Keep the Chains Moving

Illinois' 3rd Down Attack
by: Ron Turner
Head Football Coach,University of Illinois
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Achieving results on third down is one of the biggest keys to winning any football game. Third-down situations are often pivotal in determining the outcome of a game. A key stop for the defense can change momentum or significantly alter field-position advantage. Conversely, a conversion by the offense can keep a drive alive, eat up clock time, and keep scoring opportunities available.

For the offense, the objective is simple: keep the football by making the necessary yardage. Several factors make this a challenge when facing today's defenses.

First, third down is a possession down. The offense has only one opportunity to make the necessary yardage. Since defenses know this, their tactics are tailored to the specific distance.

Second, defenses today play a variety of looks and coverages on third down. On any given third down, an offense can face two-deep zone, three-deep zone, man-under, blitz-man, or blitz-zone, in addition to a variety of combination coverages.

All of these are often played from the same pre-snap look, presenting difficult decision-making for the quarterback. Each play selected must have contingencies for these different looks to give the offense a reasonable chance at success.

At Illinois, we feel there are three critical factors to a successful third-down attack: balance; proper execution; and "matching up" with our best weapons.

Balance and Execution

In designing our third-down attack, we rely on a combination of balance and execution. As the attack takes shape, we will always keep these two points in mind. Balance is simply not becoming predictable where the defense can concentrate on stopping one particular phase. Balance in several areas allows an offense to attack a variety of defensive looks and create more problems for the defense.

The first key to balance is that we are able to utilize our entire offensive package on third down: runs, draws, screens, play-action, and special plays, in addition to our dropback passing game. Relying too much on a dropback attack makes an offense too predictable. We cannot allow the distance needed to dictate our strategy.

Another key is formational balance. Each time we line up on third down, the formation we use should present the defense with both a run and pass threat. In this way, we can dictate to the defense how they must line up to defend each formation. They should be forced to pick what they will be able to defend out of each set.

Since third down is often a passing situation, many of the formations used will be spread or passing sets. Balance can be achieved if we can present a run or play-action threat from these passing formations as well. This is no different from what we would do on first-and-10. We would strive to make certain runs and passes tied together in each formation. An example of this type of balance might be our Near formation (see Diagram 1). This is a doubles set in which the single back is offset to the tight end side. From this formation, we could utilize a three-step route and protection, as shown, or one of our five- or seven-step routes.

Diagram 1. "Near right" formation. Spread formation forces the defense to indicate more clearly whether they will defend run or pass. Play shown is a base three-step route and protection for us.

By adding a draw and a play-action from the same look (see Diagrams 2 and 3), we have achieved excellent balance from this one formation.

As our coaching staff attempts to balance our third down attack, it is critical to fight the urge to keep adding plays. That is why our staff puts a premium on execution as the next critical factor in our third-down plan. The key to execution is simplicity and carry-over. If players have successfully learned a concept and they can successfully carry out their assignment on the field, that concept should be repeated in as many situations as possible. If overall numbers of concepts can be kept to a minimum, then both meeting and practice time can be utilized to the fullest.

In our teaching system, a run or pass concept is first introduced in a classroom format. The rules and techniques for each position are kept simple so that repetition on the field can ingrain the proper reactions into each player. As a concept gets more thoroughly covered in practice and in the classroom, different situations arise based on defensive looks, blitzes, field position, etc.

Diagram 2. Base draw action from our "Doubles" formation.

Diagram 3. Slide Protection route with a draw fake. Tie into draw formations.

We can concentrate on teaching the players how to react in each situation they may face. Simplicity in number of concepts is our only chance to possibly cover every situation with our players. Offensive players can develop confidence because they know the concepts inside and out that we will rely on in a third-down situation.

Creating a Match-up Advantage

Another important factor in implementing our third-down package is getting the ball in the hands of our "best weapons" by creating good match-ups for them. Our staff must work to identify who our playmakers are and find ways to get them the ball within our base concepts.

Diagram 4. If the defense substitutes strictly by down and distance, the offense can oftenkeep a power advantage for running the ball by keeping the regular group of people on the field versusa weaker run defender at nickel.

If we can create a mismatch by getting our playmaker matched-up with a lesser defender, then we have an even greater chance at success. One way this can be done is through substitution. Substitutions are made on both sides of the ball to either gain a power advantage (ex: on third and short the offense puts in extra tight ends or backs in order to run the ball); or, gain a skill advantage (ex: on third and long the offense puts in an extra receiver to get a match-up advantage on a linebacker in the passing game). However, the offense should not substitute just because of the situation.

Another way the offense can gain a match-up advantage is through formations. If the defense can be kept guessing as to where the offense's top weapons will line up, the offense can often create a mismatch by alignment. Last season, for example, our goal was to get the ball in the hands of our top running back in the running and passing game as often as possible. By moving him from a ball carrier or receiver out of the backfield (see Diagram 5) to a slot receiver (see Diagram 6) or to a wing or flanker position, we were able to get him matched up successfully more often.

Diagram 5. In 1997 our top "weapon" was our halfback. Our first way to put pressure on the defense on third down was to use him as a receiver out of the backfield where he could also be a run threat.

Since the defense will usually counter, subbing should only be used to gain an advantage. Many times, keeping the regular first-down group on the field will give the offense an upper hand. This might happen if the defense always puts nickel people in on third-and-a-certain distance. Knowing this, the offense could easily maintain its power advantage for running the ball (see Diagram 4).

Diagram 6. The slot was another position we placed our halfback to create a favorable match-up, often on a linebacker.

Play Selection

The most critical point for selecting concepts that will emphasize execution is to utilize our best plays on third down. Our regular down attack is adapted to fit the distance situation on third down for two reasons.

One is simply giving us another chance to call one of our best plays. Third down is not a time for inventing something new. It is a time to rely on your best plays.

Secondly, it allows the offense a better chance at execution. We simply try to find a way to give our best plays a look that ties in with the situation we face.

For example, one of our best runs is our off-tackle power play. Our players have successfully executed this play more often than any of our other runs. If we adapt this play to the looks we face and the formations we use on third down, we can give the defense a variety of looks and keep our schemes simple.

On third-and-short, we might run the play from a two tight end look to give us a power advantage (see Diagram 7). On third and long, however, we would want to tie the play in to a pass look to take advantage of the defense going to nickel substitution (see Diagram 8). In this formation, we have gained the same power advantage by forcing the defense into nickel. We have then come back with our top run from a formation and motion that has our opponent thinking drop-back pass.

Diagram 7. "Power" from a two tight end set. The extra tight end comes in to block support and everyone else blocks the base play.

Diagram 8. Our base power play can also be a nickel run. If we run it from a three-receiver substitution, the tight end replaces the fullback on the kick out block, and we now run the play to an "open end" look.

Adapting the regular down package to fit the third-down or nickel situation allows for carryover when teaching the involved concepts. If the offense can utilize its best plays, while keeping the concepts the same, the read will not change for the quarterback. More preparation time can be spent getting him ready to face different defensive looks and coverages. New problems can be created for the defense by changing personnel and formations.

As an example let's take our "snag" concept: it is one of our base dropback passes. It is a proven concept in many timing-based passing attacks, and it is one of the first ideas we teach to our offense each year (see Diagram 9). In it we send a back on a wide-flare or flat route to put pressure on the underneath coverage.

Diagram 9. Our "Snag" concept run from our base look for the play. The quarterback's first read is off the flat defender. If he gets width, we will throw to the flanker. If he squeezes, we will throw to the back. The corner is a possible big play option.

We then put an outside receiver on a snag route in the curl defender's area to take advantage of that stretch. Finally, we place a third receiver on a corner route to control the deep coverage and give us a big play option. In Diagrams 10-12, we have shown how we might change up the look of this concept to adapt to different down and distance or personnel situations.

Diagram 10. In this formation, the defense has gone to a nickel substitution along with our three wide receiver substitution. A favorable match-up is created for the offense with the flanker on a linebacker.

If we like a particular match-up when the defense puts in nickel personnel, for example, we might put in our extra wide receiver to invite the nickel substitution (see Diagram 10). Maybe the defense only substitutes when we do, and we like our match-ups versus their regular personnel. We could keep our regular personnel in the game and run it from a slot formation, forcing the defense to defend the look with their regular linebackers (see Diagram 11). Or, if we are expecting pressure with man coverage, the same concept could be run from a three-receiver set with two backs in the game for pass protection (see Diagram 12).

Diagram 11. Snag concept from slot. We have kept regular personnel in the game, but now have a receiver running our big play corner route.

The critical point is that the concept of the route never changes for the players. The quarterback will practice these reads over and over, and the receivers will get repetitions running the routes. We can then develop confidence in our ability to execute against different types of third-down defenses.

Diagram 12. Our three-wide receiver set has invited a nickel substitution. Our two-back formation has their blitz picked up so we can take advantage of a good match up for our corner route versus man coverage.

Building a Multiple Coverage Attack Into One Scheme

Because of the variety of fronts and coverages played today on third down, we cannot often rely on the "perfect" play call to outsmart the defense. Therefore it is necessary that the concepts we teach each have the ability to attack several different coverages and fronts.

Since many of these coverages are played from the same pre-snap look, the ability of the quarterback to make good decisions is imperative. By keeping carry-over within our concepts, he can develop confidence in what he sees as he makes the same decisions over and over in practice.

Diagram 13. Our three-step "Stick" progression is shown frontside. If the flat defender squeezes with motion, we will throw the flat. If he gets width, we will hit the "Stick." If the coverage is rotated strong, we will come back to our hitch combination.

Building options that attack a variety of coverages into each concept will give the quarterback somewhere he can go with the ball, regardless of whether he sees two-deep or three-deep zone, blitz-zone, blitz-man, or a combination type of coverage. One way we create this situation is through combo concepts. These plays often have one type of route combination designed for a certain defensive look on one side of the formation. The quarterback now has a choice of combinations based on the coverage. Diagram 13 shows our "stick" concept on one side of the formation with a "double hitch" on the other side. If the quarterback has a good look to work the hitch combo, he goes to that side. If not, he works to the "stick" progression (see Diagram 13).

Diagram 14. A three receiver set with motion to invite the defense to adjust and allow us to throw an out to the split end. If they do not adjust, our stick progression on the frontside is flat No. 1, stick at 6 yards No. 2.

Another multiple-coverage concept is the "individual." We will align in, or motion to, a trips set on one side and run an "individual" route on the other side. If the defense overplays the trips side of the formation, the "individual" route on the backside will often get single coverage. The combination of the frontside, often our same "stick" combination (see Diagram 14), is the side to go to against a more balanced defensive look.

Stay on Schedule

To have the best chance at moving the ball on third down, the offense must first realize the importance of staying out of third-and-long situations. In our game planning and play calling, we work hard at gaining a minimum of four yards on first and second down.

Let's face it, as play callers, we are all a lot more excited about third down and two or three than we are about finding a play that will work on third-and-10. If we emphasize to our players our goal of getting to third-and-two or -three, we feel it will affect their performance in a positive way. For example, a quarterback who thoroughly understands this concept will be more patient with his reads, and take what the defense gives him. He will buy into the big picture of keeping the drive alive.

Possession downs are the most important time of the game to execute. We feel these concepts and coaching points give our players the best chance to be confident in their assignments no matter what defense they are up against. This confidence, developed through many repetitions, will allow our players to concentrate on making plays to "keep the chains moving."

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