Vilanova\'s 5-man Protection Series
Wide Receivers, Villanova©
More from this issue
Over the past six seasons, Villanova University has thrown for
over 20,000 yards. One aspect we stress is constantly attempting
to stretch the defenses that we see both vertically and horizontally.
We will try to force the opposition to cover the entire field.
We will do this by incorporating multiple formations and personnel
groupings. We will also attempt to stress the defense by having
the ability to get into several formations from the same personnel
group. For example, we will jump to a No-Back look from our 1-Tight
End/2-Back personnel. Everything we do game plan-wise is in an
effort to constantly stress the defensive coverages and attack
those stretched seams.
One of the packages that we will use is a 5-Man protection with five free-releasing
receivers. If we are using this package, we will spread the field with a wide
formation. This allows us to begin stretching the field before the snap. The
other big reason we will use these from spread sets is to allow the quarterback
to “see” the defense. The quarterback must be able to get a good
pre-snap feel as to who the potential rushers are. By spreading the field we
feel that we are forcing the defense to declare who these rushers are by supporting
them with secondary coverage.
One of the points of emphasis in any 5-Man protection is to teach the quarterback
who is blocked and who are the “free” rushers. He must fully understand
which of the rushing defenders can get to him first unblocked, therefore who
he must beat with the release of the ball. We will teach this by stressing to
the quarterback that he must not only make quick reads but he must also get rid
of the football quickly.
We like our 5-Man series versus blitz. We feel that our quarterback can get rid
of the ball before the defender can get to him. Moreover, we feel that once the
ball is caught there is more room to run with the football. This room is created
by the vacating, blitzing linebackers.
What follows are four of our 5 Out Now patterns. For background information,
we number our receivers from the sideline and according to which side of the
formation they are on, strong or quick.
5 OUT NOW
Protection: As a general rule the five offensive linemen will have the four down
linemen and the Mike linebacker. We will game-plan week-to-week as to who will
be the dual reader of the down offensive linemen. As a general rule versus blitz,
we will always try to pick up the five most dangerous men, those five that have
the shortest run to the quarterback. That is, we will always try to force the “contain/edge” rusher
be the sixth (or seventh) man in the blitz. Since he is unblocked, he is the
responsibility of the quarterback. Remember, these throws are quick and the quarterback
will not hold the ball long. We will also help the quarterback by setting him
in the shotgun.
50: (Y Stick)
Diagram 1.
Diagram 2.
Diagram 3.
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We can run this from any three and two set. Primarily it is a way for us to get
the ball to the Tight End (See diagrams 1-3).
1 Strong: The Z will run right through the outside shoulder of the corner. He
is to force the corner vertically. If, on his route, he sees the corner gather
his feet he is to gather his feet and engage. This is because the ball is in
the air to the fullback. He is not getting the ball.
2 Strong: Has the “stick route.” We will run this
at a depth of 3 yards. He is always turning to the inside. We have made this
a constant rule
for him because the route was slowed sometimes while he was deciding on the
leverage of the linebacker over him. We would rather have him there quickly
than losing
time thinking about it.
3 Strong: (Fullback) Runs the slide route. We do not give him a depth on this
route. We stress, however, that he is a horizontal player. He must get outside
the edge now.
1 Quick: Has a three-step slant. (We will have our inside leg up to enable this
count.)
2 Quick: Has a three-step slant.
In order to ensure the correct spacing between the two slants, we will either
slightly delay the release of 1 Quick or we will align 2 Quick on the ball with
1 Quick off the ball.
Quarterback: His read is 3 Strong to 2 Strong to “Double Slant.” If
the 3 Strong outflanks the flat player on his release, he gets the ball NOW.
The quarterback must be conditioned to throw this ball very quickly. If the linebacker
expands with the fullback, the read then comes to the Mike linebacker. If the
Tight End replaces in the void left by the Sam he gets the ball. If the Mike “jumps” the
Tight End, we now have a good Inside/Out on the Will linebacker with the double
slants. Versus blitz, the quarterback will decide pre-snap if he feels the fullback
will outflank the man responsible for him in coverage (usually that defender
will have to run “over” the route of 2 strong) or he can go out
the back to the double slants.
