Have a Plan to Attack Every Coverage
Sep 24, 2024 1:43 pm
Coach -
We are at a point in the season that there’s enough film for a defensive staff to find your tendencies. The certainly will do everything they can to shut down your best concepts. That’s why it is important to have your answers ready.
Let’s dive into the passing game and explore some key strategies to effectively attack different coverages. Whether you’re facing zone, man, or pattern-matching defenses, there are always opportunities to gain an edge with the right concepts. Below, we’ll highlight four passing concepts that have proven successful across various levels of football.
Let’s take a look at how to use the Branch concept (slot fade), Quick/Boot, option routes, and curl/flat adjustments to create effective answers against a range of defensive looks.
Branch as a Stick Variation
The stick has become a staple in many offensive playbooks. It’s still a tried and true principle. The offensive coordinator at Jenks High School, Jay Wilkinson, utilizes a closely related concept to Stick, which he calls “Branch.”
It’s a concept he likes against any coverage. It gives a quick rhythm rocker-throw to the inside receiver and if he doesn’t like it, he has a slot fade to attack the outside part of the coverage. He explains here (click image for video):
Multiple Coverage Answers with Quick/Boot
The Quick/Boot concept has been around for some time. It’s a concept that allows for quick throws with a movement pass option if the quick is not there. It creates a concept that is excellent against multiple coverages.
If you have quick game and a boot or naked concept in your offense, it is an easy addition. Head Coach at Beaumont HS (CA) Jeff Steinberg illustrates the concept against man coverage here (click image for video):
Option Route vs Pattern Match
Pattern match coverages can very quickly cover down routes and leave a QB with small or no windows to throw into.
Josh Herring, QB Coach at LasssiterHS (GA) likes utilizing a 2 or 3 man option route concept which he calls “Goofy” as an answer.
Because it looks like the stem of other routes, it can allow the receivers to break into voids and allow the QB to have a space to throw into. Coach HErring takes you through it here (click on image for video):
Curl/Flat Adjustments to Man Coverage
The Curl/Flat combination is a favorite to attack flat defender in any version of cover 3, but it’s not good against man.
Arizona State Tight Ends Coach Jason Mohns has an answer built in to handle man coverage if that’s what the defense gives him.
By building in a speed cut dig and a swing or check/swing to the backside of the Curl, the QB has a place to throw the ball. Coach Mohns illustrates it (click on image for video):
These passing game concepts are examples of concepts that provide your offense with versatile tools to attack various coverages. Each concept offers built-in adjustments to give a quarterback and receivers the best chance to succeed, whether they’re facing zone, man, or pattern-match defenses.
As you review these ideas, consider how they can what you already have within your system, and how a tag or adjustment can enhance your existing system and create more stress for opposing defenses.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski