The back faking with the QB attacks the inside A-gap (between center and guard) and check releases reading Mike to Sam linebacker, and the non-faking back attacks the B-gap and check-releases reading Sam to the next outside threat. AKA Fox 2/Fox 3 if you want to sound cool, is the same as H2/H3, but now the fullback or other back is faking and taking the A-gap, while the halfback/tailback goes B-gap. 26/27: The back to the strong-side scats and the strong guard/uncovered lineman scat protects. Empty protection (no backs or TEs in protection; just the five linemen) could be done with either pocket or slide protection. Weak back free releases. The West Coast Offense is a passing ball control offense. The spacing concept can always be found in bunch formations. 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. They then would blitz the quarterback using a zone blitz in an attempt to disrupt their timing. What do all of those terms mean, and why is West Coast Offense said so often? This site is owned and operated by Coaching Kidz. Rip/Liz to the strong-side only. 84/85: Scat protection weak (TE to that side free releases). 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). Bill Walsh is quoted as saying, This type of pass is designed specifically to develop and take advantage of a defensive conflict. The Run and Shoot Offense was first developed in the 1960's by Glenn "Tiger" Ellison from Middletown, Ohio. How the POP play streamlines the pro-style approach. 0000001450 00000 n We provide the latest Madden Tips, Madden Strategies, Madden Formations, Madden Plays, Madden News, and Madden Videos. 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. In the West Coast system, there are countless formations to run the offense out of. The Curl-Flat passing concept is one of the oldest and most popular passing concepts in football. The 'West Coast Offense' is not easy to define. First digit indicates whos carrying the ball, and the second number is the hole, or point of attack the ball carrier takes it to. Hitch is a quick that has a receiver running short curl that allows the quarterback to throw a safe pass for an easy complete. The deep back/tailback is the weak back. In any 2-back formation, the back closest to the TE is the strong back. Remember pocket and slide protection that was mentioned above. It is a traditional Cover 3 beater that goes all the way back to the passing concepts of Sid Gillman and Don Coryell and into the West Coast offense. 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. We break the sections down with quick pass, medium pass, and deep pass. Snagis a great passing concept that is used at all levels. the diagram below. One of the big differences is the removal of the fullback in the Spread system. 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 . On 300, the slide goes away from the call. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to write more articles in the near future. Another route is used to compliment the Divide pass route is a receiver on the outside running a go or streak route. Defenses have found the best way to do so is by attacking the element that makes this offense elite the timing. 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. During Olson's tenure, BYU produced. . Unless a specific protection says otherwise, players not mentioned use the rules described above. Strong back only has ILB (or Mike) to their side, and check releases off them. Low-inside, high-outside. Between our own 10-yard line and the opponent's 25, we operate our field offense. Coach is this going to be added to the Coach Tube Courses. Walsh ended up winning three Super Bowls utilizing the West Coast offense and was named the NFL Coach of the Year in 1981 and the NFC Coach of the Year in 1984. 2019 X's O's Football. The back away from the call side is coming over to that side to get the blitzing ILB. This style also limits the defense from stacking the line of scrimmage to stop the run as they are spread across the whole field. They release, because that defender theyre assigned to is not a threat to sack the quarterback, so rather than wasting a blocker, they want those players to get involved as receivers incase the primary receivers on a play are not open. If both blitz, they block the inside defender. If the defender does not blitz, they release into a route to receive a pass. 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. 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. 400: Slide protection away from the call with a cross-action/misdirection backfield or run fake. The weak-back coming to the strong-side double-reads the ILB to strong OLB (Mike to Sam). The West Coast offenses core elements are rhythm, timing, and ball protection. 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. A look at common medium pass routes, passing concepts, and route combos. When there are two backs in the backfield, they essentially cross each other off the snap. 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. As they continue to learn the What Is a Secondary in Football? His offense became one of the few not using the power running game as the focus through the 1980s and 1990s. 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. Run Passes: 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. Instead, Walsh turned them into pass catchers and gave them horizontal routes designed to get them in space. One of the most important elements in this system is the quarterback dropback. The Flood concept does this by having three receiver running pass routes towards the same of the field. Since this article is about pass protection, we will cover what in Walshs system are the 20s, 50s, 70s, 80s, and a BASIC introduction to 2/3 Jet protection. The WCO can be installed at a lower level of football with 10-15 core pass plays and 5-6 core running plays. What exactly is the West Coast offense in football? Bill Walsh was the leader in creating the system, which is still used todays game. 30s: Trap and toss plays from an offset back at 4-5 yards. If the cornerback (flat defender) sits on the receiver running the low read, then the receiver running the high read will be open. This pass route is highly effective against man coverage providing the receiver has move speed than the defender covering him. Some teams may refer to it as the triangle. The goal of this offense is to use the quarterbacks dropbacks to establish the timing for plays, while receivers run horizontal routes across the field. The Double Dig has two receivers running dig routes to the same side of the field. These types of pass routes are very effective in man coverage is called. Kaepernick has been running a West Coast offense for the entirety of his NFL career. Strong back only has ILB (or Mike) to their side, and check releases off them. West coast is primarily about syncing up the QBs footwork with the receivers routes. 500: Gap protection: The O-line steps to the back-side/away from the call and protects the gap. This was effective as defenses could keep offenses guessing by blitzing linebackers, safeties, or cornerbacks from any part of the field. The weak back and guard double read ILB to OLB to the weak side, and the back check-releases vs. no blitz. In many cases, you will find the Stick concept run from some type of bunch, cluster, or tight formation. 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 . 0000001428 00000 n The quick slant is the signature play of the West Coast Offense. Therefore that back attacks A-gap, and the second back attacks B-gap. Even numbers mean the TE (strong-side) is to the right. If the OLB does not blitz, the back releases. The three-step and five-step drop back each had their own role in Walshs system. Slide Protection. 0000001608 00000 n 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. This system looks to control the game through the air and sets receivers up to make plays after the catch. Walsh had two elements he found to be crucial to the success of the offense. These plays are designed to get the ball thrown before the defense has time to respond; there are a few different variations within the five steps to further confuse the defense. The West Coast Offense Walsh used primarily relies on numbers to call pass protections. With all of these advantages, it may come as a surprise that this system was created out of necessity rather than want. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. However, the Walsh offense wanted to use quick, short passes as a partial substitute for a traditional running game. Let the quarterback see and read the defense by utilizing his three or five step drop. A good pass route to get the quarterback in rhythm. 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. With the defense spread out at the line of scrimmage it becomes easier for the quarterback to find holes in the defense as well as for the running back when running the ball. 88/89: Requires a TE on each side. The Portland passing concept is similar to the Mills concept as the design is to provide an opportunity for the quarterback to look throw deep down the field to a receiver running a deep post if the safety comes up defend the dig route that is being run from the opposite side. 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. 20/21, 22/23: Basic split-flow rules as described above. Most protections have two numbers. Heres a little bonus. Paperback - July 29, 1997. 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. 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. 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. The Airraid guys tend to have the two guys cross and head in opposite directions. Every NFL team's offensive scheme, illustrated and explained - Washington Post From run-pass options to the West Coast offense: Breaking down all 32 offensive schemes in the NFL. 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. CoachingKidz.comis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking toAmazon.com. For those that dont know MOFO simply means "middle of the field open," or no deep middle safety. The Curl Flat route combo has the outside receiver running a curl, while inside receiver runs a flat route. The next receiver to him, runs a flat or a quick out. The first number also sets the default rules for all numbers in that series. Receivers, tight ends, and running backs will go in motion to try and draw a slower linebacker in coverage to create a mismatch. 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. Invented by Bill Walsh, it was born in Cincinnati but popularized in San Francisco, earning its "West. If that defender does not blitz (no dog), they then look to block the outside defender. Basic split-flow rules as described above. Conversely if the cornerback sinks back on the receiver running the high read, then the low read receiver will be open. . However, this is an efficient offense that has proven to be more than capable of winning championships. 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. If the defender does not blitz, they release into a route to receive a pass. On either side of the field are two wide receivers along with a tight end lined up next to the offensive line. Have the ability to run many plays from multiple formations, meaning the defense shouldnt be able to predict what the offense will run. 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. The Ultimate Guide, What Is a Touchback in Football? BYU Offense.doc. which alters the terminology slightly (so ignore this sheet for this article, except for fire 2/fire 3). The goal was to get these pass catchers the ball in space as they ran across the middle of the field to allow them to make plays after the catch for extra yardage. This contrasts with the Air Coryell offense mentioned above, which is known for attacking downfield. 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. 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. Remember, this book does not use 300 like modern WCO terminology uses it. This concept is effective against Cover 2 zone coverage, as well as Cover 3 and Cover 4 coverages. More like you only need two or three at most. If man coverage is called, the quarterback looks to see if the slot receiver is able to get seperation from the defender in coverage, especially if no safety is playing the deep middle of the field. Also a pocket and two-back protection series. West Coast 1983 San Diego Chargers OFF.pdf . Operation Sports Forums > Football > EA Sports College Football Offensive schemes and tactics Most Anticipated Sports Games of 2023 Five Ways EA Sports PGA Tour Can Improve Golf Career Modes With a passing attack based on short throws, there is a smaller chance of homerun-type plays. There are two similar but distinct offensive strategic systems that are commonly referred to as "West Coast offenses". 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. Backs free release and both TEs block the OLB/OLB-area to their side. This default/watered down play action system is a slide protection (so half-slide in modern terms, just like 2/3 Jet). 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. An offensive player is assigned two defenders to block. Although the system has evolved and integrated with various offensive systems over the previous three decades, the traditional West Coast offense looks to set up the run by passing first,. It has one receiver running a shallow crossing route from one direction, while another receiver runs a dig route from the opposite direction. Both can be a hot receiver. They release if the ILB does not blitz. Please, The West Coast Offense Walsh used primarily relies on numbers to call pass protections. Offensive Install 2021. His very popular version of the offense averaged scoring a touchdown every ten plays and once scored 98 points in a single game. Your center and guards protect the center-three defenders of the defense. In the play-option pass, all these schools are seeing the marriage of pass and run in a way that's changing the game. In your summary, you say that an odd number means that the TE is on the left! The concept is good versus both man coverage and zone coverage. The Passing Game II: Slants and Flats. SD @weeklyspiral 13.7 K views A popular run concept in the West Coast offense is the draw. 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. The West Coast offense was one of the most revolutionary offenses when it first hit the scene. If the defender covers the deep in route, the hitch route underneath will be open. 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. This makes it a quick pass, where the line and backs will block aggressively and hold the defense at the line of scrimmage. The QB should see/feel the backs movement on this, telling them to quickly drop back and look to throw to the hot route, or get into the progression. This leads to the question. This article does NOT cover all the pass pro terminology in this playbook, but it covers all the basics. The first was using the timing of the quarterback dropbacks to set the pace for the play. A Complete Overview. 284/285: Slide to the weak-side (284 means slide is left, backs right). The Slot Cross has an inside receiver running a intermediate crossing route underneath the outside receiver who is running a deep dig route. 60s: Runs to a back behind the QB at a depth of 4-5 yards. In both protections, the default rule for all running-backs and tight-ends is to execute an assignment called check-release, which means they are assigned to a defender (or two), and if that defender blitzes (blitz is called dog in the playbook), they block them. Linemen in the slide protect the gaps to their back-side/weak-side (the left side in this example), and are also responsible for the Will linebacker. With both passing routes going in the same direction, it creates a high/low read for the quarterback. The West Coast offense is a fast-paced system that relies on short and quick throws to sure-handed receivers who run precise horizontal routes. 9,884 posts . They release if the ILB does not blitz. In order to fully grasp such an intricate philosophy, one must be able to appreciate how a play-caller schemes his receivers into space. The essence of the West Coast system is rhythm & timing, and ball protection. TE check-releases off the OLB to their side. wings95, JDG42, Guru03 and 1 others like this. 0000000712 00000 n Backs free release and both TEs block the OLB/OLB-area to their side. 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. This one can get a little complicated, so take your time. The second element was having pass catchers who could run precise routes and who possessed good hands to catch the ball over the middle of the field. When McCarthy called plays as Green Bay HC, he used the West Coast offense a system dependent upon short passing. Spot The Spot passing concept is design to attack zone coverage. I don't have status on either airline and have a 5 hour layover in Fra for a Fra-Dulles flight. The weak-side back free releases, while the strong back check-releases to the weak-side. Slide to the weak-side (284 means slide is left, backs right). means a back or tight-end does not release (they block for the whole play). In this playbook, there are two primary types of protection. Number five was Carson Wentz with 14.8% of his throws being of the deep variety. Bill Walsh, who was the offensive coordinator at the time, had to step back and completely redesign the teams offense. Joe Montana, Steve Young, andJerry Riceare all now in the Hall of Fame. It worked; the Packers won Super . X's O's Football is not affiliated or associated with EA Sports, the NFL, or their license. Andy Reid is known as one of the most brilliant offensive minds in football and has created highly successful offenses with several different teams. If the ILB blitzes, they sneak a peak at the outside linebacker (OLB) to their side. This typically involves getting a linebacker in coverage on a running back, wide receiver, or tight end. The quarterback is looking to see what the defense gives him and looks to take advantage of it. 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). Walsh's original West Coast offense was built around Joe Montana's specific strengths and the players he had to work with. If you have an I-formation, the strong back is the closest back to the TE, so its the fullback. Report inappropriate content . 50/51, 52/53: Backs split-flow using Rip/Liz rules (back closer to the right Rips, back closer to the left Lizs. Cook, who was drafted as a big-armed, vertical passer, no longer had the arm strength to throw the ball deep. In the 1970's, Darrel "Mouse" Davis began having tremendous success with the offense at Portland . Football's West Coast Offense. Frankfurt, Germany. It can be ran from three, two, or one-back formations. For clips of this version of the concept try here and here. 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). This article does NOT cover all the pass pro terminology in this playbook, but it covers all the basics. Before the West Coast Offense and other pass-first systems, the forward pass was used as a compliment to the running game. 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). In both protections, the default rule for all running-backs and tight-ends is to execute an assignment called check-release, which means they are assigned to a defender (or two), and if that defender blitzes (blitz is called dog in the playbook), they block them. It worked; the Packers won Super Bowl XLV. 56/57: Rip/Liz to the strong-side only. Default rules tell backs in protection if their defenders do not blitz (no dog), they release. If the defender covers the hitch, the deep in route will be open. The West Coast system looks to establish the pass, to set up the run. Slide protection away from the call with a cross-action/misdirection backfield or run fake. 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. Even in the West Coast offense run by some other guys the Ravens have interviewed, like Gary Kubiak, it's pretty specific what you need to make it work including a stout O-line because running backs are used primarily as pass catchers instead of extra blockers. 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). This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. In terms of tactics, you would run the ball until the other teams defense got too strong against the run, or the defensive backs got too close to the line, then you would throw the ball deep, over their heads. 29. by Mike Tanier. This style of play works brilliantly against defenses that commit to stopping the run. The Verticals passing concept sends 3 or 4 receivers on vertical passing routes. link to 17+ Basketball Games for Kids The Ultimate List, link to What Is a Secondary in Football? Slide protection to the weak-side (away from TE). 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. 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. 0000001929 00000 n NEW System Evolutions. With that said, Im happy to have you on the site and hope I can help you out in achieving your goals! The back typically does not come across the formation, or at least behind the QB. Coach Vigen explained what concepts fans should look for that are tell-tale elements of . For quarterbacks, these backs and tight-ends often serve check-down roles, meaning if the primary receivers in the progression arent open, the QB finds these players for an easy release valve rather than holding onto the ball and risking a sack. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Understanding the West Coast offense is more complex than simply knowing that it emphasizes the short passing game. If you look at the playbook link, the best description of the pass protections begins on page 251. Backs protect inside-out, meaning they block an inside rush threat first, then work outside if there is no inside threat. The Switch concept is a popular Run-&-Shoot passing concept that has outside receiver running a post route with an inside receiver. 90s: Runs to a back at 6-7 yards behind the QB (so a tailback). The quarterback looks to take advantage of precise route running by the receivers to complete short, horizontal passes, allowing receivers to make plays after the catch for extra yardage. Run-game terminology is much more simple. A look at common deep pass routes, passing concepts, and route combos. Has the outside receiver running a deep in route over the top of the inside receiver running short hitch. BYU Passing Game - Lavell Edwards.doc . If man coverage is called, the tight end will generally matched up against slower linebacker or a smaller defensive back. The inner most receiver runs a flat route. Two digits. The offense relies on a smart, accurate, and mobile quarterback running the offense under center. For this section, Im going outside the playbook a little bit, and drawing from some more modern nomenclature. Walsh then added more layers by sending players in motion to create mismatches and used the passing game to set the tempo of the game. The Ultimate Guide, Volleyball Scoring 101: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Score. Lastly, this means that The Catch came from this philosophy as well. My name is Steven and I love everything sports! F2/F3: AKA Fox 2/Fox 3 if you want to sound cool, is the same as H2/H3, but now the fullback or other back is faking and taking the A-gap, while the halfback/tailback goes B-gap. All backs (so two backs) check-release, and the TE free releases if there is one. The 49ers started to work in power running concepts using their stalwart fullback Kyle Juszczyk as a lead blocker. The quarterbacks dropback is critical to the timing of the offense, so defenses have targeted this element in an attempt to disrupt the offensive scheme. 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).