THESE ARE THE GUYS WITH "GRANDE CAYHONES"(SP?) WHO LOVE TO FLY DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD HOPING FOR A MIDDLE RETURN AND WILL THROW THEIR BODIES INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE WEDGE SPILLING GUYS ASIDE TO EXPOSE THE BALL CARRIER FOR A KILL SHOT! THE 11TH MAN, IS OF COURSE, THE KICKER. IN MY SCHEME, HE MIRRORS THE BALL CARRIER AND IS THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE IF THE OPPONENT BREAKS AWAY! REMIND HIM THAT A BLOCKER IS ALWAYS ASSIGNED TO HIM, AND KEEP HIS HEAD ON A SWIVEL AS THEY LOVE TO LAY OUT KICKERS!!! JUST MY WAY FOR OUR MOST OFTEN USED KICK COVER.
COACH EASTON
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
We corner kick from one hash or the other depending on wind or quality of returner. We line up 4 to the kicker side and six to the other. We teach "force-contain" which means instead of staying in lanes or flying to the ball, our kids are taught to recognize where the ball is going on the fly and slowly "fold in on the ball". TIGER ONE is right when he says get the best athletes on kickoff. I used my starting FB, my two starting DE, my four starting LB, my starting safety and both corners. Discipline and aggression are the keys.
For years, we had been a traditional "stay in your lane" KO team. We did OK, but never anything spectacular.
Last season we went with the techniques that you guys described. We desiginated 4 players as "bombers". Their job was to run down the field, blow up the opposing wedge, and maintain outside leverage. Their technique was to not allow the ball carrier to get past the outside shoulder.
Another group of 4 players would be our coverage guys. These guys would follow in behind of the bombers. There job was to make the tackles.
We sent our kicker (a 6-1, 240 all-Conference LB) immediately to the ball after kicking. The two outside guys were contain players.
The results were devastating to the other teams. We killed people all year and really dominated in terms of field position.
We used to "bunch" cover the kicks - stopped doing it because we play a lot of 1st teamers on kick coverage now and the additional sprint distance wasn't a good thing (everybody here plays both ways...) but we liked the deception and the difficulty it created for schemes other than wedge returns...
Something we tried this year with really good success was to allow our gunners to position themselves anywhere from 1 to 4 (using traditional outside-in alignment and counting) and because we had four almost indentical players we had two possible gunners on each side - one would actually go straight to the ball and the other would have a "responsibility"
- our thinking was that from scouting we could find the weak points in their blocking - especially the man blocking/kickout/sideline return teams - we make our wild, undisciplined, next great linebacker our gunners (all the physical tools just not the smarts - and for us our linebackers can run b/c we aren't blessed with big uns).
Finding the easiest/quickest/most direct route was their primary objective - we wanted these kids in on the tackle - because we've always had pretty good gunners our opponents always seemed to match up a good blocker/scheme on our good kids (imagine that!) - so having some "options" appealed to us.
Things we learned - you have to practice this more than a normal kick coverage b/c you have to give kids time to figure out why and when to change people or places - and you have to give kids time to practice playing their "lane" from a slightly different starting point. We also learned who really wanted to play on the kick coverage team because if they didnt pick the easiest route to the mess they didnt really want to make the tackle.
We felt like it was worth the additional time because we did not have a great kickoff guy and every yard counts - we loved the enthusiasm we got as the gunner options argued over who would get to do it next - our gunner was never blocked unless by a wedge (well never is an exaggeration - but our designated gunners were credited with being in on 87% of our kick cover tackles - and lastly this type of movement for purpose matched what we were teaching on defense with the 3-5-3 - show one thing play another and attack attack attack...
Wondering - are you guys all kick from the middle guys? or do you kick from a hash? do you kick from both hashes? or just one? do left-footed kickers have a better hash? (can you tell I'm not a kicker or a kicking coach??)
Coaches, we use a typical KO from middles of the field. Gunners are placed as the last man outside and attack the ball, next man in has contain, all the rest have lane responsibility and the kicker is the safety valve. One thing that we do and I'm sure that most of you do as well is practice special teams every day. It is that important to me! I have seen games won and lost on special teams and desparately do not want to be on the losing side because of lack of ST preparation. Anyone else use a "knuckle" kickoff when playing on turf? We flip the tee over and place the ball horizontally on the tee. This kick does not always go very far but when it lands on the turf anything can happen. We use it as almost an onside kick and have been very successful with it. Just wondering.
Matt Walsh
Taft HS Eagles
Chicago
mjwalsh@cps.k12.il.us
I think it's interesting how everyone nowadays, at least in smaller schools, "puts their best players on the kick teams." I agree to a point, but I think it is questionable to have someone play every play of a football game. Anyone who plays both ways for us will probably be on no special teams if possible, simply because I think it is unrealistic to really go all out playing that many plays. The kicking game usually involves the longest sprints / plays. I like to make special teams special and have my best players on the field, but I'd rather have them as fresh as possible. I don't really think that's possible if they are playing every play of the game. Does anybody agree?
No offense intended whatsoever, but I couldn't disagree with you more. Once attended an offensive lecture at Fla. State given by Wayne McDuffie their O line coach at that time before moving on to the Atlanta Falcons. The room was packed and his opening remark was " LETS TALK REAL OFFENSIVE FOOTBALL, LETS TALK THE KICKING GAME!" Everyone looked around at each other and in about 5 minutes the room was empty but for a handfull of us. Best decision I ever made, as for the next two hours I was treated to the best lecture I have ever heard on special teams!!! Only the use of top notch athletes was a major point being driven home the entire lecture! Now, on a HS team that always meant to me to utilize the very best 11 you have for all 5 special forces! No matter if he was a starter on both sides of the ball or whatever, with one exception and that being the starting QB. To be perfectly honest with you I use the same method from that day to this and with no regrets of any kind, have used the starting QB whenever the very best were called for if he were a great athlete as well as, a QB. They say there are 4 plays that occur during the course of the game that are major, and that if you can win 3 of the 4 you have greatly enhanced your chances of winning. I researched it very quickly after learning that gem and quickly discerned that most of the time those plays occured when special forces were on the field, i.e. bad long snaps, muffed long snaps, fumbles on the return, etc. I decided if that were the case, AND IT IS, I wanted the very best I have to offer to be on the field to make those plays go our way as many times as we possibly can. It has turned out to be one of the best, most productive techniques that I have ever used in any facet of the game. Maybe my experience is the exception, I do not know, but I do know I NEVER PLAN ON CHANGING. Just my opinion, as always.
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
I noticed you referred to your "Special Forces." Was this an intended bit of psychology? It really seems to convey some of the mentality that is necessary for great special teams.
I think special teams is the most difficult to organize for practice. When you practice with your full specials teams is it usually full contact, or do you limit contact using bags, dummies, etc?
The University of Miami requires every offensive and defensive starter to play on at least one special team. You can't argue with their success. I am not that old (barely 30) but we still played iron man football. Kids need to be conditioned to never leave the field. I'd love playing you if you put my best players and best tacklers against your second string guys who aren't fast and can't tackle. With all due respect, we'd eat you up.
We NEVER use dummies on kick off or kick return drills, always full out with full contact! You know the old adage- You play as you practice- Well, in my opinon that is very true and if you want them to play with all out intensity on game night, insure that they are practicing the same way.
As for the term "Special Forces" that is an old one that I just picked up somewhere along the line. It signifies to me; special toughness, special talent, special personnel !!! If you want to win on a consistent basis, make sure you have the most talented you have on roster to man the SPECIAL FORCES. Just my way, as always.
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
go vertical - give me a holler at wheeler_keith_d@msn.com
Keith Wheeler<BR><BR>www.herofund.com - give to those that are giving their lives everyday.<BR><BR>"It's not about plays; it's about personnel, execution, getting people to believe and doing it right." - Norv Turner<BR>
I don't think I'm really that much different than what you guys are saying. I'm not going to put some slobs out there, and I will probably have even 2 way starters on a special team or 2, but I'm not going to play a player every single play of a game if I can help it. I am a young coach so I haven't been doing it that long, but I feel like this has been an advantage for us so far. Maybe I'll change my mind in the future. So far, here are the advantages, in my opinion: 1. We give some of our younger, but still pretty good, players a chance to get on the field and get experience. 2. Some of these non-starters are fired up to be on the field. They really give 100% each time. No matter how much we teach and preach to some guys that play every play, they are going to get tired and start to go less than 100%. This happens regularly at the high school level on all types of plays. 3. Our players get a little break that the 2-way guys from other teams aren't getting. This can be an advantage for us, much like being better conditioned will be.
How many plays are there in a game usually, at least 80? Is it realistic for someone to run 80 + forties at 100%, often times with a pretty short rest? I agree about the college level special teams. Those guys aren't playing both ways so it's not the same. I'm talking about guys who play every single offensive and defensive snap. We have our #1 D for punt return and a lot of our other kick teams still have some starters, but we will try to work other guys in here where some teams will still play their same 11-13 for the entire game.
Thanks for your replies. Like I said, I might get burned on this and change my mind forever. Until then...
I agree w/Tiger One and the other guys. We play our most aggressive, best eleven athletes at all times!!! We are a very large high school that could easily platoon. But it has been my experience that you win games with your best athletes. Since there are three phases to the game and Special Teams are 1/3 of that equation, it makes since to put your starters out there.
We will go even one further. We will play our QB at Punter or Kicker and long snapper. For very obvious reasons, this gives us an offensive advantage. We are an option team, so ours QB's are used to taking licks.
We also give our special teams special names. For example, Kick Off is the Knock-Out team. I think it gives the guys a little motivation. We also condition our Non-Special players during special teams time. This sends the message that you definitley want to be on the Special Teams unit.
Last year, we had problems defending a sideline return with two double teams; one vs. the contain man and one vs. the next one inside. What would you recommend vs. this return? Also, what does "GRANDE CAYHONES" mean? Thanks!
quote: Originally posted by: TIGER ONE FASTEST and BEST TACKLERS OF THE FASTEST GUYS ON THE TEAM, I MAKE THE GUNNERS. (ALIGN ON VERY ENDS OF THE LINE) AND GO DIRECTLY TO THE BALL. THE NEXT 2 MEN INSIDE ON EITHER END OF THE LINE ARE MY CONTAIN MEN. THEY LOOP OUTSIDE, ALWAYS GOING FORWARD RIGHT OFF THE BUTTS OF THE GUNNERS AND COME DOWN EITHER SIDE, NEVER ALLOWING THEMSELVES TO GET MORE THAN 3 YDS. FROM THE BOUNDARY AT ANY TIME UNTIL THEY REACH THE DEPTH OF THE BALL. THEY THEN ARE PERMITTED TO DRIFT INSIDE TOWARD THE BALL CARRIER, BUT ALWAYS ALEERT FOR THE MISDIRECTION COMING BACK THEIR WAY! WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR THEM TO MAKE THE TACKLE, UNLESS A REVERSE IS RUN TO THEM! THE THIRD MAN IN ON BOTH SIDES ARE MY HEAD HUNTERS! COACHING POINT: YOU HAVE HEARD SINCE POP WARNER "STAY IN YOUR LANES" ON THE COVERAGE TEAM! THE EASIEST MAN TO BLOCK IS ONE WHO STAYS IN HIS LANE AND RUNS A STRAIGHT ARROW TO THE BALL CARRIER! HE SHOULD BE COACHED TO 'SNAKE" TO THE BALL, JUST MY TERM BUT PICTURE A SNAKE CRAWLING ALONG THE GROUND AS HIS BODY UNDULATES FROM SIDE TO SIDE, THIS IS THE "ROUTE" YOU WANT TO RUN. THE NEXT 2 MEN ON BOTH SIDES ARE YOUR WEDGE BUSTERS. THESE ARE THE GUYS WITH "GRANDE CAYHONES"(SP?) WHO LOVE TO FLY DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD HOPING FOR A MIDDLE RETURN AND WILL THROW THEIR BODIES INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE WEDGE SPILLING GUYS ASIDE TO EXPOSE THE BALL CARRIER FOR A KILL SHOT! THE 11TH MAN, IS OF COURSE, THE KICKER. IN MY SCHEME, HE MIRRORS THE BALL CARRIER AND IS THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE IF THE OPPONENT BREAKS AWAY! REMIND HIM THAT A BLOCKER IS ALWAYS ASSIGNED TO HIM, AND KEEP HIS HEAD ON A SWIVEL AS THEY LOVE TO LAY OUT KICKERS!!! JUST MY WAY FOR OUR MOST OFTEN USED KICK COVER.
