Here at Meade HS we are a spread offense team. We have created a relatively unique system that fits the personnel we have. We have borrowed concepts from several successful college football programs that run variations of spread offenses. When we first got here we began to utilize an idea that has gained a lot of popularity in the past few seasons. That is combining our run schemes with quick pass, bootleg principles, or screens. We felt that as a spread offense, especially one that runs primarily, we needed to have built in answers to defenses that cheat to over play the run. That is when we began heavily researching how various college teams were implementing these ideas.
Today, I wanted to discuss our top 3 concepts for incorporating pass game concepts into the run schemes. First, we have used what many people already do with a lot of success, which is attaching the quick screen to your run.
We are able to screen to any of our personnel on any run play. We base whom we screen to around leverage of the defense & personnel. Obviously, if we tend to get press from the CB we will not screen the split end. We try to screen the “soft” defender; with high school quarterbacks it does take time to develop this but we feel the advantages are worth the investment. This concept broke open a tied game this past season in which our playoff hopes hung in the 3rd quarter. Additionally, we try to screen the more talented player. If things are equal we game plan who our preferred screen runner would be. This past season our “X” & “Z” receivers where by far our most talented receivers and as a result they were the screen targets most of the time in the run game.
When we attach our quick screen to the run it is a pre snap read for us. Our QBs have a pre snap protocol on run plays they go through, which we borrowed from Coach Brandon Doman formerly of BYU. The screen is a part of his “Narrow Vision” protocols. During this time he glances at the cover downs and decides can I throw it or no. If the answer is yes he simply “turns the double play” getting the ball out fast to the screen man, throwing without laces on the ball. If the answer is no he calls for the snap and runs the play called.
The next concept we have used with success is our Stick-Draw-Screen concept. We look it as a version of triple option football. Our QB comes to the LOS with 3 options QB Draw, Stick, or Quick Screen. We like this from our empty sets, but have run it from 3×1 & 2×2 as well. Essentially, our QB comes to the line and looks to the backside for the screen. Do we have it or not? We utilize the same screen rules as explained above. However, the Stick-Draw is a post snap read. If the first LB in the “box” reacts to the Stick route by the slot receiver or TE he keeps the ball on QB Draw. If the LB sits on the draw and does not leave the “box” we throw the Stick route.
One concern voiced by some is that our line may get down field. We have never been penalized for this. Usually our Stick throw is out so quickly our uncovered linemen do not have time to get very far down field before the ball is delivered. Our line executes a simple draw scheme. We base our draw scheme around our main protection. What we tell our line is to execute our protection then if uncovered climb for the 1st & 2nd LBers in the box.
The last concept we have used with good success is the concept of combining the bootleg routes with the run schemes. We have used this concept so far by running our Outside Zone Scheme to the strong side & our bootleg routes to the weak side. Our favorite way to run it right now is out of a 3×1 set with a nub TE.
Our QB during his narrow vision protocol will look to the nub side & see if we have the backside coverage out leveraged. Specifically, we are looking for where the defense will align their CB. If the defense walks the OLB down or tightens him with the CB backing off and/ or inside we immediately catch the snap and throw the flat route to the X receiver. If they leave the CB outside to take away the flat route or widen the OLB the QB will snap the ball and execute the run called.
Hopefully these ideas may have provided you with one or two ideas that can be of use to you and your program. Essentially that is one thing a very smart coach once taught me is to try at every clinic and to find one good idea to improve your program. Thanks for your time. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.