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 think that the skill of the returner and his ability to see the whole field in front of him is as, or more so, important than the formation you use. The PLAYER makes the system, the FORMATION doesn't make the player. Just my opinion as always. I think it it always best to have two returners back, not just one. There is always a rabbit on the punt coverage team that gets to your ball carrier before anyone else, and if the second returner doesn't get the ball he steps up and blocks the rabbit! If the returner can evade the initial tackler, he usually has a chance for a good return.
Coach Esaton-TIGER ONE
J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE
Thank you both as usual for your help. That is why Football is such a great sport because of people like the two of you who are always willing to help.
Mervin,
Sorry for the late reply just 'ressurrected' my computer! I have had ALOT of succes using a Block/Wall combination. The guys on the right side rush, and the guys on the left form a wall. If the guys on the right don't block the kick the run through and fit in to the wall.
I've used several different approaches, but as coach said earlier, it is about the players--especially the return man on punts. The punt itself is so unpredictable, I've found it tough to really scheme well against it. I've seen and used walls, double walls, influence blocks, middle returns...you name it. They're a lot like offenses...if you have the players to be successful, you will be successful with your game as long as the fundamentals and responsibilities are covered.
Ryan Kelly
Offensive Coordinator
Austin High School
Austin, MN
There is nothing that will show a man's true character like the 2 yard line.
Like the idea of the rush on one side and return on the other. I agree with all the coaches that were kind enough to give their opinion that you better have a good one back there returning. Thanks.
I'm by no means an expert but like Coach Z said our teams have had success with the "Block/Wall" combo, but the important things for this to be successful for us has been to make sure, a) the corner does not allow the gunner to get off the jam easily and forces him to go inside, b) the wall side must initially engage for a 1 or 2 second count (called out by the last man on the LOS that is leading the wall to the ball), and c) the kids taking the wall must turn their eyes "outside-in" and have their head on a swivel to make sure they can react to a short punt and get out the way.
Sorry to be long-winded, but wanted to explain some of the details that have helped us to get the most out of our special teams.
Our best success has come from return guys that don't necessarily have the best agility and ability to run in space but more importantly by the kids that refuse to let a catchable ball hit the ground in front/behind them or are willing to make a fair catch because their aggressiveness helped our wall get used to their consistent return style and set up a better wall on the catch. Some of our most gifted players we put back to field punts and you had no idea how they would read the ball of the punter's foot and would go after the ball appropriately.
Coach CE thanks for the information, I agree with both you and Tiger One that it is very important to have someone who can handle the ball. Sometimes the best people on special teams are the ones who give their all and don't make mistakes, because it means something to them. Thanks for your thoughts.
#1 as already mentioned..."catch the ball" returners must know where they are and not lose yardage by letting it drop. I've always used a wall return with two back as returners. Only rush the punter with our DE's. The wallside LB would start the wall followed by the interior linemen and DE's. corners jam gunners. nonwall side LB clears out anyone trying to chase down returner from behind the wall.
with the 2 deep we would always use a fake of some sort. If we found that the team was hitting our wall too hard then we would cross the two returners and run the ball back against the nonwall side. Either way it does force the coverage team to respect the other returner.
sure thing, George Allen has a great book on special teams if you'd like an overall in depth book. Any question on the return feel free to ask. TD's will come with your return with the wall for sure.