• Kentucky Offensive Staff • Coaching Clinic • Wednesday • January 13 •
"'<
It's an I honor
~today. would to
like speak in front
to discuss three ofof you
the'
b-;;stplays in our offense.
The first play is our Mesh play that is
diagrammed for you (Diagram 1). The "V,"
which can be a tight end or a wide receiver
is responsible for working to a depth of no
deeper than six yards when he reaches the
center. As he crosses the center, he will
settle in the open area which we call
"grass," and face the quarterback ready to
receive the ball.
Diagram
3 yds. deep J:;~S settle in grass
settle in grass 6
NUM$EAS ~~)
4-7yds.
~._-----o
H 0 ~ 0 0F--~'"
Y and get deep as fast as possible. He will be
The "X" will be responsible for the
"mesh" with the V and will go under V at the
center. When X crosses V, he will settle in
'he open grass. X and V both will continue
o run if they feel man coverage and slight-
ly bend their route up field (Diagram 2).
Diagram
~
~6bye;~:~:~~"up:/
~ end and press up the field to 3-4 yards and
~o 0 <8>0
H F
The "z" will run a corner route to a depth
- somewhere between 13-23 yards
Jspending on where the best "grass" is. He
ust read the coverage on pre-snap, and
~s the route develops, be on the same
:,age as the quarterback.
The "F" will run a swing route, and must
;8 as wide as the numbers. If the ball is on
:.~s near hash, he should get a little wider
::-an the numbers. He must work hard to
:: .'lays get to the numbers or he will clog up
--9 mesh area. The F should also work
-;, d not to gain ground upfield as he runs
-8 swing.
he "H" runs a shoot route to a depth of
= /ards when he reaches the numbers. He
~ must widen if the ball is on the near
30th backs will check-release
::.:-j the Will before releasing. If they blitz,
'=' Nill stay and protect.
The quarterback reads high to low: cor- Kentucky's Air Raid
ner (Z) NO.1, mesh NO.2, backs NO.3,
Offense
while taking a 5-7 step drop.
Another great play for us has been our
V-cross play (Diagram 3). We use this play
several times a game from a variety of for-
mations.
Diagram 3
settle V$. zone
Tony Franklin
Runningbacks
1
r:~:"
\. o,lio"
oed, i! 17 yd, M
OY ~4.~ I Coach
z
x O!O~O $ University of
H i F
Kentucky
z The X is responsible to run an up route Lexington, Ky.
$
NUMBERS
the quarterback's first read, and 3-5 times
a year, we will hit this for a big play.
The V works under the Sam linebacker
and climbs over the Mike linebacker. If he
were to reach the opposite hash, he would
be at a depth of 17 yards, and if he made it
all the way across the field, he would be
Chris Hatcher
approximately 22 yards deep. Once he
climbs over the Mike linebacker, he may
Quarterbacks
settle in the open "grass" vs. zone cover-
2 Coach
age, or continue to run and snap off his
route vs. man. He is the second read by the
quarterback.
The H will release outside the defensive
run an option route. He will stick his toe in
OY Z the ground and break hard outside or
1"
inside vs. match-up zone or man, and he
will settle in the "grass" vs. zone. It is crucial Guy Morriss
to have a great option route runner. We've
been fortunate to have Anthony White for Offensive Line
two seasons to run option routes, and we Coach
have him back one more season in '99. He
has caught 59 and 78 passes the last two
seasons.
The Z will run a post-curl at 14-17 yards
on the backside. He will settle in the open
grass vs. zone. He is our fourth option on
the V-cross route.
The F will check release and run a
swing as he did on the mesh route and will
be the fifth option. Both backs will check on
all our 5-7 step drop back passes.
The quarterback will read X on the up
first, V-cross second, H-third, Z-fourth, and
F-fifth.
The last play today is one of our quick
the Sam screens. This screen is good versus press
or soft coverage. The University of Montana
has been great at running this for years,
• Proceedings • 76th AFCA Convention • 1999 •
113
 • Kentucky
along with many other screens. Their offen-
sive coordinator, Brent Peace, is one of the
sharpest minds in the country.
The play-side receiver (wide) is respon-
sible for driving up the field three hard steps
to sell the vertical route, before sticking and
retracing his steps behind the line of scrim-
mage and back towards the hash mark and
quarterback. He should receive the ball
before reaching the hash and turn up the
field inside the play-side guards kick-out
block (Diagram 4). It is important that he
trusts the guard, set up his block, and get
straight up the field after the catch.
Diagram 4
#4
C $! M S
y~ Yz!
II:r~Slajc~(~
#1 #2: ~3 Fs T (;
~'de'erde:'1""
Relrace
3sIeps ,,+(: . j ~
".
O~F"
cui
~~~
Q (fake - flash ball)
Throw on Rythym
The inside play-side receiver will drive
vertical for half the distance of where the
defender will end up who is guarding the
ball-catching receiver. He will then stick and
plant his inside foot, break sharp toward the
defender, and kick him out at approximate-
ly the time of the reception.
Both tackles will lock on and pass-pro
the defensive ends. The play-side guard will
pass set for 1001 count, and then release
flat to kick out NO.2 (Diagram 4).
The center will pass-set for 1001 count,
and release, to block the Mike linebacker.
The fullback's fake will help hold the Mike
until the center can get there.
The backside guard will pass-set to
1001 count, and release to block NO.4 or
attack any lagging "trash" along the way.
The Y will check the Sam blitz, and release
to block Sam. The outside receiver away
will fake quick screen, and then release to
block his corner.
The quarterback will flash the ball and
quick fake his fullback; he will glance to the
opposite side, set his feet, and throw on
rhythm. The fullback will fake and block the
man over the playside guard.
This has been a great play for us for two
seasons. Thanks for giving me this oppor-
tunity to speak.
Chris Hatcher, Quarterbacks
This is a great opportunity and privilege
for me to speak to you today about the
University of Kentucky "Air Raid" offense.
Offensive Staff • Coaching Clinic • Wednesday • January
Coach Franklin has already discussed a
few of our base patterns, and now I would
like to talk about how we actually teach
these routes and the fundamentals that are
needed to execute them properly.
One can describe our offense as a well-
coached backyard team. We firmly believe
in throwing the football short first, long sec-
ond, and then run the football when the
numbers in the box are favorable. Another
belief of ours is to keep things simple and
put our players in a position to succeed. We
never want to ask an athlete to do some-
thing that he is unable to do effectively. In
our offense, the quarterback is the key to
our success. Since this is the case, we
keep our schemes very simple because we
can run only what he is capable of compre-
$ c
hending. So in our dealings with the quar-
terback, we follow four basic objectives:
/1 1. We try to be fair with him especially
y the way we treat him in front of the other
players. The worst thing one can do with a
quarterback is to destroy his confidence
and the team's confidence in him by
degrading him in public.
2. We must also be firm with him. We
allow our quarterbacks to check plays at
the line of scrimmage when needed.
However, by allowing this, we must let him
know that he better have good reason to
check out of plays called from the sideline.
In other words, we handle our quarterback
with an iron fist and a velvet glove.
3. We try to make football as much fun as
possible. We do not stretch or run sprints.
Everything that we do is geared towards
playing football. In fact, recently I had the
opportunity to hear Coach Spike Dykes give
a lecture. He summed it up in one sentence,-
'We do not work football, we play football."
4. The most important objective is
putting emphasis on the importance of fun-
damentals. We work hard daily on football
fundamentals and feel that our attention to
detail has allowed our offense to be among
the nation's best the past two years.
Our offensive schemes are very simple,
but we try to become very good at the few
things we do. This is accomplished by get-
ting as many repetitions as possible in a
very short period of time. The two drills that
I would like to share with you today are the
basic cogs that make our offense go. Both
the Settle/Noose and Routes on Air are
drills specifically designed to make the
most of your time while on the field.
Remember that time is one thing that can-
not be replaced.
• Proceedings • 76th AFCA Convention
114
13 •
Settle/Noose Drill: This is the first drill
that our quarterbacks, receivers, tight
ends, running backs, and centers partici-
pate in once they run onto the field. Placing
two dummies ten yards apart on the side-
line sets up this drill. The receivers will line
up behind one dummy while the quarter-
back and center line up on the line per-
pendicular to the sideline. (Diagram 5) The
receiver will start in a good stance, and
release on the quarterback's cadence. He
will proceed to settle closer to one dummy,
than the other. He will then face the quar-
terback with his hands in the noose posi-
tion (thumbs together and index fingers
together) ready to catch the football. Once
the ball is caught, he will then turn straight
up field.
Diagram 5
o OWR WR WR.
I
Center
QB
I
The quarterback will work with the cen-
ter on the exchange, and then take his
specified drop (e.g. three-step, five-step,
and seven-step). Once he hits his last step,
he will step up in the pocket waiting for the
receiver to face him. When the receiver is
ready, the quarterback will release the foot-
ball aiming for the receiver's number that is
farthest away from the nearest dummy. This
tells the receiver which direction to turn.
(Diagram 6) This process is continued with
each receiver taking turns. If you have more
than one quarterback, several stations can
be going on simultaneously.
Diagram 6
T
o WR (_mm mnnn 0 WR
\\ I
\ Center
\",,3
This drill is done at one-quarter speed,
and allows many things to be accomplished
while warming up. In a ten-minute period,
our receivers are catching balls while loos-
ening their legs. Our quarterbacks are
working on the quarterback/center ex-
change, drops, and accuracy.
• 1999 •
 • Kentucky Offensive Staff • Coaching Clinic • Wednesday • January 1 3 •

Routes on Air: This particular drill sive line which tells them whic direction
Diagram 8
involves everyone on offense except the they block (Diagram 10).
inemen. Our receivers and running backs
Diagram 10
'ine up in a base formation. All five of our
uarterbacks line up side-by-side in a pre- B B
, ,
snap position. If you do not have five quar- -"'" E \. T TiE /
:erbacks, just insert a coach or manager.
cross from the line of scrimmage (35 yard
ine), seven dummies are aligned to repre- ~ ~d
····,···,.P
H
f? ex "0,'
~/// "ROGER"
F
CALL

sent a particular coverage that we will see

(H-READS HIS WAY OUT)
. the game that week. (Diagram 7) The This drill has been very important in
",xtra receivers will line up behind their developing our passing game. In fifteen
-espective positions and wait for their turn minutes, we can run everyone of our plays If the halfback stays and blocks and the

:0 run the pattern. at least five times. Again, this drill allows us fullback is in the route, the halfback makes
a lot of repetitions in a very organized short a "Louie" call to the offensive line which
Diagram 7
period of time. tells them which direction to block (Diagram
o 15yds. 11).
Guy Morriss, Offensive Line
i
Diagram 11
07yds. 0 o 07yds. It is a great honor for me to be here
01 0 today. Our offensive linemen must develop B B

o a passion to become the very best pass ""', EfT T/ E

~ 0H QQQQQ~
z protectors they can be. Becoming a good
o \"..,p/p ,C{' ~/,'/
F

Once everyone is lined up correctly, the

pass blocker requires hard work, study,
concentration, dedication, strength training,
and most of all, patience. Repetition must
"LOVIE"CALL"d
H
~ F
(F-READS HIS WAY OUT)
ach will then call a play. All the receivers be accepted as a way of life for the pass
n their routes while all five quarterbacks blocker. We spend 85-90% of our time
-'" e their drops. Each quarterback will teaching our linemen how to block, rather The scheme applies to three-step, five-
- row to one of the five receivers. Each than figure out who to block. step, and seven-step protections. The base
-eceiver will catch the ball, turn straight up The beauty of our system is just how rule is the same, the only thing that
" e field and sprint to the end zone. Our simple it is. We have only one protection at changes is the depth of the set by the offen-
-eceivers are taught to never settle behind Kentucky. We do not slide, turn, or zone sive line.
2. dummy, and our quarterbacks will never protect. We use a man scheme and strive I see that we are out of time. Remember
:;)row over a dummy. to be one well-coordinated unit, as well as that any lineman can become a better pass
During this drill, the receivers will work exceptional one-on-one individual pass blocker if he has the courage, determina-
proper alignment, stance and starts, blockers. The scheme is easy to learn, easy tion, strength, and willingness to work hard.
- d running good routes. Also by making to teach, and easy to adjust during the heat Please allow us to be of any assistance
em sprint to the end zone, the receivers of a ballgame. by calling the University of Kentucky
are being conditioned. The quarterback's Our base rule is as follows: The offen- Yootball Office at (606) 257-3611. 1':9
play is probably one of the most important sive line will block the four down linemen
aspects of this drill. The quarterbacks will and the Mike linebacker. The fullback will
read each route in a certain progression.
For example, the quarterback with the first
check Sam to any strongside edge player,
and the halfback will check Will to any weak
Improve Your
read will throw his ball once he hits his last side edge player (Diagram 9). Professional
step. The quarterback with the fifth read will
Diagram 9
look at the first four receivers before he Image
releases his ball to that receiver. In W M S
essence, the balls will be released in a i : ; /'
. E\T: TIE / Ask your sports infor-
typewriter fashion. (Diagram 8) After this
play is completed, then the next group of mation director to men-
receivers will line up and replace the
receivers who just participated. The quar-
\"\~f ± 'X ~/// tion your membership
terbacks will rotate and throw to a different H F and involvement in the
receiver. This process will be repeated five
times, so that each quarterback will throw If defenses play our base set with six "in
AFCA in your biography
all five routes. If the balls are not being the box" we must define where the Mike in your school's media
released in the proper order, then I know linebacker is. If the fullback stays and guide.
there is a problem with one of the quarter- blocks and the halfback is in the route the
backs knowing his progression of reads. fullback makes a "Roger" call to the offen-

• Proceedings • 76th AFCA Convention • 1999 •

115