Why Tony Franklin?

Hey Karjaw,

Does Tony Franklin's system deal with offenses other than the 3 x 2 spread whivh I understood was the
impetus for his 3,000.00 fee? Believe me, there is a world of difference between the 3 x 2 spread than any other formation going. I JUST CAN'T SEE CHARGING HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT KIND OF MONEY. To a college, sure, but not a HS program. In order to get the book published I'm working on, I will have to charge for that. But, 16.95 is a long ways from 3,000.00. I don't begrudge any man making a living, but not from high schools.

I sure appreciate your remarks about my friend Bill Mountjoy! He has helped me a great deal and I coached on the field as long as he did. His overall knowledge of the game is outstanding! Him and I go 'round and 'round about the merits of his one back formation verses my version of the 3 x 2 spread,
all in good fun, of course. He will be active again soon on the clinic circuit. Anyone getting the opportunity to hear him speak should certainly do so.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

Jim & Jerry - thanks for the compliment.

I'm sure Tony Franklin knows his stuff! What we do came from Sid Gillman, Don Coryell, Joe Gibbs, Dan Henning, & Bill Walsh. They "knew their stuff" ALSO!

PS: A Coach on this site ("MBKCOACH") uses our pass "O". He beat a team that uses Tony's system (that was 9-0 coming into the game) 41-0 last Nov.! Obviously, MBKCOACH played pretty good defense as well!

I am more of a defensive person at the moment but currently live in the area of Kentucky where Tony Franklin is from and began his coaching career. What he sells is not different than what Leach, Hatcher and Mumme all run and they were on the same staff at UK. Tony is the only one who "promotes"it as his. IMO it is a decent short passing screen game, he teaches drills and practice organization at his clinics. I am not a fan, strong believer in the running game, he is not. He is also one of the reasons OK got in so much trouble under Mumme when he wrote his tell all book and from my understanding he has exaggerated some early accomplishments when he was coaching in this area. I would much rather go to Coach Mountjoys house and learn football and how to be succesful than to pay 3k.

What WE do won't suit EVERYBODY. We are more conventional "PRO-STYLE":

1. PERSONNEL GROUPS = 1 TE/3 WR/1 RB - OR - 2 TE/2 WR/1 RB (these are the two predominant personnel groupings in the NFL). From EACH of these - we use both 2x2 and 3x1 configurations. QB can be under, OR, in Gun. FROM these - we can stretch the defense horizontally, as well as vertically, without weakening the running game. NOTE: Only on RARE occassions will we go" 4 Wide".

2. We will NOT forsake the "POWER" running game (& play action(s) off it.

3. At LEAST 1 DRAW, & 2 SCREENS (screens to outside or inside WR's predominately).

3. Base PASS PRO = 7 man protection - with 3 free releases & 2 "check" releases, which can still get 5 out. This can easily become 6 man pro if you LET us - with 4 free releases & 1 check release, OR, 8 man max pro if you MAKE us - with 2 free releases & 3 "check" releases. We WILL think protection FIRST & FOREMOST. We are NOT an "Empty" team!

4. We WILL NOT throw "hots".

5. We BELIEVE that: "The timing of the delivery is essential. It is the single most important item to successful passing". In order to accomplish this - we MUST get a hat on EVERY rusher. Here is some thinking on "timing":

PASS OFFENSE TIMING:

3 STEP PASSING GAME = NORMAL BREAKING POINT AT 6 YARDS (5 TO 7). WR’S ARE GIVEN A SECOND TO GET STARTED, & 1/10 SECOND FOR EACH YARD RUN. A 6 YARD BREAK OCCURS AT ROUGHLY 1.6 SECONDS.

5 STEP PASSING GAME = NORMAL BREAKING POINT AT 12 YARDS (12-14). USING THE SAME METHOD AS ABOVE, A 12 YARD BREAK OCCURS AT ROUGHLY 2.2 SECONDS.


IDEALISTICALLY – HERE IS THE TIMING REQUIRED TO HIT a 3, & 5 STEP DROP WITH PERFECT TIMING: NOTE: THIS REFERS TO HAVING THE BALL IN THE AIR BEFORE THE RECEIVER BREAKS ON “RHYTHM THROWS” – NOT MANUEVER ROUTES.

A) 3 STEP DROP – BREAKING POINT AT 6 YDS:
QB SET IN .8 & THROW IN 1.2-1.3

B) 5 STEP DROP – BREAKING POINT AT 12 YARDS:
QB SET IN 1.3 & THROW IN 2.1 OR LESS

NOTE: IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THE ABOVE – WE DO NOT SET UP AS DEEP AS SOME TEAMS. WE USE CROSSOVER STEPS WITH THE QB KEEPING HIS SHOULDERS PARALLEL TO LOS. OUR DEPTHS ARE: 3 STEP DROP = 3-4 YDS. 5 STEP DROP = 5-6 YDS.


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)!

NOTE: I would be more than happy to discuss this via phone with anyone who is interested. Phone 804-740-4479 (up till 0 PM/EDT).

Jim - thanks for the compliment. We recommend the 3 step drop series for our Youth League & Middle School feeders. In High School - we use both the 3 AND 5 step game PROVIDING you spend at LEAST 50% of your offensive practice time on the passing game (if you DON'T - just stick with a complete 3 step series and Play Action).