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Why the Spacing Concept Anchors Georgetown’s Quick Game
At Georgetown, the spacing concept isn’t just a play—it’s a foundational piece of the offense. Quarterbacks Coach and Pass Game Coordinator Jack McDaniels calls it an identity play, one that combines simplicity, flexibility, and elite efficiency. And it’s not just theory. Georgetown completes this concept at a 78% clip.
Built for Simplicity and Efficiency
The core of the spacing concept is its consistency. “It’s a backside concept, and that’s never going to change for the quarterbacks or the receivers,” McDaniels explains. Every time the call comes in, the offense knows exactly what to expect—and execute.
It’s a three-route backside combination:
- Over-the-ball route (OTB): 5 yards, directly over the center.
- Short hook route: 8 yards from the #1 receiver.
- Flat or swing route: Designed to uncover the hook.
This structure never changes. What varies is how it’s dressed up on the front side.
Flexibility That Works Against Any Coverage
The front side of the play—what Georgetown tags—makes the spacing concept deadly. Whether it’s a quick game combo like double slants, an isolation route like a speed out, or even a dropback progression, the quarterback always has a pre-defined read paired with the spacing on the back.
“You can tag whatever you want the other side of the field,” says McDaniels. That flexibility allows coaches to game plan the concept to beat any look—man, zone, pressure—without overloading the QB mentally. The spacing side stays constant; the tag side does the heavy lifting in terms of matchup and scheme.
High Completion, Low Risk
Because the ball comes out so fast, the spacing concept protects the quarterback and offensive line.
“In my four years here, I’m not sure we’ve taken a single sack on spacing,” McDaniels notes.
The ball is out, the chains move, and the offense stays on schedule. You can six-man protect it. You can run it from empty. You can give the defense any presentation without changing the QB’s rules.
It’s no wonder Georgetown runs it five to seven times per game. That’s not just frequency—it’s philosophy.
Thank you to Coach McDaniels for donating his time and this presentation to Lauren’s First and Goal. Proceeds from the sale go to pediatric brain tumor research and cancer services.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
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