Thoughts on

Offensive Football
Attacking Zone Coverages with a
Multiple Formation Passing You get what you
Game
Jay Wilkinson
emphasize.
Offensive Coordinator
University of Central Oklahoma
(918) 519 – 5102
(405) 974 – 2919
coachwilkinson@gmail.com

Tools to beat Zone Trash Cans

• Settle and Noose
• Routes on Air
• 3 Step Quick Game – Slant, Hitch
• 3 Step Progression – Stick, Spacing, Corner
• 5 Step Read – Four Vertical
• 5 Step Progression – Curl, Flood, Cross
• Need at least Eight Trash cans.
• The best investment a coach can make.
• Use for Settle and Noose.
• Screen Drill.
• Throwing Drills.
• RB Blitz Pick-up.
 Noose Noose Set-Up
• 1st Thing everyday. No Stretching.
• Centers snap.
• WR must work a release.
• Teach QB’s to lead WR’s to Grass.
• WR’s Turn to the ball.
• WR’s must score
• 5 Minutes...

Coverage Families Cover 2

• Middle of Field Open (MOFO)
– Cover 2
– Cover 4
– Cover 0
• Middle of Field Close (MOFC)
– Cover 3
– Cover 1
 Cover 2 Questions Cover 4
• Are the CB’s hard or Soft?
– Press???
• Who are they trying to get in the run fit?
• Do they LB’s wall #2?
– If so, how far.
• Are the safeties good enough to play the ball in
the hole?
• Are the LB’s ½ players?
• How do they adjust to trips?

Cover 4 Questions Cover 3

• How deep are the CB’s?
– If they are tight, can we run by them?
• 5 in the box?
– Don’t outsmart yourself.
• Where are the Flat defenders?
• Trips adjustments?
 Cover 3 Questions QB – WR Notes
• Do the CB’s show it? • Settle or Throttle vs. Zone Coverage.
• Do they roll it? • WR’s always know the defender you are working
off of.
• How aggressive do they play routes in the flat? • QB’s lead the WR to grass.
• Can their FS play Four Vertical? • WR’s trust the QB.
• QB – Sometimes you will have to manipulate the
Defense with your eyes or beat them with your
timing/arm.
• Vs. Zone, think in terms of Trash Cans!

Stick
Top plays vs. Zone
• 3 Step Progression:
– Stick
– Spacing
– Corner
• 5 Step Progression: IWR: Arrow route @ 3 yards. Shoot if in backfield.
– Curl OWR: run a Fade Route. Push to the CB’s toes and get over the top
of him. Give the QB room to throw the Football.
– Cross
T: Protection
QB Pre-read Tightest CB.
Catch and Throw. Miss outside.
Y Stick Y Stick

Y Stick Y Stick
 Spacing Spacing

IWR: Arrow route @ 3 yards. Shoot if in backfield.

MWR: Aim for a spot 6 yd. deep 2yd. Inside of the #2 short defender.
OWR: run 6-7 yard Mini Curl Routes. Push to 3-4, Slant to 6-7 and
Sit. Must sit inside of Flat player. If Bunch, work outside, no slant.
Indiv: Must win vs. 1 on 1
T: Protection
QB Pre-read widest flat defender. Move Flat defender with your eyes.

Spacing Spacing
 Y Corner Y Corner

BSWR: Double Slant Rules.

Z: Run Sit Route. Don’t be in a hurry. Trying to replace short
defender over Corner Route.
Y: 10 yd. Corner Route. Apply Corner Route Rules.
T: Free Release Swing to Call Side
QB Pre-read Blitz. Playside Sit/Swing, Backside Inside/Outside Slant
Progression: Corner, Sit, Swing, Double Slant.

Y Corner H Corner
H Corner Y Spot Y Corner

X Corner X Corner
 Curl Curl

Y: 10 Yd. Sit Route over the Ball. Under #1, Over #2.

H: Arrow route @ 3 yards. Shoot if in backfield.

Z & X: 12 yard Curl Routes.

T: Check Swing Protection

QB Progression Read: Y, Z/X, T/H

Curl Curl
 Curl Curl

Y Cross Y Cross

X: FOR Fade.
H: 5 yard Option Route. Either Sit Down or Break Out.
Y: 10 – 17 yard Cross (Under Sam over Mike)
Z: 12 yard Curl Route
T: Check Swing Protection
QB Go, Option, Cross, Curl, Swing
Y Cross Y Cross

Y Cross Y Cross