The Post-Out Passing Concept

Center: Block backside A-gap defender. If he has a head up defender he must block him.

Right Guard: Inside-Over pass blocking rules.

Right Tackle: Inside-Over pass blocking rules.

Left Guard: Inside-Over pass blocking rules.

Left tackle: Inside-Over pass blocking rules.

Tight-end: Secure inside gap, hinge (protect the backside of the QB).

Split-end: Post Route- stem for 8 yards, break for the post.

4 (slot receiver): Out Route- stem for 8 yards, break for the out.

H: Seal the edge. Maintain outside leverage- cannot allow edge pressure. Attack the edge defender.

2 (tailback): Fake sweep to the right (great fake needed), continue out on a swing pass.

1 (QB): Catch snap, three step drop, look to hit the out.

QB Progression: 1) out,  2) post, 3) swing.  If the QB feels pressure he can throw to the 2 on the swing route.  If the middle of the field is open, you can also have the QB look for the post first.

I love the post out passing concept out of this formation because it gives you a 3 man route concept, with a strong seven man protection. You can also have the tailback block 92), making it an eight man protection. This play is simple and easy to execute. It has several different elements built in that will allow you to beat the defense- regardless of what they’re doing. This is great against man coverage because of the play action and the out route. It’s great against zone because it’s pretty much a flood- you have a high-low as well (out route is high / swing route is the low).

See also: Quarterback Training Manual 

This play features a 3 route concept, has 7 man protection (option to go to eight man protection), play-action, man beater, and it’s a zone coverage beater. If you could only install one passing play, I’d recommend installing this.

The post The Post-Out Passing Concept | 3×1 Formation appeared first on Youth Football Online.

How to Run a Fade in Football

Note: A fade route isn’t a vertical or go route. It’s a fade! WR fades to the slides, while climbing vertically- making the defensive back turn his back to the football.

Receiver Alignment: Start by lining up on the line of scrimmage or off the line (depending on the formation) as a wide receiver, with a compressed split. The receiver has to compress his split in so that he gives himself room to fade outside.

Receiver Stance: Your stance should be athletic and balanced. We teach our receivers to have their inside foot back, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter. We want our receivers to be comfortable. However, the 3rd step is the fade step, so having the inside foot back makes sense. The weight distribution should be 80% on the front foot, 20% on the back foot. Knee should be over toes. This will help prevent false steps and improve explosion on the get off.

WR Release: Off the snap of the ball, release from the line of scrimmage by taking a quick, explosive 3 step stem (drive route up field), plant foot, then fade to the slides. Accelerate after your initial release, fade up-field at top speed. The goal is to create separation from the cornerback- make them chase you. . Accelerate quickly, and maintain a smooth, fluid stride.

Beating Press Coverage: When facing press coverage, we will hit the hands away and rip through with our inside hand, restack the defensive back then break to our fade.

Tracking the Ball: As you continue downfield, locate the ball in the air. The quarterback will target a spot over your outside shoulder. Look the football in!  Depending on the flight of the ball, you may need to make adjustments to your route. If the ball is underthrown, you might need to slow down or come back to it. If it’s overthrown, you might need to accelerate to catch up to it.

High-Pointing: When the ball is in the air and within reach, focus on “high-pointing” it. This means reaching your hands up and attacking the ball at its highest point to prevent the defender from making a play on it.

Catch: Secure the ball with your hands and bring it into your body. Look the ball into your hands, then into your body!!

See Also: Wide Receiver Route Stems

Here’s How We Run Our Fade Route

1) Catch the football, step and throw the ball high and outside.

2) Step up and plug up any interior penetration.

3) Fake Jet Sweep, continue route outside- swing.

4) Block the defense end- attack the block.

TE) Hinge the backside.

O-line: Inside-Over pass blocking rules- aggressive block, just don’t go chasing linebackers.

Remember that the timing and execution of a fade route can vary depending on the specific offensive system, age level, and the quarterback’s preferences / ability. The Quarterback and Wide Receiver timing does need to be practiced often.

We practice our fade every single day, before and during practice. It’s very important that you stress to your QB to throw the football high and outside. When running the fade route in football it’s important that your receiver outside releases and fade to the sidelines- this is not a go route.

The post How to Run a Fade Route in Football appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Protecting the Bubble Screen-Constraint Plays to Make Sure Your Receivers Can Block

There are a million different ways to block the defensive backs and we will talk about them in a separate article, but we always like to start with one basic idea when we think about blocking for the Bubble, if Wide Receivers were good blockers, they’d probably be playing Tight End. We fully expect our Wide Receivers to block, and they do a great job of buying into the culture of blocking for their teammates, but that is not their best skill. If we are going to ask them to block defenders, we must give them tools and create a system that allows them to accomplish their job.

