west coast offense passing concepts

The goal of this website is to provide you with content that will help you get a leg up on the competition, whether thats in the realm of coaching or on the field itself. Rather than using tanks and planes (the passing game) to support the infantry, attack head-first with your planes first, tanks second, then let the infantry bat clean-up. 20/21, 22/23: Basic split-flow rules as described above. When you run pocket protection, the uncovered lineman to each side double-reads ILB to OLB to that side. Finally, a tight end will line up at the line of scrimmage next to the offensive linemen. The Pivot passing concept has an outside receiver running a dig route over the top of the inside receiver next to him, who is running a pivot (zig zag) route. From. Usually, they work inside-out, blocking the inner-most defender first. Run Passes: If a run is called with pass tagged onto it, like 16 power pass, or 19 BOB pass, the offense executes the running play, but blockers do not go downfield so that a pass can be thrown. Ideally he quarterback will look to throw the receiver running the shallow cross. West Coast offenses love to use concepts like Lion and Dragon to get the ball into the hands of the receiver while they're on the move. 55 is TE left, so we Rip). NORM CHOW POST SNAP READS.doc. 78/79: Both backs flow weak, and check release. Those combined, with the wide zone running offense, make for a deadly play-action passing game that stresses linebackers to their extreme. Adjusting Y Cross West Coast passing concepts are designed for efficiency, stretching defenses horizontally. The quarterback looks to throw to the receiver once he makes his break towards the side line. And When to Call Them, What Is a Tight End in Football? . Defenses then developed the zone defense, where defensive players would cover a certain part of the field rather than a certain player. Throughout this article, well cover the origin of the system, positional roles, different variations of the West Coast offense and much more so stick around! The weak-back coming to the strong-side double-reads the ILB to strong OLB (Mike to Sam). It worked; the Packers won Super . The TE to the weak-side check-releases. 55 is TE left, so we Rip). Doing so spreads the defenders, making them each responsible for more area to cover. F2/F3: AKA Fox 2/Fox 3 if you want to sound cool, is the same as H2/H3, but now the fullback or other back is faking and taking the A-gap, while the halfback/tailback goes B-gap. Passing Game Clinics 2021. 26/27: The back to the strong-side scats and the strong guard/uncovered lineman scat protects. The weak-side back has OLB, and the strong-side back has ILB/extra/garbage. The concept exploits the aggressiveness of the defense, as the passing plays are based on faking the most successful running plays. The players Hey there! Both backs flow weak, and check release. The terminology you will see in this article are being borrowed from this. Explained With Pictures, Instantly improve your current positional group, Exclusive access to our staff to help answer your questions, Grow your football knowledge & outsmart your friends and colleagues, Complete breakdown of rules, offensive and defensive concepts, Best course for beginners to learn football, Intro courses that provide you the skillset to talk football like a pro, Engage with your spouse during and after the game. Run-game terminology is much more simple. While there may be some deep throws made downfield, the focus is on quick and short passes that have a high chance of completion. Please, The West Coast Offense Walsh used primarily relies on numbers to call pass protections. Who Should Not Use the West Coast Offense? TE free releases by default. The West Coast Offense, has its roots in the 1960s and 70s with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals under legendary coach Paul Brown. Backs free release and both TEs block the OLB/OLB-area to their side. 500: Gap protection: The O-line steps to the back-side/away from the call and protects the gap. There are players that play close to the ball and others that play further away. The Levels concept has the receiver furthest inside running a dig route. The first was using the timing of the quarterback dropbacks to set the pace for the play. A common Flood concept would be to have one receiver run a flat, second receiver runs a deep out, and the third runs a go route such as shown in the diagram above. Usually, they work inside-out, blocking the inner-most defender first. (Image courtesy of Bruce Eien; check out more notes on their version here .) This pass route is highly effective against man coverage providing the receiver has move speed than the defender covering him. If man coverage is called, the tight end will generally matched up against slower linebacker or a smaller defensive back. The West Coast Offense is a philosophy that remains relevant at every level of competition. This article does NOT cover all the pass pro terminology in this playbook, but it covers all the basics. The quick slant is the signature play of the West Coast Offense. Outstanding breakdown. The Curl-Flat passing concept is one of the oldest and most popular passing concepts in football. Some team's may refer to it as the triangle. The second number indicates the specific type of protection/modification within that series. Timing passes with alerts and checkdowns if the post snap read is bad or different. . If the cornerback (flat defender) sits on the receiver running the low read, then the receiver running the high read will be open. The Switch concept is a popular Run-&-Shoot passing concept that has outside receiver running a post route with an inside receiver. Air raid is a spread passing attack looking to throw the ball to 5 playmakers in space using triangle reads. The Levels concept does an excellent job at attacking zone coverage. Since the 1980s, football teams have used the West Coast Offense to win championships. And he's been running the same core passing concepts that serve as the foundation of Gruden's scheme. 2019 X's O's Football. Feel free to use this page as quick reference if you are confused about these type pass combos, pass concept, and pass routes are designed for. Let the quarterback see and read the defense by utilizing his three or five step drop. You certainly don't need more than five 5-step concepts for a given game since you don't want to practice passes you won't run. The strong-side back free releases, and the weak-side back check-releases. The slide begins at the first offensive lineman to the strong-side/play-side that does not have a defender in their play-side gap. 10s: Runs to an offset back at a depth of 4-5 yards coming across the formation/behind the QB (so like a fullback in an offset-I, or a halfback next to the fullback). So 416 means theyre faking a 16 run play and using 400 protection. Since the West Coast system has so many pass catchers on the field, when a defensive player blitzes, the quarterback just needs to find the open, unguarded player. If you call the protection to the right, that means the offensive linemen on that side will BOB protect. To the left side (or weak-side/back-side), the offensive line will slide. it gets too hard. St. Louis Rams Shallow Cross concepts.doc . Hopefully this will give you better idea of common pass routes and route combos found in real football and football video games. Slide protection away from the call with a cross-action/misdirection backfield or run fake. During Olson's tenure, BYU produced. Walsh's original West Coast offense was built around Joe Montana's specific strengths and the players he had to work with. Walsh preached that at the end of the drop back, the quarterback should know exactly where the pass catchers are in their routes and be able to predict where to go with the ball. Due to its quick horizontal passes, the defense cant crowd the line of scrimmage, leading to linebackers playing in coverage against the quicker wide receivers. Knowledge is power. West Coast Offense - One of the concepts of the West Coast offense is to get five skill players involved in the passing game. Its a 6-man version of this play action protection where you fake to the tailback/halfback, and the 2nd back and TE are free releasing. AKA Fox 2/Fox 3 if you want to sound cool, is the same as H2/H3, but now the fullback or other back is faking and taking the A-gap, while the halfback/tailback goes B-gap. If the number called is odd, it means the TE is to the left. The Dagger is a two receiver route combo that has the outside receiver running a dig route, while the inside receiver next to him runs a streak down the seam. 0/1: Off the centers left/right butt-cheek. In terms of tactics, you would run the ball until the other teams defense got too strong against the run, or the defensive backs got too close to the line, then you would throw the ball deep, over their heads. The former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator was given the 21st-ranked offense in 2019, according to EPA per play, and improved the unit all the way to 10th. Below is an image of the drop-back pocket-protection summary from the playbook: Popularly known today as half-slide protection all 2/3-Jet plays are slide protection with one back (always a 6-man protection). 280 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 282 /H [ 712 738 ] /L 680989 /E 4908 /N 67 /T 675270 >> endobj xref 280 11 0000000016 00000 n Part of the reason this works so well is due to the offenses willingness to throw on any down or distance. If both blitz, they block the inside defender. The West Coast Offense provided a blue-print for the modern offensive game in the NFL, primary with its flexibility of various pass protections. Tackles identify and block the defensive ends. O-D Kick Game Install 2021. Runs to a back at 6-7 yards behind the QB (so a tailback). Walsh used a traditional hole-numbering system: Evens right, odds left. Attack the defense and force them to adjust and react. The three-step drop is designed to be the ball control section of the passing game. Even with countless formations, the West Coast offense will have several consistent elements: NFL offenses have taken these elements to create their own unique variation of the West Coast system. The receiver fakes route in one direction and then runs the route in the opposite direction. SD @weeklyspiral 13.7 K views A popular run concept in the West Coast offense is the draw. In the Spread, the fullback is replaced by another receiver; the running back is also used to block more. The inside receiver, runs a wheel route down the sideline. 84/85: Scat protection weak (TE to that side free releases). This style of play works brilliantly against defenses that commit to stopping the run. Walsh then added more layers by sending players in motion to create mismatches and used the passing game to set the tempo of the game. Some other terms you need to know before going into the numbered series: Scat: Scat means a back free releases (meaning they run a route right off the snap, and have no blocking responsibility. Before the West Coast Offense and other pass-first systems, the forward pass was used as a compliment to the running game. Triangle-O Football Clients Homepage. The second way to stop the West Coast offense is for cornerbacks, or those guarding the receivers, to try and jump the route to intercept the ball. use. The West Coast Offense would then equate to the tactic of blitzkrieg developed by the Germans in WWII. This is important to help you frame your offense. Defensive Install 2021. In this playbook, there are two primary types of protection. Scat protection weak (TE to that side free releases). 30s: Trap and toss plays from an offset back at 4-5 yards. A look at common quick pass routes, passing concepts, and route combos. Walshs terminology talks in terms of halfbacks and fullbacks, but I am using weak and strong back so its more fluid across systems and more modern formations. The Y Cross has the tight end (Y) running an intermediate crossing route. Its a 6-man version of this play action protection where you fake to the tailback/halfback, and the 2nd back and TE are free releasing. __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"eb2ec":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default","value":{"colors":{"eb2ec":{"val":"var(--tcb-skin-color-4)","hsl":{"h":206,"s":0.2727,"l":0.01,"a":1}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"eb2ec":{"val":"rgb(57, 163, 209)","hsl":{"h":198,"s":0.62,"l":0.52,"a":1}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"f3080":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1},"f2bba":{"name":"Main Light 10","parent":"f3080"},"trewq":{"name":"Main Light 30","parent":"f3080"},"poiuy":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"f83d7":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"frty6":{"name":"Main Light 45","parent":"f3080"},"flktr":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default","value":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)"},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)","hsl":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09}},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.5}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.7}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.35}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.4}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.2}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.8}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, Bill, Coach, Dwight Clark, football, Joe Montana, Offense, Philosophy, Strategy, The catch, Walsh, WCO, West Coast Offense, What Is The West Coast Offense? 74/75: Both backs free release to the backside, and the O-line scat protects to the weak-side (guard/uncovered lineman double reads ILB to OLB). an off set back is going to get the . His version of the West Coast offense relies on a highly athletic quarterback with an elite arm, as well as skilled receivers who thrive on making plays after the catch. Backs protect inside-out, meaning they block an inside rush threat first, then work outside if there is no inside threat. Both can be a hot receiver. This real football play passing concept features a high-low read between a receiver, who runs a post , and a running back, who runs an angle route. TE check-releases off the OLB to their side. The West Coast offense was one of the most revolutionary offenses when it first hit the scene. Cook, who was drafted as a big-armed, vertical passer, no longer had the arm strength to throw the ball deep. 0000001428 00000 n 1. Using a numbering system and relying on mostly pocket and slide (half-slide) protections, Bill Walsh and his coaching staffs compiled a system that would allow them to flood the field with receivers from all sorts of different angles and personnel groupings, while also giving them multiple ways to protect the QB from the wide range of defensive schemes and blitzes. The terminology you will see in this article are being borrowed from this 356 page, 1985 49ers Playbook that can be found on Google. Max means all backs and tight-ends release, and the protection always becomes pocket protection (so if slide was called, max turns it into pocket protection). The first number also sets the default rules for all numbers in that series. Below is an example of the type of formation and play Coach Walsh would run: It is important to note that Coach Walsh won three Super Bowls with this offense. Since the West Coast is the most prevalent offense in the NFL, it's not an exaggeration to call the slant the most important play in professional football. All of these adaptations were focused on one thing, disrupting the timing of the quarterback. The comeback has the receiver taking an outside release and running about 18-20 yards up the field. The route involves a MOFO or MOFC read by the quarterback. The West Coast roots come from an under-center, quick, methodical passing game. In 1969, the Bengals had a rising superstar in rookie quarterback Greg Cook, but in week 3 Cook tore his rotator cuff. 284/285: Slide to the weak-side (284 means slide is left, backs right). The West Coast Offense is a passing ball control offense. The Stick is a passing concept that features the inside receiver running a stick route, often he has option to run a quick out route as well depending on the type of pass coverage. The West Coast passing offense is comprised of a lot of slants and crossing routes. On 300, the slide goes away from the call. A good pass route to get the quarterback in rhythm. Due to this, when they see any type of potential run play, the defense may overact, letting the offense take them off guard. Im always open to feedback as well, so if there is something you feel is incorrect or should be described more thoroughly, please drop a comment! They release, because that defender theyre assigned to is not a threat to sack the quarterback, so rather than wasting a blocker, they want those players to get involved as receivers incase the primary receivers on a play are not open. Against man coverage, their pass routes create a rub or natural pick on defenders covering. The Spacing is quick passing concept that has three receivers running a three route combo. In this case, the protection is set to the right, so the first offensive lineman to the right of the center with no defender in the gap to their right is the first offensive lineman in the slide. The West Coast offense was one of the most revolutionary offenses when it first hit the scene. Initially, Reid treated the quarterback in his system like an NBA point guard, using short accurate passes to get talented pass catchers the ball in space. This system looks to control the game through the air and sets receivers up to make plays after the catch. Okay but I think Romo may have a bit more knowledge than a few route concepts. We can drop the ball off to a back late and still make 4 to 5 yards. Instead, Walsh turned them into pass catchers and gave them horizontal routes designed to get them in space. means all backs and tight-ends release, and the protection always becomes pocket protection (so if slide was called, max turns it into pocket protection). Bill Walsh helped changed the offensive playing field with his West Coast offensive system. If you can distribute the ball in the passing game to all eligible receivers, the defense cannot focus solely on a couple core receivers, giving you more one-on-one situations. In slide protection, you call a side to set the protection to (left/right, strong-side/weak-side, whatever). Sometimes, this style is called nickel and dime defenses. He so firmly believed in this, every play was created with a predetermined number of steps for the quarterbacks drop back. The pass route the receiver runs during the play is based on the type of pass coverage called. One of the most important elements in this system is the quarterback dropback. If the defender covers the deep in route, the hitch route underneath will be open. Spot The Spot passing concept is design to attack zone coverage. understanding the concepts behind our basic run and pass schemes is essential. Your backs and TEs protect the OLBs. The back away from the call side is coming over to that side to get the blitzing ILB. We'll be talking about all of those beginnings in this episode. In slide protection, you call a side to set the protection to (left/right, strong-side/weak-side, whatever). Paperback - July 29, 1997. Walsh ended up winning three Super Bowls utilizing the West Coast offense and was named the NFL Coach of the Year in 1981 and the NFC Coach of the Year in 1984. One of the most popular styles has become the West Coast offense, a system that many NFL teams use today to various degrees. We break the sections down with quick pass, medium pass, and deep pass. The next receiver to him, runs a flat or a quick out. Double read: An offensive player is assigned two defenders to block. This default/watered down play action system is a slide protection (so half-slide in modern terms, just like 2/3 Jet). The Shake has a receiver making a quick fake before running a shallow crossing route. The inner most receiver runs a flat route. Runs to an offset back at a depth of 4-5 yards coming across the formation/behind the QB (so like a fullback in an offset-I, or a halfback next to the fullback). The weak-back coming to the strong-side double-reads the ILB to strong OLB (Mike to Sam). The first number indicates the type of backfield action/movement the backs will take, and the basic type of protection. This article does NOT cover all the pass pro terminology in this playbook, but it covers all the basics. Joe Montana, Steve Young, andJerry Riceare all now in the Hall of Fame. Invented by Bill Walsh, it was born in Cincinnati but popularized in San Francisco, earning its "West. Offensive Install 2021. The Run and Shoot Offense was first developed in the 1960's by Glenn "Tiger" Ellison from Middletown, Ohio. 29. by Mike Tanier. The West Coast offense is a fast-paced system that relies on short and quick throws to sure-handed receivers who run precise horizontal routes. If the call is 314 the slide is going to the left, and 315 means the slide is going to the right. which alters the terminology slightly (so