Installation of The

Shotgun Offense
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By James Vint
Offensive Coordinator
Christopher Columbus High School
Bronx, New York

Advantages of The Gun

Defenses Have To Account For the QB As A Runner

Every Play Becomes An Option Play
QB Has Easier Pre And Post Snap Reads
QB Already Has Depth In The Pass Game
Offense Can Read Rather Than Block A Defender In The
Run Game
QB Works Downhill As Opposed To Uphill From Under C
Linebackers On Their Heels As Gun Is A Pass Formation
In Two Back Gun The D Must Account For 3 Backs and 3
Wideouts
In One Back Gun The D Must Account For Two Backs
And Four Wides

Comparing The Gun To Under Center

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Def Accounts For 4 WR and

1 Back
Defense Does Not Have To
Defend The QB As A Runner
Defense Can Defend The
Box With 6 VS 6

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Defense Must Account For

The QB AS The Second Back
Defense Must Account For
Four Wideouts
If D Account For 4 Wides,
They Are Left With 6 To Defend
7 In The Box

QB Pre Snap Alignment

QB Aligns at 4.5 yards from

the center
Feet are slightly staggered with throwing
foot slightly in front
Hands are comfortable, with fingers
spread
QB brings the snap through the third hand
QB Snaps Eyes to Read

QB Footwork And The Mesh

If The back is crossing the QB, the QB will

take a flat step toward the back. We call

this SHORT STEP, FLAT STEP.
He reaches the ball deep and feels the bell
of the back, snapping his eyes to his read.
He rides the back through while making his
read.
Squeeze and Chase, Pull and Replace

RB Footwork And The Mesh

The back aligns 1.5 to 2 yards behind the

QB, straddling the outside leg of the

guard.
If the back is crossing the QB, he will take
a step opposite the QB, then get downhill.
He must make a deep pocket, with the top
palm up.
The back must feel the QB read, and not
snatch at the football.

Read the Backside 5 Technique

The main concept you will get from this manual is the concept of reading the
backside 5 technique. The QB will read the backside 5 technique. This allows
the backside tackle to work up to the second and third level. Under center, the
quarterback is not able to read the backside 5 technique, he is working uphill.
From the gun, the QB can read the backside 5 tech and use his rule.
QBs Rule: Squeeze and Chase, pull and replace.
If the 5 technique squeezes the tackles release and chases the back the
quarterback is meshing with, the QB will pull the football and replace the 5
technique. This is a way of reminding the QB to get downhill. If the 5 tech does
anything else, the QB gives the ball and carries out a downhill run fake to hold
the pursuit. We drill this with our MESH DRILL. The QBs and running backs
work together getting their mesh down, while the QB reads the 5 tech.. We vary
how the 5 technique plays in each situation as we drill the mesh and read.
Mesh Drill

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If the DE squeezes and chases, the QB

will pull the ball and replace the DE. We
want the QB to get downhill.
If the DE sits at home, or goes upfield,
the QB will give the ball and continue a
downhill run fake.

QB
RB

Diagram Of The Mesh

The QB Takes A Flat Step To The Back, then a

short step. His feet should face the Sideline, in
a heel toe relationship at the mesh point.

Same Side Mesh

If the QB is meshing with the back on the

same side as the call, his footwork will be

similar to inside veer. He will take a short
step, then get up in. We want a short step
to the back, then the opposite foot working
downhill on the Mesh.
The TB will step to the QB, then downhill.
He must try to keep his shoulders square.

Same Side Mesh

QB works his feet to parallel, similar to inside

veer footwork.
TB steps to the QB, keeping his shoulders
square.

