The 49ers started to work in power running concepts using their stalwart fullback Kyle Juszczyk as a lead blocker. If youre a fan of the NFL, youve probably heard the term West Coast Offense. You have also probably seen or heard NFL content where a coach or player says an incredibly long play-name that sounds like a language only C-3PO could translate. 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. Part of the reason this works so well is due to the offenses willingness to throw on any down or distance. West Coast Offense - One of the concepts of the West Coast offense is to get five skill players involved in the passing game. Walsh's original West Coast offense was built around Joe Montana's specific strengths and the players he had to work with. 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. Against zone coverage this creates a 2 on 1 situation. The Stick is a passing concept that features the inside receiver running a stick route, often he has option to run a quick out route as well depending on the type of pass coverage. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. Knowledge is power. However, the Walsh offense wanted to use quick, short passes as a partial substitute for a traditional running game. Rip/Liz to the strong-side only. Scheme: The use of 10 . Strong flow is the opposite of weak flow (another two-back pocket-style protection). This contrasts with the Air Coryell offense mentioned above, which is known for attacking downfield. His offense became one of the few not using the power running game as the focus through the 1980s and 1990s. When first introducing the system, Walsh was criticized as trying to finesse the defense or playing too conservatively. 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 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. For this section, Im going outside the playbook a little bit, and drawing from some more modern nomenclature. July 14, 2006, 12:04 pm ET. Walsh took this offensive system and perfected it during his years with San Francisco. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to write more articles in the near future. The Smash concept creates a high-low read that attacks Cover 2s biggest weakness, the deep outside halves of the field near both sidelines. The weak-side back has OLB, and the strong-side back has ILB/extra/garbage. Against man coverage, their pass routes create a rub or natural pick on defenders covering. In the West Coast system, there are countless formations to run the offense out of. The Ultimate Guide, What Is a Touchback in Football? This default/watered down play action system is a slide protection (so half-slide in modern terms, just like 2/3 Jet). NORM CHOW POST SNAP READS.doc. 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. If the ILB blitzes, they sneak a peak at the outside linebacker (OLB) to their side. The following are three of the most basic plays to pair with a three-step drop back: The offense builds upon these three basic plays by adding layers of disguise through players in motion, quarterback rollouts, and play-action plays. Weak back free releases. Additionally, Roger Craig, Dwight Clark, and Tom Rathman were among many Pro-Bowl caliber players on offense during this era. More like you only need two or three at most. Triangle-O Football Clients Homepage. 2 means fake action to the right, and 3 means fake action to the left. 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. One of the big differences is the removal of the fullback in the Spread system. The second and more common passing concept is the five-step drop back. Another route is used to compliment the Divide pass route is a receiver on the outside running a go or streak route. The West Coast Offense provided a blue-print for the modern offensive game in the NFL, primary with its flexibility of various pass protections. If the OLB blitzes, the back then becomes the hot receiver, and replaces the OLBs position to get open. And he's been running the same core passing concepts that serve as the foundation of Gruden's scheme. Swap: When there are two backs in the backfield, they essentially cross each other off the snap. 1995 BYU OFF.pdf. 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. There will be two wide receivers on the line of scrimmage on either side of the field. The Shallow Cross passing concept that teams that like to run the Air Raid offense. 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. The back typically does not come across the formation, or at least behind the QB. 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. Oct 15, 2020. The Shake has a receiver making a quick fake before running a shallow crossing route. The receiver fakes route in one direction and then runs the route in the opposite direction. Tackles identify and block the defensive ends. 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. This article does NOT cover all the pass pro terminology in this playbook, but it covers all the basics. 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. This style also limits the defense from stacking the line of scrimmage to stop the run as they are spread across the whole field. 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. Walsh used a traditional hole-numbering system: Evens right, odds left. This site is owned and operated by Coaching Kidz. 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. The back away from the call side is coming over to that side to get the blitzing ILB. Answer 1 of 17: Hi all, thanks to previous posts I have been able to understand quite a bit about the trains and connections in Frankfurt- but I would like advice on the following: I will be in Frankfurt from Aug 31-Sept 5 and would like to do a few day trips. 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. A look at common medium pass routes, passing concepts, and route combos. it gets too hard. In slide protection, you call a side to set the protection to (left/right, strong-side/weak-side, whatever). The essence of the West Coast system is rhythm & timing, and ball protection. 56/57: Rip/Liz to the strong-side only. Please, The West Coast Offense Walsh used primarily relies on numbers to call pass protections. The concept exploits the aggressiveness of the defense, as the passing plays are based on faking the most successful running plays. 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). We'll be talking about all of those beginnings in this episode. Omaha is a quick pass that features a receiver running a quick out route. BOB means big on big/back on backer. That means offensive linemen block the nearest defensive lineman, and any backs in the formation block linebackers (or linebacker-types) to that side. In the play-option pass, all these schools are seeing the marriage of pass and run in a way that's changing the game. 300: Remember, this book does not use 300 like modern WCO terminology uses it. In 1983 BYU's Cougars led all NCAA Division I teams with 584 yards offense per game. One of the most important elements in this system is the quarterback dropback. 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 West Coast Offense, has its roots in the 1960s and 70s with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals under legendary coach Paul Brown. Coach Vigen explained what concepts fans should look for that are tell-tale elements of . Therefore that back attacks A-gap, and the second back attacks B-gap. 100: 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. 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. 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. No more boring Sundays, everyone can enjoy football! Most protections have two numbers. Both can be a hot receiver. The two outside receivers next him both run short in routes. Invented by Bill Walsh, it was born in Cincinnati but popularized in San Francisco, earning its "West. The three-step drop is designed to be the ball control section of the passing game. Also a pocket and two-back protection series. 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. Scat protection weak (TE to that side free releases). This article does NOT cover all the pass pro terminology in this playbook, but it covers all the basics. In this playbook, there are two primary types of protection. Heres a little bonus. an off set back is going to get the . Concepts Efficient language. When there are two backs in the backfield, they essentially cross each other off the snap. This allows the quarterback to understand the timing for each play and know where to look to pass. Visit our Shop to see our latest tools to help you work faster! In the Spread, the fullback is replaced by another receiver; the running back is also used to block more. Consequently, higher completion percentages are expected and, with that, fewer turnovers. use. Weak flow is another pocket protection series normally ran from two-back sets. West Coast Offense Playbooks - FootballXOs.com - Free Football Playbooks Invented by Bill Walsh, the philosophy of the West Coast Offense is to emphasize a short, well-timed passing game to take advantage of defensive weakness. 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. 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). 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 quarterback looks to throw to the receiver once he makes his break towards the side line. %PDF-1.2 % Since the 1980s, football teams have used the West Coast Offense to win championships. The back typically does not come across the formation, or at least behind the QB. O-D Kick Game Install 2021. He so firmly believed in this, every play was created with a predetermined number of steps for the quarterbacks drop back. Both can be a hot receiver. 26/27: The back to the strong-side scats and the strong guard/uncovered lineman scat protects. This includes swing passes to the Running Backs and hitches to the Tight End with a regular route tree for receivers. This is similar to the idea of "concepts" in the West Coast Offense, except the West Coast terminology sometimes names plays after the primary receiver's route, like "Y Spot". Strong back only has ILB (or Mike) to their side, and check releases off them. His offensive coordinator was Darrell Bevel, a West Coast Offense guy. Im always open to feedback as well, so if there is something you feel is incorrect or should be described more thoroughly, please drop a comment! 50/51, 52/53: Backs split-flow using Rip/Liz rules (back closer to the right Rips, back closer to the left Lizs. 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. Finally, a tight end will line up at the line of scrimmage next to the offensive linemen. This one can get a little complicated, so take your time. The side the TE is on is the strong-side, and the side away from that is the weak-side. 90s: Runs to a back at 6-7 yards behind the QB (so a tailback). When the backs release, the faking back who is more inside will break to the inside, and the back protecting outside will release outside. The inside receiver, runs a wheel route down the sideline. Odd numbers mean the TE is to the left. The first number indicates the type of backfield action/movement the backs will take, and the basic type of protection. Let's . From big throws downfield to power running the football, there are countless ways to run an offense in the NFL. 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. My name is Steven and I love everything sports! 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. Usually, they work inside-out, blocking the inner-most defender first. 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. It has one receiver running a shallow crossing route from one direction, while another receiver runs a dig route from the opposite direction. Play action means the offense will fake a run, then throw a pass. If that defender does not blitz (no dog), they then look to block the outside defender. 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. The WCO can be installed at a lower level of football with 10-15 core pass plays and 5-6 core running plays. Along the way, Ill also answer general sports related questions. In slide protection, you call a side to set the protection to (left/right, strong-side/weak-side, whatever). 17 Bellstone Drive, Bellingham, MA, 02019. 84/85: Scat protection weak (TE to that side free releases). If the cornerback (flat defender) sits on the receiver running the low read, then the receiver running the high read will be open. The Ultimate Guide, How Much Do NHL Refs Make? 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). First, our offense uses "precision-timed passing, variable formations, and the exploitation of each player's skills" (quote by Bill Walsh) to attack the opposition. From Bill Walsh's San Francisco 49ers juggernaut, to Brigham Young University's record-smashing Cougars, to the 1997 Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, this passing attack is a proven winner. Snagis a great passing concept that is used at all levels. 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). 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. 30s: Trap and toss plays from an offset back at 4-5 yards. As they continue to learn the What Is a Secondary in Football? 9,884 posts . We know that on first down our ball-control passing is vital. These horizontal routes make it difficult to play man coverage and get defenders chasing. When McCarthy called plays as Green Bay HC, he used the West Coast offense a system dependent upon short passing. 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). All of these adaptations were focused on one thing, disrupting the timing of the quarterback. 60s: Runs to a back behind the QB at a depth of 4-5 yards. Triangle - Kick Game. This formation allows the offense to potentially have five pass catchers on the field and hopefully create a mismatch for the offense. To be truly successful, a team will need to have a variety of players with good hands. 2 means fake action to the right, and 3 means fake action to the left. Coach Bill Walsh is credited with inventing this system as a Quarterbacks Coach for the Cincinnati Bengals. 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 you have any requests you would like to make, please reach out and comment below. Get an advantageous matchup. 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,. Okay but I think Romo may have a bit more knowledge than a few route concepts. By them switching, it creates an opportunity for a big play deep down the field. This is almost the exact same as the 20s, but the Rip/Liz rules are now applied. we call plays in the following series: a) teens: all runs. A good pass route to get the quarterback in rhythm. His very popular version of the offense averaged scoring a touchdown every ten plays and once scored 98 points in a single game. TE check-releases off the OLB to their side. With both passing routes going in the same direction, it creates a high/low read for the quarterback. Rip/Liz only applies to the weak-side (so 54 is TE to the right, meaning weak side is left, so Liz is ran. We provide the latest Madden Tips, Madden Strategies, Madden Formations, Madden Plays, Madden News, and Madden Videos. Instead, Walsh turned them into pass catchers and gave them horizontal routes designed to get them in space. Football's West Coast Offense. Basic split-flow rules as described above. The quick slant is the signature play of the West Coast Offense. 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 call in the huddle could be "Jet Dart 368 Y-Flat Train on one." If you call the protection to the right, that means the offensive linemen on that side will BOB protect. The former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator was given the 21st-ranked offense in 2019, according to EPA per play, and improved the unit all the way to 10th. To the left side (or weak-side/back-side), the offensive line will slide. 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). 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. 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 .