Coach-

Calling the Offensive Coordinator of the San Antonio Brahmas AJ Smith a “student of the game” is an understatement.

As a 19-year old coach (he is 35 now), he sought to learn the game from coaches who created or were experts in offensive systems.  He worked with Hal Mumme, June Jones, and also spent time and became close with John Jenkins, and Noel Mazzone.

As a coordinator, Smith's offenses have set numerous national and league records and featured All-American quarterbacks and receivers. 

While he was able to take a deep dive into the Air Raid and Run and Shoot Offenses, it wasn’t just about learning the playbooks. He dug deeper into the thought processes of Jones and Mumme learning what strategies make the offenses go.

As he learned more and more and could see commonalities between both, he devised a hybrid version combining both offenses.

Announcers have called his offense the “hybrid offense.” It has emerged as a captivating fusion of the Air Raid and Run and Shoot systems. This innovative approach to the game has sparked intrigue among coaches and fans alike, offering a fresh perspective on offensive philosophy.

You can see the video of Coach Smith explaining the philosophy with sushi rolls serving as his offense and edamame serving as the defense as he walks you through the strategy from one of his favorite sushi shops in California. See it here:

Video: AJ Smith on Offensive Philosophy

Deep Understanding Leads to Creativity

In a clinic last summer, Coach Smith paraphrased an excerpt from Tiger Ellison’s book Run and Shoot Football: The Now Attack that impacted his development as an offensive coordinator and how he put together the attack he is using in the UFL:

…it reminded me of something Tiger Ellison said in his book, who wrote this 80 years…He said, imagine if everybody got the rules of football, had never seen any film, but knew all the rules, and then they just went out there and played each other without ever seeing any evidence of football. How different, how creative the offenses would have been because there's nobody to copy. And so I never forget that.

His innovation was born of a complete understanding of the two systems, and his creativity and organization have brought it to life. 

Philosophy and Tactics

A tactical nuance integral to the hybrid offense (adapted from the Run and Shoot) is the incorporation of half-rolling movements for the quarterback. By implementing these dynamic movements, the quarterback gains a strategic advantage by changing the launch point of the pass, keeping the defense off balance, and enhancing the team's overall offensive versatility.

The half-roll not only enhances the quarterback's vision downfield but also provides an added dimension to the passing attack, forcing defenses to adjust and react on the fly.

Furthermore, creating opportunities for the running back is a cornerstone of the hybrid offense. By leveraging the strategic alignment of four wide receivers and the quarterback's half-rolling movements, teams can effectively create space and blocking schemes that allow the running back to capitalize on openings in the defense. This multi-faceted approach keeps defenses guessing and maximizes the team's offensive potential by incorporating a balanced attack that keeps opponents on their toes.

Core Philosophy: The Box

For Coach Smith, a specific philosophy of the hybrid offense is concept of the box. This philosophy is central to both the Air Raid and the Run and Shoot. It’s a pass to set up the run offense, and the runs hit big as defenders vacate the box to defend the pass.

A team can embody the run-and-shoot philosophy by committing to four wide receivers and incorporating half-rolling movements for the quarterback. 

This strategic approach not only benefits the quarterback's rhythm and mobility but also aids in countering the pass rush and creating opportunities for the running back to exploit space. Coach Smith underscored the effectiveness of the half-roll system in unleashing explosive plays, citing their success in the XFL as a testament to the strategy's potency.

Delving deeper into the tactical nuances, Coach Smith highlights the significance of the sprint draw play in their offensive scheme. They emphasize the synergy between passing and running, with the sprint draw serving as a potent countermeasure against defenses geared toward stopping the pass. 

By elucidating the intricacies of the draw play and its role in disrupting defensive schemes, he underscores the holistic nature of their offensive philosophy. He stresses that true adherence to the principles of the run and shoot goes beyond mere concepts, emphasizing the importance of embodying the ethos of the offense in every aspect of play.

Learn Like Coach Smith

Coach Smith is speaking at the 2024 National Air Raid Convention: One Back Edition on June 26th. The highlight of this year's clinic is presentations by the coaches who created offenses that have been the foundation of many variations that have sprouted up in the game.  

Come and learn from June Jones, the originator of the Run and Shoot, Noel Mazzone, the originator of the N-Zone Offense, Art Briles and his unique spread offense, and of course the Godfather of the Air Raid Hal Mumme. 

In the past, this clinic has been an in-person event, but this year it will be presented virtually. You can get your ticket here: 2024 Air Raid National Convention.

With speakers from every level of the game, the knowledge shared can help you solidify your philosophy and strategy as you head into the 2024 season.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. Here is the line-up: