tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post113582815477936184..comments2024-03-13T03:27:50.582-04:00Comments on Smart Football: St. Louis Rams Shallow Cross ConceptsChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07204245083374821812noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-80185434505611541352008-04-11T20:21:00.000-04:002008-04-11T20:21:00.000-04:00Wekk done Chris!Dave CisarWekk done Chris!<BR/>Dave CisarAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-80505154386843193922007-11-28T23:06:00.000-05:002007-11-28T23:06:00.000-05:00A very important item to discuss before we address...A very important item to discuss before we address scheme is technique.<BR/><BR/>Why do you staircase/stagger crossing routes vs. man?<BR/><BR/>-Mr.MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-12217185719303613322007-11-16T03:21:00.000-05:002007-11-16T03:21:00.000-05:00We played the final game, lost in the last minute,...We played the final game, lost in the last minute, but came back just before the 2:00 minute mark to take a lead after the conversion 22-21.<BR/><BR/>He changed the D from 2 deep, we gave up a lot of big plays as a result that led to scores in one cover. It took the team a few plays to settle but the opponent got into penalty trouble and that helped us initially. Plays caused by our ends getting into the plans upfield and drawing block fouls or holds worked quite well. Until the decision was made to pinch them down on run support instead of sending a blitz to the C gap. We blitzed C more in the second half but at times the ends lost contain from having broke technique back inside on other looks and calls. You change the defense and forget that the same things failed in the prior game. Fortunately the players overcame some of this on the field with good technique and great effort.<BR/><BR/>The eight man up front did help some plays, but they mostly tried to go into the trick plays with a lead and it let us come back a good bit, more so than the scheme design (outside of the double C blitz) worked.<BR/><BR/>He also tried to go with a different formation for the final game, with a run/pass option. Played favorites for who got reps and the lead blocking was not working as a result to the ISO side. Tried to use trick plays all first quarter and killed the offense.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Otherwise the D might have held up. <BR/><BR/>Finally went to what we did best and ran leads from standard, sprintouts from the same, and some quick passes in our traditional spread with sprintouts and QB sneaks. The spread was made to force the defense to show its hand early, we called mostly QB runs and quick passes from it for the year, after I finally convinced the team to drop the shotgun and keep our quick QB under center so his reads and runs could occur quicker. <BR/> <BR/>Again the changes others wanted were implemented on the final week to try and be a bit too pretty.<BR/> Instead, he wanted a one back slot that was not developing for the trick plays. A look we were not familiar with and had not used all year. We ran a two back slot early in the season before going pro double tight with one wideout, but not a one back slot with two tight ends to the strong side(wing). It's too hard to lead a pitch out for a halfback pass with no lead blocker, but you can't tell people until they learn in game time. We had not used that play call all year(halfback pass). It would have really worked in the system we already had. Breakdowns on the edge would happen because you could gap wide of it from the start, and no fullback was there to pick up the extra player on a blitz in the new set. So the option play out of the different look never worked(teams always know something is up on a formation change anyways).<BR/><BR/>We scrapped the trick look and moved the ball quite well with the regular playbook in the second half.<BR/><BR/>Still there were times we used the new look after getting across midfield, to stall two possible scoring drives on go ahead efforts.<BR/><BR/>A penalty resulted from the change in tactics across midfield, and a goal line fumble killed other drives in the second half(it looked like the QB got the ball in on the effort but the refs said otherwise). Their D would get a lot of jumps to try and bait false starts, we got calls and they did also. Once we developed command over the tactic they scrapped it as three scores in almost the span of the third quarter(counting the first play of qtr 4) went through in the second half.<BR/><BR/>It was good to give the players some room to make calls from the line, we'd key forms or players and run opposite to keep them from getting to the ball. The team was quite confident in that style and the best three skill players really developed a command of that tactic, all workable in the base set.<BR/><BR/>Still, we went ahead with 2 min left and were within a half a football length(or even in the end zone) for the other lost scoring chance. They made plays in the last 2 min and took the win back from our hard playing Vikings, two long runs.<BR/><BR/>We got the ball back past midfield as well, but the scorers ran the clock off the possession change before we even got a play out, so we burned a time out that was needed on that. We never heard why the clock was started up, other than a relative of the timekeeper on the other team was coaching.<BR/><BR/>Those kind of situations you have to anticipate and respond to, our guys got it to inside the 30 yard line anyways before having the final play of ours result in a QB sack on 4th down.