Tiger Attack
Doane College uses the 3-step game to take advantage of soft coverage and keep defenses off balance
Quarterbacks Coach, Doane College©
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The Doane College offense has had a lot of success since the early
90’s. Doane has made the NAIA National Playoffs in 1993,
1997 and 1999. We have had several players participate in arena
football, European leagues, NFL and CFL. The offense is based on
an inside/outside zone running attack, and our passing game is
based off the five-step, play action pass and three-step. Our three-step
game over the years has been very successful and tends to jump
start our offense. We have a simple concept when it comes to our
three-step game.
Stance
We have our quarterback start with a staggered stance. The quarterback’s
feet are shoulder length apart, with the left foot being farther back than the
right foot (right-handed quarterback). The toe of the left foot usually is in
line with the heel of the right foot. We feel the staggered stance benefits our
quarterbacks in the running game, allowing them to gain extra depth on their
drop by helping them push away from the line of scrimmage. It is important that
the quarterback is in an athletic stance and feels comfortable.
Drops
The philosophy of our three-step game is throwing on rhythm. We do not hitch
into our throw, since that would bring the quarterback right back into pressure
and allow the defense back a better jump on the ball. The quarterback starts
by taking a big step back and two gather steps to get his feet underneath him.
Out of shotgun, the quarterback will take a quick three-step drop or a catch
and throw for the slant route.
Routes
We have a simple concept in routes to our three-step game. Our outside wide receivers
(X and Z) run mirrored routes. The inside receivers (H and Y) also run mirrored
routes, but are compliments to the outside receivers route. On 560, both the
X and Z receiver run six-yard hitch routes and the inside receivers (H and Y),
run four-yard turn routes (Diagram 1). With 561, both X and Z run 4-6 yard speed
outs and our inside receivers (H and Y) run 4-yard turn routes (Diagram 2). On
562, the inside receivers (H and Y) run seam routes, while the outside receivers
run slant routes (Diagram 3).
The outside wide receivers on 560 and 561 will adjust to a fade
route if they face a tough corner or cover 2. The inside receivers
will stay on their routes
regardless of the coverage (Diagram 4). The outside receivers on 562 will run
a one-step slant and the quarterback will take a one-step drop. The wide receivers
one-step slant and the quarterback’s one-step drop allows us to be able
to hit the slant route quicker. On 562, the receivers will stay on their slant
route, or what we call a “locked route”, regardless of the coverage.
Reads
Our reads are based off “best look side”. To the quarterback, this
means softest corner, shortest or safest throw. It is very important for our
quarterbacks, or any, to get a pre-snap read of the coverage and defense. We
don’t discourage our quarterbacks to throw to the side of the strong safety
or slot area defender, but we preach to them about being careful the slot area
defender doesn’t get under the route (into the throwing lane). With the
basic 560, 561 and 562, we have the quarterbacks check outside receiver to inside
receiver.
Drills
One of the first drills we teach our quarterbacks is taking their first step
into a three-step drop. We do this by having them do their drop on a line. The
QB and snapper line up on a line. The QB then takes the snap and reaches straight
back with his right foot (right-handed QB). The first step needs to gain depth
and be straight back, while pushing off the left foot. The QB does not throw
the ball. Purpose: allows the QB to develop consistency in the first step of
his drop and not over-rotate or drift and avoid false stepping with left foot
(right-handed QB).
Next, we have the quarterbacks do their full three-step drop on a line. The QB
and snapper line up on a line. The QB then takes the snap and takes his full
three-step drop on the line. By dropping on a line, the QB and coach can determine
if the QB is opening up straight back or drifting in his drop. When the QB hits
his third step, he simulates the throw. Make sure the QB does three step right
and left. Purpose: allows the QB to develop consistency in his three-step drop
and building confidence in not hitching.
After working with them on their drops, we move into throwing on rhythm. The
QB and snapper line up on a line. The QB then takes the snap and takes his full
three-step drop on the line. When the QB hits his third step, he throws the ball
without hitching to a stationary target. Make sure the QB does three-step right
and left. Purpose: to incorporate the first step, the full three-step drop and
throwing without hitching into the throw. Once the quarterbacks feel comfortable
throwing without hitching, we progress into read and recognition drills.
For this part of the drill, the coach involves the different routes of the three-step
game vs. coverages. Using only half of the field the three-step routes are run
against the skelly personnel or SAD (slot area defender) to that side of the
field. Purpose: getting the QB comfortable and into the habit of making the proper
reads and progressions.
Some important things to remember when doing these three-step drills: 1) Do drops
on a line whenever possible; 2) Don’t Hitch; 3) Get QB into the habit of
taking pre-snap reads of the coverage; 4) Explain reason and importance of each
drill when doing them.
Conclusion
The three-step passing game is vital for our offense attack, so it is usually
the first offensive passing package we put into spring and fall camps. We continue
to work on this package through the season, mainly spending time on it during
pre-practice or during specialties. It is good to implement the three-step throws
in pre-practice, since you are not only reviewing the routes, but also allowing
the quarterbacks and receivers to warm up.
We also feel that our three-step game will allow the quarterback to get into
rhythm early in a game and build confidence. Most importantly, we feel that the
three-step game takes advantage of soft coverage. When the three-step game is
utilized with the rest of the offensive attack, it will keep defenses off balance.
About the author: Chris
Snyder
Coach Snyder enters his third season with the Tigers this year (2002-03)
as the
quarterback’s coach. A two-year starter as Doane’s quarterback and
member of the 1999 Tiger playoff team, Snyder concluded his college career with
a season in Vienna, Austria, quarterbacking and coaching the Baden Bruins. Snyder
graduated from Doane with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and
sociology.
He hails from Phoenix, where he earned 1995 State Player of the Year honors.
Snyder is currently taking graduate classes at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.