west coast offense passing concepts

Developing the West Coast Offense Walsh's "nickel-and-dime" offense was one that relied heavily on a method, ball-control passing game that utilized the backs and tight ends as primary. BYU Passing Game - Lavell Edwards.doc . Cook, who was drafted as a big-armed, vertical passer, no longer had the arm strength to throw the ball deep. 60s: Runs to a back behind the QB at a depth of 4-5 yards. Consequently, higher completion percentages are expected and, with that, fewer turnovers. 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 players Hey there! means a back or tight-end does not release (they block for the whole play). Originally, the term referred to the Air Coryell system popularized by Don Coryell. X's O's Football is not affiliated or associated with EA Sports, the NFL, or their license. From this alignment, the West Coast Offense can run the majority of their route combinations, which include slants and curls, to attack the underneath half. This concept is effective against Cover 2 zone coverage, as well as Cover 3 and Cover 4 coverages. Still confused about the play numbers. Level Contributor . If the call is 314 the slide is going to the left, and 315 means the slide is going to the right. 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! 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 is primarily about syncing up the QBs footwork with the receivers routes. His offense became one of the few not using the power running game as the focus through the 1980s and 1990s. 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. Before the introduction of the West Coast offense, defenses would simply play man-to-man defense and send an extra pass rusher at the quarterback. The quarterback is looking to see what the defense gives him and looks to take advantage of it. Use players in motion before the snap to make the defense show their scheme. Due to this, when they see any type of potential run play, the defense may overact, letting the offense take them off guard. West Coast passing concepts are designed for efficiency, stretching defenses horizontally. Both can be a hot receiver. This route combo is generally effective against most zone coverages. The Shallow Cross passing concept that teams that like to run the Air Raid offense. 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. 84/85: Scat protection weak (TE to that side free releases). In the E-P system, there are no requirements, except for a competent quarterback. Football's West Coast Offense. If the defender does not blitz, they release into a route to receive a pass. Kaepernick has been running a West Coast offense for the entirety of his NFL career. Against man coverage, the receiver running the pivot route will generally be open once he breaks towards the sideline. 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). On 300, the slide goes away from the call. The weak-side back free releases, while the strong back check-releases to the weak-side. There will be two wide receivers on the line of scrimmage on either side of the field. The next receiver to him, runs a flat or a quick out. In this playbook, there are two primary types of protection. ThisAir Coryelloffense was originally called the West Coast Offense, but when one player mistakenly called Coach Walshs system The West Coast Offense, the name stuck. Also a pocket and two-back protection series. The inner most receiver runs a flat route. Split flow protection is a pocket protection, where both backs move opposite of each other off the snap (if you have a back to the left and right of the QB, the left back moves left, and the right back moves right). an off set back is going to get the . This typically involves getting a linebacker in coverage on a running back, wide receiver, or tight end. In your diagram, you show 3 Jet as being the play call to the left, but the tight end is to the right! 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 West Coast was, at the time of its inception, known for being very pass heavy, which helped revolutionize offensive football during the 80's and 90's. McCarthy always fully embraced those. While thats a general overview of the West Coast offense, theres a lot more that goes into calling and running plays in the system. The Ultimate Guide, How Much Do NHL Refs Make? These types of pass routes are very effective in man coverage is called. Here, the Redskins run their Hank concept, which is fundamental for the west coast offense. There are always 22 football players on the field at once and they all have their own specialized roles. 0000001450 00000 n 284/285: Slide to the weak-side (284 means slide is left, backs right). There are a few spread offenses in college that are markedly different than what you see in the NFL and worth mentioning. west coast offense orientation & terminology start from scratch when learning it. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. Joe Montana, Steve Young, andJerry Riceare all now in the Hall of Fame. 0000001608 00000 n In addition to wide receivers running routes, the running back and tight end typically will also run routes to overwhelm the defense. 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. A Complete Overview, What Is a Blitz in Football? 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. If the OLB blitzes, the back then becomes the hot receiver, and replaces the OLBs position to get open. Walsh ignored the critics and at the end of his career Walshs system started a new era in the NFL with the passing attack being the focus of offenses. When you run pocket protection, the uncovered lineman to each side double-reads ILB to OLB to that side. The Smash concept creates a high-low read that attacks Cover 2s biggest weakness, the deep outside halves of the field near both sidelines. The WCO can be installed at a lower level of football with 10-15 core pass plays and 5-6 core running plays. The call in the huddle could be "Jet Dart 368 Y-Flat Train on one." Initially, the Spread looked to be a variation of the West Coast offense, but its a unique offensive system. For clips of this version of the concept try here and here. The route involves a MOFO or MOFC read by the quarterback. If the ILB blitzes, they sneak a peak at the outside linebacker (OLB) to their side. Slow means a back or tight-end releases only if their assigned linebacker (or linebackers) does not blitz. If both blitz, they block the inside defender. How the POP play streamlines the pro-style approach. 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. 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). Rip/Liz only applies to the weak-side (so 54 is TE to the right, meaning weak side is left, so Liz is ran. By having the inside receiver running the crossing route he will open room for the dig route coming behind him. This pass route is highly effective against man coverage providing the receiver has move speed than the defender covering him. means a back or tight-end releases only if their assigned linebacker (or linebackers) does not blitz. When executed successfully, the defense would start playing more conservatively, trying to close and prevent those short passes, which would open up both the deep passing game for those gut-punch plays (tanks using speed to overwhelm defenses and get behind enemy lines), then the running game (infantry). In most conventional offenses, the idea is to run the ball to draw the safeties and linebackers in closer to the line of scrimmage, thus opening up . In the playbook this article is based off of, Walsh uses three digits. Below are some more features of the system: Finally, if you have more questions about the West Coast Offense, let us know below! Bill Walsh, who was the offensive coordinator at the time, had to step back and completely redesign the teams offense. But, two statements do help explain what it is all about. The three-step drop is designed to be the ball control section of the passing game. However, since both backs are going away from the TE off the snap (weak flow), the TE is now check-releasing by default on all 70s plays, primarily to block the OLB to their side. Let's . 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. Unless a specific protection says otherwise, players not mentioned use the rules described above. The back to the weak-side (away from the TE) scats (free releases) to their side into a route. We will feature a 'fully dimensional passing attack' The West Coast offense does the exact opposite. 1. 30s: Trap and toss plays from an offset back at 4-5 yards. The Shake has a receiver making a quick fake before running a shallow crossing route. Your center and guards protect the center-three defenders of the defense. This default/watered down play action system is a slide protection (so half-slide in modern terms, just like 2/3 Jet). The Passing Game II: Slants and Flats. The idea of the Snag passing concept is to horizontal stretch the defense by creating three on two isolation. Default rules tell backs in protection if their defenders do not blitz (no dog), they release. Even numbers mean the TE (strong-side) is to the right. If you have an I-formation, the strong back is the closest back to the TE, so its the fullback. 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. The Airraid guys tend to have the two guys cross and head in opposite directions. Once gains separation or leverage he is will be open. 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 Heres a little bonus. This makes it a quick pass, where the line and backs will block aggressively and hold the defense at the line of scrimmage. If the OLB does not blitz, the back releases. Listed below are player roles and the qualities they need to have to be successful. In 1983 BYU's Cougars led all NCAA Division I teams with 584 yards offense per game. 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! True to form of the 'west coast offense' these concepts are excellent ball control, short passing plays which rely on accuracy and timing between the QB & WRs to take advantage of different defensive structures and coverages. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. MOFC means "middle of the field closed," or is there a deep middle guy. The West Coast Offense, as developed by former San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh, is a finesse offense that utilizes a short passing game designed to control the ball. 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. Compared to other offensive systems, this style has been said to nickel and dime the defense, due to its short passing attempts, and has led to amazing success by countless teams throughout the years and is a staple in the NFL. These horizontal routes make it difficult to play man coverage and get defenders chasing. The Mills (Anchor) passing concept is designed to get a to bite on the dig route, allowing for the receiver running the post to get behind him for big play. The Run and Shoot Offense was first developed in the 1960's by Glenn "Tiger" Ellison from Middletown, Ohio. A core concept in West Coast systems, here are four combinations within the Hi-Lo series that we see across the league. A good pass route to get the quarterback in rhythm. In the 1970's, Darrel "Mouse" Davis began having tremendous success with the offense at Portland . If the number called is odd, it means the TE is to the left. 1995 BYU OFF.pdf. If the number called is even, it means the TE is to the right. Still, Reids offense led the NFL in yards after the catch in the 2020 season due to the extremely talented pass-catching duo of Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Fire 2/Fire 3: I got this term from this page, which alters the terminology slightly (so ignore this sheet for this article, except for fire 2/fire 3). Backs free release and both TEs block the OLB/OLB-area to their side. Trap and toss plays from an offset back at 4-5 yards. 17+ Basketball Games for Kids The Ultimate List. Scheme: The use of 10 . Adjusting Y Cross Coach Walsh went on to say, I truly believe it is the single best tool available to take advantage of a disciplined defense., Utilizes pre-snap motions to generate match-up issues and confusion with the defense. It's a great concept: the shallow pulls the linebackers while the square-in -- aptly known in Airraid . Runs to a back behind the QB at a depth of 4-5 yards. The essence of the West Coast system is rhythm & timing, and ball protection. 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. The West Coast offenses also use a lot of play-action plays. Run-game terminology is much more simple. A new kind of offense has taken over the college level and has made its way into the NFL recently called the Spread offense. In slide protection, you call a side to set the protection to (left/right, strong-side/weak-side, whatever). Conversely if the cornerback sinks back on the receiver running the high read, then the low read receiver will be open. Another route is used to compliment the Divide pass route is a receiver on the outside running a go or streak route. It's all about the feet The best way to define the West Coast offense may be to start with what it isn't. The traditional passing game, which NFL teams ran for years, is based on deep drops . We can drop the ball off to a back late and still make 4 to 5 yards. Your backs and TEs protect the OLBs. The West Coast Offense is an innovative horizontal passing offense based on timing and route running. By and large, on first-and-10 you'll get a 2-deep zone - zone-type defense. 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). Generally one of them gets open once they cross each other. Timing passes with alerts and checkdowns if the post snap read is bad or different. This is almost the exact same as the 20s, but the Rip/Liz rules are now applied. 200/300 Jet is the same protection, but now the QB is taking a 3-step drop, and the line is blocking aggressively. In American football, the West Coast offense is an offense that places a greater emphasis on passing than on running. 1. New York went from a vertical concept with elements of the old run-and-shoot implemented by Kevin Gilbride to more of a West Coast offense, in which the emphasis was put more on short to . The weak-side back has OLB, and the strong-side back has ILB/extra/garbage. The Switch concept is a popular Run-&-Shoot passing concept that has outside receiver running a post route with an inside receiver. The West Coast Offense, has its roots in the 1960s and 70s with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals under legendary coach Paul Brown. The guard or uncovered lineman to the weak-side must now scat protect to that side, meaning they double read the ILB to OLB on the weak-side. When a back or tight-end is assigned a hot responsibility, it means if their assigned defender blitzes, they bypass them and look for a quick pass from the QB. Some of the most notable are the following: With all of the advantages of the West Coast system, it can be hard to imagine a way to stop this type of offense. Scat protection strong-side with both backs free releasing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Typically, there will be two backs in the backfield split to either side of the quarterback. The West Coast offense was one of the most revolutionary offenses when it first hit the scene. The schemes are often based in West Coast or Air Coryell concepts, but incorporate a lot more options in the run game, quarterback reads are minimized, and routes are simplified. 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. While its similar, the Spread doesnt rely on timing as heavily as the West Coast system, but rather on creating holes across the defense to be taken advantage of. The middle receiver, runs a spot route, while the outer most receivers runs some type of hook route. The back typically does not come across the formation, or at least behind the QB. When Brown was at Cincinnati, he had a QB coach named Bill Walsh, who would go on to set the gold standard for modern offensive schemes in the NFL with the 49ers in the 1980s. Snagis a great passing concept that is used at all levels. Walsh believed so firmly the importance of the three-step or five-step drop back by the quarterback and there are specific reasons for this. 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). Basic split-flow rules as described above. Gruden had spent his 10 years out of coaching . Doug Pederson, another West Coast. The West Coast Offense is a philosophy that remains relevant at every level of competition. Up to this point the teams running backs and tight ends were used in power runs to set up the vertical pass. If that defender does not blitz (no dog), they then look to block the outside defender. The first digit indicates the type of play action protection, and the 2nd and 3rd numbers indicate the run action. The terminology you will see in this article are being borrowed from this. My name is Steven and I have a passion for sports and staying physically active. Another difference is that the West Coast system looks to make quick passes across the middle of the field, but the Spread looks to spread the defense out across the whole field and uses vertical routes just as much as horizontal routes. 17 Bellstone Drive, Bellingham, MA, 02019. From. Strong back only has ILB (or Mike) to their side, and check releases off them. The Spot passing concept is design to attack zone coverage. Rip(Right)/Liz(Left): The back on the side called check releases on the inside linebacker to that side. This is necessary, because both backs are going strong-side, giving the O-line no potential help to the weak-side. Features a well-balanced attack of the pass and run, Originally the system called for a zone run scheme, In the decades since its inception, power running schemes have also shown success, Bill Walsh loved the Play-Pass, also known as a play-action, where the run fake is meant to open up the passing lanes for his QB. 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. memorization is the key. Outstanding breakdown. To the left side (or weak-side/back-side), the offensive line will slide. There are players that play close to the ball and others that play further away. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to write more articles in the near future. This allows the quarterback to understand the timing for each play and know where to look to pass. 400: Slide protection away from the call with a cross-action/misdirection backfield or run fake. To the left side (or weak-side/back-side), the offensive line will slide. A look at common deep pass routes, passing concepts, and route combos. And he's been running the same core passing concepts that serve as the foundation of Gruden's scheme. Concepts Efficient language. They're short and timing based to get the ball out of the quarterback's hands and give a high completion percentage. 55 is TE left, so we Rip). Diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas and challenging perspectives that's nothing but good news for an Eagles offense that smashed its skull against the same West Coast spacing concepts. The West Coast Offense: Timing-Based Passing By rufio May 27, 2011, 3:00pm EDT Share One common misunderstanding about West Coast offenses is that they only throw short or that they utilize. 56/57: Rip/Liz to the strong-side only. The Divide is a passing route that that has a receiver running towards the middle of the field. The final passing concept is the play-action pass. First, our offense uses "precision-timed passing, variable formations, and the exploitation of each player's skills" (quote by Bill Walsh) to attack the opposition. Defenses have found the best way to do so is by attacking the element that makes this offense elite the timing. I will write another article that does a deep dive into slide protection, because its arguably the most popular and favored pass protection in football today. Many of these pass protections are the gold-standard for pass protections in the NFL today. Scat means a back free releases (meaning they run a route right off the snap, and have no blocking responsibility. For this article we show several common pass routes and route combos that you will find in real football and video game football. Defenses then developed the zone defense, where defensive players would cover a certain part of the field rather than a certain player. The Double Dig has two receivers running dig routes to the same side of the field. . If the OLB blitzes, the back then becomes the hot receiver, and replaces the OLBs position to get open. use. Weak flow with scat protection to the strong-side: The TE is now free releasing. Pocket/Cup Protection, and 2. The Slant is a short timing route that has the receiver breaking towards the middle of the field for a quick pass from the quarterback. The idea is to anticipate a defensive blitz, get the quick fake to hesitate LBs and the secondary, then quickly get the ball out to the TE or 2nd back. When there are two backs in the backfield, default rules have both backs going to the same side. Backs split-flow using Rip/Liz rules (back closer to the right Rips, back closer to the left Lizs. Enjoy! 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. Who Should Not Use the West Coast Offense? By them switching, it creates an opportunity for a big play deep down the field. If youre still confused about the orientation of the numbering system, remember this: They are oriented based on the location of the TE. Those combined, with the wide zone running offense, make for a deadly play-action passing game that stresses linebackers to their extreme. A few years ago, there was a lot of speculation about what Jon Gruden's offense would look like in his return to the NFL. 1-3 of 3 replies Sorted by. Understanding the West Coast offense is more complex than simply knowing that it emphasizes the short passing game. The weak back and guard double read ILB to OLB to the weak side, and the back check-releases vs. no blitz. Frankfurt, Germany. Almost every football fan has heard the phrase, establish the run. NEW System Evolutions. Since the 1980s, football teams have used the West Coast Offense to win championships. Usually, they work inside-out, blocking the inner-most defender first. Post Corner High-Low Isolation Vs Cover 2 Zone Coverage, Gun Trips Left Hb Strong S Motion Z Post. 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. With that said, Im happy to have you on the site and hope I can help you out in achieving your goals! The West Coast Offense would then equate to the tactic of blitzkrieg developed by the Germans in WWII. Its so popular that every offense and defense knows it to a point where offenses will just call it what it is, because it cant really take defenses by surprise anymore. Backs protect inside-out, meaning they block an inside rush threat first, then work outside if there is no inside threat. Hi-Lo Credit: NFL Game Rewind - Anytime you see receivers in a stack look. This article does NOT cover all the pass pro terminology in this playbook, but it covers all the basics. Watch for defenders dropping back in buzz zones as they do a good job at defending corner routes. Backs protect inside-out, meaning they block an inside rush threat first, then work outside if there is no inside threat. Some teams may refer to it as the triangle. . It worked; the Packers won Super Bowl XLV. The quick slant is the signature play of the West Coast Offense. Empty protection (no backs or TEs in protection; just the five linemen) could be done with either pocket or slide protection. The Verticals passing concept sends 3 or 4 receivers on vertical passing routes. 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. Strong back and guard double read the ILB (Mike) and the back check-releases. Bill Walsh is quoted as saying, This type of pass is designed specifically to develop and take advantage of a defensive conflict. Remember, this book does not use 300 like modern WCO terminology uses it. Therefore that back attacks A-gap, and the second back attacks B-gap. In addition to the innovation of avid dedication to precisely timed short routes, the West Coast Offense was one of the first systems to implement a complex strategy for protecting the QB, while also allowing the offense to use its tight-ends and running-backs in the passing game with almost an equal amount participation in the passing game as the wide receivers. 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 1969, the Bengals had a rising superstar in rookie quarterback Greg Cook, but in week 3 Cook tore his rotator cuff. The Shanahan offense is derived from the West Coast offense made famous by Bill Walsh. We break the sections down with quick pass, medium pass, and deep pass. The two pass routes are designed create a two-on-one isolation on a defender dropping back in a hook zone. Against man coverage, their pass routes create a rub or natural pick on defenders covering. Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest trends! Bill Walsh helped changed the offensive playing field with his West Coast offensive system. It worked; the Packers won Super . Against zone coverage this creates a 2 on 1 situation. By BJ . A Guide to How They Work, What Are Audibles in Football? 0000001747 00000 n 109. Answer 1 of 17: Hi all, thanks to previous posts I have been able to understand quite a bit about the trains and connections in Frankfurt- but I would like advice on the following: I will be in Frankfurt from Aug 31-Sept 5 and would like to do a few day trips. Lastly, this means that The Catch came from this philosophy as well. 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). While there may be some deep throws made downfield, the focus is on quick and short passes that have a high chance of completion. A West Coast staple passing concept is called Texas. For West Coast teams that love to use quick-hitting pass plays to move the chains, the POP play is a God-send for how it integrates what that team has to spend practice time on. The pass route the receiver runs during the play is based on the type of pass coverage called. This style also limits the defense from stacking the line of scrimmage to stop the run as they are spread across the whole field. The second number indicates the specific type of protection/modification within that series. 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. 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). We provide the latest Madden Tips, Madden Strategies, Madden Formations, Madden Plays, Madden News, and Madden Videos.