Colorado cougars

 Introduction  Philosophy of the system  Play-calling Philosophy  How the run game is set up  How the passing game is set up  Basic drop back pass protection  Incorporating two separate sets of progressions  The formations system  How motions are called  How shifts are called  How the play-calls are made  Practice / Installation Philosophy  How the call sheet is set up and used

 Use a system where a coach can teach efficiently with high quality instruction – teaching becomes a priority  Create a precision-timed passing game with explosive capabilities, i.e. vertically push the ball downfield  We also have to go into any given season being able to beat the bump & run defender consistently – we use our own innovative techniques  Be able to physically run the ball effectively by double-teaming at the point of attack (the inside and outside zones are also included)  Have the capability to make immediate adjustments during a game  Create an offense that is hard to prepare for because it is so multifaceted  Use multiple formations and a multitude of plays  Take what the defense gives us most all of the time  Spend quality time teaching individual technique every practice

 Make sure the players are fundamentally sound  Spread the ball around to many players  Call plays that get the players in a position to succeed – if they make big plays, it’s a plus  Put the ball where the defense is vulnerable  Only audible when absolutely necessary  Do everything we can to put the defense on their heels  Keep the ball from the defense if necessary (a ball- control offense)  Push the ball downfield and score points (if you decide you have to get into a shootout)

 Basic line splits  The hole numbering  NOTE: The Guard’s and Tackle’s hands are even with the Center’s shoelaces.

HOLE NUMBERING 12” THE RUNNING GAME 12 ” BASIC LINE SPLITS QB

 The master calls  The line calls  NOTE: The run game is very similar to Alex Gibbs Tight-zone / Wide-zone concepts, with isolation / power plays and draws added to the mix.

 Blocking Scheme Master Calls  14 / 15 “Zone”  16 / 17 “Stretch”  34 / 35 “Base”  20 / 21 “Lead”  28 / 29“Toss”  41 / 50 “Trap”  2 / 3 “Lead”

 The backs numbering  Single-back numbering (Teen series)  There is NO lead blocker on the playside  Two-back numbering (20 series)  There is a lead blocker on the playside  The back lines up at 7½ yards behind the LOS

16 Stretch Does NOT have a lead blocker to the play-side

26 Stretch Does have a lead blocker to the play-side

 Single – Fullback type plays  40 series  Back lines up on the weak-side  30 series  Back lines up on the weak-side  50 series  Back lines up on the Strong-side

30 Series 30 Draw

40 Series 40 Draw

50 Series 50 Draw

 Quarterback movement

Single – Digit QB series – “Zero Draw” / “1 Draw”

Single – Digit QB series “2 Lead Draw”

Play-side Line Calls

Backside Line Calls

 Receiver routes are called single-side receiver across

PASS PLAY CALLING SYSTEM SPLIT RIGHT 628

SLOT RIGHT 628

DRAG (non quick 2) SMASH BENCH (MOTOR DOWN) DART 6 (Square-in) 6 (Dig) 8 Skinny DRIVE SPOT SLICE STAB QB

STICK SHAKE STAB DRIVE TIGHT-END / INSIDE RECEIVER PASS ROUTES QB

CALLED PASS ROUTES FOR RUNNING BACKS WHEEL STOP FLAT CORNER "V" CREASE POST SWING "M" CUT SNEAK SHOOT STAB UP QB

Drops from Under Center

Examples

Drops from Shotgun

Examples

 When we get into a balanced, four or five- receiver set such as Dallas, Houston, or our Island Package, and we are running “mirrored routes”, we will call the routes as if they are a strong-side route combination call (the inside receiver’s route will be called first, followed by the outside receiver’s route).  An example of this type of play-call would be “Dallas Right, 39 F Stab Jack”. The protection call (Jack) will alert the linemen that the play called is a pass play, and not a thirty-series run play.

“Dallas Right, 39 F Stab Jack” Stab Jack Protection X Y QB F H Z

 When we are in a balanced set running mirrored routes and we want to change one of the receiver’s routes in the pattern, we “tag” it.

“Dallas Right, 39 H Post - F Stab Jack” 3 9 Post 9 Stab Jack Protection X Y QB F H Z

 Another example would be “Maui Right, Rub - Dart, F Juke Gone”. The protection call “Gone” tells the line to block away from the call side “Right”.

