Play Action for the Big Play

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The past three seasons we have experienced much success at Jones Jr. College. In 1998, we were fortunate enough to finish the season 12-0 with a #1 ranking in one national poll. Our no-huddle, one-back offensive attack has averaged 29 points per game in the three seasons we have been together.

In the spring of 1997, our staff decided to put in the one-back offense with the objective of spreading the defense.

Our offensive philosophy is fairly simple. We want to determine where the defense is going to be, and go somewhere else. We would like to spread the defense, throwing to the perimeter (connecting the dots) by using our 1-step, 3-step, and underneath dropback passing game. If we can successfully spread the defense, then we will be able to run the football and control the tempo of the game.

PLAY ACTION PASS

A high percentage of our big plays at JCJC come from our play-action passing game. We believe that if we can successfully run the ball, then by using play-action we can isolate the defensive secondary into one-on-one coverage against our wide receivers. We sell our receivers on the fact that there are certain routes which a cornerback cannot cover by himself. Our two favorite routes off of the play-action fake are 1) the post, and 2) the post-corner.

By faking the outside zone play, we can hold the LB's underneath and put our receivers in one-on-one situations vs. the cornerbacks. If we feel that the FS is involved in run suppport, we like to throw the post. (See diagram 1)

If we feel that the FS is not in fast-flow, we like to throw the post-corner. (See diagram 2)

If we feel like the FS is starting to overplay toward the post-corner, we have the option to throw the backside post. (See diagram 3)

QB TECHNIQUE

We coach our QB to open at 4 o'clock (or 8 o'clock to the left) on the play action fake. (diagram 4)

On his first step, we want him to stretch his arms out toward the HB, showing the ball (always keeping two hands on the football). As the HB passes the QB's path, we want the QB to "belly" the ball (to prevent any chance of a turnover) and to dip his shoulders. This hides the ball from the defenders and gives the illusion of a handoff. As the QB "bellies and dips," we want him to explode 3 steps back for his set-up. We coach the QB to set-up at least eight yards deep somewhere in the T/TE gap area. Because we zone protect, it is okay for the QB to gain width as he is gaining depth. In other words, he does not have to go straight back after his fake.

Going to the left, we want him to open at 8 o'clock, show the ball, belly and dip at the fake, take 2 big steps and pivot to set his feet. (See diagram 5)

Our HB's first responsibility is to look for any perimeter blitz. He then runs his outside zone track, dips his shoulders and makes a pocket as he passes the QB, always keeping his eyes up for the first thing outside the TE.

WIDE RECEIVER TECHNIQUE

All routes begin with a good stance. We put our wide receivers in a two-point stance with the outside foot back. We do this so we can run our short routes off of steps, rather than yards. (ex. 5-step hitch, 3- step slant, etc.) Knees are bent, shoulders are cocked down, eyes are up with the majority of our weight on the ball of the front foot. The back foot is a balance foot only. On the snap of the ball, we want to drive off of the front foot. We do not push off of the back foot. This is extra motion and wasted time.

We use a five-minute period every practice during two-a-days, and once a week in season, working on stance and starts with the wide receivers. We also coach the receivers to move on the snap of the ball. We are not concerned with the cadence. We move when we see the ball move.

POST ROUTE

On the snap of the ball, the receiver should drive off the line of scrimmage, stemming at the outside shoulder of the cornerback. We coach our receivers to "get into" the DB, or close the gap between you and him, as quickly as possible. When you get within 2 yards of him (which can be anywhere from 8-12 yards), give a good head and shoulders fake to the outside, plant on your outside foot, and run the post route. We want our aiming point to be at the playside upright. The WR should never cross his upright unless going after the ball. We want the QB to throw the ball more upfield (See diagram 6). We don't want the route coming back across the field, allowing the backside coverage to come into play (diagram 7).

POST-CORNER ROUTE

The post-corner is a deep timing route between the QB and the WR. On the snap, the receiver should drive off of the line of scrimmage at the DB. At nine yards, we want to stem inside 3 steps on a post-stem, then roll out of the cut to the sideline. The angle, or aiming point, of the route is determined by the position of the cornerback. If the CB is deep, we want to roll flatter toward the sideline, making the route a deep out-route (approx. 14 yards). (See diagram 8)

If the CB has inside leverage and you can get behind him, we want the route run to the "deep corner," aiming at a point 35 yards deep on the sideline, and we want the ball thrown over the top. (diagram 9)

Coaching Point - A good coaching point for the WR is to look inside (over his inside shoulder) as he runs the 3-step post-stem. This will get the DB running to the post and create more separation as he rolls to the sideline.

CATCHING THE BALL

The biggest factor in catching the ball is not size, speed, strength, or the ability to run routes. It is concentration. This is an aspect that can be coached and can be improved upon during practice. Our receivers never go through any drill (other than blocking drills) where they are not catching a ball at some point in the drill. (ex. ropes, cones, releases, etc.)

Tips For Catching

1. Eyes - use your eyes first. See the front tip of the ball into your hands.

2. Hands - use your hands. Take the ball out of the air with your fingers.

Above the chest - thumbs in.

Below the chest - thumbs out.

3. Body - use your body to cover and cradle the ball after the catch.

Our favorite hand/eye drill is the goalpost drill. Our receivers stand behind the goalpost with their arms extended. A coach throws balls to the receiver from directly in front, then from an angle to the side, and then from an angle on the other side. The coach will throw one ball at chest level, one high ball, and one low ball to each receiver from each position. This drill forces the receivers to get their arms out and catch the ball with their hands. (See diagram 10)


Diagram 1.

Diagram 2.

Diagram 3.

Diagram 4.

Diagram 5.

Diagram 6.

Diagram 7.

Diagram 8.

Diagram 9.

Diagram10

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