Navy...reading a stack??

This question was posted on another site as well. I have given thought to it, but we face a lot of 4-4 and 5-2 teams that don't do a lot of stack stunts and run assignment base defenses vs. option. I have explained to my QB to read first defender past A, B or C gap, based on whichever option is run(midline, ISV, OSV). We have not faced this stunt, from what I can recall. I just watched a video from ColeRain HS Ohio and they make the 3-3 stack read on the DE as FB read and the OLB as pitch read.

COACHES,

Making a double read on any stack has got to be really difficult, in my opinion. I certainly would like to know the mechanics of how you go about reading it, step by step. As an ex-QB and a QB coach for 40 plus years, it sounds like something that will be hard to really do well. I say this because of the variables that the stack is capable of presenting with the LB and the DL to the QB who is attempting to read. The answer of having the FB read one of the defenders doesn't appeal to me either. Would someone who is fully cognizant of this technique of having the QB perform the double read, please elaborate on how he getes it done? Thanks for your time in advance.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

TIGER ONE,

I do not consider myself fully cognizant of anything (let alone the QBs read v a stack). I would defer to the staff at the Naval Academy for that. In fact, before your post, I don't think that I would have been able to spell cognizant correctly. This is my best (albeit lame) attempt at explaining it.

We don't make a habit of "reading" the stack. It has actually evolved, for us, into a simpler play. However, about 7 years ago, we had a kid that could do it. He was a very special football player, mentally. So, obviously, that's a good place to start.

In terms of the read, the QB doesn't really read either of the two defenders in the stack. He reads the PATH of the RB. It is an AREA read. The basic concept is that the QB gives the ball UNLESS the path of the RB is cutoff.

Let's assume that we use the PSHB (slotback) to arc to the force player. That meant that if the DE took the dive, then the stacked LB became the pitch key. Conversely, if the LB took the dive, the DE became the pitch key.

We came to realize that this play was either a GIVE or a PITCH. It was never a KEEP. Additionally, it was only a GIVE if the defense failed to execute their run support assignment correctly. The reason it was mainly a PITCH was quite simple...we were blocking the defender who was assigned to the pitch (the force player). Therefore, it became increasingly simple to execute the read v a stack. The QB was coached to GIVE the ball UNLESS the RBs path was cutoff by EITHER the LB or the DE. The QB was also coached that if he PULLS it, then he PITCHES it. Therefore, reading the stack became a double option, for all intents and purposes.

Now, at times, a defense may switch the run support responsibility of the stacked LB and the SS (from a 4-3). Normally, the stacked LB is the FILL player and has QB on option plays and the SS is either the P/A player OR the FORCE player (and he has pitch). Sometimes, a defense will switch these two players and FILL with the SS and FORCE with the stacked LB (which is most efficiently done into a boundary). The wide arc release by the PSHB (in order to read the angle of the FORCE player) puts him in a good position to block the stacked LB if he became the FORCE player. Additionally, since the DE would HAVE TO take the dive under this run support scheme and the SS would take the QB (since he is the FILL player), the play would still be a PITCH.

4-4 teams that stack OLB behind the DE put themselves in quite a bind. They eliminate the FORCE player from their run support scheme. Against these teams, "reading the stack" is the same as the 4-3 teams. The difference is that the PSHB is assigned to "WALL" the OLB if he scrapes outside. Again, the QB read is the path of the RB. If the DE cuts off the path, then the QB keeps it. If the LB cuts off the path, then the QB pitches off the DE. At times, we instruct the QB to pull it and pitch off the DE.

3-3 (or 3-5) teams are not a problem when they play "stack games." The reason is that an offense can double track the stacked LB with the PST (inside the DE) and PSHB (outside the DE). Whomever does not block the stacked LB can block the FS in the alley. Against the 3-3 teams, we will read the DE and the SS and avoid reading the stack.

I hope I didn't butcher that too bad. I would love to clarify anything that is, well, unclear. Please, let me know.

kc

kc361,

THANKS FOR YOUR DETAILED EXPLANATION OF HOW YOU FOLKS RUN IT.
I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

Coach Easton
I have been coaching for 39 years and have run the triple option for about 33 of the 39 years. I coach at a high school in northern California--Petaluma High. We have been using the stack call for the last 5 years. Our players do a good job with it and it works for us. I have always enjoyed exchanging ideas and through these message boards I have shared ideas with coaches all over the country. Anytime you want to share ideas let me know. I enjoy all of the posts on here especially the ones on the option
Selli

Guys:

We run twins and twins-open as our primary sets, and see alot of 4-3 defense and one 3-3 team. Most of the 4-3 teams squeeze the slot side tackle as much as possible and defend the option by crashing the DE on the dive and bring the Will over the top for QB. They drop the SS down on the slot, some tighter than others, who plays pitch. They rarely, but sometimes will, alter their option responsibilities, especially the 3-3 team. We've done a couple of things over the years. We will send the PST right to the middle backer, stalk the SS/OLB. The DT (in the 3-3, DE in the 4-3) will almost always take dive, so we've also blocked it by bringing the Slot in tight and cracking on the Will, pitching off of the SS.

Any thoughts on which of these two is preferrable and why? Like I said, we've done both, but I'm curious what others would do and why. Thanks in advance.