Passing Game Concepts Diversify and Multiply Your Passing Game Scott Burton – Highland Springs High School 15 S. Oak Avenue, Highland Springs VA, (804) 306 – 1742

Our Offense: Shotgun – Spread – 1 Back, 4 WR. Philosophy: Create space for athletes. Goal = Balance. –Yardage Distribution in 2005 (Season Totals): 10 Yards more Passing than Rushing! Run 55% (in 2005) – Zone, Sweep, Traps, Option Pass 45% (in 2005) –60% of our passing yards came from 3 Step and quick game (Screens, 3 Step, and Uncovered). –40% of our passing yards came from Concepts (Dropback, Sprint Out, Play Action, or Boot) Concepts play an important part of our offense, but must be considered within the total scheme of the offense.

What are “Concepts” and why do we use them? Concepts are route combinations, not plays. You can run the same concept four times in a row and the same kid could run four different routes from four different spots in the formation. Simple to learn. All players must know is where in the “count” they are. Each concept we have fits into one of three categories. Makes things easier for your QB. Categorizes concepts into three groupings for him to memorize. Allows you to use motions, shifts, multiple formations, launch points, protections, etc… without changing the “concept” of the play. Designed to multiply the looks you give the defense without confusing your kids. Become difficult to defend and nearly impossible to scout. Can be employed regardless of what offensive scheme you use. Creates a psychological advantage for your kids. Sell them on concepts and your team has an edge. –Example from camp

Types of Concepts we use: “Mirrored” or 2 Man concepts: Both sides of the formation run the same routes. (“Cardinal”). “Flood” or 3 Man concepts: 3 Receivers run the called concept. Backside runs curl. (“Cluster”). “NFL” or 4 Man concepts. Number across the formation either left to right or right to left. (“Miami” / “Dolphins”). Protection notes: –Our concepts all involve 6 man protection with TB involved in a check release. –Each concept grouping has a different check release rule for our TB that our QB must also know. –Our concepts can all be run from dropback, sprint-out, play action, or boot protections.

“Mirrored” (2 Man) Concepts: 4 receivers in the route. Divide the formation into two halves with each side running the same route combination. QB picks a side before the snap. Works this side only. In all mirrored concepts, TB check releases over the ball for checkdown. QB has one defender to read after the snap. This defender tells him where to throw the ball. QB’s progression: –1. Down and Distance and spot of the ball (Hash or middle). ** –2. # in the box and location of safeties. ** –3. Identify Hot defender. ** –4. Pick a side to work. ** –5. Identify which defender to beat. (Either C/F, CB, or FS).

Mirrored (2 Man) Concepts: Cardinal (Curl/Flat). Double Cardinal (All Curl). Inlaw (Dig/Seam) and Outlaw (Vert/Out). Vegas (4 Verticals). Rock (Smash) Comeback (Comeback/Seam)

Notes on Cardinal: QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Curl, # 2 = Flat 2. Pick a side based on C/F defender2. #1 = Find Hole based on coverage (Dig vs Man) 3. TB over ball for checkdown3. # 2 = Convert to “Ice” vs Man coverage

Cardinal Click to play video

Zone Cardinal Click to play video

Notes on Double Cardinal: QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Curl, # 2 = Curl 2. Pick a side based on C/F defender2. #1 = Find Hole based on coverage (Dig vs Man) 3. TB over ball for checkdown3. # 2 = Find Hole based on coverage (Corner vs Man)

Notes on Inlaw: QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Curl, # 2 = Vertical 2. Pick a side based on C/F defender2. #1 = Find Hole based on coverage between C/F and H/C 3. TB over ball for checkdown3. # 2 = Landmark = outside edge of hash.

Notes on Outlaw: QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Curl, # 2 = Vertical 2. Pick a side based on C/F defender2. #1 = Find Hole based on coverage between C/F and H/C 3. TB over ball for checkdown3. # 2 = Landmark = outside edge of hash. 4. Read Corner to C/F defender.

Outlaw Click to play video

Notes on Vegas: QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Vertical, # 2 = Vertical 2. Pick a side based on C/F defender2. #1 = Landmark = middle to bottom of #’s. 3. TB over ball for checkdown3. # 2 = Landmark = outside edge of hash. 4. Read Corner to C/F defender.4. # 2 – Listen for “2” or “3” call vs two safeties.

Vegas Click to play video

Notes on Rock: QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Hitch, # 2 = Corner 2. Pick a side based on C/F defender2. # 2 = Find hole yards deep. Flatten out for QB. 3. TB over ball for checkdown 4. Read Corner to C/F defender.

Rock Click to play video

Notes on Comeback: QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Hard upfield for 15 yards, sell Vertical. Come back to Pick a side based on C/F defender2. # 2 = Vertical. Landmark = Outside edge of hash. 3. TB over ball for checkdown 4. Read C/F defender.

