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AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


Attacking Defenses With The Veer

by: Peter Mazzaferro
Former Head Coach
Bridgewater State

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Over the past 22 years we have been running the split backfield veer at Bridgewater State College. We have had only one losing season during this period and our teams have been consistently ranked in the top 30 in rushing offense among all Division III programs.

When we first put in the veer, we ran up against mostly 5-2 monster defenses. Our basic formation was a two tight end alignment (See Diagram l).

Diagram 1. Basic formation with two
tight ends


We didn’t flip-flop our linemen or backs. We got the veer attack from Jim Wacker, the late coach who had success with the veer at both TCU and Minnesota. Most of our success was running the veer away from strength (See Diagram 2).

Diagram 2. Running away with strength

The quarterback would mesh with the running back on the inside leg of the tackle and read the defensive end. If the end came down on the dive, the quarterback would pull the ball and pitch or keep on the weak side cornerback. The key block would be the flex end blocking the defensive tackle. If the tackle slanted, the flex end would block down on the inside linebacker.

In recent years, we have split our flex and, at times, even split our tight ends. We like to stretch an eight man front and run the inside veer (See Diagram 3).

Diagram 3. Running the inside veer

In the inside veer, the quarterback meshes a little deeper with the running back. The mesh is right over the cheeks of the guard. If the end comes down, the quarterback pulls the ball and pitches or keeps off the outside linebacker. The key block vs. an 8-man front (4-4) is the block on the onside guard and tackle. They must seal off the defensive tackle and linebacker. Then we face a 7-man front, we like to run the outside veer vs. a 4-3 shade (See Diagram 4).

Diagram 4. Outside veer vs. a 4-3 shade

On the outside veer, the quarterback will again mesh with the running back on the inside leg of the tackle. He will read the defensive end. If the end slants hard, the quarterback will pull the ball and option the strong safety. The key blocks will be made by the tackle and the tight end. The tackle will take a step to the outside to protect the mesh area. He will then attempt to block the outside linebacker. The tight end will release around the defensive end and cut off the pursuit of the outside linebacker.

When we are in a goal-line situation (inside the five yard line), we usually face a 6-5 alignment and like to run the outside veer (See Diagram 5).

Diagram 5. Running the outside veer

When we get down near the goal-line, we like to tighten our splits to one foot. We usually split our linemen two to three feet in normal situations. We then bring in two tight ends. We like to run our outside veer on the goal-line. The quarterback reads the defensive end and either gives or keeps it. We do not like to pitch the ball back in a goal-line situation. The key block is the double team block of the tackle and tight end. We want to get movement at the point of attack.

Many teams have gotten away from the split back veer, but I still feel you can develop a good running game from this type of offensive philosophy.


About the author
Pete Mazzaferro

Legendary coach Pete Mazzaferro recently retired at Bridgewater State after serving as head coach fro 38 years. He began his coaching career at Waynesburg College and Curry College before becoming an assistant at Bridgewater State. Named head coach in 1968, Mazzaferro finished his career with over 200 wins as a Division III coach. He was twice named the New England Writer’s Coach of the Year for D-III football and was inducted into the Bridgewater St. College Hall of Fame in 1994.
Questions? If you have any questions you can email the author at: PeteMazzaferro@AmericanFootballMonthly.com







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