Coaching Points:
•
Have the Tight End (2 Strong) get in the habit of getting upfield immediately
after the catch. While this route is not designed to be a “big play,” he
must realize that he is getting the ball because he is in a seam. Have him
stay in that seam post catch.
•
Have 2 Strong recognize a Man (Zero) Coverage Shell. This will allow him to recognize
which defender has the fullback (3 Strong) man to man and will help him determine
the depth of his route as to force that defender to “run the hump” over
top of his route therefore slowing him down. This is easier to teach to a 2-point
slot than a 3-point tight end.
• Constantly enforce with the fullback (3 Strong) that he must snap his
head around over his outside shoulder immediately. He could (will) get this ball
very quickly.
562: We will use this
versus any coverage. It will become a type of frontside flood combination versus
Cover 3 and a “Smash” combination versus
Cover 2. Used from any three and two set. (See diagrams 4-6)
Diagram 4.
Diagram 5.
Diagram 6.
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1 Strong: Circle Out. Inside angled release to 5 yards, vertical to 10, then
depart on a 45-degree angle to the corner. He is usually getting to 15-16 yards.
2 Strong: Inside angled release, then true vertical to affect the Mike linebacker
in a 2-Shell and the Sam linebacker in a 3-Shell. He is trying to force the Mike/Sam
linebacker to carry him vertically. If the Mike/Sam linebacker comes off of him
to jump the crosser, he will sit down above the ball at 10 yards.
3 Strong: Slide Route. Same route as in 50.
1 Quick: 5-yard hitch.
2 Quick: Shallow cross. Must work across the field never getting more than 4
yards deep.
Quarterback:
Versus 3-Shell: Will read fullback to shallow crosser to 2 Strong. If the Fullback
beats the flat player to the flat, he gets the ball. If the flat player expands
immediately, the read comes to the Mike linebacker. If he is carrying the route
of 2 Strong vertically, the ball comes to the shallow cross. If he has come off
of that route, the ball comes to 2 Strong on the Sit Route.
Versus 2-Shell: If the field corner squats (traditional Cover 2), we will high-low
him with the Smash combination created by 1 and 3 Strong. If the field corner
bails (as in quarters coverage), the read will follow as above: Fullback to shallow
cross to 2 Strong on the sit route.
Versus Blitz:
Man - Still have a good rub combination (the man who has the fullback is
forced to run “over” the route of 2 Strong) between 2 Strong
and 3 Strong or the shallow cross as the separator.
Zone - Throw the hitch to 1 quick immediately.
Coaching Points:
• Have the quarterback get a good pre-snap read between Cover 2 Shell and
Cover 3 Shell.
• 2 Strong should inside angle his release so he is not getting caught
up with the Sam/Strong Safety.
• 2 Strong should never avoid contact with the Mike/Sam linebacker. Invite
contact and force him to marry up with your route. He is always coming outside
the Mike/Sam
to force his back to the crosser.
• 2 Quick must get vertical as soon as he gets the ball. Again, he is catching
the ball in a seam therefore he should stay in that seam. If he continues
to work across the field he will run into the defender that is being stretched
by the route of the fullback
Vertically Stretching Series
554: We will use this versus teams that play from a 2-Shell. We are trying to
create an immediate isolation high/low on the Mike linebacker. We can run from
any three and two set. (See diagrams 7-9)
Diagram 7.
Diagram 8.
Diagram 9.
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1 Strong: 5-Yard Hitch
2 Strong: Corner Route. It is important that he
gets good depth on his route before he breaks to the corner. The
break should occur at 10-12 yards. His route
is designed to pull the front half-field safety off of the hash.
3 Strong: Centerfield seam route. His release should take
him outside of the frontside defensive end.
1 Quick: Shallow cross. He must get across the field at
no more than 4 yards deep.
