Post by Oneback on Apr 24, 2014 11:10:29 GMT
JOE GIBBS ACE FORMATION FOOTBALL (BY SID GILLMAN):
There are many arguments for the "Ace". And no team made them better than Joe Gibbs' Washington Redskins. They often used three wide receivers, and also ran a version of the "Ace" that called for two tight ends. "Having a extra tight end blocking is better than using an extra blocker in the backfield because you get so many different looks", says Sid Gillman, the Hall of Fame Coach. "It doesn't matter how many plays you have, it's how many formations you have — how many different looks you give the defensive players who are trying to figure you out".
The Redskins' "Ace" is a shape-shifting extravaganza. They will come out in one alignment, the back and tight ends will shift (also wide receivers at times), the tight ends may shift again, then a tight end will go in motion. Meanwhile, the cogs in the defensive players' heads are whirring. A linebacker, for example, has to know if he's on the the strong or weak side of the offensive formation in order to execute the proper assignment. In seconds he can shift from strong to weak side two or three times. Same goes for the defensive backs. "They are trying to remember their assignments after the third shift", Gillman says, "and here comes another one".
Confident and well-drilled, the Redskins use but a handful of plays — two, most of the time — from their multiple-motion package, and execute with precision. The basic play is the "Gut" (Inside Zone). The companion is the Redskins' famous "Counter-Trey" — in which the running back steps in the direction of the "Gut", then counters back to receive the ball going in the other direction, following two big linemen who pull to lead the way.
The Redskins run the "Counter-Trey" from every formation they've got", Gillman says. "They'll line up with a tight end on each side and run it either way. They'll put one tight end outside the other and run it that way. Or they'll run it to the spread side, with no tight end. They'll put one tight end in motion, and run it either toward the motion or away. There are 100 different ways to lead that play onside and 100 different ways to protect the backside. The Redskins run them all. How many plays do they need?
Coach Joe Gibbs befuddles opposing defenses by confronting them with so many offensive looks. Redskins coach Joe Gibbs does a better job confronting defenses with simple choices than any other NFL coach. Washington was a power team — that's the standard analysis. Coaches around the league would say, 'the Skins get those big Hogs rolling and just run you down". In truth, the Redskins run a finely balanced offense. "Their formations confuse you", said Gillman. "And you never which it will be, run or pass".
In the running game the Redskins offset the "Gut" with the "Counter-Trey", executing both routinely and interchangeably. That leaves a defensive tackle, for instance, never knowing whether he's going to be blocked face-front on the "Gut", or hit from the left of the right on the "Counter-Trey". Moreover, one side of the defensive front can't quickly go to the aid of the other side. "The Counter-Trey keeps them honest", says Gillman. "Otherwise the backside end will come flying down the line to chew up your Gut (Inside Zone). ALSO( keeps the linebackers from flowing too fast. You have to keep him home watching for the Counter-Trey". The Redskins mixed up their two main plays. Defenses get befuddled, then overpowered, while confronting the simplest of choices.
The Redskins were adept at balancing the run and pass. The running threat pulls up linebackers and a safety, which leaves at least one cornerback alone on a wide receiver, If the cornerback played deep, Gibbs sends the receiver on a 7-yard "Hitch" pattern — the simplest pass in football. The Redskins threw that "bedrock" pass more than any other team. If the cornerback came up to "press", Gibbs had the quarterback throw the deep "Up". The play-action pass off the "Counter-Trey" was big also.
There are many arguments for the "Ace". And no team made them better than Joe Gibbs' Washington Redskins. They often used three wide receivers, and also ran a version of the "Ace" that called for two tight ends. "Having a extra tight end blocking is better than using an extra blocker in the backfield because you get so many different looks", says Sid Gillman, the Hall of Fame Coach. "It doesn't matter how many plays you have, it's how many formations you have — how many different looks you give the defensive players who are trying to figure you out".
The Redskins' "Ace" is a shape-shifting extravaganza. They will come out in one alignment, the back and tight ends will shift (also wide receivers at times), the tight ends may shift again, then a tight end will go in motion. Meanwhile, the cogs in the defensive players' heads are whirring. A linebacker, for example, has to know if he's on the the strong or weak side of the offensive formation in order to execute the proper assignment. In seconds he can shift from strong to weak side two or three times. Same goes for the defensive backs. "They are trying to remember their assignments after the third shift", Gillman says, "and here comes another one".
Confident and well-drilled, the Redskins use but a handful of plays — two, most of the time — from their multiple-motion package, and execute with precision. The basic play is the "Gut" (Inside Zone). The companion is the Redskins' famous "Counter-Trey" — in which the running back steps in the direction of the "Gut", then counters back to receive the ball going in the other direction, following two big linemen who pull to lead the way.
The Redskins run the "Counter-Trey" from every formation they've got", Gillman says. "They'll line up with a tight end on each side and run it either way. They'll put one tight end outside the other and run it that way. Or they'll run it to the spread side, with no tight end. They'll put one tight end in motion, and run it either toward the motion or away. There are 100 different ways to lead that play onside and 100 different ways to protect the backside. The Redskins run them all. How many plays do they need?
Coach Joe Gibbs befuddles opposing defenses by confronting them with so many offensive looks. Redskins coach Joe Gibbs does a better job confronting defenses with simple choices than any other NFL coach. Washington was a power team — that's the standard analysis. Coaches around the league would say, 'the Skins get those big Hogs rolling and just run you down". In truth, the Redskins run a finely balanced offense. "Their formations confuse you", said Gillman. "And you never which it will be, run or pass".
In the running game the Redskins offset the "Gut" with the "Counter-Trey", executing both routinely and interchangeably. That leaves a defensive tackle, for instance, never knowing whether he's going to be blocked face-front on the "Gut", or hit from the left of the right on the "Counter-Trey". Moreover, one side of the defensive front can't quickly go to the aid of the other side. "The Counter-Trey keeps them honest", says Gillman. "Otherwise the backside end will come flying down the line to chew up your Gut (Inside Zone). ALSO( keeps the linebackers from flowing too fast. You have to keep him home watching for the Counter-Trey". The Redskins mixed up their two main plays. Defenses get befuddled, then overpowered, while confronting the simplest of choices.
The Redskins were adept at balancing the run and pass. The running threat pulls up linebackers and a safety, which leaves at least one cornerback alone on a wide receiver, If the cornerback played deep, Gibbs sends the receiver on a 7-yard "Hitch" pattern — the simplest pass in football. The Redskins threw that "bedrock" pass more than any other team. If the cornerback came up to "press", Gibbs had the quarterback throw the deep "Up". The play-action pass off the "Counter-Trey" was big also.