5 Step Packages

Coach - I don't think anybody can answer all that in a simple email reply. What you ask is DEEP! One would have to "write a book" to give you a detailed answer that would be of BENEFIT to you.

First of all - on 5 step passes with 5 out - how many men are you using in the PROTECTION? HOW you are protecting the passer is FIRST & FOREMOST in any discussion of "pass-O".

If you want to discuss this via phone - call me at 804-740-4479. It is too much to type!

How MANY men are you protecting with??? You mentioned you wanted to get 5 out (so do WE) - but how many of those are FREE-RELEASING? Be more specific & I may be able to help you. We do quite a BIT of 5 step dropback pass.

I doubt if I can be of help because we do not free release 5 recevers (ESPECIALLY on 5 step drops). If we did this - we feel the QB would have to get rid of the ball too quick & never get in a rhythm. Teams we play would bring 6 or 7. We free release 3 & check release 2 (check on the run so they can get out fast).

We believe in giving the QB as much time as we can (& not allowing "free rushers" to the QB). Someone on the site (such as "Tiger-1") who majors in 5 man protection can better answer your questions than I, because our protection systems are too different.

Best wishes!

Norm Chow helped us put in his pass offense when I was coaching in College ball. That is indeed one of his favorite passes.

Norm did not like the use of "hot" receivers. His BASIC protection was 7 man protection (at BYU, NC State, & So. Cal). He would even go 8 man pro rather than throwing hot".

Here is a DIRECT quote from Norm: "Always protect the QB - if you bring 8, we'll block 8! There is VERY LITTLE "hot" (if so - it is based on one defender - QB & Receiver point to him before snap). QB's don't look at the front - only the secondary. If there's a CHANCE of the 8th man coming - don't worry about the other 7. When we can't block the extra rusher to the side of the call (ESPECIALLY on 3rd & 8+) - we make a "stay" call to the #2 receiver to that side (generally TE), & HE picks him up".

Coach Mountjoy - you always blow me away with your insight and knowledge of the fundamentals. Thank you for your time and committment to the game.

I whole heartedly agree with your assessment of Pass Pro and the need to block them; However, in our world of x and o IDEALLY we want 5 men attacking space. We want to get the ball to our skill people, rather than confine them to block. We always start a game plan with the premise of 5 step - 5 out. Then look at how we can attack them. It is absolutly vital to use 7 or 8 man protection against certain teams.

I am always looking for the next tag / scheme or concept to add.

mbkcoach, we use 2x2 4 verticals to push the top off the coverage so that we can tag an in / out / post underneath. Are you refering to the horizontal stretch of the underneath coverage, please elaborate?

KR - no problem with 5 man pro, as long as you have some "max pro" schemes as well. I have always found that if you 5 step drop with 5 man pro (AND the defense sends 6 or 7) - your QB will not reach the 5th step. You may pull up & throw "hot" on the 3rd step - BUT - you are not going to time out a 5 step passing game doing that on a consistent basis.

I have a lot of film with QB's being sacked on THREE STEP DROPS by max blitzes. MBK FOOTBALL has seen the tape - what we refer to as a "Tigercat" max blitz sacking QB's on 3 step drops!

Read EITHER progression OR a defender. We do BOTH. This varies greatly pass to pass:

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Following is from our QB Notebook: NOTE: "60's" = 3 STEP DROP. "50's" = 5 STEP DROP.

QUARTERBACKS VITAL INFO

I. DIRECTIONAL READ (ELIMINATE ½ OF FIELD) BY EITHER:

A) PRE-SNAP LOOK (PREFERABLY) OR,

B) POST-SNAP “TRIGGER” OFF DEFENDER (BY 2nd STEP) (ON “50’s” ONLY – NOT “60’s”)

NOTE: IF THE DEFENSE IS BALANCED & YOU CAN’T DETERMINE BEST SIDE TO THROW TO, STAY CALLSIDE BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE MORE RECEIVERS OUT TO THE CALLSIDE.


II. PROGRESSION OF RECEIVERS READ: IN STEPS A & B BELOW - READ 1/2 FIELD CHOSEN HORIZONTALLY; IN STEP C READ 1/3 FIELD CHOSEN VERTICALLY):

A) INSIDE-OUT (HORIZONTAL STRETCH) = 62-63, 60 UP-61 UP, 50-51, 56-57.

*WE PROGRESS INSIDE-OUT IF THE WR RUNS AN INBREAKING ROUTE!

B) OUTSIDE-IN (HORIZONTAL STRETCH) = 60-61, 54-55.

*WE PROGRESS OUTSIDE-IN IF THE WR RUNS AN OUTBREAKING ROUTE.

C) LONG-INTERMEDIATE-SHORT (VERTICAL STRETCH) = 52-53, 58-59.


III. OBJECT RECEIVER READ (LOOKING FIRST FOR A PARTICULAR
RECEIVER OTHER THAN NORMAL PROGRESSION). COULD BE A “TAG”
(57 H FLAT & UP) WHERE YOU LOOK FIRST FOR THE RECEIVER
“TAGGED”, OR COACH SENDS IN OBJECT RECEIVER FROM SIDELINE
(“56 – “LOOK FOR Z”). IF OBJECT RECEIVER ISN’T OPEN – GO BACK TO
WHAT IS LEFT OF PROGRESSION (GIVE OBJECT RECEIVER AS MUCH
TIME AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE COACHES “SEE SOMETHING”!).


QB FOOTWORK

A) IF GOING TO FIRST MAN IN PROGRESSION ON A “TIMING” ROUTE (“HITCH”, “OUT”, ETC) – THROW IMMEDIATELY AS YOUR LAST STEP (3 OR 5) HITS THE GROUND (“PLANT-STEP-THROW”). IF HE IS ON A “MANUEVER” ROUTE (“POST CORNER”, ETC) – YOU HAVE TO “HITCH” UP INTO THE THROW.

B) IF GOING TO THE 2nd OR 3rd RECEIVER IN THE PROGRESSION – YOU MUST SHUFFLE YOUR FEET AFTER COMING OFF THE 1st RECEIVER IN THE PROGRESSION ONCE FOR #2, AND AGAIN FOR #3 (IF GOING TO HIM).

C) NOTE: KNOW WHICH THROWS ARE “TIMING” (RHYTHM) THROWS, AND WHICH ARE “MANUEVER” ROUTES.



QB TIMING (ON “TIMING ROUTES”)

3 STEP DROP = SET IN .8/THROW IN 1.3 (6 YD BREAK)

5 STEP DROP = SET IN 1.3/THROW IN 1.8 (12 YD BREAK)


NOTE: THIS IS BASED ON GIVING A RECEIVER 1 SECOND TO GET OUT OF HIS STANCE, AND 1/10th OF A SECOND FOR EACH YARD RUN IN THE ROUTE. THE QB GETS .5 SECONDS TO GET THE BALL OUT WHEN THROWING ON THE PLANT.


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5 STEP COMBINATIONS ("BIG 5"):

RULES FOR THE DROPBACK PASS OFFENSE

OUTS.-----INS.-------------INS.----------OUTS.

X---------------O-O-C-O-O-Y
------------H---------Q---------------------Z

-----------------------R


A. OUTSIDE & INSIDE RECEIVERS TO CALLSIDE FREE RELEASE & RUN PATTERN CALLED.
B. OUTSIDE RECEIVER AWAY FROM CALL FREE RELEASES & MIRRORS ROUTE OF OUTSIDE RECEIVER CALLSIDE.
C. INSIDE RECEIVER AWAY FROM CALL CHECK/RELEASES & RUNS SAME ROUTE AS INSIDE RECEIVER TO CALLSIDE IF HE GETS OUT (EXCEPTION – FLAT ON 8-9 ROUTE).
D. RB CHECK/RELEASES TO CALLSIDE