One of the best things we have found for making Defensive Backs more blockable is to develop constraint plays to slow the defenders down. These constraint plays are based on the idea that if the defense is going to sell out to stop the Bubble, it will open our constraint play.

For the Bubble Screen our top constraint play is our Look Concept. This concept involves the inside receiver running a Bubble route. We want this Bubble to look exactly like our normal Bubble Screens so that the defenders can’t tell the difference. While this receiver is running the Bubble, any receiver that is outside of him is running what we call a Look route. On this route they are going to break directly to a point 1 yard behind the heels of the first defender inside of them. The Look Route, combined with the Bubble Screen, puts the defender in a difficult spot. They see the Bubble Screen and our Receiver is running at them in a way that feels like they are going to be blocked. If they fly down to stop the Bubble, they open the Look Route right behind them. This makes for a very easy read for the Quarterback to get the ball to our Receivers for an easy completion and 5–8-yard gain.

See Also: Bubble and Jail Screen Practice Drill 

The added benefit of this play is that now we have put some doubt in the defenders minds. When they see an inside receiver running a Bubble and the outside receiver coming at them they don’t know whether it is a Bubble Screen or our Look Route. This split second of doubt is enough of an advantage to help our Receivers make the block.

The post Protecting the Bubble Screen-Constraint Plays to Make Sure Your Receivers Can Block appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Using the Jail Screen to Maximize the Bubble Screen

The premise of the Bubble route is to get the ball to an athlete in space. This works best when the defense has one player defending the flat area. For the Bubble route to be effective the outside receiver needs to block the defender so the inside receiver can catch the ball and gain yards. The play isn’t designed to be a touchdown every time it is thrown, but if it is thrown against a single flat defender the receiver should catch the ball and gain at least three yards before coming into contact with a Cornerback or Safety. At that stage if he can evade the defender he can score, if not the offense will live with a gain of 3-5 yards.

Defenses have started to understand the numbering system and how it affects their structure. They know they must stop the bubble but also know that if they put an extra defender in the flats to defend the bubble, they are now susceptible to the run. Many defenses have moved to attempting to put a defender in the flat whose primary job is to stop the bubble and then drop into pass coverage. Many times, this will be a defender who either lines up in front of the outside receiver or between the inside and outside receiver. If this man can shut down the bubble, he tilts the numbers advantage back to the defense.

To maintain the numbers, advantage the offense must find a way to get the ball to the exterior when there is just one defender. The solution is to utilize the Jail Route. The Jail Route is the mirror image of the Bubble. Instead of the inside receiver catching the ball moving towards the outside, the exterior receiver will catch the ball moving inside and then press to get the ball back to the sideline. Now that the exterior receiver is getting the ball, so the inside receiver is responsible for blocking the flat player.

There are a few key differences in the Jail route that the receiver must master for it to be an effective route. First, he needs to push down field for 3 steps. It’s critical that he gets the deep defender dropping. If the deep defender does not respect the deep threat he will come downhill and make the tackle. The next key coaching point is to have the receiver come tight to the block if he has man coverage. He is responsible for coming tight to the block similar to a basketball player coming off a pick. If he leaves too much space the defender will be able to get under the block and make a play on the ball.

The final coaching point is that once the receiver catches the ball, he needs to get vertical and bend towards the sideline. Young receivers will feel the linebacker coming towards them and try to juke towards the middle of the field. What they forget about is that the rest of the defense is behind the linebacker and coming to make a big tackle or force a fumble. Instead the receiver needs to catch the ball and try to outrun the defender towards the sideline. If he is able to get past the linebacker’s tackle, he should be one on one with the deep defender and is a missed tackle away from a Touchdown.

Related Content: Running Back Slip Screen 

The role of the blocking receiver is critical. He must get a body on the flat defender. The Jail route works best when the defender is outside of the interior receiver which gives the blocker leverage on the defender. We tell our blockers that they are responsible for the up-field shoulder. While it’s great if they block the whole man, they must be able to get a hand on the upfield shoulder to open up the lane to the sideline. If they are able to block the up-field shoulder the outside receivers coming tight to the block should take care of the downfield shoulder.

It is important to leave the defense in a state of surprise. When defenders know what to expect they can execute their assignment easier. By presenting multiple exterior routes the defense does not know what to expect and must slow down their reads.

The post Using the Jail Screen to Maximize the Bubble Screen appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Here are 5 Great Passing Concepts out of Double Tight-end Formations

Power Pass

The Power Pass out of the Double Wing Formation is a great two man route concept. This play hits big if executed on a run down and distance. The base play in the Double Wing is the Power and this Power Pass is a great complement. After you gut the defense with the Power, you hit them with this Power Pass. Most of the time the CB will get caught looking at backfield action and the TE will be wide open on the Corner route. This is a two man route concept that gives the QB a simple two read progression. The QB first looks to hit the TE on the Corner route. If the Corner route isn’t open, he looks to hit the backside Tight-end on the Drag route.

