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.
I'm sure this subject has been hashed and rehashed, but I'm going to ask anyway. I'm curious what you defensive coaches think is the best technique in defending the fade or go route in a man scheme. Currently, we teach our DBs to make contact with the receiver before he can look back for the ball. Too often though, it seems like we're late on seeing the ball...too late to make any kind of adjustment. I also think we got an inordinate number of PIs because we teach the CBs to be pretty physical. What are your thoughts on the best technique to teach DBs in this situation? Thanks in advance to your responses.
"You cannot expect greatness unless you sacrifice greatly."
the fade is the major passing threat in the red zone....you've got to trust your DBs to take it away. During camp, we run the DBs vs WRs versus goal line fades (<5 / <10 ) nearly twice a week for a 10 minute period...nothing but fades.
Two important points; 1) the jam (I'm assuming you're not going to play soft inside the 10, so teaching the jam is essential to rob that inside release (thread already started on that). We don't attempt to jam the ENTIRE receiver just his inside shoulder, to force him outside to the boundary.
2) Reading the receiver for defensing the catch ~ break-up / Int. We teach that as the eyes go up (wr's) that the trail arm (hand furthest from the receiver) comes over the top to 'clap' his farthest hand. (the nearest hand is on / near the far hip of the receiver). It's a real simple drill you can coach starting at a walking pace, then speed it up. The distraction alone of coming across the top (like a blanket) can be enough to prevent the catch.
I've got a great DB packet from one of the best, DC Ron Lambert from Illinois State email me at matthew.brophy@dhl.com and I'll send it.
Good points made my BROPHY in the jam tech. We use one hand against the inside shoulder of the WR. Hopefully the jam throws the timing of the route off just a little bit. After that we want to get our forearm on the WR's (inside)hip and keep it there all the way downfield. If our defender is running stride for stride with the WR and wants to look back at the QB/ball for a second we teach the L&L technique. That is, if you Look you must Lean. So basically if you want to sneek a peak at what is happening you MUST LEAN into the WR just enough so that you can feel his body and therefore not lose him without the PI.
Also in regards to when the WR's eyes and arms go up. We teach our defenders to slap the ball, not the arm or the hand. If we slap the arm/hand the WR can usually bring it back up to help secure the catch. But if we see the ball and slap that, it's usually a different story and ends up with the ball on the ground and incomplete if done properly.
If the ball is underthrown and the WR is coming back to the ball, we teach our defenders to stop with their outside foot (we have inside leverage), open hips up back towards the ball (this looks like you are boxing out a player in basketball for a rebound) and keep blocking the WR with the defenders back from the ball as we go up and get the ball at it's highest point.
After that it's all about desire and the will to compete for the ball.
COACH, DON'T YOU FIND BY KEEPING YOUR FOREARM ON THE RECEIVER'S HIP WITHOUT BREAKING CONTACT ALL THE WAY DOWN THE FIELD RESULTS IN A LOT OF ILLEGAL CONTACT PENALTIES? JUST WONDERING, AS IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH IT WOULD. I COACHED HS BALL FOR A LOT OF YEARS AND I KNOW THAT YOU CAN TOUCH THE RECEIVER ANYWHERE DOWN FIELD AS LONG AS THE BALL HASN'T BEEN THROWN YET, BUT WHAT ABOUT AFTER IT HAS BEEN LAUNCHED IS MY QUESTION? COULD YOU EXPOUND ON THAT TECHNIQUE A LITTLE? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
Post by frmrgriffinsafety on Apr 17, 2005 6:37:04 GMT
Coach, I agree with a lot of what the other posts say. I was taught the L and L technique and teach it myself. The last thing you wantto give is separation. Body contact has to be maintained at all times. I'm not talking about a full forearm across the body while running, but maybe a little bit of "incidental" arm contact while both players are running side by side and pumping thier arms. Also, the DB should not be truely side by side. He should be in a slight trail position, about half a step behind the WR. From here, he can make a play on a ball leading the WR by swatting at the ball or the receiver's arm and is in position for an underthrown ball. Like Brophy's post stated, the body movements are much like that of boxing out to get a rebound in basketball. Also, I teach to never look back for the ball unless you are in position to lean on the receiver. If you trail by too much, get to the receiver first, then, once you're in position, look back. If in position, then the DB looks back when the WR looks like the ball is coming. I don't care who you are, all HS and most college WRs allow thier eyes to get big and focus when a ball is thrown their way. I teach to read the eyes of the WR to know if the ball is coming. Also, I teach the entire defense must yell "BALL!!!" when the ball is in the air. Hopefully, this will also let the DB know it is coming. The one disadvantage you can't really do a whole heck of a lot about is one I encountered in college, short DBs and tall WRs. I'm only 5'9". I faced a few 6' and up WRs. Sometimes being in the best position in the world and playing great technique wouldn't get it done. The best way to take care of that disadvantage on a jumpball/fade is to time your jump so you jump up on the decent of the taller man and poke the ball out from between his hands as he is coming down. I found this to be helpful a few times. Other than that, you hope the QB makes a low throw. I hope some of this helps.
Defensive Back- Canisius College-4 yrs.
Assistant Coach - Bishop Grimes High School- 2 years
Assistant Coach - Cheektowaga Central High School- 5 years
"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." -John Wooden
"I firmly believe that any many's finest hour is that moment when he has worked his heart out for a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." - Vince Lombardi
Coach, thanks for the break down of your technique training. As a former DB, would like to ask you a question. Didn't you find it much harder to defend a receiver who catches the ball using the back handed technique verses the cradle catch? Had a little discussion with a DB coach I worked with one time on this very point. I have always taught the back handed catch WHENEVER POSSIBLE (we both agree, I'm sure, that it is not always possible of course) simply because it is much more difficult for a DB to knock a ball down when a receiver has his hands extended away from his body, utilizing the back handed technique without getting flagged as you can't play through a receiver. Thanks for your time.
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
Post by frmrgriffinsafety on Apr 17, 2005 12:45:46 GMT
I'd have to say I'm not quite familiar with what the backhanded catch is. Maybe it's just a terminology thing. I'd love to respond if you could detail that a little bit for me. Thanks.
Defensive Back- Canisius College-4 yrs.
Assistant Coach - Bishop Grimes High School- 2 years
Assistant Coach - Cheektowaga Central High School- 5 years
"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." -John Wooden
"I firmly believe that any many's finest hour is that moment when he has worked his heart out for a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." - Vince Lombardi
A "backhanded catch technique" = when a receiver extends his hands away from his body toward the ball in such a manner as to see the backs of his hands INSTEAD of his palms as he makes the catch, (thumbs together) as on a quick out to the boundary. Cradle catch = when a receiver see's his palms on the catch (little fingers together ) A back handed catch prevents the DB from "easy access to the ball to swat it away as the ball is protected by his hands which the DB cannot play through without illegal contact, whereas on the cradle it is much easier to reach up AND WITHOUT TOUCHING THE RECEIVER'S HANDS, KNOCK THE BALL AWAY. You yankee boys probably call it something different. Ha Ha
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
Coaches....another perspective on the fade. We are a base Cover 3 team and drill the crap out of the fade route versus our Cover 3. We teach our CBs that as soon as they read the fade they turn and run with the WR, but throw a hard arm bar through the middle of their chest. Like the other coaches we want to get physical. We teach them to throw the arm bar and then "run their route". The contact knocks the WR off their route and then the CB replaces the WR and runs the fade. It puts them in great position to make the interception and you impede their progress so much that they can't get back tot he ball.
I always tell me DB's to get outside levarage even in the red-zone, press the WR and make him go inside, and by jamming him, I hope to take away the slant as well.
yeah....that one has me puzzled as well....if the receiver releases inside, a simple turn of the shoulder and he's shielding your DB and catching that slant all day....but maybe I'm wrong...
The key I ahve found to defending the fade is to make sure you can maintain body contact and leverage on the WR forcing them of the field numbers ( thus oout of the "pipe") and make them go closer to the sideline. The sideline is the DB's best friend and makes an extremely hard angle for the QB to throw too. Now if you are dealing with a speed differiental then that is a different problem.
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>
Post by frmrgriffinsafety on Apr 20, 2005 5:16:34 GMT
Coach Easton,
I understand now what you mean by backhand catch, I've just never heard a name put to it. I've always taught that if the ball is above the waist to catch in that manner on an out or something like that. thumbs together is onl for use of balls below the waist. And, yes, it does protect the ball from direct contact by the DB. In that case, I tell my DB to attack the joints of a receiver. Hammer hard on the elbow or wrist to bring the hands of the receiver apart as the ball arrives. Even hook the elbow and rip the arm back toward you if possible. I hope I've answered that correctly.
Defensive Back- Canisius College-4 yrs.
Assistant Coach - Bishop Grimes High School- 2 years
Assistant Coach - Cheektowaga Central High School- 5 years
"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." -John Wooden
"I firmly believe that any many's finest hour is that moment when he has worked his heart out for a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." - Vince Lombardi
I knew you knew what I was talking about, just saying it differently. I see you have added OL coach to your resume. Nice touch. Are you in Cheektowaga New York? I once took a summer job with my church to be a life guard at Lake Seneca Bible Camp in the Finger Lakes region of that state. It was a long drive for a southern boy, but I enjoyed it very much that summer! The fishing was great in the lake and one of the other guards was a very nice looking young lady! It was a fun summer.
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
Quote Originally posted by: TIGER ONE COACH, DON'T YOU FIND BY KEEPING YOUR FOREARM ON THE RECEIVER'S HIP WITHOUT BREAKING CONTACT ALL THE WAY DOWN THE FIELD RESULTS IN A LOT OF ILLEGAL CONTACT PENALTIES?
Coach,
I've never had one illegal contact penalty called against any of my DB's ever using this technique. We use the forearm as a way to "feel" the WR to give us a better idea of what he might be doing or getting ready to do, i.e. lower hips to make a cut etc. We don't use it to force him to go where we want or anything like that. It's a loose and limp forearm to his back hip, barely touching it. Once the DB hears the "ball" call or notices the WR starting to look back at the ball with his eyes/head going up or anything like that we take the forearm away and get ready to defend the pass. Many times what ends up happening is after we get the jam and turn and run with the WR we end up getting our forearm there for a sec or two and then off and on again throughout the play. I feel like it helps the kids to understand that much more that we want to be in the back pocket of the WR running downfield and also helps out when we can feel the WR lower his hips or anything like that.
Yes coaches. in our 3-4. I have had success by jamming the WR and forcing him into the OLB's zone. If we are inside the 6-10. WE have had very good OLB'ers who could pick the slant up.
We rarely ever play press. But, I listened to a coach (don't remember who) discuss how to defend the fade by the goal line.
Since that is the #1 route ran vs. press man in the red zone, they worked against that route more than any.
He said.....
If you get an outside release (fade release), don't try to bump or jam the receiver. Instead cut the route off by meeting the receiver at the spot he is fading to (taking a straight line to the spot where the ball is thrown, cutting off the route).
He said too many DB's try to follow the same path of the receiver (fade is a rounded route). By cutting off the route (shortest distance between two points is a straight line), the DB is still able to make the play.
The only flaw I see in using this technique is losing leverage on a fade stop/comeback (a very common route we see). But the theory does make sense.
In my opinion, anytime you don't jam a receiver your letting yourself allow free access into the pattern and to me that is a VERY COSTLY MISTAKE ON THE GOAL LINE. The technique described above, coach, appears to be a very poor gamble as it comes down to a foot race by the DB and RECEIVER to get to the spot. What if the receiver is 6'4 and the DB 5'10, it wont matter much if he gets to the "jump ball" spot first will it?
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
Not if you have the right guys on the corners who have been properly coached in the right technique. It doesn't make a dab of difference where he is lined up. Just my opinion, as always.
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
Can you explain to me how you teach your DB's to jam a receiver?
Maybe I'm missing something, but if I'm protecting my inside and the receiver gives me a move to the inside, I'm going to attack that inside shoulder, thus giving up the outside release (unless I hold of course).
Sure coach, be glad to. We always play hard man under with the CB rolled up tight and with inside leverage. I teach my guys to mirror the receiver until he takes that first downhill step. Using the example you gave with an inside release we would jam our right hand into the RIB CAGE, NOT THE SHOULDER INSIDE while simutaneously punching with the outside hand to the opposite SHOULDER. We emphasise NEVER BREAKING CONTACT ONCE IT IS MADE, BUT SLIDING OUR HANDS INTO THE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION ON THE RECEIVER EVEN IF HE SPINS, WE MAINTAIN CONTACT. I teach the CB's to treat the receivers like electricity, let them proceed in the direction they want to go AS WE CONTROL THEM UNTIL THE WHISTLE BLOWS. Basically that is it in a nut shell. iF HE RELEASES outside WE WOULD JAM WITH THE LEFT HAND TO THE OUTSIDE SHOULDER TO IMPEDE HIS DOWN FIELD OR OUTWARD PROGRESS WHILE PUNCHING TO HIS RIBCAGE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. BUT REMEMBER, ONLY AFTER HE TAKES THAT INITIAL STEP THAT BETRAYS HIS DIRECTION. Hope this makes you see my approach more clearly. Perhaps not the best way, but has always been good for us. Thanks for your interest and you post.
