Spread Offenses have taken the game of football by storm. The Spread is one of the most exciting schemes to run because of its ability to spread the field with offensive weapons.
Effective spread offensive schemes can mask great run attacks behind superior passing concepts. In this series of videos, available on Glazier Clinics' YouTube, Coach Pat Fox from Pontiac Notre Dame Prep HS lays out foundational components of his Foxfire Spread Offense.
Drop Back Passing and Screen Attack
Coach Fox lays out the importance of the Offensive Line blocking techniques and highlights their slide protection with five or six players blocking. With a five-man protection front, the Offensive Line slides where they have three defenders that they need to block. On the front side, two Offensive Linemen have man responsibilities. In six-man protection, TE or RB, the Lineman gives more ground, but they also slide to the three-defender side.
Stick-Draw Concept
Coach Pat Fox from Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (MI) outlines how to effectively run the Foxfire Spread Stick-Draw Concept utilizing an RPO (Run Pass Option). This detailed video discusses the hazards of running this play with a Running Back versus running it out of a 4x1 set or empty set from the offense and allowing the Quarterback to be the running threat. The Quarterbacks' read is the play side Linebacker covering the speed-out combination route by the #2 and #3 Receivers. If he plays the QB, throw the inside speed out route. If he follows the wide receiver, the Quarterback runs through either A gap. The blocking concepts are what makes this play work! If the defense shows a 4-man front, then the Offensive Line blocks the backside five and reads number six. The Offensive Line will always power fold from the least shade. If the defense shows a 3-man front, the Offensive Line zone blocks the three Defensive Linemen and two Linebackers.
Spacing Pass Concept
Spacing is a route concept that teams implement into both their quick- and 5-step dropback passing attacks. It allows you to isolate your best Wide Receiver to the front side of the field. On the backside of the formation, it creates three-on two matchups with your remaining three receivers against their two defenders. This mismatch attacks them in their underneath and outside zone responsibilities. With this attack, your offense will always have one option available! The backside Wide Receivers are evenly aligned, and this allows “easy access” to the X receiver for the front side of the offense. Incorporate this concept into your offense when you have one Wide Receiver that is just insanely better than the rest to create easy success!
Adding RPO's to Inside Zone
The Run Pass Option is one of the most-used offensive concepts in football today. By adding these simple teaching tips to your toolbox, you can be up and running it in no time. It starts with the alignment of your Wide Receivers. If you have 1 Wide Receiver detached from the Offensive Line, he will run a smoke route. When you have 2 or 3 Receivers detached, the inside Receiver will run an inverted bubble. Regardless, all Receivers have a designated landing spot where the Quarterback is trained to throw to, referred to as “Second Base”, which is the front foot of the widest Receiver.
Inside Zone Read Backfield Actions
The Quarterback reads the defensive end, then reacts based on what the defensive end is doing. If the defensive end is looking at the Quarterback, the Quarterback hands the ball to the Running Back. If the defender is looking at the Running Back, the Quarterback will keep the ball and runs 1 yard outside the defensive end. From the Running back’s perspective, his aiming point is the play side guard. He has 3 reads based on what he sees. If he receives the ball and the B Gap is open, he takes it. If the B Gap is closed, he executes a one-step cut and gets vertical in the A Gap. If both options are unavailable, he gets back to the Line of Scrimmage and cuts backside.
This series of videos is the foundation for an effective spread offense. Incorporating a strong running game and a creative passing attack will result in a successful offensive coaching plan for any team.
