Coach -

We take a dive into the intermediate passing game today with Coach Kauffman.  He shares a variety of ideas on how you can get the intermediate passing game going by taking a look at some of the clinics we have hosted that deal with this topic.  Today he highlights the work of Mike Yurchich, Matt Drinkall, Charlie Weiss, Jr, and Nate Scheelhause.

-Coach Grabowski

Mastering the intermediate passing game can create the chunk plays an offense needs to keep the chains moving, yet it is not always the easiest to execute. This facet of play revolves around the execution of precise and strategically designed route concepts that unfold in the middle range of the field. Intermediate passing involves threading the needle between short and deep passes, demanding a blend of accuracy, timing, and strategic awareness. 

Route concepts within this category are diverse, ranging from crossing patterns, curls, comebacks,  option routes and more, providing quarterbacks and receivers with a versatile toolkit to exploit defensive coverages effectively. 

Diving into the topic, the usage of the intermediate concepts have application across a variety of down and distances, but also across formations. Incorporating this throughout your personnel groupings and being sure you are attacking them at this distance regularly stretches a defense. 

The Intermediate Drop Back Game

To kick off this conversation on the basics of drop back pass, we explore the drive concept out of a basic 2x2 look with Coach Mike Yurchich.

Video: Base Drive out of 2x2

Looking into base passing concepts that we see here we break into the old idea of the triangle read. This specific set of routes allows for it to be run against a variety of coverages with different reads coming open at different points and in a lot of ways forcing the linebackers to make a decision on who they are defending.

With many intermediate concepts, you are often going to see a variety of levels with the primary concept hitting in that middle range. The "Z Drive" play presents a potent offensive strategy with the incorporation of the intermediate dig route. 

This play is designed to exploit the soft spots in the opposing defense, the concept allows the receivers to take advantage of spacing and sit in open zones. Here specifically as the receiver executes a precise dig route, it creates a reliable target for the quarterback in an area dependent on the linebacker dropping and not jumping other routes. 

But, the advantages of these can be used in more than just a drop back passing situation.

Intermediate Passing on the Move

Get your athletic QB’s on the move and attack the defense with your sprintout game. Coach Matt Drinkall lays out the foundation here. 

Video: Game Film Preview: Outside Right

The strategy to think about here is running your concepts on levels. Sprintout concepts provide an agile offensive strategy by incorporating intermediate-level routes with diverse timings and launch points. By deploying these routes from various locations on the field and adjusting the timing based on the route, quarterbacks can confuse opposing defenses and keep them off balance. 

This adaptability allows teams to cover the intermediate level effectively, creating opportunities for receivers to exploit open spaces. Moreover, integrating different personnel groupings, such as utilizing additional tight ends or wide receivers, adds a layer of complexity, enabling teams to tailor their approach to exploit specific matchups and defensive schemes with greater precision.

Intermediate Passes in RPO

You can even tailor the intermediate game into your RPO structure.

Ole Miss Co-OC Charlie Weis Jr. Dives into their C level RPO Glance look here.

Video: Glances - Part 1

As the complexity of RPOs continues to evolve, incorporating the safety read has become crucial for accessing intermediate depth routes. This strategic approach often involves manipulating the movement of the safety through your run action and executing well-designed routes, such as the glance route to fit into open areas. 

By leveraging the RPO framework to influence the safety's positioning, offenses can create favorable opportunities for connecting with intermediate routes, exploiting the voids created in the defense and maximizing the potential for successful downfield plays.

More Route Structures

Building upon all these ideas, I want to look into Coach Nate Scheelhaase of Iowa State and his look into the intermediate routes.

Video: Intermediate

I encourage viewers to pay close attention to the sticks, examining the down and distances employed in various game situations. Take note of the reads made by the quarterback, and observe how the intermediate passing game functions as a strategic element within the overall pass packages. 

It's essential to recognize that, at times, intermediate routes play a crucial support role rather than taking the forefront, enhancing the effectiveness of the passing attack by offering the concept as a part of various and all plays forcing the defense to cover more of the field.

You also might recognize the QB making this all flow. He will be facilitating many of the same concepts next Sundays against the Chiefs. 

As Always,

Compete!

Coach Kauffman

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