“Maui Right, Rub - Dart, F Juke Gone” Rub Dart Rub Dart Juke Gone Protection X F QB YH Z

 We’ll call Dallas Right Switch Left (or Right) Quick 22  The “left-side” receivers will run the ‘switch’ quick-2’s, and the other side receivers will run the regular quick-2 routes.

Example: Dallas Right, Switch Left, Quick 22, Jack

 We’ll call  “Dallas Right Switch Right 88-Dig, Queen”  Now the “right-side” receivers will run the ‘Switch’ 8-routes, and the other side receivers will run the regular Square-in / Dig routes.  You’re going to do this in no-huddle type situations when you don’t want to “flip” the formation.

Example: Dallas Right, Switch Right, 88 Dig, Queen

 We’ll call  “Dallas Right Switch Spot – 7 F Choice Jack”  Both sides will run “Switch” releases and run their respective routes. The outside receivers are always HOT and peak into the backfield as they run their routes.  We call the pattern exactly like we would if we were in a mirrored route situation where we go inside out with the numbers.

Example: Dallas Right, Switch, Spot – 7 F Choice Jack

 We’ll call  “Press Right Horse 826 H Chase Jack”  Everyone does their route called except not the H and the Y are “Switching”.

Example: Press Right Horse 826 H Chase Jack

 We’ll call  “Press Right Haze 863 H Shoot Queen  Everyone does their route called except not the H and the Z are “Switching”.

Example: Press Right Haze 862 H Chase Jack

 We’ll call  “Dbl. Stack Right Seam 787 H Dig Jack  Seam tells the X and the Z to run Seam Releases.  Everyone does their route called and now the X and the Z use Seam Releases, while the H and the Y use Burst Releases.

Example: Dbl. Stack Right Seam 787 H Dig Jack

 We’ll call  “Dbl. Stack Right Burst 45 F Choice Jack  Seam tells the X and the Z to run Burst Releases.  Everyone does their route called and now the X and the Z use Burst Releases, while the H and the Y use Seam Releases.

Example: Dbl. Stack Right Burst 45 F Choice Jack

 Names of animals / reptiles will be used to tell the offense what “action” is to be performed in the play-action passing game.  FOX 2 / 3 = Lead (ISO) action  COUGAR = Counter action with Waggle action by the quarterback  ZEBRA = Outside Zone action with boot action by the quarterback  SPRINT = Move the pocket  NOTE: The corresponding numbers after the Name will tell the offense the aiming point of the fake

Example: Near Right Fox

Example: Far Right Fox 3 – 786 Chow

Example: Far Right Cougar 6 – 528 F Flat

Example: Far Right Zebra 6 – 526 F Flat

Example: Near Right Sprint Right Option

Max – Oh Man – 8 man protection scheme StayMan – 7 man protections scheme MaxMan – 7 man protection that can get all 5 receivers out OHTurn back – 6 / 7 man protection that can get 6 / 7 into the pattern QueenTurn back – 6 man protection that can get all 5 receivers out JackTurn back – 6 man protection that can get all 5 receivers out GoneTurn back – 5 man protection that can get all 5 receivers out (Queen with built-in HOT routes) Pass Protections

Base / Solo Man Lou / Roc 3 – man turn back protection 3 on 3 – back double reads Liz / Rip3 – man turn back protection 3 on 4 – back single reads Lion / Ram 4 – man turn back protection 4 on 4 – back double reads Laser / Rifle 4 – man turn back protection 4 on 5 – back single reads Loco / Recon 5 – man turn back protection – backside tackle starts the slide to wash down everything and the back is responsible for the backside now Pass Pro Line Calls

 The pass protection calls tell the backs which side the release from  This allows for a great deal of diversity in the offense  Examples  Near 839 H – V Queen : The back behind the QB will release to the Strongside due to the protection call  Near 639 F – V Jack : The back behind the QB will release to the Quickside due to the protection call

Example: I RIGHT STRONG 839 H – V Queen

Example: I RIGHT STRONG 639 F – V Jack

 A “Jack” call free releases the Back on the Strong-side.  The other back will check release to the “Quick-side.”  The Center, Strong-side Guard, and Tackle will block to the strong-side.  The Quick-side Guard and Tackle will block to the Quick- side, and the back will check release to the Quick-side.

