Bearkat Offense: Expand and Attack

Jim Ferguson Offensive Coordinator Sam Houston State University Huntsville, Texas

t is indeed an honor to submit this article to the AFCA Summer Manual . Throughout my career, I have been blessed throughout my career to work with some outstanding coaches. Ron Randlemans present staff is no exception. We have a great chemistry on our staff and share ideas on a regular basis. The concepts discussed in this forum are an aggregation of shared strategies and techniques from various sources. I wish to thank everyone who has contributed to my development as a coach. Defensive coordinators present challenges from a multiple array of packages. Stemming the front; jinking linebackers and secondary up and back, in and out to create confusion; pressure from stunts, dogs, full blitzes to zone blitzes all attempt to disrupt the continuity and flow of offense. We see more pressure/attack styles of defense today than ever before. Even though we consider ourselves a passing offense, we realize that we would have to run the ball effectively to be a contender in the Southland Football League. As a one back team, to be able to run the ball against eight man fronts, we originally thought we needed to utilize either two tight ends or two back formations. Defenses adjusted accordingly, and we still had to run the ball in situations where we were outnumbered and outflanked. We decided to fight fire with fire. Our thought process was to expand the field with multiple formations to expand the defense to create running lanes and personnel mismatches. The first formation we presented was quads, our four wide receiver set. We were able to split out our tight end who is a unique individual. At, 6-6, 260 pounds, 4.72 40 yard dash, he possessed the skills to play in space. This luxury allowed us to move back and forth from traditional tight end sets to four-wide sets without tipping our hand prior to deployment. While eight-man front teams were unaffected, seven-man front teams had to decide to sub a nickel back or let a linebacker play in space against our tight end. The defense also has to decide how they want to place their safeties. Two Safety Coverages Since we throw the ball very effectively, most teams utilized a two-high safety configuration that allowed them to play three on two in coverage. However, they realized this weakened the fronts ability to play the run. They cannot effectively play three on

two and keep six in the box. Predictably, they tried to cheat the outside linebackers in towards the box and still be able to drop into coverage (Diagram 1).

Diagram 1

We present this as a weakness to be exploited by the quarterback. If the outside linebackers are not playing honest, he should attack immediately. We use several methods to achieve what we consider to be quick, easy yardage. The first method is to run the bubble screen to the inside receiver. We seldom make this a huddle call. We want the quarterback to check to this type of play when the opportunity presents itself. Depending on the huddle call, the play may be an audible in the traditional sense, or it may be a sight adjust between the receivers on that side with the quarterback using hand signals (Diagram 2).

Diagram 2

Coaching Points 1. The inside receiver must have favorable leverage on the outside linebacker. If he does not, this will not be an efficient play. (gain of four yards or more). 2. The inside receiver should run as fast as he can straight away from the quarterback. He should be looking over the inside shoulder. We do not want him to lose any ground and make this a lateral throw. We want him to get outside the numbers and up the sideline. We strive for the inside receiver to get 8-10 outside of his original alignment when he catches the ball. In order to do this he must be sprinting in an effort to maintain leverage. 3. The outside receiver must block the first threat. We place the burden of success for this play on the shoulders of the blocking receiver. He must have the complete

AFCA Summer Manual 2002

trust of the receiver if the bubble is going to expand quickly. He must eliminate the big hit on the play. 4. If the quarterback is under the center, we want the offensive line to use an aggressive zone block to the playside (our three-step pass protection scheme). The tackle is responsible for getting the hands of the defensive end down so we can make the throw. If the quarterback is in the shotgun formation, we may or may not alert the offensive linemen. We feel that we can get the ball off without interference from the defensive end because of the change in angle of the throw. 5. The quarterback should attempt to get the ball out of his hands as soon as possible. He should make a throw directly to the receiver. Do not attempt to lead the receiver. The quarterbacks aiming point is to the hands of the receiver at the height of his numbers. This play enjoys a two year average of 6.79 yards per catch with an 87 percent completion ratio. When the play is not successful, it is usually because the quarterback is trying to get an easy play when the defense is playing honest with the inside receiver. We practice these throws from under center and in the shotgun every day during one of our special team periods. We only rep this play in scrimmage situations. Single Safety Coverages When confronted with defenses utilizing a single safety, we feel the need to extend the defense in a vertical manner. One of our primary weapons of choice is to attack the defense with the four vertical passing game. Last year we completed 45.5 percent of our attempts down field with an average of 34.7 yards per catch. We do not consider ourselves a long ball team. However, we realize the necessity to take our shots down field to loosen the defense. In 33 attempts on the year, we completed 15 strikes with the four vertical game which resulted in seven touchdowns. The teaching progression begins with the receivers running their appropriate landmarks. We attempt to isolate the single safety with a high horizontal stretch with the inside receivers running down the seams of the three deep zones (Diagram 3). 1. The inside receivers should be dispersed two yards outside the hash marks. We give them a priority release, meaning they can release inside or outside of the

