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AFM Magazine


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!


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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






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