Move the Chains with Short Yardage Passing Game

Oct 29, 2024 3:04 pm

Coach -

Conventional thinking on the goal line is to get your line foot-to-foot and wedge forward with all the force that can be generated. The cliché is, “If you can’t get a yard then you don’t deserve to win.”

Of course, this counts on your big guys beating their big guys to get the necessary push to get the running back or quarterback over the goal line. In reality, some teams are just not well suited to do that.

Some of the best offensive teams rely on a different football strategy to get the last couple of yards or convert a third and short situation.

It boils down to a numbers preference. Do you want to pack all 22 players into a small area and see who gets the better push in what becomes a scrum, or do you want to make the numbers and leverage a little more favorable?

Collin Klein, Offensive Coordinator at Texas A&M is known for his powerful running game, but he utilizes a short-yardage passing game when necessary to move the chains.

While the “tush-push” aka QB Sneak has made a resurgence, these short-yardage passing methods are trending and can be seen on Saturdays and Sundays, with offenses opting for space leverage and numbers to get the first down.

Coach Klein shared his short yardage package at this past summer's Texas High School Coaches Association Coaching School.

Collin Klein emphasizes short-yardage passing as a tool to diversify offensive strategies, particularly to ease the pressure off the run game and keep defenses guessing. He suggests using RPOs to create flexibility, noting the importance of quick decision-making and precise throws, especially in tight formations and smoke routes where timing and accuracy are key.

Klein describes specific setups, such as motioning to a stack and employing cross-blocking for coverage adjustments. He emphasizes that when throwing to a “smoke” route in cover zero, quarterbacks are taught to aim at the receiver's back shoulder, which allows quick ball placement and maintains momentum.

Additionally, Klein utilizes sprint outs where quarterbacks should release by the fifth step to avoid excess sideline pressure, allowing receivers to turn upfield quickly.

Rub routes and slant-switch combinations also play a role in his approach, helping to counter man coverage and ensuring alternative options for the quarterback if primary routes fail. By blending physicality with precise execution, Klein’s short-yardage passing tactics provide adaptable solutions to move the chains effectively.

He shares some examples of these in this video:

Video: Short Yardage Passing

These strategies are extremely useful as you get into the big games and playoffs at the end of the season. Paying attention to the coaching points and details that Coach Klein shares can make the difference between the first down and having to kick it away.

Good luck this week!

Coach Grabowski

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