NOTE: 50 SERIES QB = 5 STEP DROP (RECEIVERS BREAK AT APPROX. 12 YDS.):


ROUTE COMBOS-----------INS. REC.-------OUTS. REC.------- RB


50/51------------------------CORNER---------HITCH-------------POST

52/53------------------------OUT--------------POST--------------SWING

54/55------------------------TURN-------------OUT---------------CIRCLE

56/57------------------------FLAT--------------CURL-------------CIRCLE

58/59------------------------POST-------------POST/COR.-------FLAT


QB PROGRESSION ON PASSES: (IMPORTANT NOTE: IN THE 50 SERIES IF WE GO AWAY FROM THE CALLSIDE – PROGRESSION STAYS THE SAME MINUS THE RB:

50/51: 1) RB (IF MOF OPEN); 2) INS. REC.; 3) OUTS. REC.

52/53: 1) OUTS. REC.; 2) INS. REC.; 3) RB

54/55: 1) OUTS. REC.; 2) INS. REC.; 3) RB

56/57: 1) RB; 2) OUTS. REC.; 3) INS. REC.

58-59: 1) INS. REC.; 2) OUTS. REC.; 3) RB


NOTE: QB MUST HAVE A VISUAL IMAGE OF WHERE ALL RECEIVERS ARE ON THE FIELD ON EACH PASS!!!!!


50 SERIES LIST (&" TAGS") EXAMPLES = DOUBLE RIGHT

EXAMPLES: EVEN NUMBERS (ODDS WOULD BE OPPOSITE):


I. 50/51

50 Y FADE/51 H FADE


II. 52/53

52 Z UP/53 H UP

52 X & Y CROSS/53 H & Z CROSS

52 Y CORNER/53 H CORNER


III. 54/55

54 Y CORNER/55 H CORNER

54 Z OUT & UP/55 X OUT & UP


IV. 56/57

56 Y FLAT & UP/57 H FLAT & UP

56 ALL CURL/57 ALL CURL

DELAYS CAN BE RUN OFF 56/57


V. 58/59

58 X & Z IN/59 X & Z IN

58 X POST – Y CROSS – Z IN/59 Z POST – H CROSS – X IN

58 Z POST/59 X POST

58 X & Z UP/59 X & Z UP

58 X & Z COMEBACK/59 X & Z COMEBACK




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DISCUSSION OF PROGRESSION READS AND COVERAGE READS

I. PROGRESSION READS: A progression read is designed to have two or three choices of where to go with the ball. It is important to pre-read the coverage to give you an indication of the coverage, but more importantly, it’s knowing where the receivers are going to be with a progression read pattern called. This kind of read calls for throwing the ball with rhythm drops. You might get to the third receiver in the progression as soon as you hit your fifth step on the drop. So when you are stepping forward to throw, you can hit the third receiver in the progression on the same rhythm you would have if you were throwing to the first.

The limitations of progression reads are:
A) There is a tendency to stare at the receiver that is first in the progression attracting other
defenders;
B) It is frustrating for coaches to watch because they could see the receiver you didn’t throw
to was wide open.
(Coaches need to know the progression of the play as well as the QB);
C) You will lose patience or think that because you hit the first receiver in the progression
he won’t be there when the play is called again. You must have patience and not
make up your mind before the ball is snapped.

REMINDERS:
1. Have a plan when you get to the Line of Scrimmage.
2. Stay with the progression.
3. Don’t stare.
4. Progression reads are thrown with rhythm drops.



II. COVERAGE READS: Reading the coverage is normally done in the NFL looking at the pictures that are taken upstairs during the series (when the QB is on the sidelines). In High School & College – the Press Box Coaches do most of the work here. The QB can pre-snap read and get an idea of what might happen. He can see rotations and drops of defenders at the snap of the ball, but may not know what the coverage was. Reading the coverage is really looking at a defender or defenders. Based on what they do you will get to the correct receiver.

THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS KIND OF A READ ARE:
1. It eliminates the struggle of the progression read trying to determine who was more wide open;
2. It eliminates the QB from making up his mind before the snap. Read the defenders to get you to the right receiver in Coverage Reads.
3. It keeps the QB on the same page as the Coach because they both know the read and the goal of the play called.
4. It doesn’t matter what the coverage is because when you are reading properly you will be hitting the correct receiver.
5. You will not have to stare at your receivers (it will give you natural look offs).
6. You don’t have to know what the entire coverage is (you don’t have to see the whole field). NOTE: In our reads – “Progression” AND “Coverage” – we only read ½ the field Horizontally, or 1/3 of the field Vertically.

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Here are some "Pre" & "Post" Snap read CONCEPTS:

PRE-SNAP COVERAGE READS

A) Scan the formation for uncovered receivers.

B) Find the Weak Safety for PRE-SNAP read.

1. If the W/S is low – check other coverage keys for “Cover 0”.
2. If the W/S is high – check other coverage keys for “Cover 1” or “Cover 3”
3. If there are 2 safeties and they are both low – check other coverage keys for
“Cover 0”.
4. If there are 2 safeties and they are both high – check other coverage keys for
“Cover 2”, “Cover 2/Man”, or “Cover 4” (1/4’s).
5. If there are 2 safeties and they are staggered – check other coverage keys for
“Cover 1/Robber” or “Cover 3/Robber”.

NOTE: QB must be aware of the following actions from a well “disguised” secondary in the dropback passing game:

A) If there is 1 safety and he rolls down hard after the snap – HAVE A PLAN VS. PRESSURE!
B) If there are 2 safeties and both roll down hard after the snap – HAVE A PLAN VS. PRESSURE!
C) If the W/S or 2 safeties maintain their alignment after the snap – execute your progression reads with an awareness of where the weaknesses are in the coverage and which coverage defender we are attacking.


POST-SNAP READS (“READING THE SQUARE”):

One of the most important areas in determining secondary coverages is the middle of the field about 15 to 25 yards deep and about 2 yards inside of each hash. We call this area the “square”.

We normally read the “square” in our drop back passing game. Reading the “square” becomes necessary when it is impossible to determine what the coverage is before the snap or to make sure of secondary coverage after the snap.

In reading the “square” the QB simply looks down the middle of the field. He should not focus on either Safety but see them both in his peripheral vision.

A) If neither Safety shows up in the “square”, and both are deep, it will indicate a form of Cover 2. A quick check of Corner alignment and play will indicate whether it is a 2/Man or 2/Zone. If neither Safety shows up in the “square” and both are shallow, it will indicate a Cover 0 (blitz look).

B) If the Strong Safety shows up in the “square”, this will indicate a Cover 3 rolled weak or
possibly a Cover 1.

C) If the Weak Safety shows up in the “square”, this will indicate a strong side coverage. It
could be a Cover 3 or a Cover 1. If the coverage is Cover 3, it could be a Cover 3/Sky (Safety), or a Cover 3/Cloud (Corner), depending on who has the short zone.

NOTE: When either of the Safeties shows up in the “square”, the best percentage area to throw the ball in is the side that he came from! If NEITHER of the Safeties show up in the “square” – throwing the ball into the “square” is a high percentage throw.

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I hope this answers ALL your questions. If you would like to email or PHONE (804-740-4479 before 10 AM/EDT) I can explain how we TEACH this in practice. Would take TOO LONG to type!

Most of this I learned from visits to HOF Coach Sid Gillman, & working the Pro QB Camp for 5 Summers with Dan Henning!

PS: PHILOSOPHY VS BLITZ


A) OUR PHILOSOPHY VS THE BLITZ IS TO CALL PLAYS IN ONE OF TWO CATEGORIES THAT ARE GOOD EITHER VS:

1. BLITZ MAN, AND COVER 2 (MOFO), OR
2. BLITZ MAN, AND COVER 3 (MOFC).


B) WE DO NOT AUDIBLE TO DIFFERENT PROTECTIONS BECAUSE:

1. NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO COME (CAN BLUFF BLITZ & BACK OUT TO ZONE OR, THEY MAY COME).
2. QB NOT ALWAYS EQUIPPED TO SEE IT THE WAY YOU WANT HIM TO.
3. NOT ENOUGH GAME CLOCK TO AUDIBLE.
4. THEREFORE, WE NEED CALLS THAT ARE GOOD VS EVERYTHING.
5. USE 2 PLAY HUDDLE CALLS, OR “CHECK WITH ME AT THE LINE” – PLAYS THAT DO NOT CHANGE THE PROTECTION CALLED IN THE HUDDLE. THEY FIT INTO ONE OF THE CATEGORIES IN A) ABOVE.


C) AVOID “HOTS” BY USING 7 OR 8 MAN PROTECTION (BE SIMPLE ATTACKING BLITZ SO WE CAN SPEND MORE TIME ON GOOD FUNDAMENTALS – THIS LEADS TO BETTER EXECUTION). REASONS WE DON’T USE “HOT” RECEIVER(S):

1. QB DOESN’T SEE IT – HE GETS HIT!
2. QB SEES IT BUT RECEIVER DOESN’T!


D) MENTAL APPROACH VS BLITZ:

1. NOT “OH, NO – THEY’RE GOING TO BLITZ – I’M GOING TO GET HIT”, BUT:
2. “OH BOY” – IT’S A BLITZ – WE HAVE A CHANCE FOR A BIG PLAY”!!!


SUMMARY: “KISS” (KEEP IT SIMPLE – THE MORE EFFICIENT YOU ARE, THE MORE YOU MOVE THE CHAINS AND SCORE POINTS)!

In our way of thinking (as well as Norm Chow's & Sid Gillman's):

"SMASH" = BOTH a deep Horizontal Stretch, WITH a Vertical (HI/LO) on EACH side.

"MESH" is a Vertical Stretch IF you look deep first, & if you come down to the MESH - it is a Horizontal Read.

"VERTICAL" = what the name implies.

"SCAT" to US = a protection.

CONCEPTUALLY - we have only 4. Joe Gibbs had 7, Bill Walsh had 8.

ALL passes WE run are in the following 4 Concepts:

1. HORIZONTAL STRETCH INSIDE OUT (when WR runs IN-BREAKING route).

2. HORIZONTAL STETCH OUTSIDE-IN (when WR runs OUT-BREAKING route).

3. VERTICAL STRETCH (long/intermediate/short).

4. OBJECT RECEIVER ROUTE (lookoinjg SPECIFICALLY for a PARTICULAR receiver - such as someone running an OPTION route, or a particular TAG).

Even if we put in 100 passes - they MUST fit into 1 or more of THOSE 4 "CONCEPTS". This makes the system easier to manage for the QB.

PS: The "NCAA" is a 3 level VERTICAL STRETCH in the middle 1/3 of the field. The reads are these (from Norm Chow):

“63” – 5 step drop and hitch (7 steps permissible). Read F/S: X = #1; Z = #2; Y OR HB = #3.



X---------O-O-C-O-O-Y
----------------Q------------------Z

-----------H---------F

X = post (actually they call it "clear" - right thru the MOF)

Z = dig at 18 yds

Y = in break at 10 yds

H = check down over the ball at 4 yds.

They ran it BETTER than anyone I saw (at BYU & SO CAL).

If any questions - PHONE. I am preparing for a clinic on Feb 9-11, & have practically NO typing time.

804-740-4479

TWO SECNARIOS (3x1) IN OUR 7 MAN PRO:

#1

X---------------O-O-C-O-O-Y
-----------------------Q-----------H-------Z

-----------------------R

X free release left
RB has to check release left
YT has to check release right
H & Z free release right


#2

----------Y-O-O-C-O-O---------------X
-------------------Q--------H------Z

-------------------R

Y check release left
RB check release right
H/Z/X = free release right

THAT'S IT! If you have QUESTIONS = PHONE me. 804-740-4479 (Va./EDT)