Josh Niblett, Gainesville HS, GA, Head Coach
Full video on Glazier Drive: Stutters, Ups, & Run Deceptions
This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.
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OFFENSIVE DECEPTIONS AND ISOLATIONS
This coaching presentation focuses on incorporating deceptions and isolations into offensive concepts to keep defenses off balance and create big plays.
CORE PHILOSOPHY
- Must force defenses to respect your base concepts before deceptions work
- Use what the defense is trying to use against you
- Should throw 4-5-6 different deceptions or shots every half
- Never wait until end of game to use deceptions
- Work on deceptions in camp, include in install, and make them part of weekly pods/buckets
- Whatever you ran the week before, have something to counter off it
PASSING GAME DECEPTIONS
The coach emphasizes building double moves and stutters off base routes:
- Drop Stutter: When defenses play aggressively on the drop route, use the stutter to get behind them for big plays (example shown: 39-yard gain)
- Hitch and Go: Selling the hitch to stop defender’s feet, then going vertical
- Grab Up: After establishing the grab (hitch), fake the out route then run up route
- Spy to Wheel: Show glance route repeatedly, then run wheel behind it with run action to keep defenders out of play
- One Stutter (Screen Stutter): When corners play screens aggressively, fake screen then go vertical
ISOLATION CONCEPTS
Creating favorable one-on-one matchups:
- Identify when defense is playing man coverage
- Isolate your best receiver against their corner
- Get the ball out quickly with proper protection
- Example from state semifinals: Changed from run call to drop stutter based on defensive alignment and isolation matchup
RUN GAME DECEPTIONS
Using play-action and misdirection off established run concepts:
- Zone Read Bootleg: After establishing inside zone and seal blocking, motion fullback to fake seal then release behind defense
- Indy Play-Action: Tight end comes down like blocking linebacker, then releases to corner while reading the end
- Inside Zone Action: Use repeatedly to get defenders’ eyes in the box, then attack perimeter with passes
SCREEN GAME DECEPTIONS
Multiple variations of screen stutters:
- One Screen Stutter to Boundary: Fake the screen, then go vertical when corner plays it aggressively
- Three Screen Stutter on Goal Line: Set up with tight end and inside zone look, then stutter number two inside after faking screen
- Bubble Stutter: Fake bubble to number two, then throw slant to number one when defense vacates
PERSONNEL AND FORMATION DECEPTIONS
- Use 12 personnel (two backs, one tight end, two receivers) to establish run game
- Show overset formations repeatedly with inside zone
- When safety gets inside hash or apex player looks inside, attack with stutters
PROTECTION AND READS
- Quarterback must give “yellow call” when checking to these plays
- Must protect it up front (examples: “bend red,” “B and red”)
- Read safety positioning (one high, two over two)
- Simple reads for quarterback when defense vacates areas
KEY COACHING POINTS
- Timing is critical – quarterback must be on time with throws
- Receivers must sell the initial route before breaking off
- Can use “ram” or “line” calls for pass protection adjustments
- Work these concepts in practice so they’re ready when needed
- Watch for defensive tendencies on sideline during game
The presentation emphasizes that effective deceptions come from establishing base concepts first, then using the defense’s aggressiveness against them with well-timed counters and double moves.