Diagram 3

on an option route. If his protection duties allows him to release, he must be a viable receiver for the quarterback. We never complain when the quarterback checks down to the back. We completed two passes to the back for gains of 15 and 28 yards. Variations When faced with a single high safety that has exceptional range, we may twist release the receivers to one side. This frequently will place the inside receivers on different planes and creates an oblique stretch on the safety which strains the safety further. Versus man-to-man coverage, this technique allows the receiver second in the release progression to rub or bounce his coverage off. The read will remain the same or can start outside in for the quarterback (Diagram 4).

defender playing them. Obviously they would prefer to release inside. The key is clear the underneath coverage as soon as possible. 2. The outside receivers should release to the outside and run to their landmarks which is two yards outside the bottom of the numbers. We emphasize the outside receivers must give the quarterback a fiveyard margin of error to their outside. We call this the quarterbacks grass. They should enter the quarterbacks grass only to catch the football; never to get open. When faced with hard corner coverage the receiver should attempt to stack the defender. If the receiver can get the defender on his back, he allows the quarterback to throw over the outside shoulder, throw to the hands or even slightly to his inside. If the wide receiver cannot stack the defender then the throw must be over the outside shoulder or slightly behind and outside ( the under throw). 3. The quarterback must be aware of the linebacker and the runningback is responsible for in the protection scheme. During the first two steps of his drop he will know if the runningback is engaged in protection or is releasing to his route. On the third step of the five step drop, the quarterback directs his eyes to the single safety. The movement of the safety will determine the side the quarterback will throw to. The quarterback will use his eyes to move the safety if he remains in the middle of the field. We stress that the ball be place in the receivers hands in the 18 to 22 yard range down field. Throws over 25 yards usually results in a lower percentage pass. He must be prepared to make his throw when the inside receivers clear the underneath coverage. If the defense seeks to involve the cornerbacks help on the inside receiver, then the throw should be to the outside receiver. We maintain that a higher percentage throw will occur if he hits the outside receiver in the 35 to 40 yard range down field. 4. The outlet throw is to the runningback

Diagram 4

Another variation to combat man-toman coverage with an exceptional safety is to stop the outside receivers at 12 yards. This allows the inside receivers to widen their landmarks creating a larger stretch on the safety. This stratagem is also effective against zone coverage where the cornerbacks are attempting to make plays on the inside receivers (Diagram 5).

Diagram 5

Once we extended the defense, our run production increased from 3.5 yds/rush to 4.3 yds/rush. Our run game consists of the inside zone, outside zone, draw, speed and load options. In shotgun formation, we utilize the inside zone scheme with a read concept by the quarterback. This gives us the best chance of having an explosive play without the risks inherent with the option scheme. We can effectively control

AFCA Summer Manual 2002

the defensive end, allowing us to get a body on a body. The defense no longer has a number advantage on the line of scrimmage without employing some form of blitz (Diagram 6).

Diagram 6

Coaching Points 1. We utilize full zone blocking with our linemen. 2. The quarterback must be alert for outside pressure from the secondary and the blocking leverage by inside receivers. If the inside receivers have to make a difficult block due to poor leverage, then the Bubble should be a good play. 3. The receivers to both sides are considered point of attack blockers. 4. The runningback is responsible for the mesh. He must run over the toes of the quarterback while he reads the block of the playside defensive tackle.

5. The quarterback catches the ball and executes a mesh with the runningback while reading the response of the offside defensive end. He should extend the ball and ride from back foot to front foot. If the defensive end is taking a path to tackle the runningback, the quarterback pulls the ball and races around the defensive end. Again, on behalf of the Sam Houston State University players and coaching staff, I want to thank the AFCA for the opportunity to give a little back to the game of football. We are truly blessed to be able to participate in such a fantastic profession. I hope this article will be of some benefit to you.

AFCA Districts
District 1 Division I-A: Sun Belt Conference, Central Florida Division I-AA: Atlantic 10 Conference, Ivy League, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Hofstra Division II, Division III: New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. District 2 Division I-A: Big East Conference, Navy, Connecticut Division I-AA: Patriot League, Northeast Conference Division II, Division III: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and West Virginia District 3 Division I-A: Atlantic Coast Conference Division I-AA: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Southern Conference, Charleston Southern, Liberty and Elon Division II, Division III: Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and District of Columbia District 4 Division I-A: Southeastern Conference Division I-AA: Ohio Valley Conference, Southwestern Athletic Conference, Samford, Western Kentucky, Division II, Division III: Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia Louisiana and Florida District 5 Division I-A: Big Ten Conference, Notre Dame Division I-AA: Pioneer Football League, Gateway Conference Division II, Division III: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan District 6 Division I-A: Big 12 Conference Division I-AA: None Division II, Division III: Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska District 7 Division I-A: Conference USA, Mid-American Conference Division I-AA: Southland Conference Division II, Division III: Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri District 8 Division I-A: Western Athletic Conference, Mountain West Conference Division I-AA: Big Sky Conference, Southern Utah Division II, Division III: Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana District 9 Division I-A: Pacific 10 Conference Division I-AA: Cal Poly-SLO, St. Marys Division II, Division III: Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Alaska

AFCA Summer Manual 2002