Queen A “Queen” call free releases the Back on the Quick-side. – The other back will check release to the “Strong- side.” The Center, Quick-side Guard, and Tackle will block to the Quick-side. The Strong-side Guard and Tackle will block to the Strong- side, and the back will check release to the Strong-side.

Roc (Lou) Rip (Liz) Ram (Lion) Rifle (Laser) Recon (Loco) Base

Roc Call Line has a 3 on 3 scheme – the back double-reads and then goes Rip Call Line has a 3 on 4 scheme – the back checks one man and then goes

Ram Call Line has a 4 on 4 scheme – the back double-reads and then goes Rifle Call Line has a 4 on 5 scheme – the back checks one man and then goes

Recon Call Line has a 5 on 6 scheme – the back takes what’s left off the edge Base Call Line has a 1 on 1 scheme – the backs also have a 1 on 1 scheme

PRO RIGHT 414 F- V QUEEN FLANK RIGHT 17 – F CHOICE JACK HULA RIGHT DRIFT – 6 F SMASH GONE

PRO RIGHT 414 F "V" QUEEN

FLANK RIGHT 17 F CHOICE (UP) JACK

MAUI RIGHT DRIFT – 6 F SMASH GONE

 Similar to having two separate pass plays in one play-call  The QB comes to the line and decides which two - three progression read to go with  Examples:  Split Right 414 Swing / “V” Queen  Gun Far Right Trick 680 Corner / Cut Gone  NOTE: HOT routes are built into each pattern  Designated by Darkened Circle

PRO RIGHT 414 F - "V" QUEEN

GUN FAR RIGHT TRICK 680 CORNER / CUT GONE

 When counting both right and left formations, we have over 100 distinct formations that we can run plays from.  But because we are telling each player (X, Y, Z, H, and F) specifically what to do, we can move players to any of 5 different positions, giving us the illusion of over 500 different formations.

 This gives us the ability to take advantage of specific match-ups.  EXAMPLE:  We can move our X receiver to the F position, and have one of our best receivers coming out of the backfield matched up with a linebacker.  We can move our F back to the X position, giving us a good blocker on the perimeter matched up against a cornerback.

 We will script the first 15-plays with 15 different formations / (motions)  We can tell what formations they have not had time to prepared for, and then attack them with those formations  Because of our stable terminology, we can run the same play out of a multitude of different formations giving us a distinct advantage over our opponents

Island (Zero) City (10)Posse (11) Flank (12) Spread (20)Regular (21) Tank (23) MAUIDALLASACEQUADSPREADII FIJIHOUSTONSTUDFLANKFLEXSPLIT BALIDENVERTREYGROOV E STACKNEAR BAJABOSTONTRICKFAR STONETAMPATREXSTRONG CRUSHTRUNKWEAK PRESSTRIPSWINGDANCE DBL. STACK BUNCHSLOTPOWER I 3-STACKDUALTWIN SMOOSHDEUCEHUG HANG FIB FOB (TRADE) Personnel Groups & Formations

 Two backs  Split, I, near/far, strong/weak

PRO LEFT PRO RIGHT

NOTE: If you don’t hear a backfield call when you normally would, line up in “Split backs” PRO RIGHT WING

I RIGHT I LEFT

I NEAR RIGHT I FAR RIGHT

STRONG RIGHT WEAK RIGHT

 Tight-end “flex” type formations  Flex and Spread

FLEX RIGHT SPREAD RIGHT

 T – Formations (One-back)  Trey, Trex, Trick, Trunk

TREY RIGHT TREX RIGHT (Y is Flexed)

TRICK RIGHT TRUNK RIGHT

 Bunch Type Formations  Crush, Press

CRUSH RIGHT PRESS RIGHT

 Stack Type Formations  Stack, Double Stack, 3 – Stack

STACK RIGHT DOUBLE-STACK RIGHT 3 – STACK RIGHT

 Moving backs within the formation

FAR RIGHT TREY NEAR RIGHT TREY

WEAK RIGHT TREY STRONG RIGHT TREY

 Two backs  Split, I, near/far, strong/weak  Single backs  Regular, ace, near/far, strong/weak  Special formations  Close, flex, open (trick) and under

 Shifting is a tactic used to either confuse the opposition, or force them to run a “base” defense, by showing a particular offensive set, and then radically changing that set before the snap of the ball.

