How to Exploit What the Defense Gives You with the Vertical Hitch Concept - Gary Goff

Gary Goff, HC at McNeese State, likes to use the vertical hitch concept if the quarterback sees if there is a soft corner or 2 high to get a quick and easy read to get the ball out quickly.

The video in this post was taken from his Quick Game: Vertical Hitch Concept which is one of the 27 lessons from the Gary Goff Air Raid System.  You can find those lessons on Glazier Drive.

Some of the key points from the clip are listed below the video.

Here's a summary of the YouTube transcript about the Vertical Hitch Concept:

The video explains a detailed offensive football play concept with a 2x2 receiver formation. The key elements of the play include:

Receiver Routes:

• Split ends (X and Z) run 5-6 yard hitch routes with a vertical push
• Slot receivers (H and Y) run a "seam read" route
  • Mandatory outside release
  • At 10-12 yards, they read the safety's position
  • If there is no safety overhead, continue vertically
  • If safety is present, convert to a curl route
• Running back runs a ball hook at 3 yards

Quarterback Progression:

• Pre-snap, the quarterback reads the defensive coverage
• Chooses which side to start reading (left or right)
• Primary read is the hitch route with the softest corner coverage
• If the hitch is covered, he moves to seam read
• If seam read is covered, checks down to running back

Key Coaching Points:

• Slot receivers must outside release to protect hitch routes
• Quarterback has the flexibility to choose the initial read
• Designed to exploit soft coverage or single-high safety looks
• Provides multiple read options for the quarterback
• Creates easy completion opportunities

The concept is flexible, allowing the quarterback to adapt to defensive alignments and find the easiest completion.