2 Quick: Corner route. Same concept and break point as 2
Strong. He must pull the back half-field safety off of the hash.
Quarterback:
Key read the Mike linebacker. If the Mike works for depth with the route
of 3 Strong (Fullback), the ball is dropped down to the shallow cross of
1 Quick.
If he settles his feet, the ball goes over his head to the fullback.
Versus Blitz:
Man: Good separator with the route of 1 Quick.
Zone: Will throw the ball to the hitch immediately.
Coaching Points:
• If aligning the fullback in the backfield (it seems to time up better
from the backfield alignment), cheat his split wider to allow for an easier
release. We
always have him work outside the end, any inside release can get clogged
up by a twist scheme by the defensive line.
•
Fullback should work to not “bend” the route after he is above
the Mike. He must stay in the middle seam. Any bending of the route will
bring it
closer to the Free Safety
•
1 Quick’s route will time up a bit better if he inside angle releases to
a depth of three yards and then continues on his shallow cross. If he “goes
now” the timing is a bit too quick.
559:
We will use this as a way to take a deep shot at the coverage. It becomes
a way to overload the frontside half safety by sending three vertical routes
right
at him. (See diagrams 10-11)
Diagram 10.
Diagram 11.
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1 Strong: Landmarked take-off. His landmark is
the bottom of the numbers.
2 Strong: Landmarked seam route. His landmark is 2 yards
outside of the hash.
3 Strong: Middle seam route. 3 Strong must identify 1
or 2 safeties. If there is only 1 safety, he must work to cross his inside
shoulder.
If there are 2 safeties,
he must work to bisect them, being careful not to work too far over where
the frontside safety will pass him off to the backside safety.
1 Quick: 5-yard hitch route. He is the answer to any zone
blitz pressure.
2 Quick: Landmarked take-off. Since 1 Quick is running
the hitch, 2 Quick will assume his landmark of bottom of the numbers.
Quarterback: Must be aware of any type of pre-snap blitz
look. Since these are vertical routes he must feel good about it being
a Zone coverage
in order to
stay with it. He is simply reading the near safety. If it is a 2-Shell,
he reads the strong safety, if it is a 3-Shell, he will read the free safety.
Regardless
of the look, he knows that that safety is being overloaded. It is a good
coaching point to have the quarterback “look the safety off,” that
is to not lock into his receiver with his eyes. He must add to the stress
on the
safety
by looking that safety off.
Coaching Points:
Preach your landmarks and maintaining their spacing. All of the receivers
must understand the spatial importance of their routes. We always try to
put in terms
of maximizing stress on that frontside safety. If the landmarks become
compressed, his stress level is reduced.
All of these routes look good on paper. Fortunately, we have been blessed
with two great quarterbacks over the past six years, Chris Boden and Brett
Gordon,
who have turned these diagrams into pretty good plays. While it may seem
like a lot to teach your quarterback in terms of knowing who is unblocked,
invariably
it is the 5 Out Now series that become our quarterback’s favorite plays.
About
the author
Drew Maginnis
Drew Maginnis returns as wide receiver coach in 2002.
After coaching at Villanova from 1995-97, Maginnis spent
the 1998 season as the Offensive Coordinator at St. Anselm
College. In their first year of football in 1998, Maginnis
helped St. Anselm to a 5-1 record as his offense averaged
24 points per game. From a recruiting standpoint, Maginnis
is in charge of Maryland, Virginia and Atlanta.
Under Maginnis’ guidance, Villanova wide receiver Murle Sango became one
of the top playmakers in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Sango, who earned third
team All-Conference acclaim last year, ended his Wildcat career second on the
school’s all-time reception list and one of just three players ever in
school history to tally 200 or more receptions in his career. In 1999, Sango
garnered All-American honors with a school record 98 receptions for 1,064 yards
and 10 touchdowns.
Prior to arriving at Villanova in 1995, Maginnis was the defensive coordinator
at LaSalle College High School for one season.
For more information contact: Andrew.Maginnis@villanova.edu
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