 We will call a predetermined shift by calling the formation that we want to shift from first, followed by the formation we will be shifting to, second. An example would be “Tank, Trey Right”. In this case, the term “Tank” would tell the players to line up in a “Tank Left” formation, and then shift to a “Trey Right” formation when the QB yells “Go”.

Tank, Trey Right X Y QB F H Z XY F HZ

 Another example would be in the play-call “Dance – Maui Right”. In this case, the eligible receivers will line up in a “Dance Left” formation, and then sprint to a “Maui Right” formation when the QB yells “Go”.

Dance, Maui Right X F QB Y H Z X F Y H Z

PositionXZYFH Go across formation EXITZOOMJETFLYHUM Go into formation ENTE R ZIPJAMFLEWHIP Start 1-way, then come back EASYZIGJELFLIPHACK Start in backfield and go out ESCAP E ZAPJAZZFLOATHOP Motions

 Every eligible receiver has a specific “tag”call.  The “tag” occurs at the beginning of the play call to alert the specific player.  We motion to the called formation.

 ZOOM: “Z” goes in motion across the formation.  ZIP: “Z” goes in short motion into the formation.

Zoom, Far Right Zip, Split Right

 EXIT: “X” goes in motion across the formation.  ENTER: “X” goes in short motion into the formation.

Exit, Bunch Right Enter, Bunch Right

 JET: “Y” goes in motion across the formation.  JAM: “Y” goes in short motion into the formation.

Jet, Near Right Jam, Near Right

 HUM: “H” goes in motion across the formation.  HIP: “H” goes in short motion into the formation.

Hop, Crush Right Hip, Flank Right

 FLY: “F” goes in motion across the formation.  FLEW: “F” goes in short motion into the formation.

Fly, Near Right Flew, Far Right

 Shift (possible)  Motion (possible)  Formation  Play-call  Blocking (master call in run game)  Pass pattern (in passing game)  Protection (in passing game)  Snap count  Red (on one), white (on two), blue (on three)

 Fly – near right – 24 slam – on white, on white – ready break.  “Fly” would be the motion.  “Near right” would be the formation we want to end up in.  “24 slam” tells the HB (2) to go through the 4 hole and the blocking scheme is slam.  Vs a 50 front, the probable line call would be “Den”.  “On white” tells everyone the snap count is on two.  If a player forgot the snap count at the line of scrimmage, he would say “check – check” and he would be told “white”.

FLY NEAR RIGHT 24 SLAM XY QB F H Z

 Zoom – split left – 414 swing / v - queen, on blue, on blue – ready break.  Zoom tells the Z receiver to go in motion across the formation.  Split left means we want to end up in a split left formation.  414 tells the single receiver (X) to run a curl route, the inside receiver on the two-receiver side (Y) to run a flat route, and the outside receiver on the two-receiver side to run a curl route.

 F - V” tells the F back to run a “V” route.  Because the H did not hear a route called for him, he will automatically run a Swing route.  Queen tells the line to zone the quick-side and man the strong-side. This will release the back on the quick-side into the pattern right away. The remaining back on the strong side will check release into the pattern.  “On blue” tells everyone the snap count is on three.  If we wanted to audible to a different play, blue is the live color since we called the count on blue.

ZOOM SPLIT RIGHT 414 F - "V" QUEEN

 Teach incrementally rather than solely using a holistic approach.  Teach each player individual mechanics and techniques.  QB – Drops, WR – Routes, RB – Paths and Routes, Line – Run block / Pass protections.  Once each player knows exactly what to do, bring groups together – then the entire offense together.  This saves a great deal of time down the road and leads to better execution of the offense.  Start with 40 minutes of individual teaching time, which can be reduced to 15 minutes as the season progresses.

 This is the foundation of this offense.  Once each player knows exactly where to be and what to do based on what he is told in the play-call, the play will be executed as it was intended every time.  Using only the holistic approach (just running plays and coaching “on the run”) will lead to individual player breakdowns, and the offense will never be precise.  For example, a receiver will run the same route at different depths, or the QB will take different drops for the same pass.  This will cut down drastically on the productivity of the offense.