west coast offense passing concepts
Backs free release and both TEs block the OLB/OLB-area to their side. This phrase is a football standard and is the mindset of using the run to set up big plays downfield. The back away from the call side is coming over to that side to get the blitzing ILB. The offense relies on a smart, accurate, and mobile quarterback running the offense under center. Strong back and guard double read the ILB (Mike) and the back check-releases. Remember pocket and slide protection that was mentioned above. There are a few spread offenses in college that are markedly different than what you see in the NFL and worth mentioning. What exactly is the West Coast offense in football? But, two statements do help explain what it is all about. 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. 88/89: Requires a TE on each side. 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. Both can be a hot receiver. 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. By and large, on first-and-10 you'll get a 2-deep zone - zone-type defense. Triangle - Kick Game. Weak back free releases. 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 Slide protection to the weak-side (away from TE). He gives us top analysis through his experience of being a franchise quarterback, and happens to be an entertaining voice, name another announcer who can do that. it gets too hard. In the last three seasons under Moore, the Cowboys offense ranked 14th in 2020 when Prescott missed 11 games with a fractured ankle, first in 2021 when Prescott set franchise record for passing . Copyright 2023 vIQtory Sports, all rights reserved. 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. 100: Any play with a 1 in front of it (making it a triple digit play starting with 100) means the QB takes a 3-step drop. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to write more articles in the near future. A popular way offenses like to attack zone coverage is flood one side of the field with mutiple receivers. wings95, JDG42, Guru03 and 1 others like this. 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. When there are two backs in the backfield, they essentially cross each other off the snap. 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. 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. 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. Offensive Packages. When McCarthy called plays as Green Bay HC, he used the West Coast offense a system dependent upon short passing. In todays NFL, you can find the West Coast Offenses influence within almost every team, and find legacies of the Bill Walsh coaching tree on almost every coaching staff. This is almost the exact same as the 20s, but the Rip/Liz rules are now applied. Typically, there will be two backs in the backfield split to either side of the quarterback. Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest trends! Coach Vigen explained what concepts fans should look for that are tell-tale elements of . Invented by Bill Walsh, it was born in Cincinnati but popularized in San Francisco, earning its "West. By having the inside receiver running the crossing route he will open room for the dig route coming behind him. 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. . 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. This leads to the question. Usually, they work inside-out, blocking the inner-most defender first. 76/77: Weak flow with scat protection to the strong-side: The TE is now free releasing. The Shallow Cross passing concept that teams that like to run the Air Raid offense. Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy's roots are in the West Coast Offense, which he's now bringing to The Star - with Dak Prescott and "2.5 seconds'' a centerpiece determinant for how well it'll . When the running game becomes effective it causes the defense to set up to stop the run and potentially overcommit. This makes it a quick pass, where the line and backs will block aggressively and hold the defense at the line of scrimmage. The Mesh passing concept has two receivers running shallow crossing route but from opposite directions. From big throws downfield to power running the football, there are countless ways to run an offense in the NFL. The Choice route gives the receiver the option of running one of two or one of three pass routes. In American football, the West Coast offense is an offense that places a greater emphasis on passing than on running. A core concept in West Coast systems, here are four combinations within the Hi-Lo series that we see across the league. The West Coast Offense, has its roots in the 1960s and 70s with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals under legendary coach Paul Brown. One of the most popular styles has become the West Coast offense, a system that many NFL teams use today to various degrees. Slide to the weak-side (284 means slide is left, backs right). While there may be some deep throws made downfield, the focus is on quick and short passes that have a high chance of completion. 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. Generally one of them gets open once they cross each other. 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. (Image courtesy of Bruce Eien; check out more notes on their version here .) All of these adaptations were focused on one thing, disrupting the timing of the quarterback. The final aspect of the West Coast offense is the use of pre-snap motions to create mismatches on the defensive side of the ball. St. Louis Rams Shallow Cross concepts.doc . 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. In your summary, you say that an odd number means that the TE is on the left! In order to fully grasp such an intricate philosophy, one must be able to appreciate how a play-caller schemes his receivers into space. Often this creates a high/low read for the quarterback to make. With both passing routes going in the same direction, it creates a high/low read for the quarterback. I think it's basically a West Coast offense, but instead of using the short passing game as the primary focus to move the ball (Traditional West Coast), the power north/south running game is the primary focus while maintaining West Coast passing concepts when needed. 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. 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. Weak back free releases. The weak-back coming to the strong-side double-reads the ILB to strong OLB (Mike to Sam). we call plays in the following series: a) teens: all runs. The West Coast Offense Walsh used primarily relies on numbers to call pass protections. Timing passes with alerts and checkdowns if the post snap read is bad or different. 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 route involves a MOFO or MOFC read by the quarterback. The WCO can be installed at a lower level of football with 10-15 core pass plays and 5-6 core running plays. 2 means fake action to the right, and 3 means fake action to the left. Tackles identify and block the defensive ends. Defensive Install 2021. Conversely if the cornerback sinks back on the receiver running the high read, then the low read receiver will be open. 