Coach ,

Empty formations aren’t reserved for use by only spread teams. They can be utilized in any attack with the concepts that you already have to create stress on a defense. 

The key for making empty successful in your offense is to make it simple enough to adapt while further highlighting the abilities of your players.

Today’s email is clinic on Empty. In fact, the free videos included provide almost an hour of instruction on multiple ways to utilize the empty attack.

To show the possibilities of empty we’ve including segments on philosophy, strategy, and scheme.

While empty might not be a full-time attack for your offense, having a package can prove advantageous in forcing defenses to prepare for it whether you use it in a particular game or not.  

When you do, understanding how to use it with the schemes already in your offense makes it simple for you to run yet will provide some complexities for the defense to prepare for.

#1 Understand "Why Empty?"

Let’s start with some philosophy. Medina HS Head Coach Larry Laird utilizes an empty set full-time in his offense. He makes the advantages and philosophy behind it clear in this video (click on images for video).

#2 Key to Creating empty sets

I always liked the possibilities the empty formation could give an offense. We struggled with how to create those sets without overburdening our players yet still being able to use multiple variations and placement of our players to best stress a defense.  

Here is a short explanation of how we created empty sets to attack a defense yet remain simple in learning and application: 

#3 Attack defenders with match-ups

One of the best at understanding how to utilize personnel, formations and plays to attack a defense is Texas HS coach Dan Gonzalez. In this video he explains how the use the empty to dictate match-ups in the passing game: 

#4 Use what you have

It’s never wise to create plays that only apply to one formation.  It creates a huge learning burden which can slow players down. 

Utilizing what you already do within empty provides you with the simplicity of learning while giving the defense another set of problems. A common concept, the smash, is illustrated from empty here.

#5 Protect the passer from Empty 

One of the things you must be sure of from empty is that the method for protecting the passer is sound.  

One of the first things the defense will attempt to do is pressure and hit the QB so that the offensive coordinator gets out of empty. Here is a sound scheme from new Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.

#6 Create big plays

Bill O’Brien is always looking for ways to get the ball to his best players and create big plays. Here’s a simple out and up concept from empty which does that.

#7 Utilize high percentage throws

Empty doesn’t need to be a “chuck and duck” mentality. Done right it creates a highly efficient passing game that methodically moves the ball down the field. New Presbyterian College Head Coach Kevin Kelley explains his high percentage clearing package here:

#8 Utilize screen game 

Six time state champion Jason Mohns carries an empty package within his offense. Being a spread philosophy team, screens are an important strategy in getting the play makers the ball and allowing them to attack the defense. He explains how they package their jailbreak screen and stick from empty in this video:

#9 Run the ball

Kutztown OC, Marcel Quarterman understands one advantage created by empty is it cleans up and limits the looks inside.  He likes utilizing 12 personnel and Pin and Pull to take advantage of angles. He illustrates that with game film in this video.

That’s nine ideas on how you can utilize empty. The exciting part about the empty package is there are certainly more ways to attack the defense with empty.  

The limitations are only on your creativity in how you can adapt your plays to the empty look. Have fun with it!

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. If you'd like lifetime access to a deep dive into this subject we partnered with the clinic organizations to create a three-course empty bundle (Bill O’Brien, Marcel Quarterman, and Larry Laird courses) to create a masterclass on empty.  Get it here and save 55%.