Coach ,

We continue to roll through the season and focus on areas we can improve with adjustments and strategies. This week we focus on attacking specific defensive strategies. There’s plenty of ideas in this one.  

Stick has become a very popular quick game concept. That means that teams see it often and become used to defending it. Run correctly, it is still a very good concept. Having a variation can help it’s productivity as well as put the defense against a concept that they are not used to seeing.

Branch as a Stick Variation

The offensive coordinator at Fayetville 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):

Video: Branch

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):

Video: 2x2 vs. Man Coverage

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, OC/QB Coach at Jones County HS (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.

Now TE Coach for Arizona State, Jason Mohns had 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):

Video: Man Beater Variation

While we focused on the run game in this email, I wanted to point out two performances and clinics worth seeing.  

Counter as the Base Play

Florida State was #1 in the country in 2022 running the counter and they utilized the scheme to defeat LSU. Chip Kelly admitted that it gave them problems.

"The counter play was problematic for us," Kelly said. "We knew they were going to run it. They added a 2-back counter play, and we just couldn't fix the play and that's unacceptable from a coaching standpoint. You've got to be able to make those adjustments and we failed to get that done."

FSU Counter vs. LSU:

• FSU ran counter 16 times (most of any team in Week 1) 
• 108 yards on counter 
• averaged 3.63 Yards Before Contact per Carry. 

2nd Half:

• 88 yards on 12 counter attempts 
• 4.33 YBCpC.

This is definitely a “hang your hat on” concept for the “Noles. Learn more about how OC/OL Coach establishes counter as their base play here.

Consistent Performance from OL

The other notable OL performance was by Duke.  They allowed zero sacks in their 28-7 upset win over Clemson, and the averaged 6.63 yards per carry.

OL Coach Adam Cushing does an excellent job of establishing the culture within his unit, and he has sound methods for developing consistency with his OL.  Learn about his process here.

Have a great week!

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski