QB Reads and Disadvanatges of spread offense

Coach, forgot your second question. The single most threat is the classic 6 on 5 battle up front. But, if you have a QB who knows, I mean really knows, it more than nullifys the threat. I won the 1994 AFL Minor League Super Bowl with it, and the Pro bowl the same year( I say I won it, the players won it! But, I got to put it in action in 7 states verses 16 opponents that year, finished with a 14-2 record. I know it works!) You have them so spread out, a QB is a big threat to pull it down and run at anytime. You incorporate motion on most every play, very simple to motion to quads or to show trips on one side in the psl and motion to trips on the other, etc. Real simple to run a check with me system from, to run the 2 minute from, to go no huddle from. Very exciting to watch as a fan, they love it! You have to have superbly conditioned athletes all across the board, as they have to be able to run and run and run, all night long! The detractors call it chuck and duck, I call it "destruction from above" and it's been great for us.

Coach Easton

Groundchuck,

You need five in my spread, 4 in yours that can, first of all, catch! The routes are designed for the most part, that if they catch the ball first and then run, they already will have a nice gain! Sure, it is great if you have some burners, but in my spread you need three that can just beat a linebacker or a strong safety, and if they can't meet that criteria they shouldn't be receivers in my opinion. I will almost guarantee you, if they have never strapped it up with a 5 wide team that spreads it from sideline to sideline(really never closer than 7 yds. to the sideline so you have room to operate) and try to cover motion, crossing routes, deep vertical stretches with drags, digs, under routes, etc. you will have at least 2 receivers wide open all night, and alot of the time you will have 3 wide open! However, as you face that classic 6 on five up front most of the time, if you don't have a mobile QB that can throw on the dead run without having to pull up and plant to throw, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. Your QB has to be able to really deal, you have to have 5 that can catch with at least 3 solid backups. The guy that can catch, I will take him over the burner anytime! You run a legit 4.3 40, great! But, if you can't catch,what good is it? I'll take a kid that is a legit 4.5 and can catch the football anytime! Your QB is another story, in my book. He don't have to be a great runner, he don't have to be big and strong, etc. but what he does have to be is intelligent! With the QB facing the defense at all times, I teach the QB the progression read system, that enables him to read the entire field, not just one side as with the line of sight philosophy. Coach Lansdel and I exchanged views on that point, and he fully believes in the line of sight. Perhaps, on the HS level, that would be best for you also. As far as "getting in trouble" I have a 76-23-1 regular season record with my spread, and it's been nothing but solid for us. I would close with this thought, it's like anything else in football. If you really believe in it, and are willing to work and get the kids to believe in it, then it should be good to you. One thing I will say, the players always love it, and so do the fans! One other point, if you can groom a kid who is coming up at the QB slot WHO CAN RUN he will get you a lot of yards coach! Simple reason why, the defense is so spread out to begin with there is no such thing as stacking against you. He's back there reading and moving around and all of a sudden it just opens up a mile wide, and he is off to the races! I'm telling you. coach, it is exciting to coach, to watch, and to play!

Coach Easton

Groundchuck, I have a QB who is 6'4 and runs like a deer. But, I still put him at 6 yds, and he just likes to get back a little further on his own. I got a scout from Europe to come watch him and he signed him right on the spot a few years ago and he just returned last year. He was a FS when I got him 10 years ago and I made him a spread QB. We have 6 QB goals for every game: 1-no fumbles on the QB/C exchange 2- no fumbles on the QB/RB mesh! 3- no bad reads! 4 - no bad pitches! 5 - no interceptions! 6- take no sacks! You must have a good long snapper, but your absolutely correct in that you should never get sacked. I take no credit for the formation whatsoever, but I have a play book that
features patterns that I do take credit for. I assume the protection rules for center are you can't cut him, you can't touch him until he lifts his head, etc. and if that is the case at 8+ yds. I wouldn't hesitate to give your QB that extra distance! Really, at that distance, a QB can get away with being a step or two slower, he just has to have a quick release of the football! He has to know how to read, and always be aware of the fact that he has two options if he can't get the receivers the way he wants them on any given play; in keeping with our goals of not getting sacked or throwing the INT he can pull it down and run it(make chicken soup out of chicken manure) or he can throw it away, his choice. Give me an email at: jerryeaston1@aol.com (my coacheaston@hotmail.com is acting up and can't get it straight for some reason) and we can email on the subject without tying up the board. I have a drill to share with you that makes everyone a believer, right off the bat!

Coach Easton