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). This is to get the defense to bite, or jump forward, leaving space open behind them for receivers to run. NEW System Evolutions. Snagis a great passing concept that is used at all levels. BOB means big on big/back on backer. That means offensive linemen block the nearest defensive lineman, and any backs in the formation block linebackers (or linebacker-types) to that side. With his heavy outside zone scheme that stretches defenses horizontally, he was able to put together a good running game that finished 13th in EPA per rush. The West Coast Offense essentially provides a blue print for the modern game we know today. However, this is an efficient offense that has proven to be more than capable of winning championships. Paperback - July 29, 1997. Who Should Not Use the West Coast Offense? 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. This site is owned and operated by Coaching Kidz. 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 quick slant is the signature play of the West Coast Offense. The West Coast offense does the exact opposite. These types of pass routes are very effective in man coverage is called. Some team's may refer to it as the triangle. The Airraid guys tend to have the two guys cross and head in opposite directions. In this playbook, there are two primary types of protection. The West Coast system looks to establish the pass, to set up the run. an off set back is going to get the . 20/21, 22/23: Basic split-flow rules as described above. Cornerbacks can take advantage of this by playing underneath the receiver or looking to jump the passing lanes to beat the receiver to where the ball is being thrown. Almost every football fan has heard the phrase, establish the run. The Ultimate Guide, What Is a Touchback in Football? 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. 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. The Smash concept has a two route combination, which are a corner (high) and the other runs a hitch (low). Andy Reid is known as one of the most brilliant offensive minds in football and has created highly successful offenses with several different teams. Play action means the offense will fake a run, then throw a pass. While thats a general overview of the West Coast offense, theres a lot more that goes into calling and running plays in the system. When you run pocket protection, the uncovered lineman to each side double-reads ILB to OLB to that side. 598 means they fake a 98 run and the line protects the gap to their backside (left), and 599 means they fake a 99 run and the line protects the gap to their backside (right). . 0000001747 00000 n The back away from the call side is coming over to that side to get the blitzing ILB. 0/1: Off the centers left/right butt-cheek. 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. Originally, the term referred to the Air Coryell system popularized by Don Coryell. Walsh's original West Coast offense was built around Joe Montana's specific strengths and the players he had to work with. 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. Bill Walsh was the leader in creating the system, which is still used todays game. This concept is effective against Cover 2 zone coverage, as well as Cover 3 and Cover 4 coverages. If the OLB does not blitz, the back releases. Runs to a back at 6-7 yards behind the QB (so a tailback). __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? He so firmly believed in this, every play was created with a predetermined number of steps for the quarterbacks drop back. Swap: When there are two backs in the backfield, they essentially cross each other off the snap. Instead, Walsh turned them into pass catchers and gave them horizontal routes designed to get them in space. 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. 1985 BYU Passing Offense.pdf. Hopefully this will give you better idea of common pass routes and route combos found in real football and football video games. A look at common medium pass routes, passing concepts, and route combos. 284/285: Slide to the weak-side (284 means slide is left, backs right). One receiver runs a shorter dig, while other receiver runs a deeper dig. 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 side the TE is on is the strong-side, and the side away from that is the weak-side. Backs protect inside-out, meaning they block an inside rush threat first, then work outside if there is no inside threat. Here, the Redskins run their Hank concept, which is fundamental for the west coast offense. 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 there are two backs in the backfield, default rules have both backs going to the same side. This formation allows the offense to potentially have five pass catchers on the field and hopefully create a mismatch for the offense. Part of the reason this works so well is due to the offenses willingness to throw on any down or distance. means a back or tight-end does not release (they block for the whole play). Backs protect inside-out, meaning they block an inside rush threat first, then work outside if there is no inside threat. If the number called is even, it means the TE is to the right. Strong flow is the opposite of weak flow (another two-back pocket-style protection). My name is Steven and I have a passion for sports and staying physically active. Offensive schemes and tactics This is a discussion on Offensive schemes and tactics within the EA Sports College Football forums. 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. Frankfurt, Germany. If man coverage is called, the tight end will generally matched up against slower linebacker or a smaller defensive back. In your diagram, you show 3 Jet as being the play call to the left, but the tight end is to the right! An offensive player is assigned two defenders to block. Weak flow is another pocket protection series normally ran from two-back sets. However, the Walsh offense wanted to use quick, short passes as a partial substitute for a traditional running game. 9,884 posts . 55 is TE left, so we Rip). These are great for setting up boot passes to get the defense going one way, so the QB has room to run the other way. 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. Unlike the west coast offense which has landmarks of exactly, to the inch, where a receiver should end their route- the Air Raid lives on spontaneity and adjusting based on space. 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. We know that on first down our ball-control passing is vital. Bill Walsh helped changed the offensive playing field with his West Coast offensive system. don't try to compare it to any other offense. Your backs and TEs protect the OLBs. which alters the terminology slightly (so ignore this sheet for this article, except for fire 2/fire 3). 17+ Basketball Games for Kids The Ultimate List. If the number called is odd, it means the TE is to the left. The Verticals passing concept sends 3 or 4 receivers on vertical passing routes. The West Coast Offense is an innovative horizontal passing offense based on timing and route running. The Passing Game II: Slants and Flats. 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.