2015 SEASON

2015 notes;

•   Less is ALWAYS more... Limit Formations,concepts, and personnel groupings in order to become GREAT at what you truly want to accomplish offensively. 

•  Gap schemes (TRAP, POWER, BUCK SWEEP, COUNTER TREY) are extremely vulnerable to heavy run through defenses.  Gap schemes provide LBs and DL with the opportunity to "blow up" plays despite how well blocking schemes are coached. 

• Man schemes (inside zone, ISO, outside zone) sort themselves out against heavy run through defenses. 

• 4 & 5 read progressions for high school QBs are a waste of time.  Keep things simple for the QB. .   Give them 2 read progressions and tell them to get rid of the ball or pull it down and run. 

• When trying to establish QB run game in the spread offense, move the RB, H BACK, and lead blocker around in order to prevent defense from slanting/adjusting to RB alignment. 

• PLAY THE NEXT PLAY!! Do not dwell on past physical mistakes, Players know they messed up.  Simply move forward and address physical mistakes during film time.  

Power Read

FEW EXAMPLES HERE OF POWER READ WITH MOTION AND KEY SCREENS ATTACHED.

   

    My name is Scott Grizzle, I am a 25 year old teacher/football coach from Kentucky. I played collegiately at Kentucky Christian University and Georgetown College.  Currently I am the QB coach at Raceland-Worthington H.S. in Raceland, KY. My knowledge of the quarterback position comes from my playing career and the time I have spent learning from some outstanding high school and college football coaches. I have a tremendous passion for playing and coaching the position of quarterback and through this blog I hope to provide in depth information to all players and coaches who share the same passion as I do. Throughout my football career I have learned from many great coaches but my main influence has been Cal offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. I have now been a player or a coach under the Tony Franklin System for a total of nine years. Most of my philosophy about playing QB comes directly from coach Franklin. As a high school qb, I was fortunate to attend the Tony Franklin Quarterback School for a period of ten sessions. The individual attention I received during that ten week period was the catalyst for a successful playing career and the opportunity I had to play football at the college level. Through QB Advantage I hope to provide the same opportunity for success and improvement that I was exposed to as a player, along with posting up to date information about the QB position, offensive strategy, playing fast, and all aspects of the spread offense.                    

Coaching Career :

- Worked Tony Franklin Systems camps at Auburn University and Kentucky Weselyan University
- Raceland High School QB Coach 2010 - present

Playing Career :

Raceland-Worthington High School : 2003-2006
                         
Kentucky Christian University : 2007-2009

Huntington Hammer (AIFL) : 2010

Huntington Hammer team camp 2010, Huntington WV

SUMMER 2014 QB DRILLS CONTINUED

SUMMER IS HERE - TIME FOR SOME NEW QB DRILLS!

WITH SUMMER FOOTBALL WORKOUTS FINALLY HERE, I THOUGHT I'D PUT TOGETHER SOME OF THE BETTER QB DRILL VIDEOS I'VE FOUND RECENTLY.  DEFINITELY BIG INFLUENCE HERE FROM GEORGE WHITFIELD.

COUPLE QUICK COACHING POINTS I TRY TO STRESS DURING QB INDIVIDUAL DRILL WORK :

• FORCE QB TO MAKE TOUGHER THROWS IN PRACTICE THEN HE WILL IN A GAME
• NEVER PRESENT HIM WITH A "PERFECT" SITUATION 
• HAVE A DECISION MAKING ASPECT TO EVERY DRILL. 
• ALWAYS COACHING BALL SECURITY (2 HANDS, BALL HIGH AT THROAT) AND EYES DOWN FIELD TO TARGET
• MAKE HIM UNCOMFORTABLE! MORE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS IN PRACTICE THEN HE WILL FACE IN A GAME. 
• COMPETITION AMONG FELLOW QB's, KEEP THE INTENSITY & TEMPO HIGH.
• MY RULE - I AS A COACH SHOULD BE WORE OUT FROM QB INDIVIDUAL DRILL TIME BC I SHOULD BE DICTATING A FAST, INTENSE TEMPO FROM START TO FINISH. 

REALLY GOOD INFORMATION HERE FROM TEMPLE QB COACH/OC 

Some Quick Notes on Tempo and Auburn Hurry Up Drills

Here are some clips of Auburn during the 2013 season working on their tempo. 

•  Great stuff here as the OL really works hard to get lined up quickly.  When trying to play fast, I think you always have to challenge the OL to work extremely hard in getting lined up.  Explain to the big guys that they "drive the tempo" and the faster they play, the faster we can play as an offense. 
• Notice that the play call is basically the same every time in order to play at the fastest pace possible.  I would assume he is using some type of "roll it" call, meaning run the same play again, or an "alpha" call, meaning the same.  If you use "alpha" and "omega" calls, you can communicate quickly to your guys to run the same play (Alpha) or run the same play to the opposite side (Omega).  Very easy verbage, quick communication, and no need to look at wristbands or to the sideline for signals. 
• QBs cadence is the same every play.  You can hear QB saying "black black, GO".  Building in your cadence with specific tempos can be a great way to implement variety into your snap count.  For example..Base Tempo "Black, Black, Ready GO!".. Nascar tempo will always be "Black, Black, GO!" .. !" and your optimum tempo (Cheetah Nascar) "Black, GO!"

Click the link for the first clip from Auburn spring practice 2013. Shows the Auburn offense running up-tempo drill vs. air and allows you to hear QB cadence and some coach communication. I could not get the video to show up here but the link works fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=129rzGmpkdY&feature=player_detailpage

QB Coaches Mic'd Up

I posted these a couple weeks ago on twitter (@qbadvantage) but wanted to share them on the blog as well.  Here are some of my favorite coaches in the college game right now talking up the QBs in practice.

Here's another good one with coach Gunter Brewer coaching up the WRs at UNC.  He gives some great points on Noose Drill at the beginning of the video.  Good stuff from coach Brewer. 

90s Game - Discussing 92 Mesh

92 Mesh

92 Mesh is one of the classic Air Raid/Tony Franklin System pass concepts.  This is a 3 step drop, 90s protection concept that provides a high-low progression for the QB.  Here is the position breakdown of this play:

QB - Drop = quick 3 ( have started to drift away from hinge and cheat steps.. quick 3 allows my QB's to learn the same drop for all 90s game, more practice time for the same drop, less thinking-more playing.)
        Progression = 1. Corner 2. Playside Mesh 3. Playside Back 4. Backside Mesh 5. Backside Back

Z - 10 Corner --- Landmarks: outside 25 = front pylon .. inside 25 = back pylon
Y - 6 mesh over (will set the depth of the mesh, always will run mesh OVER top the other mesh runner)
X - 5 mesh under (will always run mesh UNDER the mesh runner who is setting the depth)
                         * The MESH routes should meet directly over the center
F - check-check swing (remain parallel to line of scrimmage, running to #'s, slightly gaining ground up field)
H - check-check shoot (3 yards to the flat, run to #'s)

OL - 90's protection

 

 

 

QB Progression 

 

Like all other pass concepts, the QB must first take a great pre-snap picture of the play, this is picturing the play in his mind before the snap...visualize the routes, find grass, see the play in his mind. 

 

1. Upon the snap, QB will take a quick 3 step drop, taking his eyes to the Z on the 10 yard Corner.  Both QB and WR should understand landmarks (back or front pylon).  QB should have decision made whether or not to throw 10 corner by the last step of his drop.  I do not have my QBs read a specific defender of this play.. Keep it simple. If the Z is open, set feet and make the throw to grass.  If the Z (or other corner route runner based on tags) is covered, work feet in the pocket to get hips and shoulder to next progression.  Throwing to grass is key here.. If the FS remains high on the hash, QB can make throw deeper with more air to landmark... If FS jumps off the hash (cover 2 look) QB must make throw more on a line and throw the WR down to grass.  If the CB gets great depth with the corner, we move to next progression.  We work on making both throws in practice.  QB must understand, the corner route cannot be missed back inside toward the defense.  The corner route must be throw OUTSIDE to the sideline, opposite shoulder of the defender. 

 

2. Playside Mesh - QB must have great feet, working hips and front side shoulder to the playside mesh.  Vs Zone the WR will settle into grass 6 yards off LOS, avoiding LBs.  Vs Man the WR will continue to run, slightly gaining ground up field.. WR will not settle vs Man, continue running to sideline.  If QB reads playside mesh as open, throw should be made opposite shoulder pad of the defender.  If QB reads playisde mesh as covered, work in pocket to next progression.

