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.
whats up guys, I coach the defense for a 13-14 year old team and have run a bunch of different looks over the course of 10 years or so, some with success some not as much, I try to run something that fits our players abilities year to year. We are ususally on the smaller side , but always have good speed. This coming year we will be playing in a conference where we will again be on the smaller side , but a bunch of these teams are bigger and can run. We'll see teams trying to get outside a ton, Out of I, single wing, pro sets, etc. I have a feeling we'll see a ton of "wildcat" stuff, direct snap to best athlete, and try to get outside. Any suggestions on what to look into defensively to match up with what I've described?
Since it sounds like you've been exposed to a number of different defenses in the past coach, my first suggestion would be to coach what you know best.
Being an odd-front guy myself, you're situation sounds well suited to playing a 3-3-5/3-5-3 or 3-4 front. My personal belief though, is that the scheme you play is far less important than your ability to teach your kids the techniques required to play that defense successfully. I do believe that it is possible to be multiple in nature, even at the youth level, as long as we don't try to teach too many techniques to our players. Multiple looks utilizing the same basic skill set and techniques that are teachable can be very effective, in my opinion.
Best of luck coach and I look forward to continuing the discussion with you.
Dave Hartman CYFL Coach
"It's not the will to win that matters - everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."
Thanks for the reply Coach, Our base is ususally some sort of 50 front, but I have dabbled with alot of other looks, but my comfort level is with a 50, usually a 5-3, or a 5-4. The league we are in if a team throws 5 times in a game thats alot, so my philosophy is bring alot close to the ball, play man and then dare them to throw. I talked to a guy at a clinic a couple years ago who said he lined his D heavy to the wide side of the field, figuring that most youth teams are not gonna want to run to the short side, where he put his best DL and LB. Have you ever heard or seen that done?
There are certainly tendencies exhibited by many offenses at the youth level:
1. they often tend to be right handed 2. they often run to the tight side of formations 3. they often run to the field side of the formation, especially when they have some speed in their backfield 4. they often attempt to run outside, regardless of defensive alignments and numbers in the box 5. they tend to call plays in an effort to achieve some kind of balanced attack or mix of what they try to do as an offense, rather than having the needed discipline to stick with "boring" bread and butter plays, even when they are very successful in moving the football consistently with them
I began aligning our corners last season to the field and boundary with good results. As long as there seems to be a pronounced difference in ability between the players we have to choose from at the position, I'll most likely continue to do so in the future. We typically place our faster, more athletic corner, who's normally our best cover man as well, to the field side. Our boundary corner will normally be the more physical of the two and quite possibly a better tackler than our field corner. When the ball is in the middle of the field, our field corner will play the left side of the field, based on tendency #1 described above.
I also like to align our two inverts (spurs) in the odd-stack to the tight and open sides of the formation. I prefer to have the more physical player, usually our best defender, play the tight side, based largely on tendency #2. At our level, we always declare the strength of the formation to the tight end side. This is not something you would likely see done at higher levels of play but, based on what we normally see, this practice has served us well for the 6 seasons we've been running the 3-5-3 as our base. We will sometimes make a "flip" call to have our inverts exchange sides, just to keep offenses honest when it comes to game planning specifically against our personnel on one side or the other.
Defensively, we try to take away what an offense does best and force them to do something or become something they're less comfortable with to beat us. The example you mentioned certainly makes sense, as long as it is does not become a tendency that can be gameplanned against and then countered with motion or other means to create a numbers advantage to the boundary side.
I hope this gives you some kind of idea as to what we try to accomplish with these specific alignment adjustments.
Dave Hartman CYFL Coach
"It's not the will to win that matters - everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."
Something you might want to play with if you have a kid who can handle it is running a 35 with a robber coverage from your FS. That will put him attacking the lane right away and will often give you a free runner to the ball. Have to be disciplined on the back side for reverse/counter, though. And just to expand on some of the tendencies Coach Hartman spoke of...when figuring out if a team is right or left handed...I've found when I was coaching JV or C level that the offense mirrored the hand of the coach calling the plays. If he was right handed, the plays were right handed. If the was a lefty, the plays were left handed. Just another thought on that. Either way, the key is coaching your boys up on how to take on blocks, tackle, and swarm to the ball!
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.
Thanks for the insight, I agree with you on the tendencies, espeacially #5, What I've noticed over the past few years is that teams seem so busy trying to run all the more complex stuff they've worked on that they pretty much ignore the basic quick hit or dive to the A gap, they might run there once early and if they do'nt get a Rathman-esque 5-7 yards they never go back. We might see 2 teams a year that will try to run the A gap consistently. If either of you guys have anything on 3-5-3, I'd sure like to check it out, Thanks. Robert Conway, e-mail me at: Conwaykj180@aol.com
Coach Kelly, that's an interesting thought on being left/right handed. I guess it means I just haven't coached against too many lefties to date!
We frequently play robber against two back sets out of our 3-4 look (2 deep shell). It enables us to get an extra hat on each side of the formation when needed against teams with a breakaway threat in their backfield. We also play some Cover 2 with both safeties playing halves and what is essentially quarters out of a two deep look, with our safeties acting as half field defenders and our corners playing man coverage on #1 to each side.
Dave Hartman CYFL Coach
"It's not the will to win that matters - everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."
I noticed not so much that the coaches are righties or lefties initially, but that lefty QB's are rolling to their right, etc. When I started paying attention to it, and started talking about it to others I realized what was happening. The coaches are calling the game to how they see it, rather than to how their player sees it. Watch for it...you'll notice that more lefty QB's roll to their right than vice versa. And if you see Righties rolling to their left a ton, figure out what is the dominant hand of the playcaller! One of those little mind games I like to play.
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.
Post by swilliams1959 on Jan 19, 2010 10:29:43 GMT
I have seen a lot of defenses over the years and one system is no better than the others, Coach Hartman has good advice in running what you know best. I have had the opportunity to coach at all youth and H.S. levels. At that level I like 5, 6 and 7 man fronts with 8 or 9 in the box. Blitz the crap out of them. I always begin by trying to cut off the offenses right arm. If it is getting outside then I am going to bring a LB or DE off the Edge to contain and crash one or the other into B or C gap. Very tough to get outside vs. this type of blitz. More importantly, I would:
1. Keep it Simple, Let the Players Play Fast 2. Get off of Blocks, Tackle and Run to the Ball
Post by Coach Campbell on Mar 11, 2010 6:48:17 GMT
Learn and run what you know how to fix. If you have a systematic way to teach, then your kids have a systematic way to learn. Don't coach what you don't know how to fix. Coach Campbell
I find a lot of sound advice and general rules that I use with the youth teams I coach. Here are some of mine:
1 Teams tend to run a defense that is set to stop their own offense. 2 Play callers at the youth levels tend to lack patience to put together a long drive, and seek instant gratification through complicated plays. 3 Defensive coaches that are frustrated with my basic, straight ahead, time consuming drives revert to blitzing and allow me simple PA passes for TDs. 4 Youth coaches tend to align DBs too deep (over 7 yards) from LOS which opens up angles for ball carriers that get through the initial line of defense. 5 Youth coaches who don't onside kick are not thinking right. Why kick the ball to the best open field runner on the opposition with room to maneuver? 6 All teams try to run off tackle, and those with faster backs typically like sweeps to wide side. 7 COACH WHAT YOU CAN TEACH and COACH TO YOUR PERSONALITY. Kids don't respond to fakes, and you cannot fix systems that you don't fully understand.
Given the wide range of offenses we face, I like employing a defense that requires the least adjustments. We might blitz a few times a season. I employ a "youth 4-3" which looks like a 6-1-4 with the DBs at 5 yard depth and playing a "quarters" coverage. In a ten game season we typically shutout 7 teams and allow under three first downs a game, and they usually come in the first two opposition drives. At the younger levels we funnel everything inside, but as the kids become older, we like use our speed to bounce plays wide and pursue. Opposing coaches always remark on our quickness and speed, but we are nothing exceptional in that regard, but what our kids are well versed at are their keys, and because we don't vary our defense much they react exceptionally quick and it appears as if we have great team speed.
On offense, we our base is a Wing T, but we also run various trips and spread alignments with motion. This prepares our defense for most anything they will encounter through the season.
I would agree with others that have said coach what you know. Just make sure whatever scheme you use has:
At the youth level, I would add making sure you stop the most dangerous plays first - so make sure you have leverage or a numbers advantage to stop wide plays (sweeps), off-tackle, and boot / counter /reverse.
If you have all that, you should be sound regardless of whether you employ a gap-8 or a 3-3-5.
1) "WIDE SIX" - use when ball at or near midfield, AND, if ball at or near hash with strength of formation into short field.
2) "OVERSHIFTED SIX" - use when ball at or near midfield, AND, if ball at or near hash with strength into wide field.
PS: Holes not as wide as they appear in digram because of TIGHT O-LINE SPLITS!
"WIDE SIX" (VS. SINGLE WING)
------------------F-- T --------W------B ------------E-T-G-G-C-T-E -------E---T----G---G---T--E --------------B--------B
-------C---------------------C -----------------S
LEFT END: Line up on the line of scrimmage 2-3 feet outside the wingback. Look through the wingback to the fullback and tailback. Use your normal rule of "Ball come, I come; ball go I go", but as you play this key, you must always be conscious of the movement of the wingback. When the ball is snapped, take one step across the line scrimmage, watching the wingback. If the ball is coming your way and the wingback is swinging to get outside position on you, take one more step in and then fade with the wingback so that he CAN NEVER BLOCK YOU IN. This is a most difficult block. If you will take two steps across the line of scrimmage and then give ground to the outside, the wingback should never be able to hook you in. But if you look only at the fullback and the tailback and lose sight of the wingback, he will be able to you while you are "blind" and will be able to block you effectively. If the wingback drives straight downfield, or double teams in on the tackle and the ball is coming your way, flatten your course quickly and move to the inside to close the gap between yourself and the tackle. Continue to close and be in position to meet the blockers with a strong shoulder shiver. As you hit the blockers, maintain your ability to move back and to the outside. Your basic responsibility is to NEVER TO BECOME BLOCKED IN by any member of the offensive team. If you watch the wingback, you will never be blocked in by him. However, if you drive in too hard when the wingback goes straight upfield, one of the linemen, the fullback, or the blocking back may be able to hook you. Remember, close the gap fast, but maintain your balance well enough so that you can adjust and move back to the outside if necessary. If the ball goes away from you, turn and drop back. Play as a normal end of a five-man containing unit.
LEFT TACKLE: Line up shading the outside of the offensive end. As the ball is snapped, charge hard straight into the end, contacting his outside shoulder. Be positive that the end cannot block you in alone. If the wingback drives in on you, fight the pressure. It is a difficult thing for you to hit the end and still avoid being blocked in by the wingback. However, if you are always conscious of the possibility of this block you should be able to fight the pressure quickly enough to avoid being driven back. In driving at the offensive end you should also, by using your peripheral vision, be conscious of the tackle to your inside. If he turns out at you, turn in and fight his pressure exactly as you would in any normal defensive situation.
LEFT GUARD: Line up opposite the right offensive guard. React to the three linemen in your area exactly as you would in a normal "3 on 1" situation.
RIGHT GUARD: Line up head up with the offensive center. React to three linemen in your area exactly as you would in a normal "3 on 1" situation.
RIGHT TACKLE: Line up on the inside shoulder of the offensive end. As the ball is snapped, charge hard at the outside shoulder of the end. Contact the end. Do not let him cross the line of scrimmage. Hold him up as long as possible. Be positive that he never blocks you in. When he gets away from you, react normally on your regular angle of pursuit. If the ball is going away from you and the end also has moved downfield, get your depth quickly and be the leverage man. You also must get depth against drop back passes as you have outside leverage responsibility.
LINEBACKERS: Line up head up with offensive tackles 2 ½ yards deep. React to the block of your tackle. (1) If the tackle drives out at you, charge straight into him. Control him. Attempt to drive him back. BE SURE HE DOES NOT BLOCK YOU IN. (2) If the tackle blocks aggressively to the inside, shoot the gap quickly. Be sure that you are close to the side of the power, double team block so that you will not be vulnerable to a trap. (3) If your tackle blocks to the outside as you start to fill, be conscious of the offensive linemen on either side of him. If they are pulling away from the angle of his block, do not continue to shoot the gap but move with the flow of the pulling linemen. (4) If the tackle pulls in either direction, move with him. (5) If the tackle drops back to make a pass-protection block, drop back quickly to the hook zone and play the ball.
LEFT CORNER: Line up 3 yards outside the wingback and 8 yards deep. As the ball is snapped look through the uncovered lineman (in this case the tackle) to the ball. You should always be playing pass defense first and not be overly worried about the possibility of a run. In most instances the uncovered lineman will give you an excellent key. Remember that you must stay back and play pass until some lineman is down the field or the ball carrier has crossed the line of scrimmage.
RIGHT CORNER (away from wingback): Line up 2 to 3 yards outside the offensive end, 6 to 8 yards downfield. Look through the uncovered lineman (in this case the tackle) to the ball. React normally to the movement of the uncovered lineman. Remember, you must play pass defense first and must not be caught up forcing the play unless you are positive it is a run.
MIDDLE SAFETY: Line up 12 to 15 yards deep, approximately opposite the offensive fullback. Move laterally with the flow of the play. As you make this movement, look at the uncovered lineman. Be sure that you do not come up unless the uncovered lineman is downfield. Your first movement is lateral, and if the lineman is not downfield you should begin to give ground slightly back on your second or third step. If the ball continues in a lateral direction outside the defensive tackle to either side, you should speed up your lateral movement and attempt to get outside position quickly in order that you can call "clear" to your outside Corner. As soon as you are wide and deep enough to cover the deep outside zone, call "clear" so that your outside Corner can move up to cover the flat and support the play. You will have no trouble doing this if you will slide with the movement of the ball and give ground back and to the outside quickly if the ball continues laterally past the defensive tackles.
