Inside The Hornet\'s Nest

Put some sting in your offensive arsenal with the hornet series
by: Wayne Anderson
Wide Receivers Coach, Waynesburg College
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As coaches we are always looking for a new idea or concept that agrees with our own personal offensive or defensive philosophy. When it comes to seeking out new information, I am no exception. An article that captured my attention was featured under AFM’s old name, American Football Quarterly, entitled, “High-flying Hornets” (Volume 4, 1st Quarter).

The article focused on current Texas State University-San Marcos (formerly Southwest Texas University) head coach, Manny Matsakis, and the “Sting-and-Shoot” offense that he employed while he was coaching at Emporia State University. At that time, the Sting-and-Shoot offense was putting up great offensive numbers lead by running back Brian Shay. By the end of his college career in 1998, Brian Shay became the all-time leading rusher in NCAA history up to that point at all levels. This accomplishment destroyed the myth that you need a fullback and tight end to have an effective running attack.

With my background in the Run-and-Shoot offense, I was looking for something to add to my own offensive system. After studying the article, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to listen to Coach Matsakis lecture on the Sting-and-Shoot offense at the AFQ University in Ft. Worth, Texas, in 1998. Coach Matsakis was also gracious enough to speak with me one-on-one about some of the concepts of his offensive system. With the information gathered, I used some of Coach Matsakis’ basic concepts and developed the “Hornet” Series.

The Hornet Series

The Hornet Series is a system of plays run out of multiple one-back formations that can be used as a base offense or can be integrated as part of one’s existing offensive system. This article will explore some of the basic concepts of the series as well as four running plays and four pass plays that are part of the overall package.

Installation

The key to the Hornet Series is that all the plays are based on the dive and sweep plays (Diagrams 8 & 9). This being the case, it is most important to get the timing down that is required to run these two plays effectively. In order to achieve this, you can take a 10-minute block of time during your pre-practice and work on the fundamental aspects of the quarterback’s footwork and ball handling, the tempo of the man in motion and the proper track of the superback. These three skills are the most important aspects required for the successful execution of any play in the Hornet Series.

You do not need to use a football in your drill in order to achieve success because this drill is about timing and not ball control. My suggestion is to use a towel for the center to simulate the snap and a water bottle in the hands of your quarterback. In your drill, line up your skill players in an even formation. Use two cones for landmarks to represent the inside leg of the guards (Diagram 1).

Diagram 1.

Practice by calling a play to the left and then back to the right. This allows you to execute as many reps as possible. It does not matter if the man in motion or the superback gets the ball, the important thing is the timing of the play. You want the superback to come right off the tail of the man in motion. It will not happen right away. Players will be running into each other a lot in the beginning, but be patient, the more reps your players get the better they will become in mastering the fundamentals.

Diagram 2. Diagram 3. Diagram 4. Diagram 5.

Motion

I wanted to have the flexibility of being able to set any of the skilled position players in motion. This was achieved based on the use of different formations (Diagrams 2, 3 & 4). Each player also has a left and right motion call assigned to him (Diagram 5). With these two elements in place, now any of the skill position players can be set in motion to give some diversity to the play that is called.

The key coaching point for any player sent in motion is the tempo of his motion. The tempo must be the same every time a player is sent in motion. It is critical for the timing of the play. It also means that if you use motion in your overall offensive system, the motion must be at the same tempo. If not, this could be a tip-off to the defense of what possible plays are going to be run.

Quarterback Footwork & Ball Handling

The footwork of the quarterback is basically the same on all of the plays in the Hornet Series. For instance, if “H” Dive Right is called, at the snap of the ball, the quarterback will take his first step with his left foot at six o’clock. As the quarterback is taking his second step with his right foot at six o’clock, he is riding the ball to the motion man coming across the formation. As the quarterback plants his second step, he will hand the ball off to the superback and run out his playaction pass drop. If “H” Sweep Right was called, the footwork would be the same, but the quarterback would hand the ball off to the motion man coming across, ride the superback and then run out his play action pass drop (Diagram 6).

Diagram 6. Diagram 7. Diagram 8. Diagram 9. Diagram 10. Diagram 11.

