To understand this type of style, you must first understand the goals of it. The main goals of this offensive approach is not to sling the ball all over the field like may spread offenses you see in today’s game. The goals are simple:
1. Allow the offense to set the pace of the game. Keep defenses on their heels.
2. Give the offense more opportunities to get the ball in play makers hands.
3. Score quick to get opposing team to get away from game plan early
4. Play sideline to sideline and end-zone to end-zone At least 3 shots down field a quarter!
5. Make the game 5 quarters. Take a game from 60 offensive plays to 80+.
The common misunderstanding to this offense is that it is a spread offense because it is fast paced. While it has certain characteristics of a spread, it is really more of a combination of the old wing-t, zone read option offenses meet the run and shoot. The only difference you will see is more motion and different looks. This HUNH uses a lot of H-back/TE sets, 2 RB formations, and you will very rarely see more than 3 WR. The offense likes to be 50% run and 50% pass and likes to pound the defense with counters, traps, zone read option with the QB, and then hit you with a jet sweep or a play action pass down field.
Most spreads use the pass to set up the run. This offense uses the run to set up the pass just like the old school run and shoot but the difference is they do it at lightning pace. Almost all passes are based off play action. The goal is to get the snap off within 5 seconds of the ball being spotted. This makes it very difficult for a defensive coordinator to have time to look at down and distance tendencies so the defense has a hard time getting into the correct call. This allows the offense to dictate the pace of play and get the defense into the looks they want.
When thinking about it, one may wonder why more teams do not implement the offense! Well, the same thing goes for the offense as the defense. It takes a sharp mind to get the play calls into the offense fast enough to properly execute. The play caller has to be quick and precise with their calls in order to get the play signaled in to the QB. The QB from the sidelines has to be a confident play caller.
This is one reason there are not many plays in this offense. The key to it is to be simple for the offense to execute but difficult for the defense to understand. They will throw many different looks at you but run very simple and traditional plays. This offense is very difficult for an opposing team to replicate in practice because of the tempo, speed, and the many different formations. The HUNH wears a defense down physically and mentally. This is a big reason Auburn dominated most teams in the 4th quarter last season. The fast pace basically adds a 5th quarter to the game. The defense must maintain focus for longer than the typical 4 quarter game. When you get physically tired, it is harder to be mentally tough.
The installation of the passing game should compliment the running game. Terms, explanations, and calls should coincede with alert words used to install the running game. An offense should be evaluated by its output, its ability to move the football and put points on the board so, an important fact to consider when establishing a game plan, will your offensive play work against your opponents top three defenses and coverages.
The basic philosophy of the passing game is “throw to score; run to win”. The passing attack is based upon the defense’s inability to commit nine (9) defenders to cover three (3) deep zones, and six (6) underneath zones, while defending the seven (7) run gaps. Teach your quarterback to recognize what the defense is giving up, and execute the “best play” based upon the outside defensive inverts alignment. Steal yardage whenever the defensive backs are off our outside receivers by eight yards or more, and six yards or more off the inside receivers.
The passing game is built upon being able to execute: receivers must use proper technique to release off the line of scrimmage, and the quarterback must drop quickly, make the proper read and deliver the ball to to the correct receiver based upon either a progression or line of sight decision. The goal should be to complete 65% of all passes thrown. Throwing timed and possession passes allows you to move the football, control the clock and gain yardage. A pass play cannot yield negative yards or turnovers. The receivers must run good routes, finding the open area and CATCH THE FOOTBALL.
The quarterback must be able to approach the line of scrimmage the same way on every play (look left-middle-right); find the safeties (one or two), the undercover
(“inverts”), the number of defenders in the front, and weak side flat defender. If throwing the football, the quarterback must look off the intended receiver; i.e., do
not watch the receiver you intend to throw to until ready to deliver the ball. If running the football, the eyes must go immediately to the read key. Some
additional keys for the quarterback include:
1. Identify the “Inverts” (one or two). Are they in a run or pass alignment?
2. Steal Yardage. Are there any uncovered inside receivers? Are there any soft corners?
3. Know the keys; Who is the read defender? Know the route progression or line-of-sight for each pattern.
4. Know down and distance. Determine if the defense is in a blitzing situation or alignment; i.e., can they blitz from their alignment? Throw the ball to where the blitz is coming from.
INTRODUCTION TO THE HYBRID PISTOL WING-T PASSING GAME
The following information contained in the Hybrid Pistol Wing-T Passing Game is a combination of my experience plus conversations with many coaches who believe in and use multiple formations and One Back sets.
This portion of the Hybrid Pistol Wing-T Offense primarily is dedicated to the Running Game to set up the Passing Game. I know and understand that many other plays exist, but, have included and discussed only the ones that I have been associated with.
The Hybrid Pistol Wing-T passing game is designed to give you a look at many different plays from many different formations. I have tried to make the transition into each phase of the passing game as smooth as possible, without making the terminology to difficult to understand.
