T

o thidw the football effectively in the spread offense, a team mast plan what exactly it wants to accomplish. We wani lo make sure that our passing game complements our nmning game. Whether we run or pass, we want to play fast tempo. We achieve this with a passing system that consists of a quick, intermediate, and a deep pa.ssing game, coupled with sprint-ouLs and playaction passes coming ofl our base running plays. We want to tiiauge up ihe {[uarterback's launch points. QUICK GAME OR HITCHES When we refer U) our quick g"ame (figure 8.8), we mean a tlirec-stt-p (hop by the quarterback or. iJ we're in the gtm, the quarterback is in catchand-lhrow mode. The breaking poinis of tlie routes are ai five yards, To be successftil with the quick game, we must have great rhythm and timing.
Figure 8.8 Quick passing game.

a doubles hitch

^'b oo.
b trips hitch

The Spread Offense: Four Receivers Pt.2

By Rich Rodriguez, Head Coach, West Virginia University Excerpted from "Football Offenses & Plays" with permission from Human Kinetics.

The offensive line blocks aggre.ssive liirn-back gap protection, not allowing any penetration. Again, the linemen mu.si be aggressive and come off the football. We want to create clear vision for the quarterback. The running back aggressively blocks the edge away from llu- lurii-

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back protection, protecting inside-out. The nmniiig back must take a great path off the tackle's hip lo get the edge secured. From the gtm, once the quarterback sectires the snap he drops, catches, and throws. If we go under center, the quarterback t;ikes a three-step (lrn|>. We really stress rhythm aiul tiniin^f with the hildi game. In terms of ihe quarterback's reads and progressions, he'll tliink shortest ibrow, softest coverage. He wants lo take the easiest throwwe want completions! With the progression of the route, once the qtiarlerbac k has tletcrniined which side to attack, he'll work inside-otit, working off the flat defender. The receivers nuist explode off the ball. We want lo create a deep feeling in oui' routes. The leceivers will sell the vertical. I'lie outside leceivers rim ihree-step hitches, while the inside receivers run five-step hitches. We do this for sp;u ing and to create clear [iictures for the quarterback. Once the receivers gel to their routes, they square tlu ir niinibei"s to tbe quartcrt);u k and make themselves big. Again this is a rhyihni- and timing-oriented throw. Wr really stress tlie rim alter tlie catch. SMASH Tlie next passing package we use in lhe spread offense is what we call ibc smash or liitcli-corner coiice|)l (figure 8.9). This concept qualifies as an intermediate to deep thruwing playwe have a deep throw with ihe corner route and an intermediate thiow with ilif bitch route. We want to put a liigh-low stress on tbe flat player or ibe coiner versus rolled coverages. We run this concepi from dnip-back and also from sprint-oul; eiilier way, the mechanics of the route package stay tbe same. Only ihe protection and tbe qtiarterback's mechanics are adjusted. The offensive line works with the running back in a six-man drop-back pinU'cliou scheme. The offrnsivr line

Figure 8.9 Smash.

oo e o o
o

a doubles smash

SPRINT CREASE Tbe crease package (figure 8.10) is based on our sprint game. We Hood the outside area of tbe field while putting stress on the defense by changing tlie quarterback's launch point. We put a high-low stress on tbe flat defender, while keeping a built-in shot or opportunity for an explosive play with the vertical clear route.
Figure 8.10 Trips sprint.

b trips smash

is responsible for tbe four tl()wn linemen and tlu' ba( ksific liiu'l>acker. The running back works witb tbe offensive line to block tbe six defenders in ibe Ixix. The rtmning bat k protects inside-<)Ul lo ;i route of choice. We game plan tlie lunning bark's route from week to week, biised on the coverages we're seeing. From ilie gun. ibe quarlerhack secures tbe snap and fakes a lliree-step drop with a hitch. He takes his reads off the flat defender, reading it high to low or from corner to bitcli. If we're in a 2-3-2 set with a single high safely alignineiu. we work opposite tbe alignmeiil of ibe free saiely. We constantly remind our quarterback not to forget his lamning back. Tlie outside receivers run a five-step bitcb witb a landmark at the bottom of tlie numbers. Tlie inside receivers run a 10- to 12-yard corner route, initially taking a high angle. Spacing on this play is crilical to jis succes,s. Versus an alley presence on tbe corner rouie, we prefer the inside receiver to take an oulside release, getting bac k veriital. and running tbe route off the double high safety. When we lain smash from a .S-3-1 set, tbe number three receiver iiins a vertical seam.

The offensive line protects with a reacli tecbnique. The line works in unison, aggressively reacbiiig lo ilie point of attack. The ninning back protects the fnint-side edge of tlie spriiit-oul protection, working oui.side-iii, Tlic running back must be aggressive and in an attacking, downlilll mode. We want to get ibe edge for the (juai terback. Tbe quarterback works bis spriiu mechanics. Once tbe snap is scciued, he liuerally attacks the defense, looking to hreak contain. We want the quarterback lo he a dual threat, able to run or throw tbe football. He looks to tbrow off bis Hfth or seventb step, throwing no later than his ninth step. His tliotiglit process is tbe sLune as in a drop-backwe really stress rhyilnn nnd liming of ibe play. Tbe quarlerbat k reads and bursts with a slight bubble wben reading tbe flat defender. He ibrows tbe flat roiue off liis fifth step or the crease off his seventh step. He also takes a peek !o tbe vertical clear for tbe honierun siiot. The ([uartci back must really work to get his shoulders, hips, and feet in proper throwing position lo execute lhe llirow.

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FOOTBALL The Spread Offense: Four Receivers

The outside receiver runs a vertical clear, with a mandatory outside release. Versus rolled coverages, we take a niandatoi*y outside rele;Lse to get the comer's eyes off the numbertwo receiver and allow the quarterback to throw the hole shot. The numbertwo receiver nms a 12- to 15-yard rollout. We don't want any signs of breaking down on tlie route. If the flat defender has expanded with width, the receiver throtdes in the opening as he will not run to get covered. The number-three receiver runs a 5-yard flat roulc, looking to stretch the coverage immediately. Wlicn number three reaches the top of the niinibers, he throttles down. If lie gets . j yards from ^ tbe sideline, he siis down and sho\\fs bis numbers to the quarterback. SCREEN PLAYS You need to be able to use and execute screen plays in the spread. We want to be able to throw multiple screens to different players and positions. We want to get the running backs and receivers involved in the screen game. Dual Read Screen A screen that has heen effective for us is what we call a dual screen (figure 8.11). We call it a dual screen because two different screens occur at the same lime. A running back screen or a swing screen occurs on the front side of the formation, while a receiver screen or jail-break screen occurs on the back side of the fomiation. Sometimes we put the running back screen on the back side of tbe formation and tbe receiver screen on tlie
Figure 8.11 Dual screen.

front side of the formation. The dual screen has developed into a universal screen that's good versus man or zone coverage teams. The backside offensive tackle pass sets the defensive end. The backside guard sets, punches, and relea.ses out to the flat area. The center sets, punches, and releases down the line of scrimmage to tbe alley. The playside guard sets, punches, and releases down tbe line of scrimmage to the inside. The playside tackle pass sets, flashes, and releases down the line of scrimmage to the alley. It's important that the offensive line works flat to their landmarks on the field. Tbe running back opens quick and fast, looking to get an immediate stretch to clear the defensive end. The running back executes a swing route, or wbat some people call a flare. The running back doesn't want to lose any ground, .\fter tbe catch, he finds tbe alley and gets vertical upfield, reading the blocks of the pulling offensive linemen. After securing the snap, tbe quarterback takes a quick three-step drop with bis eyes on tbe rushing defensive end to the running back's side or tbe swing side of tbe screen. If the defensive end bends or the quarterback has a clear picture of the running back, he throws it to tbe rimning back. Ball positioning is crkical becau.se we want the ball to skim the running back's breast plate, turning him into a runner. We don't want the rnnning back to bave to reacb back for tbe football. If the defensive end hugs or peels to cover tbe Rinning hack, die quarterback stops and throws back to the other side, where we're executing Lhe receiver screen or jail-break portion of the dual screen. Again, ball positioning is very important to Lbe play. The quarterback needs to put tbe ball in ihe numbers of the receiver, right tlirough his chest. Tbe receivers opposite lbe ninning back or swing side of tlie screen run

tlie receiver or jail-break screen. The inside receiver (number two) executes what we call a trap block, blocking tbe defender over tbe number-one receiver (the receiver who's catching the foothall). The receiver performing tbe trap block must force tbe defender lo work underneath and not over the top of the block. The outside receiver (number one) pushes upfield for three steps, then retraces his steps to get in position lo be 1 yard bebind the line of scrimmage. The tighter tlie coverage, the wider the receiver will work upfield wiib bis three steps. We push up tbe field for three sleps for timing purposes. This gives the quarterback dme to read tbe backside defensive end. If the ball is throvm to the receiver, he reads the alley and the blocks occurring on bis side of tbe screen. Once he makes liis read, he wants to get vertical up the field. The receivers on the running back's side of tlie fonnation swing side, block base, or man over. They must do a great job of pulling themselves in the proper body position to sustain their blocks on the perimeter. As a change-up versus man coverage teams, we employ a crack scheme to the running back's side of the screen, in which tbe inside receiver (number two) cracks ihe frontside inside linebacker, and the offensive tackle still runs tbe alley (figure 8.12).
Figure 8.12 Dual screen with crack

Bubbie Screen ln the screen family, the staple of the spread offense is what's commonly called a bubble screen, or an uncovered screen (figure 8.13). The bubble screen is tlirown to tlie slot or inside

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FOOTBALL The Spread Offense: Four Receivers

Figure 8.13 Bubble screen.

LB V

LB V

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(number one) blocks the defender over the .slot receiver (number two). This adjusunent is used versus a deepplaying corner. The arc scheme allows the slot receiver to be in a one-on-one situation witti the corner once he catches the ball (figure 8.14). Figure 8.14 Bubble
screen with arc block.

receivers. The bubble screen is given, not taken. It's tlirown against a defense that wants to cheat their alley players into a gray area, looking to be able to play both the run and the pass. They're trying to cheat their alignments over the slot receivers. The bubble screen takes away the defense's ability to cheat tlie run lanes. The key to running the btibbte is having the right mindset and patience to throw the bubble. The bubble is nothing more than a toss sweep. You can think of it more as a running play than a traditional screen pass. The mechanics of the play are simple. The inside or slot receiver pushes off his inside foot, looking to ptish toward the sideline. The receiver doesn't want to lose much ground. We're looking to get the ball outside. We want to out-leverage the defense by running away from the alley defenders. The receiver wants to keep his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage so he can advance the ball npField. The quarterback's accuracy is a critical element in executing the bubble. Just as if he were throwing the dual .screen to the running back, the qtiarterback wants to skim tlie receiver's breast plate, turning him into a runner. We don't want the receivei" to have to reach for the football. The outside receiver (number one) must be in stalkblock mode, blocking tlie defender over himself. He must have the mentality' to maintain the block in space, and the understanding tliat we're trying to outleverage tlie defense. Another version of the bubble screen is to arc-block the perimeter, meaning that the outside receiver

LB
V

LB
V

LB
V V

The bubble screen can be packaged wilh ihf rtuining and passing games in many ways. The bubble screen can be protected in numerous ways. Be{ause the quarterback is in catch-and-tlnow mode, you can leave a certain running play on with the offensive line or use ihc aggressive gap protection used with the quickpassing game. The bubble screen is very versatile and can fit the protection scheme that you use in yotir offense. The plays discussed in this chapter are the base plays to our spread offensive attack. We want to be able to execute these plays against any defensive looks. Combining the execution of these schemes with a fasttempo attack has given us an advantage over our opponents. The spread offense has produced great numbers and success over the years, regardless of level of play or area of the country. The spread allows you to put the ball in your best player's hands. It's a multiple attack that makes the most of your players' skills. An effective spread offensive football team needs a great plan of attack. The spread offense isn't just a set of plays but ratber a system designed to take advantage of a defense. You must have answers for disguises, stems, and presstires or blitzes. Remember that an offensive tempo can be a weapon. It's easier to slow down llu- tempo than it is to speed it up. Attacking a defense conies down to numbers, angles, and grass. There are no magical answers or solutions. Offensive football requires fundamentals, attention to detail, and execution. When installing the spread offense, yoti mtist have a strong belief in the .system. You can'i minor in it you must major in it. If your players can execute the schemes, and the entire offensive teamplayers and coachesunderstands the system, you can have a lot of fun and success with the spread.

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JACKSO^iV;LLL. f L -1/1/07: Rodriguez holds up the trophy after defeating the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 38-35 in the Toyota Gator Bowl

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