COACH EASTON
Coach Easton:
Last year, we had problems defending a sideline return with two double teams; one vs. the contain man and one vs. the next one inside. What would you recommend vs. this return? Also, what does "GRANDE CAYHONES" mean? Thanks!
quote: Originally posted by: TIGER ONE FASTEST and BEST TACKLERS OF THE FASTEST GUYS ON THE TEAM, I MAKE THE GUNNERS. (ALIGN ON VERY ENDS OF THE LINE) AND GO DIRECTLY TO THE BALL. THE NEXT 2 MEN INSIDE ON EITHER END OF THE LINE ARE MY CONTAIN MEN. THEY LOOP OUTSIDE, ALWAYS GOING FORWARD RIGHT OFF THE BUTTS OF THE GUNNERS AND COME DOWN EITHER SIDE, NEVER ALLOWING THEMSELVES TO GET MORE THAN 3 YDS. FROM THE BOUNDARY AT ANY TIME UNTIL THEY REACH THE DEPTH OF THE BALL. THEY THEN ARE PERMITTED TO DRIFT INSIDE TOWARD THE BALL CARRIER, BUT ALWAYS ALEERT FOR THE MISDIRECTION COMING BACK THEIR WAY! WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR THEM TO MAKE THE TACKLE, UNLESS A REVERSE IS RUN TO THEM! THE THIRD MAN IN ON BOTH SIDES ARE MY HEAD HUNTERS! COACHING POINT: YOU HAVE HEARD SINCE POP WARNER "STAY IN YOUR LANES" ON THE COVERAGE TEAM! THE EASIEST MAN TO BLOCK IS ONE WHO STAYS IN HIS LANE AND RUNS A STRAIGHT ARROW TO THE BALL CARRIER! HE SHOULD BE COACHED TO 'SNAKE" TO THE BALL, JUST MY TERM BUT PICTURE A SNAKE CRAWLING ALONG THE GROUND AS HIS BODY UNDULATES FROM SIDE TO SIDE, THIS IS THE "ROUTE" YOU WANT TO RUN. THE NEXT 2 MEN ON BOTH SIDES ARE YOUR WEDGE BUSTERS. THESE ARE THE GUYS WITH "GRANDE CAYHONES"(SP?) WHO LOVE TO FLY DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD HOPING FOR A MIDDLE RETURN AND WILL THROW THEIR BODIES INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE WEDGE SPILLING GUYS ASIDE TO EXPOSE THE BALL CARRIER FOR A KILL SHOT! THE 11TH MAN, IS OF COURSE, THE KICKER. IN MY SCHEME, HE MIRRORS THE BALL CARRIER AND IS THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE IF THE OPPONENT BREAKS AWAY! REMIND HIM THAT A BLOCKER IS ALWAYS ASSIGNED TO HIM, AND KEEP HIS HEAD ON A SWIVEL AS THEY LOVE TO LAY OUT KICKERS!!! JUST MY WAY FOR OUR MOST OFTEN USED KICK COVER.
quote: Originally posted by: TIGER ONE FASTEST and BEST TACKLERS OF THE FASTEST GUYS ON THE TEAM, I MAKE THE GUNNERS. (ALIGN ON VERY ENDS OF THE LINE) AND GO DIRECTLY TO THE BALL. THE NEXT 2 MEN INSIDE ON EITHER END OF THE LINE ARE MY CONTAIN MEN. THEY LOOP OUTSIDE, ALWAYS GOING FORWARD RIGHT OFF THE BUTTS OF THE GUNNERS AND COME DOWN EITHER SIDE, NEVER ALLOWING THEMSELVES TO GET MORE THAN 3 YDS. FROM THE BOUNDARY AT ANY TIME UNTIL THEY REACH THE DEPTH OF THE BALL. THEY THEN ARE PERMITTED TO DRIFT INSIDE TOWARD THE BALL CARRIER, BUT ALWAYS ALEERT FOR THE MISDIRECTION COMING BACK THEIR WAY! WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR THEM TO MAKE THE TACKLE, UNLESS A REVERSE IS RUN TO THEM! THE THIRD MAN IN ON BOTH SIDES ARE MY HEAD HUNTERS! COACHING POINT: YOU HAVE HEARD SINCE POP WARNER "STAY IN YOUR LANES" ON THE COVERAGE TEAM! THE EASIEST MAN TO BLOCK IS ONE WHO STAYS IN HIS LANE AND RUNS A STRAIGHT ARROW TO THE BALL CARRIER! HE SHOULD BE COACHED TO 'SNAKE" TO THE BALL, JUST MY TERM BUT PICTURE A SNAKE CRAWLING ALONG THE GROUND AS HIS BODY UNDULATES FROM SIDE TO SIDE, THIS IS THE "ROUTE" YOU WANT TO RUN. THE NEXT 2 MEN ON BOTH SIDES ARE YOUR WEDGE BUSTERS. THESE ARE THE GUYS WITH "GRANDE CAYHONES"(SP?) WHO LOVE TO FLY DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD HOPING FOR A MIDDLE RETURN AND WILL THROW THEIR BODIES INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE WEDGE SPILLING GUYS ASIDE TO EXPOSE THE BALL CARRIER FOR A KILL SHOT! THE 11TH MAN, IS OF COURSE, THE KICKER. IN MY SCHEME, HE MIRRORS THE BALL CARRIER AND IS THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE IF THE OPPONENT BREAKS AWAY! REMIND HIM THAT A BLOCKER IS ALWAYS ASSIGNED TO HIM, AND KEEP HIS HEAD ON A SWIVEL AS THEY LOVE TO LAY OUT KICKERS!!! JUST MY WAY FOR OUR MOST OFTEN USED KICK COVER.