<BR/><BR/>The team we played will be their teammates as well at the next level so it really was not a loss over the long haul. The local HS went 10-0 in the regular season but lost to a great coach and team. He's still much admired here, coached a neighboring school(mine) before his move across the state to a program new to the bigger conference designations.<BR/><BR/>I hope he wins it all. We hated seeing players coached prior lose in the big game, but getting there was quite a journey and more great things will be in store. There's no other coach out there I'd like to see win it aside from who played the HS, if it couldn't be one our local leaders.<BR/><BR/>He deserved a better offer and tenure here. He's visited several pro training camps and integrated much of what he's learned into their system.<BR/><BR/>His team is really good with the MASH and rub routes, and they have an amazing running game(he set all time State records for rushing/scoring here).<BR/><BR/>They run a double wing t and pass from spread, check down to a hot(cant say which until season is over) and they use a counter trey often.<BR/><BR/>A ton of line pulling on the interior, combined with a zone/combo edge. Hybrid attacks like that really make it hard to key one item for everyone. The kids use flawless technique.<BR/><BR/>There's essentially two keys to take, one from the inside and a different one outside.<BR/><BR/>If you apply the same key to both you're likely to be out of position on the flow or get caught in a trap. I'd say more but here's to hoping his team wins through.<BR/><BR/>People coming downhill can get trapped and people reading up can still lose themselves in keys or the flow.<BR/><BR/>They pulled more than we did and it was quite a challenge. Both teams played quite well on the whole. Each team made great plays but they finished more of them, by forcing a fumble on our longest run and by taking better care of the ball on special teams(we had a punt blocked).<BR/><BR/><BR/>So the football weekend was a full slate. Three of the four local playoff teams lost in round one, players I've coached with and against in all of the teams. It's a let down of sorts, but getting to the post season is itself an accomplishment to be proud of.<BR/><BR/>Our Jr League really didn't have a losing team, everyone got better and won some games and all of them bought into the team concept. Only so many teams can have the good record, but every team can improve, be competitive and experience winning. For us we were fortunate to be the 2 seed and beat most opponents by healthy margins. The field results reflected much of the practice effort.<BR/><BR/>The HS had a tremendous season and set several school records in a new conference, before a homeboy came back to a coaching triumph.He beat the two time defending champs the year prior decisively but missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker after an injury spree/losing streak occurred, with one less loss than he has this year. Let's hope well for him now.<BR/><BR/>One local team still has the playoffs to go, I look forward to cheering them on via radio...<BR/><BR/>-Mr.MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-60344917299415756242007-11-06T23:49:00.000-05:002007-11-06T23:49:00.000-05:00I've tried to run the same Mesh look this year. Sp...I've tried to run the same Mesh look this year. Split back double tight(necessary for the introductory level of the game).<BR/><BR/>Looks the exact same, motion 20(wide) so the QB gets a presnap read. Then he can combine that with hard count to get a blitz read.<BR/><BR/>If he reads blitz look for the motion slant, no blitz but he sees the motion slant flash he tries to hold the safety to the weak side.<BR/><BR/>One cover he tries to clear the mesh, two cover he gets inside the up safety as the slant deepens to a post.<BR/><BR/>He has the double slant look off the wide side, two parallel routes at different speeds. Once the MESH clears he has our fastest TE(and tallest target) coming back to the cleared side off motion.<BR/><BR/>Our clear side continues the route and pushes the numbers, holding any DB high for the back clearing his side to push sideline off an out release.<BR/><BR/>The weakside off MESH reads space to lead. Up position on the defender to cross and sit in front of, off the tackle extended, if he has not located a lead pass. Key is seeing his teammate chased to look for a lead pass, otherwise he settles on eye contact.<BR/><BR/>The backs shoot with the clear side pushing. The weak side shoots to sideline then moves up, assuming the TE off MESH his side can clear or sit(his route stays consistent to give space for either option to work).<BR/><BR/>Going motion helps sell hard count for a free throw, and gives the cover key read. Then he can look blitz and read flash to determine how he's leading the MESH(clear side) or lead/settle to zone side from who cleans his cover through traffic on the rub.<BR/><BR/>The backs give it max protect look, high tempo goes off first read hot(less thinking to do, same exact progression), then backs and MESH can still work under, or push over, if the passer follows the block they provide.<BR/><BR/>It worked amazingly well in practice, I based it on kids doing throwarounds originally(both TE got some pass reps ahead of time). It was nice to see it diagrammed to nearly the exact same specs. <BR/><BR/>Doubtful it gets used in game time though, I'm not calling plays this go around. The time I did so went off a script(scored 2td in the first six plays) then we asked players "what do you feel?" to keep their confidence into the second quarter when the formation lulled. If it matched what we saw we went with it, otherwise we went with our two play calls so they could go no huddle after successful hookups.