The Hybrid Pistol Wing-T Offense will give you the ability to incorporate one, two, three, four, and five receivers into your offensive passing attack. I’ve broken down the installation of the pass offense into different formations trying to get the best possible pass protection schemes for the offensive line and to get the defense misaligned. If at all possible the best scenario is to break down your opponent by the way they align to formations, meaning give the defense several formations in order to get best possible play.
Included into the Hybrid Pistol Wing-T Offense is the installation of the option game to make your opponents have to defense the Tailback, and Quarterback in the running game, this makes for the defense having to play assignment football. By adding the option game this makes the defense have to defend the entire field and thus, helps promote the passing game.
100 SERIES PASSING GAME
Play Action Passing Game
The play action passing game in side this manual will be designated by 100 series followed by the type of run play that would come off this type of pass. In the play action passing game your offensive line will follow basic protection schemes with an aggressive demeanor of applied pressure to your Big-On-Big blocking principles.
DROPBACK SERIES PASSES
1. Pre-snap read.
2. How does the defense react to motion.
3. Key playside flat defender.
4. Throw to open receiver.
5. Uncovered rule – must know down and distance.
Quarterback L.O.S. Check List: Receiver Rules – Basic Principles
1. Recognize zone or man (reaction to motion).
2. Determie by reaction of defender the proper route adjustment.
3. Utilize proper splits.
4. Always sit down in open hole.
5. Run north and south after the catch.
6. Always be alert for audible if you are uncovered.
7. Be aware of complimentary routes.
Route Description for Tight End:
1. Widen – use this release when uncovered. Widened look for the Ball quickly. If you don’t get the ball continue up field and look for seam in the defense.
2. Ease – use this release when uncovered. Release easy outside and look quick for the ball. If you don’t get the ball continue staying inside.
3. Over the top Release – use this release when defender is playing on your inside shoulder or attempting to wall you off to the outside. Explode off the L.O.S. and run by the defender.
4. Underneath Release – use this release when the defender is taking the Outside away and you feel you are able to get underneath him.
Inside the protection schemes you have several alert words that will help alert certain blitz situations. The following alert words will help tie in your protection schemes.
RECEIVER BLOCKING TERMINOLOGY AND RULES
Listed below are some general ideas concerning some expectations you might expect from a receiver. A good knowledge of these rules will give you an idea of the points a coach should emphasize and how to do them.
1. Have a daily goal or objective. Work to improve one area of your game each day.
2. The receiver must have confidence in his ability to catch the ball. Believe you are the best.
3. One thing that must be determined from practice is who will make the third down catch. Which receiver can you call upon on 3rd and long situations?
4. Make a great catch. Do it enough and it will become routine in the game.
5. This is the order in which you can evaluate your receivers:
A. Hands (concentration and poise).
B. Toughness (the ability to catch the ball in a crowd).
C. Quickness.
D. Speed.
6. Speed – it is an asset, but not the most important factor. The Receiver must explode off the L.O.S. And force the defender to turn his hips under 17 yards.
7. Quickness and acceleration – the receiver must escape the hard corner quickly and accelerate up field to push the safety deep and to create separation between him and the corner.
8. Hit someone on every play. Do not avoid contact. You need to build a reputation as wide receivers that are always looking to hit, cut, crack-back, and block anyone. A defensive back should not feel comfortable with the receiver in his zone.
9. A receiver must want to be a great receiver. Like anything else it takes hard work.
10. Four basic rules in catching:
A. SEE.
B. CATCH.
C. TUCK.
D. COVER.
11. See the dot on the tip of the ball as it rotates.
12. A receiver must always align onside; see the football know your spot. Watch the ball during the cadence.
13. A receiver must be knowledgeable in coverage’s and conversion routes.
14. The backside receiver must always be alert in the passing game. Run a full speed route.
15. On a receiver’s release he should, explode off the L.O.S. and threaten the defender deep immediately. Run or pass, the receivers release should always be the same.
16. Breaks and cuts must be under control. Be an athlete.
Understanding the Quarterback Responsibilities
Quarterback L.O.S. Check List:
1. Pre-snap read
2. How does the defense react to motion?
3. Key playside flat defender.
4. Throw to open receiver.
5 Uncovered rule – must know down and distance.
Receiver Rules – Basic Principles:
1. Recognize zone or man (reaction to motion).
2. Determine by reaction of the defender proper route adjustment.
3. Utilize proper splits.
4. Always sit down in open hole.
5. Run north and south after the catch.
6. Always be alert for audible if you are uncovered.
As you read the Pistol passing game you will find that I have, added all the little particulars up front and then gave you the passing illustrations. With each diagram and play, I have added exactly how you can call the plays in the huddle. If you find the wording for calling plays confusing, just adjust your descriptive words to the Pistol passing game (must feel comfortable for you). Be aware of complimentary routes.
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.