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.
Cornerback playing deep 1/3 takes read steps cushion closes turns and sprints with receiver running streak. What should his positioning be? Should he be on the outside of receiver between sideline and receiver, basically on his back with his chest or should he be inside with DB's back on receivers chest? If playing zone and lining up with O/S leverage, wouldn't you be on his back?
I teach the CB in a Cover 3 drop that his cushion is broke when the receiver is 1 1/2 yards away if their speed is the same. If the receiver is faster, the CB may need to open up and run when the receiver is 2 - 2 1/2 yards away. The CB should maintin outside leverage on the receiver during the receivers initial stem and after the cushion has been broken. I teach them to maintain a high shoulder relationship on the receiver while running with the vertical route, which puts them in a position to look through the receiver to the QB with their back to the sideline.
The exception to the rule is if the CB gets a horizontal stretch (fade down the boundary and seam up the hash). In this case, the CB must establish position between the receivers, favoring the seam because it is the shortest throw, but in position to break on the throw and cover both routes.
So coach on the fade you are looking to get inside the receiver with your back to his chest and not with your chest on his chest, basically what I mean is do you want to face him or be turned away looking back at the QB? Also, please explain a bit further on your description of the horizontal stretch with the seam up the hash please? I'm a bit confused on that. Thank you.
P.S. I'm a left corner playing cover 3 vs. split end. I take my read steps and read pass continuing backpedal until cushion closes which at that point I open at 180 degrees maintaining outside leverage so that receiver is running down field basically inside of me. If he is running streak or go route I would be on his upfield shoulder looking through him to QB. Ball is thrown I would play through the man with left arm in front of receiver and right arm coming around on backside of receiver.
When defending the fade without a route up the hash, the CB should have outside leverage on the fade route with his back to the sideline. With high shoulder position on the WR, the CB will be able to look through the WR to the ball.
With a horizontal stretch, his position changes because he would not be able to defend the seam route (in his zone) with outside leverage on the fade. Therefore, with his eyes inside on the QB and keying #1 to #2 in Cover 3, the CB should be able to recognize the vertical route by #2 and adjust his leverage from the outside of #1 to a midpoint between #1 and #2. This positioning allows him to break on either the seam or the fade.