Offensive Qualities

ADDED THOUGHT TO ABOVE POST OF COACH CAMPBELL: MUST HAVE A QB WHO IS IN FULL CONTROL OF EVERY ASPECT OF THE CHOSEN OFFENSE, AND HAS THE PERSONAL ATHLETICISM TO MAKE CHICKEN SOUP OUT OF CHICKEN MANURE WHEN THE PLAN BREAKS DOWN ON ANY GIVEN PLAY.

JC

Where does balance fit?

I know I have asked about this before. But as an ol guy that would just prefer to run run run balanced (no pun intended) against a logical mind that can look at numbers in the box and knows that balance run pass can help this, I am continually in search of a way to pass as little as possible, with the thought in the back of my mind to hit the big play for momentum purposes, and just plain moving the chains. Every time I learn a new passing concept and how cool it is against every look or whatever, the first thing that comes to my mind is
"you have to catch it" I like the percentages of running it better, but understand that the passing game is what will take the team farther once we get to higher levels as i understand the passing game to be a great equalizer of talent (like texas tech)
How much do you need to pass it? How much do you need to pass it to compete against superior talent?
How much do you need to pass it if you are wanting to go gun/jets route like I do just because I want to use all 11 and the full speed nature of the jets with some forgiveness against seepage from poor blocking (ol are like sleestacks from the old land of the lost show)

Hey tog,
Your commitment to run the ball will protect against throwing "too much", but being proficient at both disciplines certainly forces a defense to respect both coming in. Huey is right, that defenses will come in prepped to stop the run, just like you are prepped to try and run the ball. One thing that has helped me with regard to "throwing" the ball and how much is to count every throw inside 5 yards as an extension of my running game. I know its a pass, but I feel I am merely extending the toss a little wider and farther, and hopefully we can catch it and get 4 yards. Using quick screens, slow screens, bubbles, playaction quick hitters to get the ball into the hands of athletes so they can run in open space is just an extension of my running game. It really, IMO, doesn't have to be an either/or situation, especially if you are using the gun and wide hitting philosophy in the jet. I am considered a throwing coach, but you know in most games unless you purpose to throw a lot, you will only call 10-15 passes on their own - and most of mine are attempted under 10 yards. We go vertical to keep guys honest, but I intend to get first downs with a controlled attack by air and land. Everytime I get greedy and force the issue trying to throw every down, I get hurt eventually. Look at all the big time throwing teams, most of their throws are underneath and set up to get the ball caught in space and then let them run for the rest. Just thoughts - you have a good plan, but the fact that you are at least committed to keeping the pass a part of your thinking will help you get that balance you are looking for. So many have abandoned one or the other.

I've always thought of balance more in terms of having the ABILITY to run and pass equally, not necessarily RUNNING equal amounts of run and pass plays. We practice the heck out of our run game, but we practice the heck out of our pass game too. We have some games where we may throw the ball 7 or 8 times all day. We have other games where we've thrown 25+ times per game.

I think it's balance of capability, not of playcalling patterns.

I have always looked at balance as having the ability to either run or throw, when YOU want to run and throw it, not just when the defense presents it'self vulnerable to either choice.

Coach Easton

Hey Danny,

I certainly appreciate your input. As a QB coach/HC I'm going to recruit the guy that does possess those two qualities. They are musts when running an empty gun. I try not to get caught in the short rows by not having a QB in the wings in training in my system. You may feel it is a stretch while at the same time I feel it is a prime requisite to have only this type of guy at the QB spot. If your a drop back team, you can be very successful with a guy who is back there throwing darts while looking like a statue, no doubt about it, provided you have a line that can protect him and a scheme that brings the backs and receivers into the pass pro upon occasion. Again, I appreciate your perspective and am simply trying to share mine on this topic.

