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This past season, the Lake Mary HS Rams won a Class 7A Florida High School Football State Championship against Vero Beach High School off a wild Hail Mary pass in the last seconds.

Adam Donnelly is the offensive coordinator at Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Florida. With a knack for innovative play design, Coach Donnelly has been instrumental in implementing cutting-edge offensive strategies like the Deep Choice concept. Just this year, his Notre Dame commit quarterback threw for 3250 yards and 40 touchdowns.

When it comes to modern offensive strategies in football, few concepts offer the potential for explosive results like the Deep Choice. Popularized by high-powered offenses such as those at UCF and Tennessee under Josh Heupel, and earlier by the Art Briles system, this approach has shown how to maximize yardage and challenge defenses at every level. But is Deep Choice the right fit for your team? Let’s break it down.

The Concept

At its core, Deep Choice is about stretching the field—vertically through routes and horizontally through alignment. The goal is simple yet effective: maximize the amount of space that your offense can exploit on the football field. Receivers are tasked with running routes based not on predetermined patterns but on how the defense covers them. The quarterback, in turn, reads the receiver rather than the defense, ensuring the play remains fluid and adaptable.

This play is designed to work against any coverage. The QB’s primary job is to identify the receiver's chosen route and deliver the ball with confidence.

In most cases, the ball is thrown to the tagged receiver, with minimal consideration for a progression of reads. The simplicity of this design makes it an ideal tool for creating big plays while maintaining efficiency.

As Coach Adam Donnelly explains,

"This is a play that we can carry into every game because it doesn’t care about coverage."The QB is not trying to read the coverage; the receiver is kind of feeling the coverage and mostly who's covering him at that moment."

For example, against zone or off coverage, the "choice" WR will snap it down on the retrace:

For example, against man coverage, the "choice" WR will take the go:

Let’s watch it action as Coach Donnelly takes us through one of their game clips.

Video: Preview of Deep Choice

Why Consider Deep Choice?

1. Big Play Potential

• The Deep Choice concept thrives on creating explosive plays. For Lake Mary’s offense, the results were staggering: an average of 12 yards per attempt and 16 touchdowns on just 86 attempts in one season. Nearly 20% of these passes resulted in touchdowns, making it a consistent threat.

2. Ease of Execution

• The design eliminates complicated progressions. The QB focuses on one primary receiver, who makes the offense right by adjusting their route based on coverage. This simplicity allows for quicker decision-making and reduces the likelihood of mistakes.

3. Quarterback-Friendly

• The quarterback’s workload is significantly reduced by focusing on reading the receiver. This makes it easier for QBs to play confidently, especially if they have a big arm to exploit deep routes.

4. Offensive Line Protection

• The offensive line is less exposed to prolonged pass protection scenarios since the ball is typically out within 2.2 to 2.4 seconds. This results in fewer sacks and less pressure on the line.

The Key Ingredients

For Deep Choice to succeed, certain elements must be in place:

• Quarterback with a Big Arm: The concept requires throws from wide splits or deep routes, demanding the arm strength to stretch the field effectively.
• Speed at Receiver: At least one receiver must be able to threaten defenders deep, forcing the defense to account for the vertical threat and opening up other route options.
• Receiver Intelligence and Chemistry: Receivers must understand how to adjust their routes based on the defender’s positioning and coverage. Good communication and chemistry between the QB and receivers are critical to avoid miscommunication.
• Quick Decision-Making: While the concept reduces complexity for the QB, their ability to quickly confirm the receiver’s route and make the throw is crucial for success.

Challenges and Solutions

• Completion Percentage: One downside observed in the first year of implementation was a 50% completion rate. While acceptable given the explosive nature of the play, improvements can come from reducing drops, avoiding overthrows, and enhancing route execution.
• Receiver Discipline: It’s vital to have receivers who are willing to adapt their routes and not stubbornly run “go” routes when other options are more effective. Route discipline and the ability to stack defenders are essential.
• Timing Issues: Ensuring the QB and receiver are on the same page requires practice and repetition. A deliberate focus on timing drills can help synchronize the offense.

Coach Donnelly emphasizes,

"If we can fix the drops, get the QB and wide receivers on the same page, and improve our routes, we can make this concept even more explosive than it already is."

Is It Right for Your Team?

Before diving into Deep Choice, assess whether your personnel and system align with its demands. Teams with a strong-armed QB and at least one speedy, disciplined receiver are well-positioned to benefit. 

Additionally, if your offensive line struggles with extended pass protection, this concept can minimize their exposure while maximizing your offense’s potential.

However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. If your QB lacks arm strength or your receivers struggle with route discipline, you may need to focus on development or consider alternative approaches.

As Coach Donnelly notes,

"You need a QB with a really big arm because all the choices are going to be wide or in-breaking off of a wide split. Without that, Deep Choice might not be available to you."

With the Right Fit, A Powerful Weapon

Deep Choice is a powerful tool in the modern offensive arsenal, offering explosive potential and adaptability against any coverage. With the right personnel and preparation, it can become a cornerstone of your offensive strategy.

If you’re ready to stretch the field and challenge defenses like never before, Deep Choice might just be the play your team needs.

Does this sound like the right fit for your team? If so, dive into the details. Adam Donnelly teaches the nuances in his latest presentation on CoachTube “Deep Choice at the High School Level.”

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