Formation Identification
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Gun Pro (Pittsburgh)

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Twins Gun (Minnesota)

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Formation Identification
Ace Gun (Alabama)

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Trips Closed (Cleveland)

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Formation Identification
Empty (Gator)

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Bunch (Baltimore)

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Motion Identification

Rip: Left IS Receiver Across The Formation

Liz: Right IS WR Across the Formation
Hump: FB to the TE
Jump: FB away from the TE
Tom: TE to the call
Ted: TE away from the call
Jet: Z across the formation
Zip: Z Into the formation
Zap: Z Away from the formation
Away: TB away from the TE
To: TB to the TE

Inside Zone Read From Alabama

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Offensive Line Uses Inside Zone Blocking

Techniques
QB Reads Backside 5 Tech
TB and QB Utilize Mesh Footwork

Inside Zone Read With Extra Def

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We use motion to block the extra guy, or

we can have the BST block the T and read

the E.
Best case is to check to QB Iso through
the 3 hole.

Base Dive From Alabama

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Oline uses base dive scheme

Great vs. 1-5 technique playside
TB and QB Utilize Same Side Mesh Footwork
QB Gives, there is no read
Center Cuts Playside One Tech

Base Dive Fold From Alabama

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Center

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and PSG will Fold vs. aggressive

one tech
Guard Blocks Down, Center Steps Around
TB and QB Utilize Mesh Footwork
Creates Angles For A Quick Hitting Play

Base Dive Kick From Alabama

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Center Pulls and Kicks Out 5 Tech

PST Inside Veer Releases To PSLB
TB and QB Utilize Same SideMesh Footwork
Quick Hitting Play to Put the 5 Tech On Ice

46 Counter Read
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Use Base Dive To Set Up Counter Read

Counter Read Allows You To Read the BS End
You can use motion to account for another
defender on the read side.

46 Scissors Read
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Scissors Action Holds The Backside Flow

Scissors Read Allows You To Read the BS End
Allows You To Have A Lead Blocker For The QB

42 Tackle Trap Read

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Allows You To Account For The Will LB

Tackle Trap Read Allows You To Read the BS
End
Quick Hitting Play In The Center of The Defense

42 Trap Read
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Again, Allows You To Account For The Will LB

Short Trap is Quicker Than The Tackle Trap
You can move the QB up to 3.5 Yards

Adding The Option Game To The Gun

Forces The Defense To Play Assignment

Football
Slows Down Blitzing Linebackers
Creates Opportunities For The Big Play
Slows Down Pursuit of Front Seven
Allows You To Account For More
Defenders
QB Makes Reads While Working Downhill

Option Plays From The Gun

Inside Veer
Outside Veer
Load
Lead
Speed
Belly
Counter
Trap
Slide

Inside Veer From The Gun

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QB Reads 5 Tech For Give Read, OLB or R for Pitch

Great vs. 1-5 technique playside
TB and QB Utilize Same Side Mesh Footwork
Great vs. 8 Man Fronts
O Line Uses Zone Combination Blocks

Speed Option From Alabama

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O-Line Uses Inside Veer Blocking

Great vs. 1-5 technique playside
TB Drop Steps and Gets Into Pitch Relationship
QB Slides and Attacks PS DE
Zone Combination Blocks Get Great Movement

OS Veer Option Option From Gun

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O-Line Uses Outside Veer Blocking

Great vs. Any Defensive Front Minus and Invert
FB Steps to Play and Attacks 5 hole
QB gets downhill and reads 9 tech
Zone Combination Blocks Get Great Movement

Load Option From Gun

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O-Line Uses Outside Veer Blocking

Great vs. Any Defensive Front Minus and Invert
FB Flashes Hands and Works To Alley Player
QB Uses OS Veer FW, Then attacks 9 tech
Zone Combination Blocks Get Great Movement

Slide Option
QB Slides To The Playside and Reads The

5 Tech. If the 5 squeezes, the QB attacks

the next defender. If the 5 comes upfield,
the QB shovels the ball to the Under Back.
Use Veer Blocking
Puts the five in another lose-lose dilemma

Spread Gun 15 Slide

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From The Even look, the ISWR becomes the pitch man. You can also
bubble him and use the bubble as the second option. Keep the bubble
behind the line as you have lineman going upfield.

Gun Slot 15 Slide

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The Horses Set

The horses set is a set we used to get our QB on the perimeter. We ran
the horses set with great success. The base play is 18-19 Horses. We
complement this play with 12-13 Iso, and all of our read plays. We also
run our zone play, and run play action off the horses. The horses set is
designed to get angle blocks on our opponents.

The Horses Set

Motion

Zip 18 Horses
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Zip Motion

Ace Gun 13 ISO vs. 30 Stack

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From an Even set under center, you couldnt run the Iso without
motioning a slot. From the gun, you the defense has to account
for two backs in the backfield, and still account for four wides.

Getting Your QB In The Run Game

Ace Gun 17 Power
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From an ace set under center, you couldnt run the power without
motioning a slot. From the gun, you the defense has to account
for two backs in the backfield, and still account for four wides.

QB Mechanics in the Pass Game

QB Calls The Play Twice

In The Huddle
Formation, Motion, Protection, Play
QB Makes A Half Field Read Based On His
Pre-Snap Checks
QB Begins Cadence
Hot Color Means Changing The Protection
Or Routes
Cold Color, Play and Protection Are Being
Run As Called

QB Pre Snap Reads Continued

QB Looks Right and Looks Left
He Reads Depth of Corners and Number

of Safeties
Receivers Will Signal Technique
QB Checks Inverts and Blitz Combos
QB Checks Off If Needed
QB Raises Hands and Center Looks Up

Identifying Coverages

Cover 0: True Man

Cover 1: Man with FS Free
Cover 2: Two Deep Safeties
Cover 3: Three Deep Zones
Cover 4: Quarters, Four Deep Zones
Cover 5: Quarter/Quarter/Half
Spy: Defender will Spy QB (Usually with running
QB)
Robber: Defender assigned to Rob or Take and
area of the Pass Game Away

Identifying Cover 0
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Corners Align Inside As They Have No Help

Free Safety Moves Over TE (Check Sam Blitz
Rover Lined Up Over IS WR
Beat 0 With Crossing Routes

Identifying Cover 0
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Corners Align Inside As They Have No

Help
Pre Snap Sam Walks Up To Blitz
Free Safety Moves To Cover ISWR
Beat 0 With Crossing Routes

Identifying Cover 1
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Corners Align Head Up to OS as they have safety help

FS Stays in Middle, May Favor Field
ISWR are covered
TE May be covered by SLB
Can Be 0 with FS on RB
If Mike and Will Blitz, Play Cover 0 Routes

Identifying Cover 2
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Corners Align Press to 5 Yards

Safeties Play Outside The OTs, Can Be On The
Hash
OLBs Play IS of ISWR, Triangle Technique
The Safety Will Tell You If The Coverage IS Two,
Four, or A Cloud Three.

Identifying Cover 3
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One Middle Safety, Usually at 12-15

Corners Play OS Alignment at 7 to 9 yards.
Usually and Invert One Side Of the Field, or a 4-4 Type
Look
Tough To Play Cover 2 From a 3 Shell, But Defenses use
a 3 shell to disguise cover 4.
Also Looks Like Cover 1. If $ is leveraging TE, expect
cover one.

Identifying Cover 4
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Two Safeties, Inside the hashes.

Corners in off technique, near safety depth
Usually No Invert versus cover 4
Expect limited blitzes versus cover 4.
Can Roll Into Cover 3 Strong Or Weak
Defenses Run Cover 4 to get the safeties into the run
game.

Defeating Pressure
Change Your QB Drop Zone
Use a 3-Step Drop
Use a 5-Step Drop
Use a 7-Step Drop
Use A Sprint Out Pass
Use The Dash Series
Use Screens and Draws
Learn To Throw Hot

Route Combinations and Coverage Adjustments

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Cali Combo Is A Five Step Curl Flat

Front Side #1 Runs Curl, Number 2 Runs Flat, Number 3
Runs Slice
Backside is a Scat Combo
QB Reads #2 Defender
5 Step Combo
QB Makes A Pre Snap Read To Go Front Side Or
Backside

Cali Combo vs. Cover 2

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Curl Adjusts to a 12 Yard Stop

Frontside Runs 12 Yard Outside Release to Press the Corner and
Get the $ Over The Top
Flat Can Be Adjusted To An Arc
Backside is a Scat Combo
QB Reads #2 Defender
5 Step Combo
QB Makes A Pre Snap Read To Go Front Side Or Backside

Crossing Combo (Chicago)

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Chicago is a 5 Step Combo With A Shallow Cross and 2 or 3

Verticals
Frontside Runs Vertical/Stop Read, Makes Decision at 12
Yards
#2 On Both Sides Runs Seam
Backside WR Runs Shallow Cross
5 Step Drop
QB Reads Technique Of Safety For Coverage Key
QB Looks At Safety and Reads Backside Hook/Curl Defender

Middle Cross Hi Low On Mike (Xs)

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Hi Low Combo On The Mike Linebacker

#2 Frontside Runs 5 Yards Vertical and Deepens to 12 as he
crosses to the opposite hash
#2 Backside Runs 3 Yards Vertical and Deepens to 7 as he
crosses to the opposite hash
5 Step Combo
Versus Off Coverage, Throw Stops
Back Must Check Then Release Late

Rocket Double Screen

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QB Will Catch, Pivot, and Throw

Call Side Runs Rocket, Backside Runs Swing
TE Cracks Mike
Backside WR Cracks #2
Backside RB Runs Swing
Frontside Back Dives Into Line Towards DE
Frontside WR Rocker Steps Forward and comes back through the ball
Tackles Have the Sidewalk
Guards Have the All
Center Has Inside Alley

Alabama Rip Blue 5 Cali Right

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Alabama is the formation

Rip is the motion
Blue 5 is the protection
Back Away from TE runs Swing
Backside is a Scat Combo
QB Reads #2 or flat Defender
5 Step Combo
QB Makes A Pre Snap Read To Go Front Side Or Backside
If the $ runs with the motion or inverts with the F, throw backside

Tennessee: 3 Step Complement To Cali Combo

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Three Step Drop Changes The QB Drop Zone

Similar To Cali Combo, but routes are adjusted for shorter drop
Playside #1 runs a slant
Number 2 runs a flat route
#3 Still Runs A Slice
QB Reads #2 or flat Defender
QB Throws on his third step
QB Makes A Pre Snap Read To Go Front Side Or Backside
If the $ runs with the motion or inverts with the F, throw backside

Pass Protection Schemes

3 Step Protections are a gap punch

protection
We aggressively pass protect to keep the
hands down
We use a low hat to pass set
We protect the inside first and throw hot
off blitzers

Five Step (BOB) Blue Protection

We use Big-On-Big Techniques in our five step

game.
We block down guys first, then up guys.
We pass set and punch, dropping our outside
foot.
O-Line Must Keep Shoulders Parallel to LOS
Throw hot off blitzers
We call our Blue protection with a number so
everyone knows the number of protectors

Blue Protection

Blue 5 is a base 5 man protection.

Blue 6 Keeps One Back
Blue 7 Keeps In Two Backs
Stay tells the TE to Stay
Blue 9 Is A Max Protect
All backs and TEs are in routes and are not staying to
protect.
We must block down guys first.
Vs. Even fronts, we account for 4 down guys and Mike or
Will.
Vs. Odd fronts we account for the three or five down
guys. If there are 3 down, we get the 2 ISLBs.

5 Man Protection
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This is a base 5 man protection.

We block the man on our outside shoulder
Uncovered has double read
QB would check Mac to throw hot off Mike Blitz
TE is hot off Mike
QB throws to Flat Route if Sam comes

Blue 6 Protection
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This keeps a back in to block

The back has the Will unless he gets a nasty call
Nasty puts the back on the EMOL
If the $ blitzes, we go nasty and throw hot
With motion, QB would look frontside with no defensive adjustment
The word STAY alerts the TE he will stay in to Block.
MAX keeps both backs in.

This Is A Basic Overview Of The Gun

Offense There is Much More You Can Add
James Vint
Offensive Coordinator
Christopher Columbus High School
Bronx, New York
CoachVint@aol.com