Coach ,

Louisville Offensive Analyst, and former 11x State Champion OC of St. Xavier (OH) Andrew Coverdale is one of the best teachers in the game. Last night, the Cards defeated the Toledo Rockets in their bowl game, and Coverdale's influence certainly helped.

One of his key traits is the obsession to details and precise teaching progressions that elevate his players' abilities every year. Additionally, he's a great play designer who knows how to take advantage of the entire field. One of the oft neglected areas is the boundary within the pass game because it's so small. Andrew Coverdale’s argument is simple: if you don’t consistently threaten the boundary, defenses start cheating.

They boss the backers. They spin coverages easier. They slant and angle the front without paying for it.

Pocket-Out is his answer. More commonly known as “Fade-Out,” the concept has stood the test of time. But Coach Coverdale’s teaching progression and attention to detail are second to none.

How He Installs It: Goal First, Technique Last

Coverdale lays out his teaching progression the same way every time.

• Start with the goal.
• Then the “overall picture.”
• Then each player’s job inside the concept.
• Then the technique that makes the job possible.

The point is to make technique feel like an extension of understanding, not a separate list kids have to memorize. When the learning flows, kids play faster and adjust better after the snap.

Video Clip: Pocket Out Concept

What Pocket-Out Is Trying to Do

He teaches Pocket-Out as a boundary, quick-rhythm concept built to put immediate stress on the corner and create a high-low on him fast.

And he’s clear about when he likes it:

He likes it vs two-high structures. He’s fine with it vs one-high, as long as the hang players are tight.

That’s part of the teaching too. Kids should be able to look at the scouting report early in the week and already have a feel for which concepts fit what they’re going to see.

Video Clip: Pocket Out Goal

The Core Job: Pressure-Out on the Overhang

His target is an inside receiver (or tight end) to the short side, isolated on the overhang.

That player is running a “pressure out” at about five to six yards from the sideline.

Then he trains a bunch of his skill kids on that route to find out who can actually execute it.

That’s a very “Friday night” detail. The concept stays. The personnel earns the right.

How He Protects It: The Pocket Route

Coverdale doesn’t pretend the pressure out is clean.

He shows the kids where the problems come from, then builds the answer around those problems.

His main protection is the outside receiver’s “pocket route” to protect the pressure out when the corner tries to fall off and squeeze it.

And he defines “pocket” with real landmarks so it’s coachable:

• 12–14 yards deep (he’s okay stretching it to 16).
• 2–4 yards from the sideline, and he’d rather it be closer to 2.

They then teach “cutting the motor” to protect themselves from the safety when that “hole” shot is live.

Coach Coverdale covers this concept and three others in his clinic on Boundary Concepts. You can find the full clinic HERE.

Always be growing and Happy Holidays!

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