Coach -

Over the years, Dan Gonzalez has provided many resources for coaches on the passing game. My first interaction with Dan was specifically around four verticals. Through consulting with him, he helped us put together a four-vertical package that produced explosive plays while being highly efficient.

Constant Evolution of Strategies

One aspect of Dan’s teaching is that he constantly studies the game, understands the evolution of defenses to stop what is trending and popular, and then adjusts his system and teaching. He’s done that again in version 3.0 of his “Read and Shoot Offense.” Today, I dive into that and highlight his work in his new resources, which cover four and a half hours just on the Vertical Passing Game.

Problem Solving - the “Why”

Dan’s study and observations of how the game was evolving was the catalyst behind reorganizing his offense, specifically the Vertical game.  He explains it in this video.

Video: Problem Solving - The  Why

The Vertical Passing Game Transformation

The vertical passing game, a cornerstone of many offensive strategies, has undergone significant transformations. As an avid football coach and enthusiast, Dan has seen firsthand how these changes have reshaped the game. Through Dan, we dive into the nuances of the vertical passing game, particularly focusing on the developments that have necessitated a complete reboot of the passing strategies. Drawing from his extensive experience and recent studies, he outlines the key changes, their reasons, and the new components that make up this evolved vertical package.

Observations and Reboot

The impetus for this reorganization began around 2021 when Dan observed a noticeable decline in the effectiveness of traditional vertical passing strategies. Teams struggled to achieve the explosive plays that were once a hallmark of the four verticals, one-back passing game. This decline prompted a thorough examination of the vertical passing game, leading Dan to explore the Art Briles system and its vertical reads. Despite its differences from the run and shoot offense, Briles' approach offered valuable insights into how vertical routes could be adjusted for better outcomes.

Adapting to Defensive Adjustments

One of the significant findings from this exploration was the realization that sophisticated defenses were increasingly adept at neutralizing traditional vertical routes. The old method of running verticals with the option to break off into a post or dig route was no longer yielding the desired results. This prompted a need to rethink the entire strategy, ensuring that the vertical passing game could once again become a reliable source of explosive plays. The key lay in understanding and adapting to the defensive adjustments that had evolved over time.

Components of the New Vertical Package

His new vertical package comprises several components, each designed to address the shortcomings of the previous system. For instance, we introduced routes like Viper, Venom, and Vampire, each with specific boundary, field, and adjustment strategies. He digs into those in detail on video, but here are a few diagrams to give you the visual of his reboot of the Vertical game:

Detailed Installations and Demonstrations

These routes are accompanied by detailed installations and video demonstrations to provide a comprehensive understanding. A critical aspect of this reorganization is the philosophical approach, which emphasizes adapting to defensive coverages and exploiting weaknesses for maximum gain.

Redefining Landmarks and Route Teaching

One of the primary adjustments involves redefining the landmarks for vertical routes. We create bigger holes in the defense by slightly widening the receiver's landmarks, allowing for more effective vertical pushes. Additionally, Dan has refined the route components' teaching, ensuring receivers understand when to go, post, or trace their routes. This nuanced approach not only improves the execution of vertical routes but also enhances the quarterback's ability to read and react to defensive setups more efficiently.

Introducing the Trace Route

Introducing a third route component, the Trace route, has been particularly impactful. This addition complicates the defense's ability to effectively cover both deep and short routes. Teaching receivers to retrace their steps down their stem creates a larger vacuum for the quarterback to exploit, resulting in more consistent and explosive plays. This adjustment also reduces the margin for miscommunication, as the quarterback can anticipate the receiver's movement with greater accuracy.

Conclusion

Dan Gonzalez’s reorganization of the vertical passing game has been a meticulous and data-driven process. By incorporating new routes, redefining landmarks, and introducing refined teaching methods, he aims to restore the vertical passing game to its former glory. These changes are about adapting to modern defenses and creating a more dynamic and unpredictable offensive strategy. I am genuinely excited about these developments, and I believe they have the potential to revolutionize the vertical passing game for years to come.

Always be growing! 

Coach Grabowski

P.S.

You can learn more from Dan Gonzalez and the Read and Shoot 3.0 here:

25. Read N Shoot 3.0 - System Updates

26. Vertical Game Re-Org (Part 1)

27. Vertical Game Re-Org (Part 2)