The key coaching point is for the quarterback to have a good knee bend. This helps greatly in the deception of the play. If the quarterback is more erect, it makes him slower in his footwork and that can cause problems with the timing of the play.

Track of the Superback

The track of the superback depends on the technique of the defensive tackle to the playside. If there is a three technique to the playside, then the track of the superback is the outside leg of the center. If there is a one technique, then the track of the superback is the inside leg of the guard (Diagram 7).

The Running Attack

The predominant running plays out of the Hornet Series are the “H” Dive and the “H” Sweep (Diagrams 8 & 9). As I stated earlier, these two plays are the basis of the entire series. All other plays in the series are based on these two plays. When success is achieved with these two plays, defenses will begin to shift over to try to out flank you. For this reason a backside running attack is needed to counter-act a shifting defense and make them play honest. Two such backside running plays are “H” Counter Trap and “H” Spinner Trap (Diagrams10 & 11).

In the “H” Counter Trap all things are the same except that the quarterback takes a third step at three o’clock and gives an inside handoff to the player running the counter. Likewise, in the “H” Spinner Trap, all things are the same except that the quarterback rides both the man in motion and the superback, and then follows the trapping guard to the backside.

The Passing Attack

The Hornet Passing Attack is a play-action passing game based on the “H” Dive/Sweep plays. At the beginning of any of the pass plays, one of the inside receivers will be set in motion to help the offensive personnel gain a pre-snap read on what potential coverage the defense is playing. At the snap of the ball, the quarterback will go through his read progression based on the coverage that he sees. By the time he finishes his drop, the quarterback should be able to determine what coverage is being played and then attack its weakness.

Diagram 12.

“H” Pass (Diagram 12)

Assignments:
X: Vertical
Wing: Arrow 3 yards
Slot: Vertical (Corner Route Option)
Z: In 10 to 12 yards
SB: Pass Protection

Quarterback Progression:
1. Arrow
2. In
3. Vertical or Corner if called
* 3 Step Drop (quarterback)

Coaching Point: The quarterback can take a quick look at the slot receiver running the Vertical first, but must hit him within 8 to 10 yards.

Diagram 13.

“H” Bowe Pass (Diagram 13)

Assignments:
X: Skinny Post (Fade vs Cover 2)
Wing: Wheel
Slot: Arrow 3 yards
Z: Conversion 15 to 18 yards
SB: Pass Protection
Quarterback Progression:

1. Arrow
2. Skinny Post (Fade vs. Cover 2)
3. Conversion
* 3 Step Drop (quarterback)

The pass protection on these two plays is zone protection. The superback, playside guard and tackle have the frontside A, B and C gap responsibilities. The center, backside guard and tackle have the backside A, B and C gap responsibilities.

Diagram 14.

“H” Boot Pass (Diagram 14)

Assignments:
X: Post Corner
Wing: Stop
Slot: Drag 5 yards
Z: Post
SB: Backside “B” Gap

Quarterback Progression:
1. Post Corner
2. Drag
3. Post
* Bootleg Drop (quarterback)

Diagram 15.

“H” Screen (Diagram 15)

Assignments:
X: Vertical
Wing: Arrow
Slot: Screen to the Backside
Z: Vertical
Offensive Line: Outside Screen Protection
* Bootleg Drop (quarterback)

This article has explored some of the basic concepts of The Hornet Series. I hope that it has sparked some interest and started your creative juices flowing. You can have a lot of fun creating new ways to run some of your current plays in this system. The possibilities of expanding this series to be an explosive weapon in your offensive arsenal can be endless.

About the author Wayne Anderson Wayne Anderson is the wide receivers coach at Waynesburg College. Previously he was with Florida Atlantic University since its inaugural season in 2001. Over the past two years, Anderson has been working primarily with Special Teams. His coaching career began at Moravia Central School in Moravia, N.Y., in 1989. From 1989 to 2000, Anderson coached at both the high school and Junior College levels in New York, North Carolina and Florida. Anderson graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in history. You can reach Coach Anderson at CoachAnde@cs.com

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