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AFM Magazine


The Big Six

UCLA's QB Teaching Progression With Concepts
by: Al Borges
Offensive Coordinator,UCLA
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Many years ago I sat down and attempted to encapsulate our passing game. The rationale for this was simple. We had too many pass plays and the quarterback was becoming confused by the potpourri of route combinations. After some careful thought and extensive research, I came to the conclusion that it made more sense to "group" our passing offense into six concepts (Delta, Flood, China, Option, Crossing, and One-on-One). This seemed more logical than teaching 90 to 100 different route combinations independently.

Each pass play is initiated and designed with a certain goal in mind. So often, certain coverages or individual match ups will dictate the structure of a particular passing play. Once the quarterback understands these concepts, he can more easily digest and regurgitate the necessary data needed to execute each individual play. The quarterback should not only know the basic theme behind the concept, but the variety of adjustments and contingencies within that theme.

These concepts are not limited to drop-back passing. They can be applied to any number of play-action or pocket movement-type passes. Although the quarterback should be made aware of the different reactions he may encounter on these types of passes, it is important to understand that these concepts are never compromised based on those reactions.

Delta

The first concept we teach is Delta. The Delta concept is designed to horizontally stretch the defense in a way that isolates an individual defender. Potential receivers will be aligned in a triangle configuration. Each receiver must be clearly in the quarterback's line of vision so that he can easily exercise any of the options available.

This concept is best suited to attack a three-deep, four-under coverage. Other coverages that may involve different techniques by the cornerbacks, safeties, or underneath defenders may require a subtle adjustment by the quarterback and receivers.

With his primary vision, the quarterback must focus on a set throwing lane while allowing his peripheral vision to determine whether his secondary receiver is covered. When the quarterback sees that both of his first two options are taken away, he will refocus on the throwing lane to his third receiver.

Flood

Next up in the teaching progression is the flood concept. This concept involves a vertical stretch principle whereby a certain defender is being isolated and stretched with a front and back effect. Three receivers are "stacking" an inside or outside zone in an attempt to separate the deep and underneath defenders. This concept can prove to be useful against a variety of zone coverages, e.g. three-deep, four-under; two-deep, five-under.

The quarterback's primary focus is deep. He must insure that the deep coverage is not "dropping down" to help the underneath coverage. This type of reaction requires the QB to throw the ball deep. Once it has been established that the deep coverage is respecting the deepest receiver, the QB can refocus on the intermediate receiver while picking up his third option with his peripheral vision .

China

The third concept is China. The China concept is geared to attacking a multitude of pass coverages. A designated receiver, generally coming from the outside, will come off the ball and occupy the short flat area. This can be done many different ways. I have used what we term a "smash" or "sneak" route to illustrate this part of the combination. Another receiver usually coming from the inside will push the outside defender deep. As a rule, this is done with some form of corner route. Often, a third receiver may be incorporated into this concept. He will occupy the post area.

The short flat takes advantage of teams who choose to drop their coverage aggressively. The corner pattern can exploit advantageous match ups in man coverages. The post route can be a great weapon vs. defenses who leave an open middle (e.g., two-deep). The QB's primary focus should be on the deep outside defender, while his peripheral vision evaluates the underneath coverage.

Option

Concept number four is option. The option concept consists of a single receiver working off the leverage of a single underneath defender. The receiver will come from a tight alignment. It can be a tight end or wide receiver aligned in a reduced split. Running backs can also run option routes very effectively from the backfield. This, much like the Delta concept, is a horizontal stretch but because the receiver is "bursting" away from the defender, it tends to be better against man-to-man coverages.

As the receiver comes off the LOS, he will "eyeball" the leverage of the designated defender. Assuming that defender maintains his leverage, the receiver will plant his foot and separate opposite that leverage. If for any reason the defender should vacate his area, the receiver will run his route off the leverage of the nearest available defender. If the designated defender should change his leverage during the course of the route, the receiver will simply run his route opposite that change in leverage.

The QB's primary focus is on the outside throwing lane to the option route. Any underneath coverage on check down receivers will be handled with his peripheral vision.

Crossing

Our fifth concept is crossing. This concept affords the receiver the opportunity to "burst" away from the coverage using the width of the field to separate. Although best vs. man-to-man coverages, the crossing concept can be very effective against a variety of coverages if the proper adjustments are implemented. Bunch or cluster-type formations can be particularly advantageous so as to force defenders to run through a maze of offensive and defensive players as well as officials.

The receiver will cross the formation at a shallow depth (six yards), therefore making his defender chase him. If he senses his defender is not giving chase and the coverage facing him has settled into zone drops, he "sets down" in a voided area on the other side of the field. At this point, he patiently waits to establish eye contact with the QB.

Alternative receivers will run routes that compliment the shallow cross and bring them into the vision of the QB.

The QB's primary focus must be on the shallow crossing receiver. His peripheral vision will tell him whether the coverage is man or zone. If the defense chooses to "choke" its pass drops to compensate for the shallow cross, the QB must be prepared to refocus on alternative receivers.

One-on-One

The last concept we teach is one-on-one. We use the one-on-one concept to exploit single-coverage match ups. Assuming the defender has no help, we ask the receiver to beat the defender with a variety of pass routes. A simple hitch pattern can be a basic example of this concept. A more extravagant example might be a counter route, such as a post corner or an out and up. The bottom line is: when the defense leaves its coverage people on an "island," we must win.

Obviously, the one-on-one concept is often used in blitz situations. But it is not only exclusively used in pressure scenarios. Certain teams may choose to double team your better receivers, thereby leaving other defenders unprotected to one-on-one concepts. This may be just the arsenal a coach needs to exploit this defensive approach.

Certain route combinations can involve more than one concept. One side of the formation may involve an option while the other side may have a one-on-one concept built in.

This route structure allows the QB the autonomy to choose the best-suited concept based on the coverage.

In closing, I hope this approach to tutoring the QB provides some food for thought when structuring your passing game. Today's athlete tends to not only want to know the "what," but also the "why." Teaching your pass offense in concepts helps the QB to understand the "why." It also gives him a point of reference for every pass play in your offense.






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