O
n behalf of Virginia Military Institute and
T h e VM I
Head Coach Cal McCombs, I would like
to thank Scott Boone and the AFCA
Auxiliary
Summer Manual Committee for the oppor-
tunity to contribute this article. It is a privi-
lege to represent our offensive staff: Will
Offense, “Go McCombs (offensive line), Jack Baker (run-
ningbacks), and Latrell Scott (wide receivers).
U nb al a nc e d”
They believe in our offense and do a tremen-
dous job in teaching it to our players.
I would also like to recognize a mentor
to many of us in the coaching profession,
Coach Red Faught, who introduced me to
this package. Red is a true innovator of our
game and has forgotten more than I will
ever know. Thanks, Red!
Balance is an important element of any
offense. In today’s football, it is extremely dif-
ficult to line up and be exclusive in any phase
of the game. In this article we hope to pre-
sent a simple package that is designed to
complement any offense, especially the
spread. Having flexibility built into the system
enables you to address the situation at hand
and increase productivity. Going “unbal-
anced” gives us balance.
Philosophy
The thinking behind our unbalanced
package at VMI is centered around our base
offense. We spend the majority of our time in
variations of double slot (Diagram 1).
Diagram 1: Double Slot
This look has proven productive in the
running and passing game while in the
open field. However, our base package is
limited when confronted with short
yardage, red zone and backed-up situa-
tions. Our Eagle Package addresses these
situations without completely abandoning
our base package. A true tight end at the I-
AA level is a commodity.
An athletic big guy who can run, usually
ends up on the defensive side of the ball.
By using the tackle over feature, we can
create a tight end effect with our base per-
sonnel. This look is created by taking our
left tackle to the right side (offensive tack-
le), bringing the wide receiver (X) inside
and backing the slot (W) to four yards
Diagram 2: Eagle “Unbalanced”
(Diagram 2). By doing so, we create a set
with several strengths: 1. Power running
game to the strong side. 2. A short corner on
the weak side. 3. Maximum protection in the
passing game.
Defense
Defenses react in several different ways
to this unconventional set. They first have
to identify the strength and determine
whether to defend the formation or the
field. Other adjustments usually include a
combination of four solutions depending on
their base: 1. Rock down a safety to the
strong side. 2. Take a linebacker over. 3.
Slide the front strong. 4. Walk a linebacker
up. Regardless of what adjustments are
made, we have already given the defense
something new to prepare for each week.
As a result, opponents have to be ready to
defend it, thus using up their valuable prac-
tice time.
Play Selection
While in our Eagle set, we want to run
plays that attack the interior, off tackle and
flank of the defense. Option plays are
attractive as a result of defensive adjust-
ments that may have redefined option
responsibilities. Power plays to the strong
side have merit. Zone plays that capture
the short corner are usually good. Play-
action passes and the trips passing game
are a natural fit with this menu.
The Package
If the defense has used an adjustment
to defend the formation, we will try to attack
the short corner with our inside and outside
zone. These plays are set up by Y coming
in full-speed motion through the heels of
the S. The quarterback is responsible for
timing up the cadence and getting the ball
to Y. The tight end, W, S, and offensive line
are in a full-zone scheme to the left. We
want to run wide on this play, the more field
the better. Speed is the key (Diagram 3).
Now that we have given the defense a con-
tain issue, we will start the rim motion again

Diagram 3: Rim
and hand the ball off to the S using the
same action with an inside-zone scheme
(Diagram 4).
Diagram 4: Lead Zone
Once we make the rim and belly plays
go, we have a play-action pass that takes
advantage of the defense overplaying the
motion. We use slide protection up front
and fake the rim. The play action gets the
defense moving laterally and provides us
with a seven-, eight- or nine-man protection
depending on the route combination that
has been called.
The Y will run his rim track and end up
on a swing route. The tight end will drag
underneath, climbing to seven yards. The Z
will run a dig. Ideally, we get the secondary
rotating with the motion and get a big play.
The W replaces the tight end, and the S
takes the first thing that shows outside of
the W (Diagram 5).
Diagram 5: Play-Action Pass
We like putting the formation into the
boundary and running the power play to the
strong side. We use a standard track block-
ing up front and pull the backside guard.
The W will shift back into the “I” or jump
motion into position. The Y will turn out on
the strong safety. We will motion him
across the formation if it will remove a
defender. The quarterback reverses out
and secures the handoff to W who presses
the hip of the pulling guard and runs to day-
light (Diagram 6).
Diagram 6: Power
The next package series of plays in the
Eagle Package is the option. You can run
the true triple option, double option or
speed option in both directions depending
on the count that the defense gives you.
This past season, the midline proved most
productive for us. In our count system, we
would read No. 2 on the dive and pitch off
No. 3 (Diagram 7).
Diagram 7: Count System
Up front, we would employ a veer
scheme, while leaving No. 2 and No. 3 for
the quarterback reads. The inside tackle
(IT) and outside tackle (OT) would loop
check the second level and work to the free
safety. The Y starts in rim motion to the left
and then arcs for No. 4. The W maintains
pitch relationship.
The quarterback steps off the midline
and executes an option read on No. 2 and
then a pitch read on No. 3. The S backs run
straight ahead for a mesh read with the
quarterback. If S is given the ball, he will
work back outside allowing the linemen to
execute their blocks (Diagram 8). The
Diagram 8: Midline
option gives us big play potential and
forces assignment football. This limits the
amount of man coverage we see in our
unbalanced set.
Additional Benefits
With our base offense being somewhat
finesse-oriented, our balanced package
keeps our lineman and backs “salty” and
also helps keep our own defense prepared
for tight end sets and power teams. This
helps balance us out. We have also sold
our players on the fact that this package
gives us a chance in the event of poor
weather and field conditions. Here at the
Virginia Military Institute, practice time on
the field is held as a premium. We get our
players for a total of 17 hours a week. The
unbalanced package provides us with the
framework to practice situational football in
a very efficient manner.
Closing
By going to an unbalanced look we are
able to complement our base package with
a variety of plays that address short-
yardage and coming out situations. We can
also play-action pass and provide maxi-
mum protection in our passing game.
Defenses have to make predictable adjust-
ments or get “vanilla.” By us using the
unbalanced set, we can maximize reps and
minimize assignments, thus increasing our
percentage for success. At VMI our Eagle
Package is truly an auxiliary offense that
gives our players a chance to be success-
ful in the face of adversity. Go reckless,
stay loose, and score!
Thanks to the AFCA for the opportunity
to share our thoughts and ideas. The AFCA
Summer Manual is a staple in our staff
room. It has helped tremendously on many
occasions. Please feel free to contact us
with any questions or comments.
Notify the
AFCA Office
of Any
Change of
Address