COACH EASTON
Coach Easton:
Please describe the assignment for the "head hunters." Any different than the "gunners?" Am I correct in assuming your kicker is the safety? What if he is a turtle? Thanks!
We have only 4 headhunters that go strait to the ball- they are to get shoulder to shoulder and the inside two attack the middle of the sternum of the ball carrier. The outside two attack the outside shoulder of ball carrier on their respetive sides.
Everyone else plays what we call "Press or Fold" technique. When you see us get down the field we kinda look like a flock of geese, except that there isn't a "point" but 4 across instead.
like this: xxxx
x x
x x
If the ball pops through the middle all the Presser/Folders become folders. Which means that they fall back in to make the tackle. If the ball pops right then the right P/F's "press" or run straight to the ball and the backside "Folds" (we ask that our folder's "slide", which means shuffle with square shoulders, as long as they can in case the ball changes direction again).
Your Headhunters have to be the fastest and the toughest, craziest, fill in the blank (stupidest?). Everyone else needs to be disciplined and able to "fit" where they belong, and adjust if they get out of formation by replacing each other as best they can. The closer they are to the headhunters the "slower" they can be, but obviously you don't want slow people on a KO team.
Kicker mirrors the ball carrier and just has to slow the ball down unless you got a LB or something kicking it.
It works and I'll never change it. I probably shouldn't even put this out into cyberspace :-)
Still didn't work in the diagram, but think of a flock of geese concept, w/ 4 headhunters and 3 guys evenly spaced on a 45 degree angle from the outside headhunter. If that helps.
To the coach who asked "What are GRAND COHONES"? It means "big testacles" in Spanish.
To the coach who asked about my HEAD HUNTERS: These are the guys who are the biggest, meanest, fastest, hard hitting athletes on the entire team!!! They must be of the mindset of a Dick Butkus or a Ray Lewis (just love to literally maim people!), absolutely flawless tacklers who use the hit and wrap technique and not this shoulder roll baloney! They are absolutely fearless when it comes to throwing their bodies into a tackle and have only one purpose in mind: TO CAUSE BODILY HARM TO THE BALL CARRIER AND CAUSE HIM TO COUGH UP THE BALL!!! ( along with whatever he had for dinner!) Cheap shot artists and dirty players? ABSOLUTELY NOT ON MY TEAM, EVER! BUT, THOSE KIND WHO LOVE AND LIVE FOR THE COLLISION ASPECT OF THE GAME, YOU BET!!! I WILL TAKE ALL I CAN GET!!!
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
That sounds like the arena 1 League to me. My son wasa QB/ receiver in college and the world champions at that time, the Albany firebirds of the Arena League hired him as a DB. Ostensibly, he lined up on defense as a Sam Backer and was taking on FB types of 6'4 250! Then he had cover responsibility as well.
In the Arena League you are hired for your defensive skills first, and with only 8 man teams they play a very diversified game!!! LB's are run stoppers and pass cover guys as well!!!
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
Tiger,
When did your son play Arena?
Was he there when Steve Thonn was playing? We're talking at the beginning of the league.
I coached with him about a decade ago, and he is with the Arena team in Georgia now- kinda lost touch w/ him.