The following section will provide you with your pass protection concepts that will feature:
1. 100 Series – Play Action Passes
2. 300 & 310 Series – 3 step Dropback Routes.
3. 500 & 510 Series – 5 Step Dropback Routes.
4. 600 & 610 Series – Max Protection / Tight End Stays In.
5. 800 & 900 Series – Sprint Out Passes.
As we develop our passing game the following rules are used to set the pass protections, routes and the direction that the quarterback will first take his reads.
The “right and left” call made in the huddle sets the pass protection. The right and left call sets the formation and tells the tight end and fullback which direction they are going. The offensive line builds there responsibilities off the concept of B.O.B. or Big-on-Big. The Fullback will follow the right and left call made in the huddle tracking the callside linebacker to outside invert. The offensive line will move their protection opposite the right and left call. The uncovered lineman to the backside (opposite the right and left call) will track backside linebacker to outside invert. In the following section I will explain calls that we use to compensate for all possible scenarios that a defense might put against you.
The numbering system that I use will give the type of quarterback drops and direction he will first look. Pass plays with a 1 attached puts the reads and comp routes to the left example: 310, 510, and 610 comp passes first start to the left working back to the right side.
300, 500, and 600 alerts will start the comp routes from the right side with the quarterback first looking right working back to his left side.
Remember, the “right and left” call tells you the direction that the Tight End and Fullback will go. The numbering system sets the type of depth and direction the quarterback will first take his reads. The following page will demonstrate how this all comes together.
Behind each numbered protection called you will find attached the type of route the number one receiver to that side will run all other routes are comp routes.
How to Call your Play Action Passes
100 Series Play Action Passes
The 100 series passing game will be identified by adding number digits to the end of the 100 series passes. Example. if you wanted to run a play action pass for the inside veer you would call it the following way:
Thus, anytime a three digit pass is called you are running the play action that is identified by the last two digits of the three digit call.
310 – 300 / 510 – 500 Series Dropback Passes
The 310 – 300 and 510 – 500 series passing game allows you to get four receivers released up field in a hurry. The depth of the routes will be according to the tag that is attached to the 300 and 500 alert. You can primarily use these schemes from all formations and backfield sets when you want to get the Tailback out into a route without check releasing first. 300 series passes are 3 step and 500 series 5 step.
If the Quarterback pre-reads pressure, he can check into 600 or 700 protection which keeps the Tight End in for blocking purposes. This will allow you to block a seven man pass rush.
Developing Your Passing Game
To read the second part of this article, click this link: Developing Your Passing Game Part 2
About the Author of this post:
Jerry Campbell has over 30 years of high school and college coaching experience. He has experience as a head coach, offensive coordinator, and various position coaches. He has written numerous football coaching articles in various publications, is the author of over 30 books on coaching football, and has produced 12 coaching video series. Additionally, he is a nationally sought after speaker on the coaching clinic circuit.