Airing It Out
Taking the 787 to new heights
by: Darryl JacksonWide Receivers Coach, Arizona State Univeristy©
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At Arizona State University, we have an attacking style of offense.
To obtain this style, we have developed an aggressive attitude to go over
the top of a defense and make big plays.
The big plays are available because of the aggressive nature of today’s
defenses. Modern day defenses in run down situations will put an extra defender
in the box, making it extremely difficult to run the ball. One of our answers
to these aggressive defenses is to play action and throw the ball vertically
down the field. Throwing the vertical play action pass will create big plays
and force the defense to take that extra defender out of the box. One of our
vertical play action routes is 787.
Diagram 1. |
The vertical play action route 787 is good against all coverages. It consists
of the two outside receivers running post corners and the inside receiver running
an 8-route, which we refer to as a middle 8. The fullback will check his way
into his spot route. The tailback will fake blast, and check his way to his middle
check down. (See diagram 1.)
With the progression of the 787, the outside receivers are reading the safeties
for their pre-snap look (PSL) to determine if it is cover 2 or not. Once the
outside receiver determines that it is not cover 2, he will read the technique
of the corner. The technique of the corner will be in two categories: soft-or-
bail and bump-and-run. (See diagram 2.)
Diagram 2.
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READING SOFT OR BAIL COVERAGE
When an outside receiver is attacking a soft-or-bail corner (aligned
with inside foot up), he will push vertically for seven total steps.
On his seventh step,
he will slam his outside foot into the ground to define his route and open
his inside hip to a 45-degree angle. This 45-degree angle begins
the post move of
this route. He will take three steps to post with his head and eyes looking
back at the QB to sell the post. On his third step, he will slam
his inside foot and
open his outside hip to a 45-degree angle, back to the corner.
Diagram 3.
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If the corner runs to the post, the receiver will set his angle to the front
pylon of the end zone. When this play is called in the red zone and the corner
runs to the post, the receiver will set his angle to the back pylon (Set your
angle high). (See diagram 3.)
Note to receiver:
When you get to the top of your route and the corner is over the top of you,
instead of setting your angle high, you will flatten your route (speed cut)
and receive the ball 18-22 yards down field. To accomplish the speed cut after
your
third step to the post, slam your inside foot and open your outside hip to
a 45-degree angle. Your next step with your inside foot will be the same angle
as your outside foot (Use your outside arm to pull yourself through your route).
(See diagram 4.)
Diagram 4.
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READING BUMP IN 787
Versus bump-and-run coverage, an outside receiver will not use
steps. He will now execute a release move to get inside the corner.
Once the receiver releases
clean inside, he will reset his stem vertically. Since the receiver obtained
a clean release, he will push to a maximum depth of 10-12 yards and begin
his post move. The technique from the post move to the corner is
the same as mentioned
before. The receiver knows against bump and run he will always set his angle
high. (See diagram 5.) If the outside receiver does not win inside against
bump coverage, he will go over the top and work hard to recapture the ground.
Again
at 10-12 yards, the receiver will lean and stick the CB to the post and set
his angle high to the corner. (See diagram 6.)
Diagram 5. |
Diagram 6. |
PSL WITH COVER 2, 3, 4 OR MAN
Diagram 7.
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As mentioned before, the outside receiver will take a PSL at the safety to
determine if he is going to get cover 2. Against cover 2, which some teams
will use bump
coverage, the outside receiver will seam release inside to a point where
he is half way between the hash and numbers. He will then push his route
to 10-12
yards,
keeping outside leverage on the half field safety. At 10-12 yards, he will
lean and stick the safety to sell the post and set his angle high to the
corner. If
the safety is over the top, he will take the open area and let the QB throw
flatten him to the sideline. (See diagram 7.)
Diagram 8.
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The inside receiver will get a PSL of the safety. If the middle of the field
is open in cover 2 (MOFO), he will take it. If the middle of the field is
closed in cover 3 or 4 (MOFC), he will run an in route behind the linebackers
and
in front of the safety. (See diagram 8.)
Versus MOFO (cover 2), the inside receiver will take the fastest vertical
stem release he can take. He will work to avoid being slowed by a second
level defender,
and get head up on the half field safety. Once he is behind the linebacker,
he will slam his outside foot into the ground to define his angle to the
near upright.
He never wants to cross the middle of the field. He will catch the ball 18-22
yards down field.
Diagram 9.
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Versus MOFC (cover 1, 3 or 4), the inside receiver will again
take the fastest vertical stem release he can take. Everything
is the same as
above except
for his angle of his route. Once he is behind the linebacker he will
slam his outside
foot at a 45-degree angle and open his inside hip to a 90-degree angle
and break inside. The route should look like the letter “L.” If
it is zone, he will work to the open window. If it is man he will stay
on the
run. (See diagram
9.)
SPLITS AND ALIGNMENTS
Diagram 10.
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If the ball is on the hash and the receiver is to the boundary,
the receiver will align seven yards from the sideline. The outside
receiver
to the
field will align 7 yards from the sideline. The inside receiver will
align himself
on the
LOS by splitting the difference between the outside receiver and
the offensive tackle. If the ball is in the middle of the field,
the outside
receiver
will align nine yards from the sideline. The inside receiver rule
is the same
as stated above. The reason for the outside receivers’ alignment
is to allow them at the completion of their post move to be half
way between the hash and
the
numbers. This will leave enough room on the sideline for the QB to
complete the pass. (See diagram 10.)
THE QB STEPS AND READS
The QB will get a PSL to determine if the coverage is 2, 3, 4 or man. Coverage
identification is crucial to the drop the QB will take.
Versus cover 2, the QB will take a 5-step drop. This will be a strong half
read. The QB will open at 6 o’clock and on his second step extend the ball to
the running back to sell the run. The ball on the fake remains belly high. The
play fake should hold the MLB and the QB must have a feel of where the MLB is
located. After the play fake, the QB must see the safety. If the safety gets
width and the MLB does not get depth, the QB will goal post the ball to the inside
WR (middle). If the half-field safety squeezes the inside WR, the ball must either
go outside or down to the back. The QB knows he can’t work the weakside
because there isn’t check down to that side.
Versus cover 4, the QB will take a 7-step drop. The play fake technique is the
same as above. The play fake should hold the quarter safeties and eliminate them
from helping outside. The QB must now find the WR who has leverage or the best
match up versus the corners. If the QB works weak, the progression goes outside
to the back. If the QB works strong, his read is outside, to the middle then
down to the back.
Versus cover 3 and Man, the QB will also look for the best match-up and/or leverage.
When throwing to the inside WR (Middle), the QB must complete this ball between
18-22 yards. He is throwing this ball to the near upright of the inside WR. If
he is throwing the ball outside, he must throw it outside the defined angle of
the WR to the up field shoulder. He never wants the ball to be short or inside.
If he missed when the WR sets his angle high, he needs to miss long and outside.
If he needs to flatten the outside WR to the sideline, he must throw it with
more air to give the outside WR time to adjust. When throwing to the backs, he
must be their eyes and throw away from the defender. He will throw the ball away
from the leverage of the defender and this indicator tells the backs after the
catch to turn up the field in that direction.
This is an aggressive play action pass designed to take advantage of defenses
that commit an extra defender to the run. This is great to go strong or weak
with the ball, especially versus zone blitz teams. Another variation for this
play is to short motion the outside WR to help him get off bump and get a clean
release. Remember, throwing the ball down field has great rewards. But if you
don’t get the defense to react to the run fake, there is nothing wrong
with throwing the ball to the backs.
About the author
Darryl Jackson
Jackson is entering his third season as the wide receivers coach for the Arizona
State football program. For the previous four seasons, Jackson had coached the
Boise State wide receivers.
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