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AFM Subscribers Ask...

with Dale Weiner
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Catholic High School Coach (Baton Rouge, LA) Dale Weiner has been a coach for 32 years with the last 21 as the head man at CHS. During that time, his teams have a 201-48 overall record with 13 district titles and have been either a state finalist or semi-finalist a total of 7 times. CHS has a current playoff streak, as well, of 19 consecutive years. He has coached, among other outstanding athletes, Warrick Dunn, Major Applewhite and Travis Minor. During the 2001 season Weiner and his staff began putting together the ‘Spin’ offense. Unveiled during the 2001 playoffs, the “Spin” derives its name because the QB pivots on every snap. Since its inception, the results have been nothing short of incredible: a 50-9 overall record and an average of nearly 35 ppg. Coach Weiner answers your specific questions about this offense...

Q. When introducing a new style of offense to your players, what bumps or obstacles did you have to overcome to gain the trust and respect of your athletes to assure them this brand of offense would thrive? Aaron Hancock, Assistant Coach, Wyoming High School (OH). AFM subscriber since 2005.

We really don’t have much of a problem on our team because our players have come to expect new things. That's just us. However, I think if the team has confidence in the coach, they will have confidence in what he is trying to do with them. It's always important to make them understand that you are not doing something out of desperation, but to take advantage of their strengths.

Q. What, essentially, is the ‘Spin’ offense and what do you feel are its greatest advantages? John Potemkin, Assistant Coach, Chatsworth High School (DE). AFM subscriber since 2003.

The Spin offense is a combination of the Spread Shotgun, Wing T, and Single Wing offenses. It involves a QB pivoting his back to the defense in order to hand the ball off or keep it as he executes each play. This offense’s prinmary strength is its deception. Any player in the backfield can wind up with the football. A team can run sweeps, dives, off-tackle power, counters, reverses, options and iso plays. There are also play action passing, screens, and bootlegs.

I think there are three distinct advantages of the Spin:
A. It’s different and therefore causes defenses extra preparation.
B. It takes advantage of speedy backs.
C. It is very deceptive.

Q. With your offense, when you game plan what do you first look at in the defense you see and how do the defenses change to your offense? Nick Marchy, Offensive Coordinator, Patterson High School (CA). AFM subscriber since 2006.

We first try to determine what front the defense is going to give us. This, of course helps us to make the blocking adjustments that we need. Next, we want to see how the secondary is going to play, both in their adjustment to motion and who will be the force defenders. This helps us to choose how to block our perimeter game and which route tags to use.

Q. With all of your backfield action in the Spin offense, how much do you rely on your fullback to carry the football? Also, is the major portion of your passing game play action, sprint, or drop back? Please describe what benefit you see with the passing game you use. Joe Pearson, Head coach, Solanco High School (PA). AFM subscriber since 2004.

Our fullback does not get the ball as often as the other backs in the backfield, but we do use him on the base dives and in our screen and bootleg. All of our passes in the Spin offense are of a play action nature. These passes take full advantage of over pursuit in the secondary.

Q. How would the blocking change against a 5-2, Cover 2 defense? Also, what are the blocking rules for the fullback? Kevin Waters, JV Head Coach, Lakeside High School, Evans, GA. AFM subscriber since 2006.

The 5-2 blocking does not really change. However, we would probably change the formation a little and get a tight end or two involved. It must be remembered that we can always adjust the blocking to pull one guard, a guard and a tackle, or a guard and the fullback, or pull no one and simply zone. We do this with any defense we see. The wide-outs typically crack on the near safety on most of our spin plays vs the Cover 2. This sets up the Spin pass very well.

Q. In trying to get the most out of the ‘Spin’ offense, what types of athletes do you need to make it work? Do the skill players – QB, tailback, and receivers – all have to have great athleticism. Also, what do you look for in your linemen for this offense? Steve Bogard, Assistant Coach, Northwest High School (KS). AFM subscriber since 2004.

Without a doubt, the Spin takes advantage of speed athletes. I don’t think you can get the most out of this offense with plodding type players. Due to the emphasis on the perimeter game, complemented by misdirection, the backs that can really run are the one's that will be most beneficial. Hopefully, you would have linemen that can pull on the sweeps, reverses, and counters. One last thing – I believe to fully take advantage of all the possibilities of the Spin offense, you must have a QB that can run and carry out fakes. He doesn’t have to be fast, but fearless.





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