Coach Easton

The talk of "throwing deep to keep the defense honest" reminds me of a question I've often wondered about. Considering I approach this from a flexbone midline and IV offense, is there a particular key from the secondary that you would look to for determining when to "try to keep 'em honest"? I understand the vast majority of plays should be triple option/ triple option series, but isn't it necessary to occaisionally throw the deep ball mainly with the intend to keep the secondary on their toes- if so, what are the keys, when are the times to do so?

Thanks in advance,
Jon Bunton

Danny, everybody does things differently as you well know. The main incentive for guys to play at our level is to get scouted by next level scouts. I have put 31 players in the last 10 seasons to the NFL, the CFL, the NFL Europe league, and both the Arena 1 and af2 Leagues. I would never (just my way now) ever have a QB on roster that is not going to play and make a major contribution to a team effort. Sure, I have a number one guy and he gets the majority of the reps during the week. Howwever, I always make it a point to give the #2 guy a series or two every week and more if he is doing well. My philosophy is that your #2 guy not only be ready mentally, he better be ready physically. I make sure he gets reps with the first unit too, not the 2's or 3's in practice. Then, when I need him he is ready and I have no qualms about putting him in the game. Just my way, but it works for me.

JC

As a high school coach I have to deal with certain limitations. Some programs have tough hard working kids who live in the wt room but maybe arent so athletic. For these guys the wing-t , option etc is probably the way to go. I mostly have coached in places where we had some athletes and speed but not much size. For me spreading people out and getting the ball to athletes in space worked when other things didnt.


To me balance is a tool to aid pass protection mostly. If I can protect pretty good vs a normal 4 man rush I'll throw every down pretty much and call a draw every so often just to keep things honest. If youre getting beaten a lot by 4 guys rushing , imho, its time to get back under center and start punching them in the mouth.

Bill, EVERYTIME WE CAN, we take it too!!!

Balance to me is not taken in the usual context (equal numbers of pass & run) but I look at like this:
When we are IN BALANCE, we are dictating to the defense exactly what we want them to have, not what they give us. When we are OUT OF BALANCE they are dictating to us which I consider TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

Coach Easton

the whole concept of "take what the defense gives you" can often be misinterpreted to mean that defense dictates what the offense runs. this is not really the case for those teams that have ability to execute their offense from a variety of sets/packages etc. for me, it's not truly about finding the play that works but, rather, about finding the set that gives the defense the most trouble adjusting too. this formation (or personel grouping.....motion scheme....whatever) is what i want to develop throughout the course of the game. example: defense has trouble aligning soundly to the trey-open set. get in the set frequently. run those plays that exploit that (strong side runs until they finally readjust....or whatever). once they have found a way to defend the set soundly, change it up. now, you aren't going to line up exclusively in one set but you will want to be in the "troublesome" set more than the others. now, the question is, "is the defense dictating your plays/formations?" i say NO. you have given them a wide sample of your formations and they must align properly and soundly to all of them. the ones they don't play good defense against, you make those the majority of your offensive attack. you are dictating to the defense this, "you better be able to play sound defense to many formations or i'm going to exploit the ones you can't defend."

just my opinion

Warsaw,
Thoughts on timing with the deep ball to keep a defense honest. If you are primarily an option team, most will play some rolled up coverage or put 8-9 in the box. Work with your QBs on the two coverage fade off the option play action and the quick post off the dive read to split the backside safety and corner in an 8 man look. Front out an option read drop three and shoot the skinny post in the hole. If you can get the FS sliding on the move strong and hit that post solid, you will force them to stay home. If you run the fade vs. 3 deep make sure your QB gets air and a high entry angle on the fade to reduce the impact of the corner. I would use 1st and 2nd down to mix in these various throws, and I would show it early a few times and that may be enough, if we can move it on the ground. It really isn't so much throwing it deep, it is completing the deeper throw that will hurt them. A long ball that isn't close is no threat, you look desperate, but a ball well thrown deep and complete can rattle a DC, so rep that with your QBs. It is excellent conditioning for the wideouts and good work for the QBs at the end of practice. 40 yard line and in is a good place to look to try some of these things, defenses tighten up and start going man more often and that can open up some things. Good Luck.