 

3. Playside Back - When in trouble, find a back.  If the back is open on the swing, deliver the football.  Keep it simple, if he's open, throw him the ball. 

 

* Chances are at this point in the progression, the QB has had to move in the pocket and protection is breaking down.  If QB is getting pressure, pocket is breaking down, find a back.  If the back is covered or has stayed in for pass protection, QB must make a play with his legs, get what he can get and get down or throw ball away, play the next play. 

 

4.  Backside Mesh  & Backside Back - If QB has time to get this far in his progression ..Same rules as Playside Mesh and Playside Back..

 

Notes on Mesh

 

It is great if you can teach your QB to read the Playside Mesh/Backside Mesh as a whole picture.. therefore making the MESH routes 1 read.  If QB can see this entire picture, makes the Mesh concept more effective.  If the QB is not good enough to see this entire picture, stick to base reads. 

 

Mesh throw should be opposite shoulder pad of defender..never throwing OVERTOP the LBs, only throwing mesh routes to when WR settles in open grass.  

 

Define OPEN - Open is when the QB feels he can complete the pass.  Open may be different for each QB based on his skill set. Whats open for my QB may not be open for yours. If the QB feels he can complete the pass, fitting the ball to the opposite shoulder pad of his WR away from the defender, then the WR should be considered open. 

Tony Franklin often says "when you don't know what to call.. call Mesh".. You cant go wrong with calling Mesh.  Also, Mesh is great in the redzone and vs Man.
 

 

Tags off of 92 Mesh

 

92 Z post, 92 Z post F Wheel, 92 Switch *(Y becomes Corner route runner, Z runs 6 mesh over), 92 Swap *(X will become Corner route runner, Z runs 5 mesh under.. Must be ran out of Blue Flip), 92 Z Pyramid. 

 

92 Z Pyramid - Must be ran out of 2x2 set

Z - 12-14yd Dig

X - 10 Post

H - 5 mesh under, continue running regardless of Man or Zone Coverage

Y - 6 mesh over, continue running regardless of Man or Zone Coverage

F - check-check swing

QB - 1. Post 2. Dig 3. Playside Mesh 4. Playside Back 5. Backside Mesh

Neal Brown Notes 1-21-2014

Here are some of the notes I recorded from one of Neal Brown's 2009 presentations discussing tempo, the spot tag off quick game, and the missile screen.  At this time, Coach Brown was still at Troy University.  Although its from a few years ago, these guys are still doing a lot of the same stuff today.  These are my notes and work for me, there's not a whole lot of description here because I am just trying to pick up a few things to build on what we already do in our system.

TEMPO

NASCAR - Keep it simple

-          Cadence (READY-GO!)

-          Run game – Power Read/Kick

-          Pass Game - Fast Screens, 63 DBL

-          Easy to block people when they cannot get lined up.

CHEETAH NASCAR – No Subs, Same Formation, Few plays implemenented for weekly game-plan

-          First Sound (GO!)

-          Defense tries to sub, illegal participation penalties = +

-          (POWER, ZONE, FASTSCREEN, MESH)

NASCAR FREEZE – Nascar Tempo but no play ---- Cadence (READY-GO-READY -GO-GO..)

-          FREEZE IN THE REDZONE!

-          Spend time going over freeze situations on film.. Check Box for #s, Find Safeties

-          Rep checking freeze alignments in film over and over.

-          Have a check system in place in your mind!

ARMY call – ARMY = KEY WORD! AUTOMATIC TOSS TO SIDEDLINE..UNBALANCED TACKLE OVER. 10 PERSONELL.  ALWAYS RUNNING TOSS OR BUBBLE SCREEN TO SIDELINE.

-          TACKLE MOVES OVER TO SIDELINE

-          BACK MOVES OVER TO SIDELINE

-          WRS TO SIDELINE

-          FULL STRETCH BLOCK TO SIDELINE (MAKE AN UMBRELLA)

-          INSIDE WR (Y) SEAL THE BOX!

QUICK GAME

TAG SPOT ON BACKSIDE OF ANY QUICK GAME OUT OF TRIPS – SPOT-SCAT.