Comeback Click to play video

Flood (3 Man) Concepts: 4 receivers in the route. 3 to the front side, 1 to the back side. Front side “count” starts from the outside with # 1 and continues towards the ball for # 2 and # 3. QB picks a side pre-snap based on where the C/F defender on the backside is aligned. He works only this side. In all Flood concepts, backside WR always runs curl. In all Flood concepts, TB aligns on and protects the backside TB check releases to a swing. Center protects the front side. QB has 1 or 2 defenders to read after the snap. This tells him where to throw the ball. QB’s progression: –1. Down and Distance and spot of the ball (Hash or middle). ** –2. # in the box and location of safeties. ** –3. Identify Hot defender. ** –4. Pick a side to work. ** –5. Identify which defender to beat. (FS, C/F, CB, or ILB).

Flood (3 Man Concepts): Cluster (QB read CB to the “mesh point.”) Gator (QB read FS to the ILB). Pickle (QB read CB) Springer (QB read CB to C/F)

Notes on Cluster: QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Hitch (1 yard outside # 2). 2. Pick a side based on backside C/F defender2. #2 = Corner. Flatten out for QB. 3. TB swing release to backside3. # 2 = Flat 4. Read C/F on backside / CB to “mesh” on frontside

Cluster Click to play video

Notes on Gator QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Post 2. Pick a side based on backside C/F defender2. #2 = Dig. Find hole between C/F and H/C. 3. TB swing release to backside3. # 2 = Checkdown. 4 yards over original LOS. 4. Read C/F on backside / FS to ILB on front side.

Gator Click to play video

Notes on Pickle QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = 1 Step Slant. Go under defender over #2. 2. Pick a side based on backside C/F defender2. #2 = Slant. On 4 th step, angle to for 12 yards. 3. TB swing release to backside3. # 2 = 1 Step Flat. 4. Read C/F on backside / CB on front side.

Pickle Click to play video

Pickle Click to play video

Pickle Click to play video

Notes on Springer: QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Vertical. Landmark = top to middle of #’s. 2. Pick a side based on backside C/F defender2. #2 = 10 yard out. 3. TB swing release to backside3. # 2 = Indigo 4. Read C/F on backside / CB to C/F on front side.

Springer Click to play video

NFL (4 Man) Concepts: 4 Receivers in the route. Count starts either from the left (“Miami”) or the right (“Dolphins”) TB has no check release. He always stays in. “NFL” = Never Freakin’ Leave! QB always reads FS first then ILB away from call. QB’s progression: –1. Down and Distance and spot of the ball (Hash or middle). ** –2. # in the box and location of safeties. ** –3. Identify Hot defender. ** –4. Pick a side to work. ** –5. Identify which defender to beat. (FS to ILB).

NFL (4 Man) Concepts: Read like a book. Miami = Left / Dolphins = Right Miami / Dolphins Dallas / Cowboys Baltimore / Ravens (from Empty)

Notes on Miami: Count Starts from the Left. QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Under. No deeper than QB reads FS to ILB away from the call2. #2 = Post 3. TB does not release.3. # 2 = Flat 4. # 4 = Dig

Miami Click to play video

Notes on Dolphins: Count Starts from the Right. QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Under. No deeper than QB reads FS to ILB away from the call2. #2 = Post 3. TB does not release.3. # 2 = Flat 4. # 4 = Dig

Notes on Dallas: Count Starts from the Left. QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Curl. Find hole in coverage between C/F and H/C 2. QB reads FS to ILB away from the call2. #2 = Under. No deeper than TB does not release.3. # 2 = Rub. 1 yard deeper than the under. 4. # 4 = Post

Notes on Cowboys: Count Starts from the Right. QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Curl. Find hole in coverage between C/F and H/C 2. QB reads FS to ILB away from the call2. #2 = Under. No deeper than TB does not release.3. # 2 = Rub. 1 yard deeper than the under. 4. # 4 = Post

Notes on Baltimore: Count Starts from the Left. QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Go. Landmark = Top to middle of #’s. 2. QB reads FS to ILB away from the call2. #2 = Under. No deeper than 4 3. TB does not release.3. # 2 = Rub. 1 yard deeper than the under. 4. # 4 = Post. Must outside stem to get defenders back turned. 5. # 5 = Post. Must outside stem to get defenders back turned.

Notes on Baltimore: Count Starts from the Left. QB: WR’s: 1. # in the Box, Coverage, and Hot.1. #1 = Go. Landmark = Top to middle of #’s. 2. QB reads FS to ILB away from the call2. #2 = Under. No deeper than 4 3. TB does not release.3. # 2 = Rub. 1 yard deeper than the under. 4. # 4 = Post. Must outside stem to get defenders back turned. 5. # 5 = Post. Must outside stem to get defenders back turned.

Teaching the Concepts: QB’s: Group concepts by category for simplicity. What is each concept attempting to accomplish? WR’s: Must learn the entire concept! –4 lines (Spread). Rotate through the lines, running the same concept. Run from multiple spots on the field (middle and hash). Identify Hot each time. Landmarks don’t change even what spot of ball does. –Change the formation, add motions and/or shifts. When first learning, repeat the route combinations out loud. Always identify Hot. Great Warm-Up: Skelly Warm-Up. –Pick two concepts. Run each concept four times from four different formations (& motions). Always identify Hot. 8 Plays total in a 5 minute warm-up!

Additional Notes on Concepts: “Tag” words can create even more possibilities. –Examples: “Fire” “Ice” “Hurricane”