ignore this sheet for this article, except for fire 2/fire 3). In slide protection, you BOB to the call side, and slide to the other side, with the uncovered lineman on the slide side checking the Will LB first (because in slide, the sliding linemen are responsible for the Will LB), then look for the OLB to that side. For quarterbacks, these backs and tight-ends often serve check-down roles, meaning if the primary receivers in the progression arent open, the QB finds these players for an easy release valve rather than holding onto the ball and risking a sack. If the number called is even, it means the TE is to the right. For this article we show several common pass routes and route combos that you will find in real football and video game football. We all know Andy Reid brought the West Coast offense to the Chiefs this season, but let's take a closer look at one of the main passing concepts within his particular West Coast offense. The goal was to get these pass catchers the ball in space as they ran across the middle of the field to allow them to make plays after the catch for extra yardage. Pocket/Cup Protection: Your center and guards protect the center-three defenders of the defense. Bill Walsh is quoted as saying, This type of pass is designed specifically to develop and take advantage of a defensive conflict. The original West Coast Offense of Sid Gillman uses some of the same principles (pass to establish the run, quarterback throws to timed spots), but offensive formations are generally less complicated with more wideouts and motion. The goal of this offense is to use the quarterbacks dropbacks to establish the timing for plays, while receivers run horizontal routes across the field. Norm Chow Concepts.doc. If youre a fan of the NFL, youve probably heard the term West Coast Offense. You have also probably seen or heard NFL content where a coach or player says an incredibly long play-name that sounds like a language only C-3PO could translate. In terms of protection, scat indicates that the side a back free releases to calls for the offensive guard, or uncovered lineman to that side to double-read the the linebackers to that side. The West Coast Offense essentially provides a blue print for the modern game we know today. In American football, the West Coast offense is an offense that places a greater emphasis on passing than on running. The Portland passing concept is similar to the Mills concept as the design is to provide an opportunity for the quarterback to look throw deep down the field to a receiver running a deep post if the safety comes up defend the dig route that is being run from the opposite side. A Complete Overview, What Is a Blitz in Football? 300 is an AGGRESSIVE slide protection (so slide protection with the O-line and backs attacking and holding their blocks at the line of scrimmage (LOS). In both protections, the default rule for all running-backs and tight-ends is to execute an assignment called check-release, which means they are assigned to a defender (or two), and if that defender blitzes (blitz is called dog in the playbook), they block them. . All backs (so two backs) check-release, and the TE free releases if there is one. 200: The QB takes a 5-step drop, and the protection becomes slide protection (in other version of the WCO, you see 200/300 as both slide protection, and a 3-step drop). The 49ers started to work in power running concepts using their stalwart fullback Kyle Juszczyk as a lead blocker. Requires a TE on each side. Slide to the weak-side (284 means slide is left, backs right). Snagis a great passing concept that is used at all levels. This contrasts with the Air Coryell offense mentioned above, which is known for attacking downfield. In the playbook this article is based off of, Walsh uses three digits. During these years, BYU regularly led the nation in passing offense. This style also limits the defense from stacking the line of scrimmage to stop the run as they are spread across the whole field. Both backs free release to the backside, and the O-line scat protects to the weak-side (guard/uncovered lineman double reads ILB to OLB). During his time in San Fran, he worked with two of the most accurate, intelligent, and relatively mobile quarterbacks in the history of the NFL to show the league the dominance of the West Coast offense. When first introducing the system, Walsh was criticized as trying to finesse the defense or playing too conservatively. Two digits. 0000001608 00000 n Often this creates a high/low read for the quarterback to make. H2/H3: H stands for halfback (so think your primary running-back. Hb```f``:&23 ?s4 9L*. If the OLB blitzes, the back then becomes the hot receiver, and replaces the OLBs position to get open. In the 1970's, Darrel "Mouse" Davis began having tremendous success with the offense at Portland . Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to write more articles in the near future. The TE is not blocking at all, and both backs go weak, so there are only lineman blocking to the strong-side, requiring the scat protection. X's O's Football is not affiliated or associated with EA Sports, the NFL, or their license. The Slot Cross has an inside receiver running a intermediate crossing route underneath the outside receiver who is running a deep dig route.

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