6 YD spot – Inside angle, 6 yards, find grass. Do not show eyes to QB until ready to catch the ball.

Free Scat - similar to swing, but after 5 steps, gaining ground upfield. 

Vs Zone -  SCAT Throw should be on a line

vs Man - SCAT Throw should have air, leading RB downfield (similar to a wheel-type throw)                          

   

MISSLE SCREEN!

COULD BE OUR ANSWER TO HAVING TROUBLE WITH JAILBREAKS.

-          HAPPENS FAST, DOUBLE TEAM ON ALL LBS

-          BACK RUNS SWING AWAY

-          QB – OPEN, SHUFFLE SHUFFLE, EYES TO SWING, RETREAT GET BIG FIND THROWING LANE/

-          QB  vs PRESSURE, RETREAT RIGHT AWAY, FLASH EYES, GET BIG AND MAKE THROW.

-          NEVER RUN IT BACK TO SINGLE WR SIDE

-          ONLY OUT OF ACE OR EMPTY

 

OL – PLAYSIDE TACKLE : 60S SET, HIGHWALL DE

         PLAYSIDE GUARD : 60S SET, RELEASE FLAT, BLOCK ALLEY DEFENDER

         CENTER – 60S SET, RELEASE TO MIKE  (4-1 FIND MIKE, 4-2 FIND LB TO PLAYSIDE)

         BACKSIDE GUARD – 60S SET, RELEASE TO MIKE (4-1 FIND MIKE, 4-2 FIND LB TO PLAYSIDE)

         BACKSIDE TACKLE – 60S SET, RELEASE TO BACKSIDE LB, 4-1 OUTSIDE BACKER, 4-2 LB TO BACKSIDE).

      

SKILL -  BACKSIDE INSIDE WR – ATTACK BACKSIDE LB, DOUBLE TEAM WITH BACKSIDE TACKLE

        RB – SWING, KEEP RUNNING TO #S

       BACKSIDE OUTSIDE WR – STALK MOST DANGEROUS, SET A BASE, UNDER CONTROL

       PLAYSIDE INSIDE WR – STALK MOST DANGEROURS, SOFT CORNER = ATTACK ALLEY DEFENDER, HARD CORNER = GET FLAT AND KICK OUT

      PLAYSIDE OUTSIDE WR – FAST FEET, QUICK JAB STEP UPFIELD, GET FLAT DOWN L.O.S. AT ABOUT ¾ SPEED, CATCHING BALL JUST OUTSIDE OF PLAYSIDE TACKLE. GET NORTH, BANG YOUR HEAD ON THE GOALPOST.

 

 

Keeping It Simple

My recent goal has been to work on simplifying our offense into fewer concepts while increasing efficiency, communication, and tempo.  The more I watch and breakdown teams such as Texas Tech, Baylor, Auburn, ect.. I see that they are keeping this game very simple, while dressing it up to look more complex than what it actually is.  I have fully bought in to this idea.  I don' think you need 15 different run plays, 20 pass concepts, and 30 formations to put my players in a position to be successful.  I would much rather become really good at a few concepts, play faster than anyone else on our schedule, and allow my athletes to think less-play more.  Here is a sample of the concepts I believe  can be extremely successful. At Raceland, our OC does a great job of keeping things simple for our players and over the last several years we have been able to expand on our offensive package with great success.  But starting out, I say put in place the concepts you truly believe in, practice them in game-type situations, mix up tempos, and roll with it.

Run Game - Power Read, Joker, Speed Option.
Pass Game - Quick Game; 60 (Speed Outs), 67 (Slants), 68 (Y Stick), 66 (Hitches).
                     90s Game ; Shallows, Mesh, Smash, Verticals, Y-Cross, and Y-Sail.
Screen Game - Fast, Slow, Jailbreaks.
Sprint Out - Rodeo/Lasso, F-Draw.
Play Action - Two best run plays and two best  pass plays, combine for P.A.

