Do It Your Way

Developing a passing attack that fits your plans and players
by: Charlie Stubbs
Quarterbacks Coach, University of Alabama
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Throughout my twenty-two years in the profession, I have had the opportunity to coach at both the collegiate and high school levels. During that time, I have had the pleasure of working with various coaching staffs that have helped me formulate my philosophies on dealing with the passing game. At the same time, I have coached many athletes with various ranges in athletic abilities. Therefore, I have had to adapt each year to the specific situation.

When you are developing a passing attack, it is important to build a system that fits your athletes' abilities and to get your best 11 players on the field! Remember: A Style Of Your Own!

EVALUATE YOUR PERSONNEL

It is important to evaluate all of your offensive positions - Not Just Your Quarterback. This will enable you to blend their strengths together to get 11 players executing as a single unit.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN:Assess overall ability to determine pass protection schemes that will work for you (Ex. 3/5-step (dropback); sprint; play action).

RUNNING BACKS/TIGHT ENDS: These positions are the easiest to get open in the passing game. Be sure to thoroughly evaluate each to get the most out of their talent.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Evaluate overall athletic ability (quickness, speed, agility, catching ability, etc.). Make sure to use receivers' strengths. Design routes/patterns that feature your receivers' capabilities.

EVALUATING YOUR QUARTERBACK

As a quarterback coach, I would like to share some of my viewpoints on how I select the Alabama QB. There are many inherent qualities I look for in a QB that must be present for him to be successful in our system.

QUALIFICATIONS DESIRED: (NOT IN ANY ORDER)

• ATHLETIC ABILITY
A. Passing Ability (throws on time and accurate).
B. Running Ability (escapability - ability to avoid pass rush).

•MAKE BIG PLAYS

• LEADERSHIP AND CONFIDENCE
A. Must be consistent in all areas (drills, meetings, academics, etc.).
B. Be a coach/motivator on the field (lead by example!).
C. Never, ever loses confidence in his abilities; he always believes!

• POISE
A. Needs to think clear - composure.
B. Must be thick skinned (be able to handle criticism).

• INTELLIGENCE
A. Ability to learn the complete offense (football sense).
B. Understand defenses (strengths/weaknesses).
C. Must make correct decisions both mentally and physically.
D. Study! Study! Student of the Game!

• QUICK HANDS AND FEET
A. Must have the ability to execute all QB movements to be a complete player.
B. Must be smooth and efficient - no wasted movement.

All Alabama QBs will:
1) Always give a great effort!
2) Be coachable - listen!
3) Stay positive in all situations!

It is very important to make sure that the athletes have been taught the proper fundamentals. Fundamentals are the key to success. Many coaches place scheme before fundamentals. You will not be successful doing this. Each position coach should have a list of drills that will be utilized when coaching his position. For example, we use a drill progression chart for QBs. (See Diagram 1)

QB DRILL PROGRESSION CHECK LIST
DRILL			DATES	DRILL			DATES
STANCE				FAKING
C/Q EXCHANGE (REG)				3 STEP DROP
C/Q EXCHANGE (GUN)				5 STEP DROP
QUICK FEET				7 STEP DROP
ONE KNEE THROWS				GUN DROPS
TWO KNEW THROWS				DASH
SIDEWAY THROWS				NAKEDS
CIRCLE THROWS				SPRINT OUT
SPOT THROWS				BOOTS
WAVE DRILL				CADENCE
FLUSH DRILL				AUDIBLES
TRACKS				HAND SIGNALS

Diagram 1

PROTECT THE QUARTERBACK

When I was a young 29-year old offensive coordinator at Oregon State during the late 80's, I thought that the offense revolved mainly around the QB and other skilled positions. "Boy was I wrong." The game starts upfront at the line of scrimmage. Over the years a motto that I have come to believe is:

When you control the LOS - you control the ball!

When you control the ball - you control the score!

There are many methods of protecting the QB. A coach must again select the type(s) that best fit his personnel. A few important points to consider:

1. Practice your protections according to what you stress. This will aid you in game planning. (Example: 5-step (40%); 3-step (20%); play action (15%); others (25%) screens, sprint out, etc.)


Diagram 2. Quarterback Launch Points

2. Reminder: Defenses can always bring at least one extra defender than you have the ablility to block. Be prepared for "hot" throws or sight adjustments.

3. You must have a variety of launch points for your QB. This will help your line with protections and make you not as predictable. (See Diagram 2)

AIDS TO PASSING GAME

There are aids that will help pass protections:

• Solid Running Game: It is important to have as much balance in your offense as possible. Defenses must respect your running game.

• Mix-up Styles of Protections: Don't limit yourself to only one or two types. Defenses are smart and will find a way to get to your QB. Mix up your protection schemes.

• Throw on First Down: Throwing on first down will, on many occasions, give you the most basic or predictable coverage to attack.

• Utilize Screens/Draws: This will allow you to slow down an aggressive pass rush.

• Keep Down/Distance Reasonable: A good offense must stay out of long yardage situations. Strive for no third and long.


Diagram 3


Diagram 4

DEVELOPING TIMING

When a coach designs pass patterns, it is important that the quarterback drops (set-up) and the individual routes compliment each other. This allows the offense to flow with the ball delivered on time.

A. Three-Step (Quick-Timing)
(See Diagram 3)

B. Five-Step (Controlled Passes)
(See Diagram 4)

C. Seven-Step (Down the Field)
(See Diagram 5)


Diagram 5

PRACTICE PROGRESSION

As a coach begins to implement the passing game, an important point is how to practice. The following chart is the base progression that we utilize at Alabama during our practices.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS

The following are areas that could help give you the edge and make a difference.
1. Utilize multiple formations/motions/ shifting (disguise).
2. Utilize gun formation.
3. Again-Throw to the backs!
4. Give your QB a simple read/progressions
5. Attack zone coverages (Vertically/ Horizontally).
6. Attack man coverage (crossing routes; look for mismatches).
7. Blitz (execute hot principles/sight adjustments).
8. Scramble Drill. The game is not perfect. Have a definite plan for route adjustments when the QB is forced out of the pocket.

In closing, it is important to recognize that there are numerous philosophies of offensive football and especially dealing with the passing game. My purpose for writing this article is to stimulate thought as to how should you implement your passing attack to develop a style of your own.

It is important to be reminded that every defense has a weakness-as a coach you must find and exploit it!

We as coaches must always be reminded that in order to be successful, it's not what we know but:
1. What our players know.
2. What you have time to practice (repetitions are the key!)
3. What you can execute!

PRACTICE PROGRESSIONS TO DEVELOP THE PASSING GAME
SKILLOL (Protections)
1. Fundamentals1. Fundamentals
2. Individual Routes vs. AIR 2. Combo Drills (1/1; TWISTS/STUNTS)
3. Man/Man vs. Defense 3. 5 vs. 4 (PASS RUSH)
4. 5 vs. AIR (Patterns) 4. Blitz Pick-up (Include RB's/TE)
5. Pass Skeleton 5. Team Pass/Blitz
6. Team Pass/Blitz

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