LEFT TACKLE: Line up just outside the offensive end, facing slightly to the inside. Watch the end-wingback combination. As the ball is snapped, charge hard at the offensive end. Never let the end block you in alone. As you charge the end, be conscious of the wingback. (1) If he is double teaming on you, be sure you can recover off the end and hit the wingback with a good forearm or hand shiverwhilw working to the outside. If the wingback blocks you in, you have not failed in your assignment. However, you should make every effort to fight through the pressure of his block to the outside. (2) If the end blocks to the inside on your Guard, work fast down the line iof scrimmage to the inside. Do not get penetration if the end makes this movement. In all probability, the blocking back or a lineman will trap you. (3) If the ball goes away from you, get depth immediately until you are as deep as the ball. Maintain outside leverage against reverses.
LEFT GUARD: Line up shading the outside of the offensive tackle. As the ball is snapped, charge hard into the tackle, being sure that he cannot block you in alone. As you make the charge, use your usual peripheral vision in keying the three offensive linemen in your immediate area. If either the end or the outside guard is driving at you, adjust your charge to meet the pressure of the block. Play the ball. Note: You must be conscious of the fact that the only likely trap against you will be from the inside. If you charge across the line of scrimmage, hit the guard opposite you, and get past him too easily, you should suspect that a trap play is being run. When this happens, turn your head quickly to the inside and drive back for the line of scrimmage. Try to keep your head inside the trap blocker, who, in this instance, will either be the short side tackle, or the inside guard playing next to the center.
RIGHT GUARD: Line up head up with the middle lineman. Since this formation is usually played from an unbalanced line you will be opposite the inside guard. Charge straight into the inside guard, control your charge as well as possible, but hit with enough strength to drive the guard back. Use your peripheral vision; watch the tackle, the guards, and the center. React to these three men as you normally would in a regular "3 on 1" drill. If you penetrate too easily you should suspect a trap in the making. Traps on you will almost always come from your inside (your left). If you feel a trap in the making, do not penetrate further. Turn your head to the inside and move back toward the line of scrimmage.
RIGHT TACKLE: Line up on the offensive tackle shading him to the outside. Be positive that he cannot block you in alone. Watch the center, the tackle, and the end. Key these three men exactly as you would in on regular "3 on 1" drill. If you get penetration too easily, suspect a trap. The trap will always come from the inside. If you feel a trap coming, do not penetrate into the backfield. Turn your head along the line of scrimmage, and keep your head between the trap blocker and the course of the ball.
RIGHT END: Line up on the outside shoulder of the offensive end. Charge the end and hit him, making every effort to keep him on the line of scrimmage. React to the end's block. If the end is attempting to go downfield, hit him and hold him up. As soon as he gets away from you, move in, reacting normally to the ball with your old rule of "Ball come, I come; ball go, I go". You must remember that the end should never be allowed to get off the line of scrimmage TO YOUR OUTSIDE. If he is able to do this, he will be able to hook you in. Your basic assignment is never to be blocked in by the offensive end. If the end blocks in on your tackle, move down the line of scrimmage with him, trying to knock him off the block. Stay shallow so that you cannot be blocked out by linemen, or the blocking back coming your way on a reverse. If the ball is going away from you, deepen as soon as you lose control of the end. When you are as deep as the ball, pursue it, maintaining leverage on the play.
LEFT LINEBACKER: Line up 2 ½ yards deep head up with the outside guard. React to the guard. If the guard pulls either way, go with him. If the guard makes an aggressive block to either side, start to fill the hole. Be conscious of the linemen on either side of the guard. If either of these men pulls in either direction, do not continue through the hole. Move with them. If neither of them pulls, continue to fill the gap. The ball will be coming into your area. If the guard makes a pass-protection block, drop quickly to your hook zone.
RIGHT LINEBACKER: Line up 2 ½ deep shading the short side of the offensive center. React to the offensive center. If the center pulls in either direction, go with him. If the center blocks aggressively to the right or to the left, come up to fill the hole. Be conscious of the offensive linemen on either side of the center. If neither of these men has pulled, continue to shoot through the gap. If either of them has pulled, do not continue through the gap. Adjust, play slowly, find the ball, and react on your normal angle of pursuit. If the center makes a pass-protection block, drop back and cover your normal hook zone.