Coaching Points

• O-line blocks Inside-Over pass blocking rules.
• The backside Tight-end runs his drag just above linebacker level and continues into the field.
• This pass is best executed to the wide side of the field.
• Excellent fakes need to be executed.

Counter Pass

This Counter Pass has been a staple pass play for us whenever we run the Split-back Formation. This is a nasty play that really has two run fakes, then the QB has three options. This is an excellent concept against any coverage. It has a flood element to beat zone coverage ( high-low concept) and the Corner route and Flat route are great against man to man coverage. This three man route concept will give your QB easy options and will give him an answer for pretty much any defense. The QB’s progression starts with the play-side TE running the Corner Route. If the Corner route isn’t open he looks to hit the Post. If the Post isn’t open, the QB looks to hit the 3 in the flat. Most of the time the 3 will be wide open as long as he gets a free release into the flat. Sometimes he gets hit or even tackled if the run fake is good.  The 4 will secure the backside of the QB.

Coaching Points 

• O-line blocks Inside-Over pass blocking rules.
• Make sure your Tight-ends drive their routes up the field and then break into their route.
• If you want to go with more of a max protection, just have the 3 block instead of going into the flat.
• Make sure your QB opens to the left, but you don’t want him coming off of the midline.

Smash

The goal of the Smash Concept is to put the flat defender in conflict, which is usually the CB (zone coverage). Against man to man the Z will run a Smash route and the Tight-end will go over the top. This is another great play-action concept that can be executed out of pretty much any formation. In my opinion, the Smash Concept is one of the best concepts in football. I like this play executed from the I-formation because it gives you two run fakes, while still allow you to max protect. The F will block backside and the T will block play-side. Against man to man coverage the S will usually be responsible for that play-side TE. So when you execute a run fake at him he will usually bit up and the TE will beat him over the top. Sometimes that safety will help cover the Corner route so you can have the backside TE run a Post. If that safety flies out of the there to help on the Corner route you can hit the defense with the backside Post. The QB’s progression starts with the TE running the Corner route. If the Corner route isn’t open the QB looks to the backside Post. Most of the time the Z will just run the Smash to hold the CB.

Related Content: Smash Passing Concept and Variations

Coaching Points 

• Great run fakes are needed from the T and F.
• Make sure the QB doesn’t take himself too far off of the midline. QB Opens to the left, then fakes to the T then goes through his progression.
• Inside-Over pass blocking rules for the offensive line. If you want an extra blocker just have the backside TE pass block rather than go out for a pass.
• The Z running the Smash needs to run a great route then turn and put his hands out like he is ready to catch the football. It will help hold the CB.

Boot / Tight-end Drag

This is a concept that an opponent ran on us two years ago. We knew it was coming from scouting but they still were able to complete it. It’s a very difficult concept to defend. The QB will show run action to the left, then roll out to the right. Most of the time the defense will overflow to the run fake side, giving the QB room on the boot back action. The Tight-end executes a Drag route, just above the linebacker level- he must continue his route to the field. If it is zone coverage, you can have him sit in the hole between the flat and hook zone. The Z will execute an outside release and run off the cornerback (clear out). The QB will look to hit the TE dragging across the field. If that isn’t open, the QB can run the ball. This is a great play because even if they have a flat or outside defender he will be put in conflict because he has to respect the TE and the QB as a running threat- he can’t cover both! This is also a great blitz beater and a great way to hurt overaggressive defenses. I’m a huge fan of this play after it beat us twice. You wouldn’t think so, but for some reason it always works- especially when it is executed on a run down and distance.

Related Content: Get Your Tight-end Involved in the Passing Game | 6 Passing Concepts

Coaching Points 

• Great fakes need to be executed.
• After the QB fakes, he needs to boot with some depth so that if they blitz off of the edge he will give himself time.
• The Z needs to outside release and get vertical fast! He is responsible for clearing out the CB.
• You can also have the right TE execute an Out route. This will stretch the defense horizontally and give the QB another option.
• Inside-Over pass blocking scheme/rules.
• Be aware of edge pressure. A disciplined edge pressure player could be right there when the QB turns to boot.

Go-out

Here is another passing concept that always works- the Go-out passing play! We run this out of our Wing T and it has been money every single year. As with all these other plays, this play is great on run down and distances. This play executes a run fake  right at the S who will be responsible for the TE. He either will aggressively play the run and get beat by the TE or he’ll sit back and watch  his tight-end and get the ball ran down his throat. He can’t play his run fit and cover the Tight-end on an Quick Out route- he cannot do both. The Z will execute an outside release and run the CB off (clear out). The backside TE will run a Seam route, also known as a TE Quick Pop. If you see the defense is loading up a blitz you can have the QB just throw it to the TE on the Quick Pop.