<BR/><BR/>At times we gave them three plays. The refs started holding onto the ball extra so other teams could substitute or change strategy.<BR/><BR/>Nobody else in the league scored 40 points, we did it six times.<BR/><BR/>Final game is this week, only team that beat us is playing. Others called the plays then and will this week...<BR/><BR/>sometimes being an assistant coach isn't all it's supposed to be.<BR/><BR/>-Mr.MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-84422416863986827812007-07-10T11:52:00.000-04:002007-07-10T11:52:00.000-04:00Funny...The first 2 plays look nauseatingly simila...Funny...<BR/><BR/>The first 2 plays look nauseatingly similar to BILL WALSH'S "2 Jet Flanker Drive".<BR/><BR/>So to attribute it to MIKE MARTZ and the Rams is almost insulting.<BR/><BR/>And I've been using that play since BEFORE the advent of the "Greatest Show on Turf".SmittyWerbenmanjensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07313349798183606551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-1136265256738106222006-01-03T00:14:00.000-05:002006-01-03T00:14:00.000-05:00chris,the mesh play you have drawn up from twins-o...chris,<BR/><BR/>the mesh play you have drawn up from twins-open is one of our 5 "major" plays we run from that set. i'm a big believer in it. works good vs both man & zone. compliments other schemes as well (or other schemes compliment it - whichever way you choose to look at it)<BR/><BR/>great post (as usual) and great site.<BR/><BR/>coach huey<BR/>http://coachhuey.proboards42.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699720304880470854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-1135959094419139342005-12-30T11:11:00.001-05:002005-12-30T11:11:00.001-05:00Also Happy New Year and thanks for this wonderful ...Also Happy New Year and thanks for this wonderful blog site!Zenniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05815765335808809176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-1135959065939318972005-12-30T11:11:00.000-05:002005-12-30T11:11:00.000-05:00Hi. I think there's an "Air Raid" website which p...Hi. I think there's an "Air Raid" website which presents these concepts as well. <BR/><BR/>SAY, I've noticed the Balimore Ravens are starting to vary their launch points and use three step drops, throwing "stick" patterns. So, even though they claim to have told Kyle Boller to get better, they have started to use more concepts in the passing game.Zenniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05815765335808809176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-1135880107286743752005-12-29T13:15:00.000-05:002005-12-29T13:15:00.000-05:00I have some tape of them not from this past season...I have some tape of them not from this past season but over the past few, and a copy of their 1999 or 2000 playbook is floating around. You can probably find it on eBay or even as a PDF.<BR/><BR/>I did that article a couple months ago on pattern reading and shallow crosses and I wanted to show how a sophisticated pro-offense shallow crosses. Also, these passes are more completable and adaptable to HS than some of the ones with 20 yard in routes and 18 yard comebacks. Last, to show how they didn't really invent any of them, though they may read them different and do some different things.<BR/><BR/>As a footnote, this came up on a football board but the Rams actually (even then) do a lot of 7 man protection, and do try to limit some of their hot reads. Their shallow stuff is really where they feel more comfortable only protecting 5 or 6 (other than 3-step) because it has built in hot routes.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07204245083374821812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-1135876175417950832005-12-29T12:09:00.000-05:002005-12-29T12:09:00.000-05:00P.S. Ted Google likes me again. I'll never underst...P.S. Ted Google likes me again. I'll never understand what that was about!Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07204245083374821812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-1135875835878540392005-12-29T12:03:00.000-05:002005-12-29T12:03:00.000-05:00Thanks for the complement. Using the terms in a mi...Thanks for the complement. Using the terms in a mish/mash way is confusing, and now that you've pointed it out to me I'm sure it will stick out to me badly. For you Ted, I'll try to keep them straight. :)Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07204245083374821812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15377771.post-1135874124692382342005-12-29T11:35:00.000-05:002005-12-29T11:35:00.000-05:00Chris: Once more, you provide an essential chunk ...Chris: Once more, you provide an essential chunk of information for the rest of us. Thanks for doing the grinding work of watching film and doodling these concepts for us, then laying them out with such clarity.<BR/><BR/>Now, a bone to pick. A small one, and it has always been a sore point with me, so you are welcome to ignore me.<BR/><BR/>Point one: When we send receivers to block defensive backs who are dropping off at the snap, we send them downfield, right?<BR/><BR/>Point two: And when we speak of pass rushers, we refer to them coming hard upfield, yes?<BR/><BR/>Point three: Can we therefore agree that the direction the offense is facing before the snap should be called "downfield," and the opposite direction, where most of the defense should be looking at the snap, should be "upfield?"<BR/><BR/>Then can we stick with those definitions consistently?<BR/><BR/>The moving "upfield/downfield" definition, she make me crazy...<BR/><BR/>;)Ted Seayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01311385177075772697noreply@blogger.com