How to Build Your Offense - Passing Game

Summary

This video outlines a strategic approach to building a youth football passing game, focusing on complementing the run game with simple yet effective passing plays. It begins with 'level one' passing concepts, including boot/waggle plays, quick game passes, and basic pass protection. As the team progresses, 'level two' plays like chain movers and deep shots are introduced to exploit defensive vulnerabilities. The key to success lies in balancing the run and pass, using play action, and understanding situational playcalling to keep defenses honest while developing quarterback and receiver timing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Keep the passing game simple and effective, especially for youth and small-school coaches who may not have advanced passing personnel.
• 😀 Focus on the run game to open up passing opportunities, particularly through play-action and bootlegs to create natural passing lanes.
• 😀 The tight end is a key player in the offense, running routes like a post or corner to exploit mismatches in coverage.
• 😀 Use quick-hitting passing concepts like slants and hitches to keep defenses on their toes and prevent them from loading up against the run.
• 😀 Quarterbacks should not overcomplicate reads, especially at the youth level—focus on basic decision-making and getting the ball out quickly.
• 😀 Timing between quarterback and receiver is crucial for deep shots, with the receiver needing to adjust based on the quarterback's throwing range and timing.
• 😀 The quarterback’s ability to execute fake handoffs, turn, and quickly read coverage is a critical component of successful passing plays.
• 😀 Implement a ‘shot play’ to take advantage of defenses that have been lulled by consistent run or short-pass success, creating open space for deeper routes.
• 😀 Max protection schemes can be used to give the quarterback more time for deeper passes, particularly when facing aggressive defenses or blitzing.
• 😀 Passing plays should be run in scenarios where the defense expects a run, making it more likely the passing lanes will open up due to defensive missteps.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the coach in the video?

The coach emphasizes creating a simple, effective offensive playbook that balances both the running and passing game. The goal is to start with fundamental plays and build up to more complex ones as players' skills develop.

Why does the coach stress the importance of keeping the passing game simple, especially for younger players?

The coach wants to avoid overwhelming young or less experienced players with complex schemes. A simple passing game allows players to focus on execution without the pressure of making multiple reads or performing advanced techniques.

What role does the boot/waggle play in the offensive strategy?

The boot/waggle is a key play that complements the run game by faking a handoff and sending the quarterback to one side of the field. This forces the defense to honor both the run and the pass, creating more opportunities for success.

What are the key routes in the boot/waggle play, and what is their purpose?

The key routes are the deep route (run by the X receiver), the drag route (run by the tight end), and the flat route (run by the fullback). The drag route is the primary target for the quarterback, while the other routes stretch the defense and create open space.

What is the purpose of the quick game in the passing strategy?

The quick game is designed to quickly attack the defense with simple routes, such as the hitch and fade, that require minimal time to develop. It helps keep the defense off balance and prevents them from focusing too much on the running game.

How does the quarterback handle a situation where the tight end is not open in the boot/waggle play?

If the tight end is not open, the quarterback should quickly assess whether the defense is closing in and decide whether to scramble or take the sack. The coach suggests running straight ahead, as there might not be space to move outside.

When is the deep passing play, such as the post route, most effective?

The deep passing play is most effective when the defense is expecting a run or when the quarterback has already hit several short routes, forcing the defense to commit to stopping the run. It’s also used when the safety is aggressively defending the run, leaving the middle of the field open.

How does the coach suggest handling the timing of a deep post route?

The quarterback should time the throw so that it reaches the receiver in the center of the field just as the receiver breaks for the post route. This requires the quarterback to have good arm strength and the ability to read the receiver's timing.

What does the coach mean by 'big on big' in pass protection?

The term 'big on big' refers to the offensive linemen blocking the defensive linemen one-on-one. It’s a simple protection scheme that allows the linemen to focus on their individual assignments, ensuring that the quarterback has time to make his reads and deliver the ball.

Why does the coach advise against running a deep shot in certain situations, like third and 30?

Running a deep shot in situations like third and 30 is not ideal because the defense will be expecting a pass and likely have deep coverage, with safeties positioned far back. This makes it difficult for the quarterback to execute a deep throw effectively, leading to a higher chance of interception or an incomplete pass.