Coaching Points

• The QB looks to hit the TE on the Quick Out. He must execute a good run fake, then plant and throw. The ball needs to come out quickly.
• If you want extra pass protection you can have backside TE just pass block (not run the Pop Pass).
• Inside-Over pass blocking rules (offensive line).

Conclusion 

Those are our 5 Great Passing Concepts out of Double Tight-end Formations. All of these plays are easy to execute and work very well on the youth football level. All of these concepts are off of play-action and are best executed when the defense thinks you are going to run. All of these passing concepts work against pretty much any coverage. Good luck and stay healthy!

The post 5 Great Passing Concepts out of Double Tight-end Formations appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Tight-end Out 

This is a great play because most of the time the linebackers will come running up on the run fake, leaving the tight-end wide open. I can’t tell you how many times we killed defenses with this play. When you call this on a run down and distance the TE will almost always be open. It’s a great concept because it’s fast hitting and you don’t need to pass protect very long because the ball is out quickly. This video features whiteboard breakdown and some game footage.

Go-out Ace Formation 

Here’s the Tight-end Quick-out play out of the Ace Formation. The two outside receivers will outside release and run vertical. The tight-end will break at 6-8 yards. This is great against man to man coverage. It’s even better against bump and run coverage with the defenders playing inside leverage. It’s important that your receivers know that the outside release is mandatory!

Tight-end Stick / Stick Option

This a great concept to beat aggressive linebackers. If linebackers are playing really downhill and aggressively playing their run fits hit them with the TE Stick. This is an easy route and easy throw for the QB. This is a great concept because it stretches the defense out horizontally. You have a vertical option (Z) as well as bubble outlet if the defense doesn’t match numbers or the defender covering the S blitzes.

See Also: The Square Drill for Tight-ends 

Stick TE Option (breaking out option)

You can also have the TE run a Stick Option route. The Option Concept will tell the Tight-end that he is reading the linebacker. If he aggressive plays downhill he will run the Stick, turning inside. If the Linebacker is playing flat or non-aggressive, he will break his Stick outside, away from the linebacker. Basically, you want the TE to break to the side away from the linebacker.

Tight-end Quick Pop

You can’t do an article about Tight-end passing concepts and leave out the TE Pop Pass. This is a great blitz beater and I absolutely love it out of this formation. When you see the defense is misaligned or that they are aggressively playing downhill this play will hurt them big time. This is a simple concept that is easy to execute and has big play potential. The return on investment with this play is unreal. The timing is something that needs to be worked on though.

Counter Pass

The Counter Pass is a great play-action play that stretches the defense vertically. You have the option to go max protection (see video below) if you are concerned about pass protection. This does take an extra second or two to develop. But once you notice the linebackers and the play-side CB creeping in for run, call this and it could score. If there is a deep safety it’s important that the TE continues on his corner route.

Here’s some game footage of the counter pass. We went max protection here as we knew they were going to be very aggressive. Max protect eliminates the backside Tight’s post route- he stays in to block. I’,m not a fan of single receiver routes, but sometimes you do have to load up on pass protection.

Tight-end Drag 

The Tight-end Drag Concept is a great way to allow your TE to use his athleticism in space. The X receiver will run a post and the S receiver will run a wheel. These are basically clear out routes. This is an excellent man to man beater. The TE must continue his route across the field into space. His drag depth is just behind where the linebacker are. If it is zone coverage the TE can sit in a hole in the zone and the QB will hit him. For example, say the SS plays the flat and the CB bails back to cover the Wheel, the TE then needs to sit (stop his route and turn towards the QB) his route between the zones. Don’t run into a zone where a defender is! It’s that simple…

Related Content: How to Utilize a Tight-end in Your Offense 

The post Get Your Tight-end Involved in the Passing Game | 6 Passing Concepts appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Receivers struggle to learn routes. It is a universal fact of football. No matter how simple you make the routes, receivers will inevitably struggle to learn these routes. There are a variety of different factors that go into this, but as a coach it’s important to find a way to make things easier for receivers. In addition, it’s critical that you keep the routes simple so that if a player comes over from defense or needs to be moved to the slot from an outside receiver or running back it’s easy for them to learn the plays and start contributing immediately.

The Rule of Trips is the easiest way to keep things simple for receivers as they are moved around the field. This is a simple rule that can be installed in one day and makes it easy for receivers to learn their routes. We base out of a Doubles formation with two receivers on each side of the line. So the Rule of Trips will tell the #3 receiver what his assignment is when he brought over to a Trips formation. In our Rule of Trips the #3 receiver has the same route as the #2 receiver in the quick game. This is the same route as he would have had on the other side so it requires no learning. In our 5 step passing game the Rule of Trips is that the #3 receiver has a seam route. This means that for us to go into a Trips formation the receiver only needs to learn 1 route (which he should already know) for us to get into our whole passing game.

Related Content: Using the Snag Concept to Stretch the Defense  

The Rule of Trips is a perfect summary of what we try to do on offense. We want to have our players learn as few skills as possible so they can become excellent at executing these skills. On a Friday night it is rarely a specific play that wins the game, instead it is a player executing the skill that he has worked on countless times in practice. We use the Rule of Trips to allow our players to play faster and spend their time getting better at their techniques instead of learning multiple routes.

The post Simplify Your Routes and Rules with the “Rule of Trips” appeared first on Youth Football Online.

I-Formation Sprint-out Passing Game

 Tight-end Corner (Corner, Drag, Comeback)

This play utilizes a 3 receiver passing concept off of play-action. The two running backs (fullback and tailback) will execute a run fake (fake power) and then they will block for the QB.

Quarterback’s Progression (Q): 1. Tight-end on the Corner Route, 2. The Z on the comeback, 3. The X on the deep drag. 4. Run the ball. If the QB sees a lot of green just have him take off and run. We always want to take the easy yardage (unless it’s a long down and distance) and avoid having to execute the throw and catch.

Right Guard: Step play-side, block head up defender, if not reach, aiming point is the outside number of the defender.

Right Tackle: Step play-side, block head up defender, if not reach, aiming point is the outside number of the defender.

Left Guard: Step play-side, block head up defender, if not reach, aiming point is the outside number of the defender.

Left Tackle: Step play-side, block head up defender, if not reach, aiming point is the outside number of the defender.

Center: Step play-side, then reach. If he has a head up defender he is to block him.

Tight-end (Y): Corner route. 10 yards and then break to the corner.

Z: 10 yard Comeback. This isn’t a hitch, the receivers needs to break his route back and comeback towards the QB and sideline. Come back to the Q and catch the football.

X: Deep drag. The depth varies- the drag should be just above the linebackers drop depth. So right behind the linebackers. The X needs to continue his route across the field- out run the defender!

F: Fake lead blocking, plug up any interior pressure. Look to plug up C-gap through B-gap. Always looks to secure C-gap first.

T: Fake Power.

Related Content: Shallow Cross Passing Concept 

Utilizing the Backside Receiver ( I Formation TE Corner with X Option) 

Many times after you beat the defense with the TE Corner, the Comeback, or with the Q run the defense will overflow to the front side of the concept. This means you will have backside route options open. The passing block for the offensive line and backfield remain the same.

Middle of the Field Open- X Post (safety flowing over top to the front side) 

X: The backside receiver (X) will read this on the run. If the safety plays over the top, the receiver will break up the field on the post. Many times after you hit the defense with the TE corner route, the Safety will fly over the top of the Corner route, leaving the backside post wide open. The first time we run this we tell our X to run the drag regardless of what the safety does. If we see the safety flying out of the middle of the field then we’ll tell him to read.

Middle of the Field Closed- X will run his Drag (safety playing deep middle)

X: The backside receiver (X) will read this on the run. If the X sees the middle safety back pedal into his middle 3rd, he then runs a drag. If there are two high safeties, then the X will read the Sprint-out side safety and make the same read.

Sprint-out 3×1 Flood

Coaching Points 

• Teach your QB how to throw on the run with the Flash Fire Drill .
• Make sure your QB goes through his pass progressions and when in doubt he can run the ball.
• Make sure your QB squares up to his target and throws while running downhill (throwing on the run).
• These concepts are best executed to the wide side of the field. This will allow the receiver routes to open up and it will stretch the defense horizontally and vertically.
• Offensive line blocking stays the same on all the plays.

The post The Sprint-out Passing Game | 3 Pass Plays appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Shallow Cross Passing Concept Player Responsibilities

Center: Block backside A-gap defender. Pass block.

Right Guard: Inside-Over. Pass block.

Right Tackle: Inside-Over. Pass block.

Left Guard: Inside-Over. Pass block.

Left Tackle: Inside-Over. Pass Block.

Y: Shallow cross. Release immediately for the heels of the near DE/DT gaining no depth. Run over his heels & through the tackle box with speed. Work for a depth of 1-3 yards on the opposite sideline. Don’t stop running.

S: Outside release, drive route vertical then break into the dig at 10-12 yards. He must continue his dig across the field if it’s man to man coverage. If it is zone coverage, he has to sit.

X: Outside release, drive your route vertical. This is a clear out route.

1: Catch snap, the first read is the Y, then to the S on the dig, then to Z on the post.

T: Release into the flat. You can have him stay home and pass block instead.

Z: Post pattern. Drive route vertical, break to the post. This is a great way to attack the defense is if the middle of the field is open.

Related Content: Passing Concepts for Youth Football 

Shallow Cross Passing Concept With Slide Protection Away From the T

If you are concerned about edge pressure you can slide the protection oppose of the T and have the T block the defensive end. This is a good answer for the all to common edge pressure that most youth football defense bring. The routes by the receivers stay the same. The only difference is the T doesn’t release to the flat.

Related Content: Spread Offense Playbook for Youth Football 

Coaching Points 

• You can keep the T in to block if you are concerned about pressure off of the edge. Slide protect away.
• You can have the Z chip a defensive end to slow down a wide end’s pass rush.
• You can have the T go opposite of the Y so he can pass protect to the twins side of the formation.

The post Shallow Cross Passing Concept appeared first on Youth Football Online.

QB Push Screen RPO Rules

If the defense doesn’t expand with the push motion leaving us with a 2 on 1 advantage over the defense, it is an automatic throw to the push motion player. If the defense rolls a safety down or a linebacker expands with the push motion the QB hands to the (F) on the Inside Zone. If you want to have a post-snap read, the QB will give the ball to the (F) if the defensive end sits or comes up-field. If the defensive end squeezes down, then the QB pulls the ball and runs (if the defense expands with the motion). We’re not an Inside Zone Read team so we don’t have the QB execute a post-snap read of the defensive end. I prefer to throw the Push Screen or handoff to the F on IZ.

You can see that the defense doesn’t expand with the push motion player so we have a 2 on 1 advantage out in space. This is an automatic throw to the (T). The offensive line and TE will always block and assume it is Inside Zone.

QB: Throw push screen. (defense doesn’t expand)

F: Fake inside zone.

T: Push motion on the QB’s command, catch pass and get up-field. It’s important that the push motion player doesn’t go or lean forward on his motion until the ball is snapped.

WB: Inside Zone blocking path, combo off onto linebacker.

RT: Inside Zone blocking path.

RG: Inside Zone blocking path.

C: Inside Zone blocking path.

LG: Inside Zone blocking path.

LT: Inside Zone blocking path.

Y: Inside Zone blocking path.

X: Stalk block the CB.  This is a big block and it’s important that stalk blocking is practice.

(SEE ALSO) Stalk Blocking Technique for Wide Receivers 

QB Push Screen Vertical

This is a nice wrinkle to the Push Screen RPO. If you are throwing the Push Screen and notice that the defense is aggressively playing the push motion player, hit them with the vertical  by the X. After you gut the defense a few times with Push Screen the CB will start to aggressively playing the Push. Once you notice that you hit the defense over the top with the vertical/ fade. Your X has to do a nice job of faking a stalk block then taking off vertically. We want him to fade away from the middle safety.

C: Inside-over pass block.

RG: Inside-over pass block.

RT: Inside-over pass block.

LG: Inside-over pass block.

LT: Inside-over pass block.

Y: Inside-over pass block.

QB: Catch snap, plant and throw to the X on the Vertical.

T: Push motion, fake like he is going to catch the screen. A good fake is needed. Motion player cannot go or lean forward until the football is snapped.

F: Fake Inside Zone. A good fake is critical.

WB: Inside-over pass block.

X: Fake stalk block, go vertical. It’s important that the X executes an outside release after his fake stalk block. We want to stay away from that middle safety.

Related Content: Inside Zone Wham Series 

Related Content: Now Screen RPO from the Outside Zone 

The post Simple Run Pass Option for Youth Football | Push Screen RPO appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Attacking the Backside of the Trips Formation with Read Routes

We are big believers in taking what the defense gives us. When we line up in a Trips formation, if they are going to put extra defenders to the Trips side they are giving us the backside of the formation. We then try to make this as easy for our players as possible so they don’t have to spend a lot of time thinking about and drilling these reads and routes. We run two different routes that are entirely based on the position of the backside Cornerback.

The first route we will run is our Look Flare Route. This is the route that we will run if the Cornerback is more than 6 yards from the Line of Scrimmage. Obviously, this can vary with each Cornerback, but we have found that 6 yards is a pretty good general distance to use. On this concept our receiver is going to break right to the heels of the Linebacker on his side of the field.

Related Content: Attacking the Defense with the Trio Formation 

Once he gets even with that linebacker he will stop and square up to the Quarterback. Meanwhile the Running Back is going to be running a Flare route where he replaces the heels of the receivers. This gives the Quarterback a simple read, if the Backside Linebacker widens to the Running Back the Quarterback will throw the look route. If the Linebacker stays put and shuts down the Look route the Quarterback will throw the Flare route to the Running Back.

The second route we use if the Cornerback is closer than 6 yards to the Line of Scrimmage. Here we are just to use a classic Cover 2 beater, the Go and the Out. The only major difference here is that the Out is going to come from the back. Again, this gives the Quarterback a really easy read on the Backside. If the Cornerback drops deep with the receiver running the Go, then the Running Back will be 1 on 1 with the Backside Linebacker. If the Cornerback stays on the line, the Quarterback will deliver a hole shot to the Receiver.