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
When your CB jams the inside pec with his inside arm what do you have them do with their feet? Are they stepping forward, sliding parallel, or stepping backward (losing ground).
This technique is different (hand placement) than what I've learned (saw a clinic with Bob Stoops teaching inside/outside press).
I can't speak for Coach E. but how we do it is from the squat technique we practice the one step movement - as the inside arm presses the receiver's shoulder, we are stepping to him with the inside foot, like a quick 6" lunge to give us a base to plant off of and drive him outside. From there it's about closing the distance between the hips (receiver's and corner's) so we can run him to the sideline (and trail him).
Post by frmrgriffinsafety on Apr 26, 2005 6:30:16 GMT
Quote Originally posted by: TIGER ONE Coach,
I knew you knew what I was talking about, just saying it differently. I see you have added OL coach to your resume. Nice touch. Are you in Cheektowaga New York? I once took a summer job with my church to be a life guard at Lake Seneca Bible Camp in the Finger Lakes region of that state. It was a long drive for a southern boy, but I enjoyed it very much that summer! The fishing was great in the lake and one of the other guards was a very nice looking young lady! It was a fun summer.
Coach Easton
Yes, I'm in Cheektowaga, NY. I actually live in the city of Buffalo and am in Grad school to get my master's in Phys. Ed. The finger lakes are a little east of where I am. But they are a beautiful area. I lucked into this job through a class for school. I ran into a college teammate who is the DC and Asst. Varsity Head Coach. It was up in the air what level I was going to be coaching at the school when I first got the job. But, once it was decided I was going to be with the Varsity, the WR and RB coaching spots were taken, so I became the OL coach's assistant. It's good for me though b/c I can learn more about a position I haven't played since I was 11 and in Pop Warner Football. It'll make me a more well rounded coach. I do have the DBs all to myself though for defensive days. I like your jamming technique. Once question though, with the jam, you don't want to create space, right? I've always taught that as you turn and run to jam, but not extend your arm b/c that creates space and space is what the QB and the WR are looking for. I like to jam and maintain as much contact as we can legally get away with throughout the route, crowding the Wr and not giving any room for the ball to get in. What do you think?
Defensive Back- Canisius College-4 yrs.
Assistant Coach - Bishop Grimes High School- 2 years
Assistant Coach - Cheektowaga Central High School- 5 years
"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." -John Wooden
"I firmly believe that any many's finest hour is that moment when he has worked his heart out for a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." - Vince Lombardi
I like the "get on your toes and attack"!!! Can't be flat footed and successful at the same time in this jamming business. It all depends upon what he is trying to do to our CB (your feet placement question). If he steps inside TO US, we will move straight ahead as we punch. If he is directly in front of us, we step into him with a punch that is very much like a OLM punching a DLM (straight ahead). IF HE RELEASES OUTSIDE WITH HIS FIRST DOWN HILL STEP, then we must move LATERALLY as we punch to the outside shoulder for control. I do not teach, or advocate, stepping backward on the jam, ever. One other point I would like to make: we do not punch to the Pec area, we punch lower to the area below the shoulder pad and above the hip and kidney pad as I feel it presents more of an attention getting blow to the receiver and helps bring him under control more expediently. If you punch to his side, he will automatically lean his head to that side and when he does that, he will draw in his outside shoulder making it easier to reach with your outside hand. Just something I have worked on over the years and it has proven to us, at least, to be a very viable and easily teachable technique. Now, when I say punch, I mean an open handed heel of the palm into the side just as a linemen delivers to an opponent's chest, I don't teach dirty play of any kind!
Coach Easton
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
Thats it, coach!!! No space whatsoever as long as it is legal! Your 100% correct when you say that is the very thing a QB looks for is SEPARATION FROM THE DEFENDER WHEN LOOKING AT MAN COVERAGE. As a former QB and 41 years now of coaching them I agree with your point of view totally. Your work with the line WILL GREATLY ENHANCE YOUR KNOWLEGE, AS WELL AS, YOUR OVERALL PERSPECTIVE OF THE GAME, IMO. Really take advantage of this period and learn all you can about line play, it goes a long ways on your resume!
Coach Easton
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE