Trap is the most underutilized play in football in my opinion. While I see a fair amount of this play run at the high school level, I very rarely see it at the college and NFL level. Since Jim Harbaugh has come back to Michigan he has implemented the trap play in a number of different ways. Personally I love this play because it allows your running back to get downhill quickly and you get great angles at the point of attack for your offensive lineman. Plus there are so many variations of the play that you can keep the defense off-balance, while keeping the blocking scheme up front simple for your lineman.

The first version of trap is Pro Queen-Z Jet-Tight Trap. Pro Queen is the formation, which means a Pro set with the fullback offset opposite of the tight end. Z Jet indicates the motion from the flanker. Tight Trap is the blocking scheme, which means a trap blocking scheme to the tight end side.

The Jet motion from the Z receiver distorts the run fits of the Michigan State defense.  All three linebackers overrun the play, allowing the fullback to hit the A gap untouched, en route to a 28 yard gain. The footwork from the QB is also key. He opens up to the Z receiver like he typically would to give the ball on a jet sweep, influencing the linebackers away from the play. Adding to the deception is the QB spinning into the the give to the fullback, making it difficult for the defense to locate the ball. The defense also gets a split flow read from the tailback running away from the play side with the jet motion.

The next trap variation is run out of a Double Wing I formation. In the previous example the fullback was the ball carrier, this time the give will be to the tailback. By using the tailback as the ball carrier it allows Michigan to modify the blocking scheme slightly. In the first example the Left Tackle had to use a sift technique in order to account for the Will linebacker. Sift means that the left tackle will chip the defensive end and work up to cut off the Will. Because the Will ran himself out of the play in the first example, the Left Tackle simply stayed on his block with the defensive end. On this play the fullback will block out on the defensive end lined up over the left tackle, allowing the left tackle to work directly up to the Will. The rest of the blocking scheme remains consistent.

Here are some additional trap cutups out of various formations and blocking schemes.

Old school gap schemes like Trap are one of the reasons I enjoy studying Jim Harbaugh’s offense. Football doesn’t always have to be complicated. Making slight adjustments to a simple scheme like trap can allow you to run this play in multiple ways and aggressively attack the interior of the defense.

Coach Maddox is the Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach for the nationally ranked 13 time 6A State Champion Jenks Trojans in Oklahoma and the Camp/Curriculum director for National Football Academies.

Coach Maddox is considered to be one of the leading experts in QB training and offensive scheme tactics in the country. He is the author and co-creator of the revolutionary R4 system. The R4 system is a reads and recognition system that is used to accelerate decision making for QB’s and provide sound offensive concepts for their coaches. The R4 book “From Headset to Helmet” is becoming a foundational and must have tool for every football program.

Coach Maddox’s QB’s and offenses have set numerous state and school records. In 2010 his offense set the all-time state scoring record by averaging 53.4 points per game. His QB’s currently hold the Jenks High School all-time passing yardage career record along with career touchdown record. Of the four QB’s that he has coached at Jenks since 2006 all of them have finished with a 70%+ completion percentage along with 20:1 TD to Int ratio.

Coach Maddox spends the off-season traveling across the country teaching and training the quarterbacks. He is also a coaching consultant to football programs on offensive scheme design and implementation. He is passionate about using the game of football as a means to build great men on and off the field.

Below is a clinic presentation on the R4 System.

R4 System Clinic Presentation

For additional information visit NFA Nation or follow Coach Dub Maddox on Twitter.

Coach Maddox also has an excellent book on his system for sale From Headset To Helmet which you can purchase HERE

2012 Notre Dame Clinic Notes

This book gives you a simple, systematic process for installing multiple RPO concepts into any offense. Coach Vint has been using RPO’s in some form or fashion dating back to 2001. Over the years he has evolved his RPO’s into a simple system that forces the defense to defend 53 yards of the field and all of your skill players on every snap. He demystifies the process of installing RPO’s and shows how they can greatly enhance your offense. Regardless of what system you run, this is a book you need for your coaching library!

Coach Vint’s NEW iBook is a tremendous value at only 9.99, To Purchase Installing Explosive RPO Concepts Into Any Offense CLICK HERE

Clinic notes from Brooklyn Tech Head Coach Kyle McKenna on Dino Babers Offensive Game Planning session. You can follow him on Twitter @CoachMcKenna.

– Always run ISO early in the game to test the linebackers ability to take it on.

– Run trap early in the game to test the integrity of the defense. 

– The art of ball faking is lost, “Make the ball disappear. 

– Run max protection 2 man routes if you have a guy that can consistently get open (Babers coached Larry Fitzgerald at Pitt)

– Practice end zone routes in the back two yards of the end zone and front 6 inches of the end zone.

– Always looking for a QB that can touch every part of the field

– When breaking down scout film, puts an emphasis on identifying runs that are 7+ yards and passes that are 15+ yards. 

50 FISH

50 MTX OPTION

50 MTX OPTION (2)

50 PIVOT

50 STARS

50 STARS (2)

50 YZX SHALLOW

50 YZX SHALLOW (2)

50.51 MT JIG

60 ALL GO (1)

60 ALL GO (2)

60 FISH

60 FISH (2)

60 STARS (1)

60 STARS (2)

60 YM SQUARE

60 YM SQUARE (2)

60 YMXZ GO (1)

60 YMXZ GO (2)

60 YZX SHALLOW

Run-N-Shoot Offense McNairy Central HS

This book will take you through a systematic approach of installing a multiple tempo offense. Coach Vint describes in detail how to install each tempo and incorporate it into your offensive system. This book talks about how to communicate tempo, formations, and concepts with your players in detail. You will learn how to set up a system of signaling your players, as well as multiple ways to communicate plays in a multiple tempo system.

Coach Vint’s NEW iBook is a tremendous value at only 9.99, To Purchase Using Multiple Tempos To Create Explosive Plays Click Here

Baylor has consistently been one of the top offensive teams in the country under head coach Art Briles. While the offense is known by many for it’s fast paced tempo and downfield passing game, year in and year out Baylor is one of the top rushing teams in the nation. In 2015 Baylor finished #2 in the NCAA in rushing, averaging 326.7 yards per game and 5.95 yards per carry.

You can view a comprehensive study of their run game by clicking here. 

One of the tactics that Baylor uses to keep teams honest versus their run game are Run-Pass Options, also known as packaged plays. This article will focus on Baylor’s RPO scheme based off of their Dart play. Dart is a gap scheme that is similar to Power, except that the offense is pulling a tackle through the hole rather than a guard.

Baylor will pair a quick screen to the slot receiver with their Dart play and read the flat defender lined up over the slot receiver. While the Quarterback can determine the read pre-snap if the defense shows a heavy front, typically the read will be made by the Quarterback post snap whether to throw the ball to the slot, or hand the ball off on the dart play.

Baylor likes to run their Dart RPO out of a Double Slot formation, although they can run it out of multiple formations, like Deuce.

Typically Baylor will read the play into the boundary. They do this for a couple of reasons. First, is that it’s shorter throw for the QB, which allows the offense to get the ball into the hands of their playmaker on the edge as quickly as possible. Second, is that versus a balanced formation like Double Slot, most teams will set their passing strength (extra coverage guy) to the field (wide side).

In this example the read key steps up to play the run as the running back reaches the mesh point, so the Baylor QB pulls the ball and throws the quick screen into the boundary for a first down on 2nd and 9.

In the next example the read defender doesn’t commit to the run, but he is giving the #2 receiver so much space that it is a gift read and easy yardage to get the ball on the perimeter to the slot receiver.

These quick screen options built into Baylor’s Dart scheme serve as a useful constraint versus aggressive defenses. But ultimately the goal of these passes is to force the defense to respect the perimeter screen game, so that Baylor can gash teams between the tackles with their Dart play.

Great coaching point by Brophy for the Quarterback to ensure that the perimeter defenders can’t close late to play the run, “It is crucial for the quarterback to flash his shoulders to the perimeter to show that he’s willing to make the “throw to second base“.  This action is what will continue to freeze the safety and overhang defender.”

Baylor will continue to be one of the top offensive teams in the country as long as Art Briles is the head coach. The tempo with which Baylor operates, combined with the way they spread the field and stress defenses vertically, horizontally and in the interior with their power run game makes them nearly impossible to defend.

*** This is a guess post from Coach Brendan Galligan, you can follow him on Twitter @CoachGalligan ***

*** Coach Galligan most recently served as the head football coach at Huntingtown High School in Huntingtown, MD from 2012-2013. In that time, they went 23-4 with two SMAC championships, two 3A South Championships, and one state finals appearance. ***

Antonio Brown is a fascinating player. Over the past three seasons he has recorded 375 receptions for 5,031 yards and 31 touchdowns. But how did a 5 foot 10 inch, 6^th round draft pick become an elite, dominating receiver? After studying Pittsburgh’s All-22 film from the 2015 season, it’s obvious that Brown possesses unbelievable skill. Many of his receptions came off isolations by formation, great releases, and three different route stems (which will dissected at a later time). Interestingly, the Steelers have adapted an Air Raid staple to their offense to utilize Brown’s freakish ability: the mesh play.

The history of the mesh play has been well documented:

Mesh – CougCenter

Mesh – Smart Football

By meshing receivers, the play forces the defense to make a decision: are we going to chase the crosser or pass him off to a zone defender? A fundamental principal of passing offense is to run/rub/move against man coverage and settle against zone. The mesh play, if run correctly, provides answers to both defenses.

The Steelers have incorporated the mesh play into their offense to feature Brown. In 2014, he was used in a variety of ways. He played wide, in the slot, and was motioned frequently. They focused on match ups and feeding him the ball. His role changed in 2015. Brown was used almost exclusively as a wide, at-the-numbers receiver.

12 Personnel

11 Personnel

22 Personnel

01 Personnel

The Mike Leach/Air Raid version of mesh featured the slot receivers. The Steelers, wanting to keep Brown involved, have turned it into a wide receiver play. Unlike the Air Raid version of the play, where both receivers are viable options, this is a designed pick play to Brown. The crossing slot receiver is forcing the man covering Brown to run ‘the hump;’ go under or over the top of the pick. A second of hesitation will allow Brown to get open.

The Steelers are not the only team running the mesh play in order to free up their undersized but very quick receiver. In Super Bowl 50, the Panthers used the play in the Red Zone to free up Philly Brown against man coverage.

Facing 3^rd and long, the Steelers, along with many other NFL teams are starting to incorproate mesh-like designed screens into the game plan. Instead of running defenders off, they are blocking the men downfield, hoping for big plays through yards after the catch.

Whether it’s a mesh concept or designed shallow screen, the Steelers continue to find creative ways to get Antonio Brown the ball in space and take advantage of his receiving and run after the catch ability.

One of our league opponents (Utica Eisenhower) went to the Veer Triple Option scheme in 2014 after years of running more of a Pro-Style/Spread offense. We have seen a lot of it at Macomb Dakota over the last two years as we have played them four times, twice in the regular season and twice in the playoffs.

Their base scheme is the veer option out of a Double Wing Pistol formation.

When they spread it out in terms of their formations, they have a few different concepts that they like to run. One of them is Speed Option Strong out of Trey Pistol.

Like many option teams, Eisenhower runs sequence football. Meaning every play they have has a built in counter to try and take advantage of teams that overplay their base schemes. One of those plays that I really like is Wing Counter. It’s very similar to the sprint counter concept you see in a lot of pro style offenses. The action in the backfield looks exactly like speed option, but they run the wing underneath the formation and pull the center to the weak side to lead the play. If the weak side safety and linebacker don’t stay disciplined with their reads, the wing counter can go the distance. Any team that runs speed option with an H-Back or Wing would be wise to add this to their playbook.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s is one of the premier programs in the state of Michigan. Their list of championships speaks for itself.

Not listed above was St. Mary’s 2015 D3 state championship. They play in the Detroit CHSL (Catholic) Central, which is one of the most prestigious and competitive leagues in the country. In week 1 next year, we (Macomb Dakota) open with OLSM. Historically Macomb Dakota has fared well versus the CHSL Central, going 2-1 all-time versus their conference  But this is by far the best team from the CHSL that we have ever played. I have done quite a bit of work on them already in preparation for next year. The first thing that sticks out to me is the amount of talent that they have. OLSM features some of the top recruits in the country like Josh Ross and KJ Hamler. In the age of spread offenses and packaged plays, St. Mary’s is the exact opposite. They are a base Wishbone team that just keeps asking you the same questions, “Will you defend the power run game for 4 quarters? Will you take on Iso Blocks? 

As a football purest, it’s actually refreshing to still see teams have success at the highest levels with a Wishbone offense. I have no particular preference with offensive football, I’m a fan of any style that works.

They run 4 base concepts in the run game: Crossbuck, Off-Tackle Iso, Double Iso, Dive Option.

That’s not to say St. Mary’s doesn’t have a passing game. They can still spread teams out and throw the ball if they need to, although they don’t throw it a lot. But when they do, from what I have studied they are very efficient in the passing game.

It’s going to be a great atmosphere for our home opener next year. I love these types of games. It gives you an idea of where you’re at early in the season and allows your kids to have a tremendous competitive opportunity. We’re in no position to back down. We have also won multiple state championships (2006 and 2007.) We’ve opened up with a non conference game versus a defending state champion for the last three years in a row. In 2016 we will make the return trip out to St. Mary’s as we have a two year home and home deal with them.

“We will be a physical team that runs the ball first. We will utilize both inside and outside zone schemes. This will force the defense to defend the entire field. We want to create situations that allow our backs to get to the second level without encountering unblocked defenders. We must have playmakers with the ball in their hands, they must win in one on one situations.” 

“Option football is a major part of our offense. It will force the defense to play gap sound defense. We will also use it to attack pressures. We will be a great perimeter blocking team to create big plays.” 

These are the words from Urban Meyer and his 2006 Florida Gators offensive playbook. 

So while these statements are not referring to the Carolina Panthers offense specifically, they very well could be. No team in the NFL incorporates more power run concepts and multiple read option plays into their offense than Carolina. One of the option concepts that combines both an outside zone scheme and a power run scheme is the Panthers Counter Read.

The Panthers like to run this play out of Trips Split Gun Weak or Double Slot Gun Stack. They will read the defensive end to the trips side or to the field (wide side) in Double Slot. If the defensive end chases the outside zone give to the running back, then the quarterback will keep the ball and run the counter. If the defensive end chases down the line of scrimmage or attacks the mesh point, then the QB will give the ball on the outside zone. This play really stresses the defense horizontally. If one defensive player has a poor run fit, then the Panthers can easily crease them for a big play.

You can’t ask for more in a play design than what you get here. Just like Urban Meyer stated, “We must have playmakers with the ball in their hands and they must win one on one situations.” With the Counter Read design, you have 10 players on the defense accounted for, including every single first and second level defender. This leaves the most dynamic athlete on the field (Cam Newton) with the ball in his hands, in space, versus a safety.

The Double Slot version of Counter Read has a built in Run-Pass Option with a perimeter screen. The read for the quarterback on the defensive end is the same, but if the defense doesn’t respect the screen, then there is always an option to throw it. The screen action is also an effective constraint to keep the defense from pursuing into the box.

With Cam Newton’s evolution as a pocket passer in 2015, defenses are in a more difficult position than ever trying to defend the Panthers. It’s no longer a viable option to simply load the box and try to take away the run. The way Carolina can spread the field and create space for Cam Newton and their running back like they do with the counter read and other various option schemes, the #1 offense in the NFL should only continue to get better.

Zone Run Concepts

Man Scheme Run Concepts

Gap Scheme Run Concepts

Explosive Throws

Spread Options

Empty Package

Fly Sweep Package

Power

Protections

To view more Wake Forest Offensive Cutups Click Here

*** These are clinic notes from the latest Glazier Clinic in Las Vegas by Rory Kay. You can follow him on Twitter @UnCommonSense00 ***

Michigan State WR Fundamentals – Terrence Samuel

The Screen Package – Guy Holliday, Utah WR

 

I was fortunate to attend an excellent RPO presentation at the 2016 Michigan Football Clinic by Pine Richland (PA) Head Coach Eric Kasperowicz. Not only is Coach Kasperowicz one of the top coaches in the country, but he was also one of the greatest players in Pennsylvania high school football history.

Eric Kasperowicz enters his 4th year as Head Coach of the Pine-Richland Rams (Pittsburgh, PA) and has a career record of 30-8 with a win percentage of .789. 

Last season, as the defending AAAA WPIAL Champions and PA State Runner-up, the Pine-Richland Rams finished 10-2 and lost a heartbreaker in the WPIAL Semi-Finals. 

Sophomore QB Phil Jurkovec had a record setting season, being the youngest player ever, and only the 3rd QB in PA History to Pass and Run for 1000 yards in a season. 

Jurkovec ended the season with 2560 yards passing, 20 TD’s, 4 INT’s and 67% completion percentage. He also had 1250 yards rushing and 11 TD’s on the ground. 

Kasperowicz’s 15-1 record setting 2014 squad, led by Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year and University of Pittsburgh recruit, Ben DiNucci, featured the most prolific passing game in PA State history, scoring 714 points and accumulating almost 7000 yards of total offense, while setting a school records for wins in a season (15). Although the Rams fell short in the Championship Game to St. Joe’s Prep, Pine Richland set all-class Championship Game records for points scored by a losing team (41), total offense (594 yds), attempts (46), completions(32), yards passing (383), receptions by a player (14) and TD’s by a player (2). QB Ben Dinucci finished the season with 4301 yards passing, 46 TD’s, 9 INT’s and 70% completion percentage. 

Coach Kasperowicz was the PA State Coach of the Year, the Post-Gazette AAAA Coach of the Year, and the PA Football News AAAA and PA Football writers AAAA Coach of the Year. Coach graduated from North Hills High School where he was a four-year starter at Quarterback and Safety. He led the Indians to a WPIAL AAAA Championship and the school’s first PA State Championship. Considered as the best all-around player in WPIAL history, Eric had 6,869 career yards and 20 career interceptions as a defensive back. In 1994, along with Peyton Manning, Eric was selected as a Parade All-American. Eric was also selected as the USA Today and Associated Press Pennsylvania Player of the year. Included in these awards was Eric’s selection as the starting Quarterback for the prestigious Big 33 Game (PA vs. OHIO), was later voted as the All Time Greatest Player in Western PA (WPIAL) beating out just great sports luminaries such as Mike Ditka, Tony Dorsett, Dan Marino and Lavar Arrington. All of these awards culminated with Eric’s 2014 induction into the WPIAL Hall of Fame. 

Upon his graduation from high school, he attended the University of Pittsburgh on a football scholarship lettering all 4 years and played a significant role as the team’s starting linebacker his last two years. After an injury-plagued career and several NFL tryouts later, Eric was able to return to his high school alma mater to begin his coaching career. Coach Kasperowicz spent 11 years as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator under the legendary Jack McCurry, with each year getting the team to the 9 win mark. 

Coach Kasperowicz lives in Pittsburgh with his lovely wife Jennifer, and his three children, Ella (12), Eric (9) and Emlyn (7).

You can follow Coach Kasperowicz on Twitter @CoachKasper.

Below I will attach a PDF and film from the presentation that Coach Kasperowicz was gracious enough to share. But here are some additional coaching points from the presentation that were not included in the PDF

In terms of formations they keep it very simple in order to play fast. If the ball is in the middle of the field. The formation is 2×2. If the ball is on the hash, the formation is 3×1 with trips to the field. From their offensive self scout, they have found that the ball is on the hash 78% of the time.

Throw the single side hitch if it’s there. Easiest and quickest throw.

They used to run bubble from 2×2, and still will at times. But they like the quick screen better. Bubble is a more difficult throw and defenses have gotten better at recognizing and defending bubble. With quick screen, the safety lined up over #2 has to respect the vertical release of #2, which slows his pursuit in the screen game. If the safety doesn’t honor #2, they can just tag a GO onto the play and send #2 on a vertical route.

Same goes for 3×1 Stick. They can tag it stick and go. Everything else stays the same but #3 will run a double move.

For empty formations, 3 man RPO rules apply to trips side, 2 man rules apply to twins side.

In 3×1 they teach the #1 receiver to block the most dangerous man or first threat, rather than assigning him to a particular receiver.

Pine Richland (PA) RPO Clinic: Eric Kasperowicz