Related Content: Shotgun Wing T Playbook for Youth Football 

The key to teaching these concepts is to get the Quarterback to see when he has an advantage on the Trips Side and when he has an advantage of the Backside. Normally he will be able to tell this based on the Safeties and their alignment. Once he can determine where he has the advantage, it’s just a matter of making a single read and getting the ball to the receiver.

The post Attacking the Backside of the Trips Formation with Read Routes appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Using the Mesh Concept to Beat Man Coverage

Mesh is one of the most popular and talked about routes in the modern game. The heart of the concept is the Mesh portion of the route. This is where two receivers are going to cross through the route and break to the opposite side. While this is where the route gets its name, it is not the only part of the concept. Where many people struggle with running Mesh is that they don’t understand the other routes involved in the concept and how they all play together.

The routes start on the wide side of the play where there is a Win Route. When you hear old school Air Raid Coaches talk about the Mesh Concept they will always talk about the Win Route and it’s importance to the concept. The Win Route is a 7 Step soft out that has the ability to turn into a Corner route. The result is that the defense must use two defenders to stop the route, one over the top and one underneath.

Related Content: Flood Passing Concept 

The next route comes from the Mesh setter. This is the player that will be running the Mesh across the formation and will be setting the depth of the mesh. His goal is to be 6 yards deep by the time he gets over the Center. On the other side the receiver will be running the Mesh Under Route where he will need to adjust to the Mesh Setter’s route and come underneath him. These two defenders need to be tight enough to slap hands as they go by each other, which we will have them do as they start to learn the route.

There are two ways to teach the Mesh Routes based on how much time you want to devote to them. If Mesh is going to be a huge part of your game you may want to teach these defenders to read the coverage as they run their routes. In this version they will look to the opposite mesh runner and see if anyone is chasing him. If there is someone chasing him then they know the defense is in man coverage and they will keep running. If there isn’t anyone chasing him, it is a Zone Coverage and each Mesh runner will settle in the first open space they find once they cross the Center. The easier way to run this route though is to just have the Mesh receivers keep running. This takes away one of their reads and helps this play be effective with less reps.

Related Content: Drive Passing Concept for Youth Football 

The last route is for the remaining receiver on the boundary side of the formation. This receiver is going to run a Hunt Route. On this route he is going to break to 10 yards deep and look to find the first window that opens up. Many times this route will be wide open if the linebackers are either chasing the Mesh Routes or matching the receivers when they settle into a hole in the Zone.

The key when talking to the Quarterback is to make sure they are reading the Win Route first. Without forcing the defense to use two defenders on the Win Route, he will find that the defense can compress the routes because they have a man advantage.

The post Using the Mesh Concept to Beat Man Coverage appeared first on Youth Football Online.

How to Utilize the Stack Formation in the Passing Game

This is one of the reasons why we love to stack our receivers and run different passing concepts with them. When receivers are stacked it forces the defense to make a decision on how they are going to defend them. If the defenders are going to be doing some sort of zone, the stack will compress the outside defender or expand the alley defender, if the stack is tight or stretch the inside alley player if the stack is out wide. If the defense is in some sort of man coverage they will have to make decisions on how they designate the #1 and #2 receiver since both receivers can easily get outside on the snap of the ball. Either way, the defense is put in a position where it has to react to the movement of the offense after the snap of the ball.

Double Hitch 

One of our most simple, and most efficient routes, is just a simple double hitch. On this route the outside receiver (who is on the line) will end up as the inside receiver while the inside receiver (who is off the line) will end up running a hitch to the outside. Against any sort of zone coverage this is a great route because the outside receiver has the freedom to find an open area to settle in. In addition the crossing puts enough doubt in the minds of the defensive players that they open up a nice little space for the receiver to settle into.

Related Content: Smash Passing Concept 

4 Verticals 

Our second most popular route is built right off of our double hitch route. When the defensive backs start to try to jump the route, we will run our 4 verticals out of a stack formation. On this concept each receiver is going to work to get to vertical to their landmark. If the defensive backs have been coming downhill to try to jump the hitch they will be on their back foot and will struggle to catch up to our receiver breaking vertical.

Switch Hitch 

The last route that we run in our basic stack route series is a combination of the two routes above. In this route out outside receiver is going to be running what we call a Switch Hitch, which is a Hitch that breaks inside and settle in space. This is the exact route that he ran in the first route concept. Our inside receiver is going to run what we call a Switch Vertical, where he will be attacking for width before breaking vertical to his landmark outside of the numbers. The Switch Vertical will serve to expand the edge defender while also keeping the deep defender back to open up the Switch Hitch inside.

Related Content: Making the Flood Concept Multiple in the Roll out Game 

These are easy routes to teach, run and throw but they put huge levels of stress on the defense. This creates easy completions for your team that will help to build your confidence in the pass game and give you the ability to throw on first down.

The post How to Utilize the Stack Formation in the Passing Game appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Running Back Screen Pass Play Blocking Rules

Center: Pass block, step into block.

Right Guard: Inside-Over pass block, step into block.

Right Tackle: Inside-Over pass block, step into block.

Left Guard: Chip defensive linemen, let D-linemen rush up-field, pull behind the (LT). When pulling the (LG) must keep his on a swivel to make sure he picks up any interior defender reading the screen.

Left Tackle: Chip defensive linemen, let D-linemen rush up-field, pull behind the (TE). When pulling the (LT) must keep his head on a swivel to make sure he picks up any defender sitting or reading the screen pass. Eyes on play-side outside linebacker.

Tight-end: Chip defensive end, let him rush up-field, after 2-one thousand, he pulls. It’s important that the TE pulls outside fast and with his eyes the cornerback. If the CB reads the screen or is sitting in the flat the TE must take him.

1 (QB): Catch snap, deep drop back, turn and throw to the 2 back on the screen. It’s critical that your QB gets depth fast and looks off to the right at the same time. This will bring the rush up-field and make the linebackers and secondary flow to the right. The QB needs to be an athlete on this play. He needs to turn, plant his feet and dump the pass over the rushing D-linemen.

2: Show pass blocking, then once the TE releases, the (2) then peels back and outside on his screen path. The RB must be behind the line of scrimmage when he catches the football. Once the (2) catches the football he gets outside and yells go so his pulling linemen know to run downfield and block for him.

3: Run a Post Route right at the middle safety. The (3) must execute a good route, the CB needs to be cleared out. The (3) must put his hand up like he wants the football.

4: Block edge defender or you can have him execute a quick out.

SE: Outside release, get vertical, put hand up like he want the football. This will draw coverage and eyes.

Related Content: Screen Passes That Work on the Youth Football Level

Coaching Points 

• This is a great way to beat the blitz.
• QB needs a fast and deep drop back, always looking off to the right. The QB needs to plant his feet and deliver a good throw to the (2). Reps, Reps, and more Reps.
• Center and QB snap exchange needs to be good. A bad snap will throw off the timing of the play.
• Linemen must pull flat across the line of scrimmage. We don’t want them downfield or blocking too early.
• Pulling linemen need to pull outside with their head on a swivel. If any defender sits on or reads the screen, they must block them.

The post Running Back Screen Pass Play | RB Slip Screen appeared first on Youth Football Online.

Get the Football in the Hands of Your Best Receiver with the Win Route

Modern coverages take one of two approaches to confuse the Quarterback and Offensive Coordinator. Some defense’s will align the same on almost every snap but morph into different coverages after the snap. This stops the Quarterback from making simple pre snap reads. The other way defenses like to keep the offense off balance is by presenting a variety of different looks pre-snap. This movement can stop the Quarterback from knowing exactly what the defense will be running once the ball is snapped.

This creates a problem if the offense is trying to get the ball in the hands of their best receiver by having the coach call the route or the Quarterback giving him the route based on pre-snap leverage. The solution to this is the Win Route. The Win Route is a simple 6 step speed out that can convert to a Corner vs Cloud coverage. This route takes some time and reps to master, but once your receiver and Quarterback are on the same page, it can force the defense to allocate two defenders to the outside receivers which will open up the middle of the field.

Related Content: Slant Arrow Passing Concept for Youth Football 

I have found the best way to teach the route to the receiver is to give him very clear rules. This helps ensure that both the receiver and the Quarterback will be making the same read. The default route for the receiver is the 6 step speed out. He will run this route and expect the ball to be delivered on the second step of his break. This route normally breaks around 7 yards. While a 7 yard gain is always nice, the Wide Receiver then has the ability to break a tackle from a Cornerback and gain more yards down the sideline.

If the Cornerback is playing the flats and trying to get under the route, the receiver will convert his route to a Corner so he can get to the open space. The rule for the receiver is that if he gets even with the Corner he is going to run past him. This becomes a natural read for the receiver and Quarterback after a couple of sessions of drilling the route.

The Win Route is especially effective as an initial route on a longer passing concept. The Quarterback can almost always determine if this route is open within the first second of the play. This makes it a great compliment to the Mesh or Y-Cross concepts. The Quarterback takes his initial read on the outside and then comes back to the inside routes. This moves any defenders who are reading the Quarterback’s eye outside while giving time for the concept routes to open up.

Related Content: Curl Flat Passing Concept

When run effectively the Win route commands double coverage on the outside receivers. This not only opens up the interior routes, but also opens up the run game. While it takes an investment of practice time, it can take the pressure off the play caller and allow the players to adapt to what they see on the field.

The post Get the Football in the Hands of Your Best Receiver with the Win Route appeared first on Youth Football Online.