The weak-side back free releases, while the strong back check-releases to the weak-side. 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. The strong-side back free releases, and the weak-side back check-releases. 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. The guard or uncovered lineman to the weak-side must now scat protect to that side, meaning they double read the ILB to OLB on the weak-side. Walshs terminology talks in terms of halfbacks and fullbacks, but I am using weak and strong back so its more fluid across systems and more modern formations. 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. His very popular version of the offense averaged scoring a touchdown every ten plays and once scored 98 points in a single game. Defenses have found the best way to do so is by attacking the element that makes this offense elite the timing. Some teams may refer to it as the triangle. 0000002771 00000 n __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? Due to innovations in offenses, the WCO has also been implemented for shotgun-based offenses. 0000002590 00000 n 55 is TE left, so we Rip). 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 West Coast Offense would then equate to the tactic of blitzkrieg developed by the Germans in WWII. Frankfurt, Germany. The West Coast Offense Walsh used primarily relies on numbers to call pass protections. 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. They pay Tony Romo about 17 million dollars a year to tell you this on Sunday, and Thursday Nights. When first introducing the system, Walsh was criticized as trying to finesse the defense or playing too conservatively. By BJ . A look at common medium pass routes, passing concepts, and route combos. A Complete Overview, What Is a Blitz in Football? If you have any requests you would like to make, please reach out and comment below. The WCO can be installed at a lower level of football with 10-15 core pass plays and 5-6 core running plays. The terminology you will see in this article are being borrowed from this. The Double Dig has two receivers running dig routes to the same side of the field. When the offense feels this is happening, they often take chances by throwing the ball deep down the field. Runs to a back behind the QB at a depth of 4-5 yards. Offensive schemes and tactics This is a discussion on Offensive schemes and tactics within the EA Sports College Football forums. This makes it a quick pass, where the line and backs will block aggressively and hold the defense at the line of scrimmage. 1995 BYU OFF.pdf. In the article we posted on Xs Os Football called "Passing Routes 101" we broke down several passing routes for runningback, receivers, and tight ends. It can be ran from three, two, or one-back formations. For those that dont know MOFO simply means "middle of the field open," or no deep middle safety. One of the most important elements in this system is the quarterback dropback. 90s: Runs to a back at 6-7 yards behind the QB (so a tailback). . Weak back free releases. Remember, this book does not use 300 like modern WCO terminology uses it. However, since both backs are going away from the TE off the snap (weak flow), the TE is now check-releasing by default on all 70s plays, primarily to block the OLB to their side. Odd numbers mean the TE is to the left. Below is an example of the type of formation and play Coach Walsh would run: It is important to note that Coach Walsh won three Super Bowls with this offense. Max 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 Ultimate Guide, What Is a Touchback in Football? Updated on 02/21/19. 76/77: Weak flow with scat protection to the strong-side: The TE is now free releasing. that can be found on Google. 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. Hitch is a quick that has a receiver running short curl that allows the quarterback to throw a safe pass for an easy complete. This typically involves getting a linebacker in coverage on a running back, wide receiver, or tight end. 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. The weak-back coming to the strong-side double-reads the ILB to strong OLB (Mike to Sam). The TE to the weak-side check-releases. 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. 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). In the 1970's, Darrel "Mouse" Davis began having tremendous success with the offense at Portland . Backs protect inside-out, meaning they block an inside rush threat first, then work outside if there is no inside threat. Teams That Have a Variety of Pass Catchers - The West Coast Offense is famous for involving tight ends, fullbacks and halfbacks, in addition to at least two wide receivers. The West Coast offense was one of the most revolutionary offenses when it first hit the scene. Unless a specific protection says otherwise, players not mentioned use the rules described above. Against zone coverage this creates a 2 on 1 situation. The offense splits the outside wide receivers in "plus splits", which means outside the numbers. Even though this system was created almost four decades ago, its influence is still evident in the league as almost every offense has taken to using the West Coast system in some way. This site is owned and operated by Coaching Kidz. Post Corner High-Low Isolation Vs Cover 2 Zone Coverage, Gun Trips Left Hb Strong S Motion Z Post. One receiver runs a shorter dig, while other receiver runs a deeper dig. Unfortunately, marrying a west coast scheme with the spread offense didn't go over so well at Nebraska, which is why Watson started the 2011 season as quarterbacks coach at Louisville. Originally, the term referred to the Air Coryell system popularized by Don Coryell. With a passing attack based on short throws, there is a smaller chance of homerun-type plays. This is almost the exact same as the 20s, but the Rip/Liz rules are now applied. NEW System Evolutions. 54/55: Rip/Liz only applies to the weak-side (so 54 is TE to the right, meaning weak side is left, so Liz is ran. TE free releases by default. Walsh used a traditional hole-numbering system: Evens right, odds left. This contrasts with the Air Coryell offense mentioned above, which is known for attacking downfield. The idea behind this passing concept is to create either 3 on 2 or 4 on 3 against zone coverage, allowing for one of the receivers to be open deep down the field. To the left side (or weak-side/back-side), the offensive line will slide. The Slant is a short timing route that has the receiver breaking towards the middle of the field for a quick pass from the quarterback. The pass route the receiver runs during the play is based on the type of pass coverage called. 0000001450 00000 n 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. 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. 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. This means you're only going to throw 5-step passes about FIVE times a game (50% of your plays = 25, 20% of this = 5). These horizontal routes make it difficult to play man coverage and get defenders chasing. 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. Therefore that back attacks A-gap, and the second back attacks B-gap. 0000000712 00000 n When the backs release, the faking back who is more inside will break to the inside, and the back protecting outside will release outside. A core concept in West Coast systems, here are four combinations within the Hi-Lo series that we see across the league. The quarterback is looking to see what the defense gives him and looks to take advantage of it. Basic split-flow rules as described above. Oct 15, 2020. 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 . Doug Pederson, another West Coast. A new kind of offense has taken over the college level and has made its way into the NFL recently called the Spread offense. Understanding the West Coast offense is more complex than simply knowing that it emphasizes the short passing game. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. When McCarthy called plays as Green Bay HC, he used the West Coast offense a system dependent upon short passing. 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. Can I buy on ebay or otherwise a United or Lufthansa lounge pass for Frankfurt intl airport ? With all of this success, Reid has passed his knowledge to his assistants who have gone on to be successful NFL coaches in their own right. Even numbers mean the TE (strong-side) is to the right. The three-step and five-step drop back each had their own role in Walshs system. Using a numbering system and relying on mostly pocket and slide (half-slide) protections, Bill Walsh and his coaching staffs compiled a system that would allow them to flood the field with receivers from all sorts of different angles and personnel groupings, while also giving them multiple ways to protect the QB from the wide range of defensive schemes and blitzes. If the defender covers the hitch, the deep in route will be open. The back on the side called check releases on the inside linebacker to that side. For this section, Im going outside the playbook a little bit, and drawing from some more modern nomenclature. The play is basic, with two curl-flat combinations either side of the formation and a receiver spotting . In the play-option pass, all these schools are seeing the marriage of pass and run in a way that's changing the game. 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. 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. Personnel Preferences: Kingsbury runs modified/evolving Air Raid passing concepts with Andy Reid run game concepts. With all of these advantages, it may come as a surprise that this system was created out of necessity rather than want. Your backs and TEs protect the OLBs. . This concept is effective against Cover 2 zone coverage, as well as Cover 3 and Cover 4 coverages. A good pass route to get the quarterback in rhythm. Pocket/Cup Protection, and 2. However, the Walsh offense wanted to use quick, short passes as a partial substitute for a traditional running game. 0000001608 00000 n Play action means the offense will fake a run, then throw a pass. 26/27: The back to the strong-side scats and the strong guard/uncovered lineman scat protects. If you were to compare this to warfare, think of the running game as your infantry, and the forward pass as planes, tanks and armor support. For clips of this version of the concept try here and here. Hopefully this will give you better idea of common pass routes and route combos found in real football and football video games. One of the biggest drawbacks in the West Coast and Air Coryell offenses are their elongated play calls. The types of passes coming out of this concept are quite numerous, but typically pass-catchers will have short to intermediate routes sending them horizontally across the field. If the number called is even, it means the TE is to the right. The Curl-Flat passing concept is one of the oldest and most popular passing concepts in football. 300: Remember, this book does not use 300 like modern WCO terminology uses it. From big throws downfield to power running the football, there are countless ways to run an offense in the NFL. Stay means a back or tight-end does not release (they block for the whole play). Gruden had spent his 10 years out of coaching . This style focuses on short-to-intermediate, precise routes run by receivers. The route involves a MOFO or MOFC read by the quarterback. 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. This pass route is highly effective against man coverage providing the receiver has move speed than the defender covering him. The quarterback looks to throw to the receiver once he makes his break towards the side line. The spacing concept can always be found in bunch formations. 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 Ive played and watched sports all my life and have coached them as well for the last few years. 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). While there may be some deep throws made downfield, the focus is on quick and short passes that have a high chance of completion. True to form of the 'west coast offense' these concepts are excellent ball control, short passing plays which rely on accuracy and timing between the QB & WRs to take advantage of different defensive structures and coverages. The login page will open in a new tab. Joe Montana, Steve Young, andJerry Riceare all now in the Hall of Fame. use. The West Coast Offense is an innovative horizontal passing offense based on timing and route running. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to write more articles in the near future. Initially, the Spread looked to be a variation of the West Coast offense, but its a unique offensive system. 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. The Run and Shoot Offense was first developed in the 1960's by Glenn "Tiger" Ellison from Middletown, Ohio. Run-game terminology is much more simple. Walsh took this offensive system and perfected it during his years with San Francisco. If the ILB blitzes, they sneak a peak at the outside linebacker (OLB) to their side. If both blitz, they block the inside defender. Rip/Liz only applies to the weak-side (so 54 is TE to the right, meaning weak side is left, so Liz is ran. 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. The Switch concept is a popular Run-&-Shoot passing concept that has outside receiver running a post route with an inside receiver. For each play, there is a certain number of steps for the quarterbacks drop back. Strong back and guard double read the ILB (Mike) and the back check-releases. The original Air Raid was basically taking the West Coast passing game, simplifying it to a purely conceptual level, and then making every formational and personnel decision around maximizing those passing concepts. Walsh's original West Coast offense was built around Joe Montana's specific strengths and the players he had to work with. Heres a little bonus. 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. 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. West Coast passing concepts are designed for efficiency, stretching defenses horizontally. 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. Triangle - Defense. 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. In the playbook this article is based off of, Walsh uses three digits. 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 West Coast offense does the exact opposite. This article does NOT cover all the pass pro terminology in this playbook, but it covers all the basics. While the run plays use the standard two digit. 200: 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). 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). Spot The Spot passing concept is design to attack zone coverage. It's all about the feet The best way to define the West Coast offense may be to start with what it isn't. The traditional passing game, which NFL teams ran for years, is based on deep drops . Ohio is a features two receiver route combo that has outside receiver running a go route, while the inside receiver runs an out route. The West Coast offense was one of the most revolutionary offenses when it first hit the scene. While its similar, the Spread doesnt rely on timing as heavily as the West Coast system, but rather on creating holes across the defense to be taken advantage of. 500: Gap protection: The O-line steps to the back-side/away from the call and protects the gap. Both can be a hot receiver. Attack the defense and force them to adjust and react. The Ultimate Guide, How Much Do NHL Refs Make? A West Coast staple passing concept is called Texas. 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. The West Coast Offense has a simplified play action pass protection system to easily incorporate run fakes on almost any play. Its a 6-man version of this play action protection where you fake to the tailback/halfback, and the 2nd back and TE are free releasing. Default rules tell backs in protection if their defenders do not blitz (no dog), they release. With both passing routes going in the same direction, it creates a high/low read for the quarterback. Its a 6-man version of this play action protection where you fake to the tailback/halfback, and the 2nd back and TE are free releasing. If you look at the playbook link, the best description of the pass protections begins on page 251. So 416 means theyre faking a 16 run play and using 400 protection. Slide to the weak-side (284 means slide is left, backs right). If the OLB does not blitz, the back releases. Okay but I think Romo may have a bit more knowledge than a few route concepts. This route combo is generally effective against most zone coverages. Please log in again. On 300, the slide goes away from the call. The first number also sets the default rules for all numbers in that series. The concept exploits the aggressiveness of the defense, as the passing plays are based on faking the most successful running plays. They then would blitz the quarterback using a zone blitz in an attempt to disrupt their timing. These series also require a 2nd TE to be in the game to the weak-side (so theres a TE on both sides, or the TE is actually to the weak side, or away from the call side). 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. In most conventional offenses, the idea is to run the ball to draw the safeties and linebackers in closer to the line of scrimmage, thus opening up . TE check-releases off the OLB to their side. In the West Coast system, there are countless formations to run the offense out of. 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. 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. Cook, who was drafted as a big-armed, vertical passer, no longer had the arm strength to throw the ball deep. Both backs flow weak, and check release. The Pivot passing concept has an outside receiver running a dig route over the top of the inside receiver next to him, who is running a pivot (zig zag) route. Listed below are player roles and the qualities they need to have to be successful. link to 17+ Basketball Games for Kids The Ultimate List, link to What Is a Secondary in Football? It worked; the Packers won Super . 84/85: Scat protection weak (TE to that side free releases). If you can distribute the ball in the passing game to all eligible receivers, the defense cannot focus solely on a couple core receivers, giving you more one-on-one situations. Defensive Install 2021. Slow means a back or tight-end releases only if their assigned linebacker (or linebackers) does not blitz. If you have an I-formation, the strong back is the closest back to the TE, so its the fullback. Often this creates a high/low read for the quarterback to make. Weak flow is another pocket protection series normally ran from two-back sets. 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. Enjoy! The back away from the call side is coming over to that side to get the blitzing ILB. One of the big differences is the removal of the fullback in the Spread system. Up to this point the teams running backs and tight ends were used in power runs to set up the vertical pass. A Guide to How They Work, What Are Audibles in Football? It's a great concept: the shallow pulls the linebackers while the square-in -- aptly known in Airraid . On all play actions, if the faking back sees their primary blocking assignment blitz, they come off the fake immediately to make the block. If the ILB blitzes, they sneak a peak at the outside linebacker (OLB) to their side. Coach Bill Walsh is credited with inventing this system as a Quarterbacks Coach for the Cincinnati Bengals. The concept is good versus both man coverage and zone coverage. 88/89: Requires a TE on each side. Adjusting Y Cross Most protections have two numbers. 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. Both can be a hot receiver. Between our own 10-yard line and the opponent's 25, we operate our field offense. 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. West Coast Offense - One of the concepts of the West Coast offense is to get five skill players involved in the passing game. Coach is this going to be added to the Coach Tube Courses. This style of play works brilliantly against defenses that commit to stopping the run. If he is unable to complete the correct number of steps for his drop back or is moved out of the pocket, he will have a tough time finding an open receiver. 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. 9,884 posts . Ideally he quarterback will look to throw the receiver running the shallow cross. 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 . The West Coast Offense, has its roots in the 1960s and 70s with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals under legendary coach Paul Brown. Instead, Walsh turned them into pass catchers and gave them horizontal routes designed to get them in space. 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,. Knowledge is power. 55 is TE left, so we Rip). The second number indicates the specific type of protection/modification within that series. 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.