Southern Columbia High School\'s Two-Minute Offense... Anytime
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The success of Southern Columbia High School over the past twelve
years is eye-popping: ten league titles, twelve straight district
titles, eleven state play-off appearances, eight state finals,
and two state championships. To maintain this level of play, many
adjustments must take place.
One of those adjustments is being able to score quickly, whether it is to take
the lead late in the game or to set the tone during the game. When setting up
our two-minute offense (200 package), we want to control our options and our
flexibility.
Diagram 1. |
Our basic formation consists of two split ends, two halfbacks,
a fullback and the quarterback under center. (See Diagram 1.) All
skilled position players at
Southern Columbia must be athletically and mentally able to execute a solid
block, catch the ball and run with the rock.
The Tiger offense is predicated on its players performing sound fundamentals
such as proper alignments, reading of the defense, and executing one’s
individual assignment within the team concept. Our skill people are asked to
take a pre-snap read. This includes the linebackers, corners, and safeties. They
must also be able to adjust to any disguised coverage.
Receivers are expected to know their route as well as any other receiver's
patterns; this is important to know when the need arises to make minor adjustments
as their
particular patterns develop. We don't want one receiver taking his coverage
into another receiver’s route.
Our two-minute offense is designed to score quickly while keeping the defense
off balance. With the ability to still run base Wing T plays, the defense must
honor the run. By spreading the defense out, we've had success running the
belly, trap and, of course, the sweep.
Three of our main two-minute pass plays include the slant, the streak, and
the fade. All are three-step drops. All three patterns take advantage of the
athletic
ability of our split ends and halfbacks. Our mentality is that we can execute
these passes against any defense. The most common coverages we see are either
man or a three-deep zone.
Slant vs. Man
First, our split ends must establish proper alignment to give the play a chance,
the wider the better. This play can be run to either side, even the short side
of the field.
Diagram 2. |
If the corner lines up with inside leverage, our split end must
get inside position by attacking the defender’s inside shoulder within
the first three steps. In the event this doesn’t happen, a second option
is available to the quarterback. Our play side halfback is running a circle
pattern; if
his man jumps him immediately,
he will turn his route into a wheel and the throw will be caught over the top.
(See Diagram 2.) The fullback checks for blitz inside out on play side.
Slant vs. Zone
Diagram 3. |
Again, alignment by the split ends is critical.
This play can be executed to either side of the field, including the short
side. We need all skilled
people
to read the defense's alignment, mainly the safety. When the safety cheats
to either side of the formation we must take advantage of his position. Generally,
if the ball is on a hash mark in a three deep look the safety will position
himself
to the wide side of the field. (See Diagram 3.) Our split end and quarterback
must recognize this so they are aware of where the window will open.
The receiver must hustle his first few steps in order to clear the outside
backer. At the same time, he must be under control in case he needs to throttle
down
before running into the next level of coverage.
Our quarterback needs to read the drop of the linebackers so he can deliver
the ball into the window as the split end enters the opening.
Again, the halfback needs to run his route full speed to draw the attention
of the outside backer and possibly the corner.
The Streak vs. Man
Once again the ability to execute this play is based on defense recognition
by our skill people. When in a press-man, it is critical for our slot receivers
to use their hands and feet at the snap of the ball so they can get into
their pattern quickly.
Diagram 4. |
The halfbacks' aiming points in this four vertical
pattern is the hash mark to their specific side of the field.
The quarterback and the slot must be on the same page. As soon as the
receiver gets even or clears his man he must be looking for the ball
while getting
vertical. (See Diagram 4.)
Streak vs. Zone
Diagram 5. |
Reading coverage is critical. All skill
people must have proper awareness as their route develops. Against a
three deep look our quarterback reads
the safety;
if he cheats to a side we will throw away from him. (See Diagram 5.)
As soon as the slot clears the first level of defense he should be expecting
the
football.
When the safety aligns in the middle of the formation the quarterback
will read his movement as the slots get vertical. Now if the safety sits
deep
we can throw
the ball to either slot as long as it's released quickly.
The Fade vs. Man
The fade is called when we feel we can get deep with our split ends.
The alignment by the split end must not be outside the numbers. He
needs room
for the quarterback
to throw the ball to a spot that will allow him an opportunity to make
a big play. Generally we don't want our receivers to go inside a man
on a fade
pattern.
Diagram 6. |
The split end's release should be straight up the field for
the first few steps. (See Diagram 6.) Once the quarterback releases
the ball
now the split
end can
bend his route to the outside. We prefer him to adjust his pattern
so he catches the ball over his outside shoulder. Sometimes this
means slowing
down and/or
an adjustment slightly back inside to keep the defender away from
the ball.
The play side halfback should stay to the inside of the hash mark
so he doesn't take his man to the ball.
Fade vs. Three Deep
A fade vs. a three deep look can be executed with skill people performing
their responsibilities soundly. When the safety sits in the middle
of the field the
halfback must get up to the hash mark quickly to occupy the safety.
Diagram 7. |
The
split end needs to run a sound stem. He must be a threat to the
inside portion of the corner’s zone without giving up his opportunity
to get outside position when he needs it. He should run straight
up the field,
while gradually getting
to a head up or outside position on the corner. (See Diagram 7.)
I can’t stress enough how important it is for our receivers to
adjust to the throw in order to catch the ball over the shoulder and
force the
defender
to go through our man to make a play on the ball.
Any two-minute system can give your team a chance to score quickly
as long as a few concepts are kept in mind. First, the design must
be capable
of
being executed
against a variety of defenses with minor adjustments. Second, your
players must have confidence in what they are doing.
These are some of the plays we incorporate within our 200 package.
I hope this will give you a few ideas to add to the success of
your own
two-minute
drill.
Good luck!
About the author
Pete Saylor
Pete Saylor has been an assistant coach at Southern Columbia High School (PA)
for six years with his primary responsibility being both wide receivers and
defensive backs. Southern Columbia has won six straight Central Susquehanna
Conference II titles, six consecutive district titles, six state playoff appearances
and back-to-back PIAA state titles (2002 and 2003). You can reach him at pmsaylor@hotmail.com