There you have it..  By taking these concepts and running them using a variety of formations (10-15 formations at the most) and a variety of motions (4 or 5 motion looks), I feel it gives my players the best chance to fully understand the offense and play faster than the other teams on our schedule.  With that being said, there will always be slight changes, tags, and looks to implement in order to build on this package. Communication is key, and finding the best way for your players to understand on-field communication should never be over-looked.  I want to keep that simple as well, no game of charades and a poster board to convey my plays.  Key words, basic hand signals, and lets go compete. 

Bringing things back up to speed..

Its been way too long since my last post on here... Sorry for the procrastination/laziness on my part. Recently I have gained some great insight on the importance of posting and staying active on my blog.  Along with everything else in our world today, coaching has been greatly affected by the social media explosion, and as coaches we must use this technology to our advantage.  Sharing ideas is what this business is all about, therefore the more I contemplated my procrastination of this page, the more I felt I was cheating the game.  I am constantly looking up other resources for information, so why not share mine while I'm at it... So, here we go..QB Advantage 2014 is under way. 

Just wanted to take a quick second and bring everyone up to speed on my coaching experiences the past couple years.  The 2013 season was my fourth year as QB coach at Raceland High School in Raceland, KY.  2013 was very good to us as we finished 11-3, making it to the Kentucky Class A State Semi-Finals, along with being Regional and District champions.  This past season, our quarterback, a 3 year starter, completed his career by becoming the schools all-time leader in wins, and also his 3rd consecutive season of throwing for over 1,200 yards, 15+ TDs, and completing over  60% of his passes.  Our offense at Raceland usually displays about a 65/35 Run/Pass ratio.  However, depending on the game and the situation, we feel we have the ability to manipulate that ratio either way in order to help us win.  2013 also marked my 10th year playing or coaching in the Tony Franklin System.  Although we have drifted away from some of the original Tony-isms of the offense, we still continue to focus our basic package around the same concepts Tony Franklin has been using since his days at the University of Kentucky.  If I had to put a label on it, I would call us a "spread, run-first, multiple formation offense" with the ability to play fast and put the ball in the air as much as needed throughout any given game.  But make no mistake about it, we want to RUN THE FOOTBALL and have been very successful in that category over the past several years. 

Ok so now its 2014 and the I'm starting to understand more and more that the off-season is where you become a better coach.  I've only been at this for 4 years so saying that I am "learning more everyday" is an understatement. I'm really looking forward to this off-season, to read and study, watch and learn, and to write and post about this game and the quarterback position. 

Vertical Game - Notes and Clips

. 

Just wanted to take some time and address the vertical game concept that has become one of the most effective concepts for spread teams.  Vertical game can be successful against a variety of defensive coverages if installed and executed properly. Here are my notes and some of the better videos I could find showing the concept in action.

The most important thing the qb must understand on vertical game is reading safeties and finding grass.  Finding grass during his pre-snap read is critical, you want him to recognize the area on the field that he feels he has the best chance of completing the pass based on defensive alignment and where he is at on the field.  He must always recognize the number of high safeties during his pre-snap reads.

 The main idea of this concept is to put one of the safeties in a 2 on 1 coverage situation.   

In a single high safety look, the grass you should be looking to utilize is down the middle of the field as the qb uses his eyes to move the safety opposite of the inside vertical he intends to throw. 

Against a two high safety look, first the qb must pick a side (determined by grass, alignment, playmakers, and best matchup).  Once the qb has picked a side during his pre snap reads, his goal is to force that safety into the 2 on 1 mismatch.  If the safety hangs in the middle of the field, there should be a nice window to complete the ball to the outside receiver.  If safety bails to the outside, hit the receiver running the inside vertical. 

Vertical game out of a 2x2 offensive formation – it is important to coach your inside receivers that if they get contact from the float defender, to always run through contact through the outside shoulder pad of the defender.  Never go inside the float defender on vertical game because it decreasing the intended spacing elements of the play.  Against 2 safeties, inside wr’s can bend their vertical route inside to grass.  They are only allowed to bend a vertical route against 2 safeties and they cannot bend the route until they are at least 12 yards past the line of scrimmage and clear of any float defender contact.  Never allowed to bend against 1 safety. 

To be extremely good at throwing vertical game, the QB must learn to be great at looking off safeties and become excellent at anticipating open wr’s. Being able to anticipate the openness and destination of a wr is a huge advantage in throwing vertical game. Repetition  is critical in developing timing and understanding of the vertical game concept. 

Make sure your QB understands the importance of finding his back on the check down route if nothing is open downfield.  Hitting check downs of 4 verts is extremely effective.  The running back should be coached to find the biggest piece of grass behind the defensive line and settle. 

Vertical game out of a 3x1 offensive formation – The inside receiver out of the trips formation (Y) - should always go under the Sam LB, and over the Mike LB (same idea as Y-cross).

The middle receiver in the trips formation (H) - against 1 high safety, stay vertical, 2 high safeties = bend.

QB’s reads do not change.  He is still looking for grass on pre-snap and then manipulating the 2on1 matchup he chooses based on his pre-snap reads.  (Go-Go-Check down will always be his progression on vertical game).  Against press coverage, qb has discretion to shorten his drop in order to get the ball out faster.

Here are a few tags I like off vertical game –

97 Double Sail – Out of a 2x2 set, outside receivers will run vertical, slot receivers running 10 to 12 yard sail routes (out routes).  The QB picks a side based on pre-snap alignment, grass, leverage, and playmakers.  His reads will be Go-Sail-Check down.

97 Go-Back – Out of a 2x2 set, outside receivers will run 12 to 15 yard comeback routes.  Adjust the route according to your qb’s arm strength.  Inside receivers run verticals.  QB picks a side and reads inside vertical to comeback.  The ball should be thrown to the outside shoulder on the comeback route. 

Building Your QB’s Confidence Early in the Game

Getting your quarterback into the flow of the game can sometimes be a challenging task.  During my playing career I was fortunate to have an offensive coordinator who understood the concept of allowing a qb to build his confidence and get into a rhythm during the first few possessions of a game.  As a play caller, it is our responsibility to limit negative effects that can be brought on by initial excitement, nervousness, and the mental strain of defensive recognition that often takes place for a qb early in a game.  I recently read some notes from one of Coach Tony Franklin’s clinics and one of the points he made was to abstain from calling a 90’s (3 step drop) type play until at least 15 to 20 plays deep into the game.  This means that the majority of your plays calls early on should be a combination of runs, screens, and quick game.  The benefits of this strategy; offensive rhythm, qb confidence, and forcing the defense to react to completions and cover from sideline to sideline.  As your quarterback makes these easy completions, his confidence grows and the game slows down for him mentally.  I know as a player, regardless of whether we scored early or not, it was always nice to be on the sideline thinking “ok, I’m settled in, I’ve completed 7 or 8 passes already, now let’s take some shots at these guys”.  This strategy also provides the qb time to gain understanding of the opponent’s defense without having to make more complex down field decisions.  He has time to recognize fronts, defensive back alignment, key players, and available grass for him to utilize later in the game.  Below are some concepts that incorporate this strategy for building your quarterbacks confidence early in a game.

 Fast Screens ,Bubbles, and RB Swing Screens – I love fast screens, bubbles to the WR’s and swings to the RB’s early in a game because not only does it build your qb’s confidence but it also builds the confidence of the receivers and backs.  Getting several of your key players catches early on gets them into the flow of the game. Your qb is getting completions and for the most part staying protected from those blitzing linebackers that are looking to rip somebodies head off during the first series or two of the game.  Establishing these screens force the defense to defend horizontally and will eventually cause those float defenders to widen and defend further and further away from the box, creating a more favorable match up for your run game.

Quick Game – Quick game is always a safe and effective way to get your players into the flow of a game.  Early in the game, my thinking is to run the quick game concepts that I feel my team is best at.  Personally, my favorites are; stick, hitch game, slant-bubble, and snag.  But like I said, it has to be the concepts that the players run best and you feel most comfortable with calling.  The plays I mentioned provide your qb with simple read progressions that allow him to get the ball out quickly.  The qb will be reading one single defender (flat defender), which keeps him from having to make more complex reads early in the game.  These quick game concepts also become very effective when you are able to establish the bubble screen.  With all of the plays I listed, the wider the flat defender, the better the window is to complete routes such as stick, slant, hitches, and the snag route.  My thinking early in a game is to stretch the defense horizontally as much as possible.  When running slant bubble, I’m thinking throw the bubble until the defense adjusts to stop it.  When running snag, it’s the swing route all the way until the defense chooses to respect it.  By making the defense to widen, and defend closer to the line of scrimmage, throwing lanes open and down field opportunities begin to present themselves. 

** updated - It is also beneficial to take a couple "homerun" shots. Find the best matchup and take a shot on an outside go route. Simple read for qb, safe throw, and chance for a big play. Of my first 15 plays, at least 2 will be "homerun" shots. What I like for some early game homerun calls ; 97 (All Verticals), any Play Action with hi-lo progression, Screen&Go, and trick plays (come up with something creative and use it early in the game), Slant-Wheel,  and 95 X-Post (tell QB to see X). 

I also like slow screens to the backs, jailbreaks, and inside shovel.  All of these plays help control early aggressiveness from the defense and slow down the pass rush.  As far as running game goes, I believe you have to do what your best at.  If you’re a zone read team, then you know you must establish the inside zone early.  Personally, I like stretch, draw, and speed option.   Recently I have become very interested in the stick/draw concept, where the qb is reading the mike linebacker.  If the mike drops on the stick, qb hands the ball off on the draw, if the mike jumps on the run, throw the stick.  It’s a safe concept with a simple read.  If the qb doesn’t get a clear look at the mike, he should always hand off the draw. 

I’m not completely against throwing a couple 90’s calls in there during your first couple possessions.  But if I make a 90s call early, I’m most likely going to tell my quarterback to see one of the backs.  For example, on mesh, I would tell him to read straight from the corner to the back.  If he has the corner route based on pre-snap, then he has full discretion to throw it but if the read is cloudy, throw the swing and force the defense to react.  I also really like tagging angle routes to the backs early. Some of my favorite plays to tag angles on are vertical game and shallows. 

To summarize my pass game strategy early in a game, it would be this – establish the bubble and swing screens, get the qb comfortable making simple reads and allow him to get a feel for the defense, run the quick game concepts you feel you have perfected in practice, and get your best play makers involved early.  My best play maker is going to touch the ball 5 to 10 times on my first 15 to 20 plays.  Force the defense to defend sideline to sideline, force the defense to react to completions and tempo, and force the defense to defend my best athlete. 

Original Air Raid Film

I ran across some of the videos last night as I was searching YouTube for some Air Raid footage. Here we have some video of the original Air Raid system that was put in place by head coach Hal Mumme while at the University of Kentucky. At this time the Wildcats coaching staff also consisted of Mike Leach, Tony Franklin, Sonny Dykes, and Chris Hatcher. It’s almost hard to believe that so many influential spread coaches were working together on the same staff. Since then, each of these coaches have went their respective ways and continued to implement and innovate their own versions of the spread offense. But it all stemmed from what is taking place in these videos. From 1997-2000, the Kentucky football program became the catalyst for what is now a spread offense revolution in college football. The Wildcats offensive innovation also trickled down to the high school level, and by the early 2000's, the spread offense was taking Kentucky high school football by storm. I personally owe Coach Franklin thanks because it was due to his influence that my high school switched to the spread offense a few years before I began my high school career as a quarterback. I hope that watching these videos allows you to see the simplicity of the original Air Raid system. These cut-ups were all I watched when I was running the system as a high school qb. Tim Couch has flawless mechanics here and runs the system to perfection. I think that in today's game, coaches often over analyze the spread scheme. I believe it comes down to perfecting simplicity and allowing your playmakers to get the ball in space. As you can see, Kentucky isn’t doing anything revolutionary here; they just simply execute their scheme to perfection. As an offensive coach, I believe many of us need to stop trying to overthink our schemes and just get back to the basics of the spread game. Sorry the videos are not the best quality but still effective in seeing some of the original aspects of the system.

* Notice the use of the backs out of the backfield during these clips.  The golden rule is "when in trouble, find a back".  Not only is this a pain for the defense to defend but it also provides easy completions for your QB that will build his confidence and keep him from taking unnecessary hits.  Also using the backs more effectively is a great way to force the defense into defending laterally (sideline to sideline) as well as forcing the secondary to defend closer to the line of scrimmage.  Using the backs consistently in your passing game will lead to more opportunities to take shots down field later in the game.  You as a coach must instill this mentality in your QB.  Finding backs consistently only comes through reps during practice and constant verbalization of this concept during meetings.