How Herman uses the TE

[Majorcholas 508]

This comes from a coaching website.  Thought you all would find this interesting.  It is a 3 part series.  I'll update as it comes in.

There is a buttload of info.  Maybe our TE's situation hurts more than we knew...

Spoiler

Introduction

The offensive system being developed at the University of Texas is a run-heavy system; that has been the intent since head coach Tom Herman got the gig in late 2016 and a run-first offense has been his blueprint since his earliest days as an OC at Texas State in 2005. It’s a system rooted in the A and B gap run game, often using the quarterback’s role as a runner more than a passer. When he is asked to throw, he’ll rely on more play-action or push the pocket concepts to present a dual threat on the perimeter. The national audience got it’s first taste of this with the success of Ohio State University quarterbacks J.T. Barrett, Cardale Jones and Braxton Miller who thrived as dual threat players when Coach Herman was an offensive coordinator in Columbus. Now he’s working to replicate that same success in his second year in Austin and he is equipping himself with the assets to do so with dual threat quarterbacks Sam Ehlinger and Shane Buechele competing for the job. They both combined for over 700 yards rushing last season.

In the hierarchy of importance is in this system, the tight end sits a step, albeit a small one according to Coach Herman, behind the quarterback. Coach Herman is an 11 personnel disciple; it’s a grouping he coveted since he began studying film of his later protégé Urban Meyer while Meyer was the head coach at Utah. He has made it clear that he wants to play with a tight end (current starter Andrew Beck told us so in spring meetings this April). In fact, he thinks playing without one is senseless. “With true zone read being a dying play because the ends are so well coached, I don’t know how you run the ball without a tight end,” Coach Herman told us. “We are going to align in a two back set or we are going to create a two back running game with the use of a tight end. We are an A gap to B gap run team.” But one thing is certain; if you’re going to commit to keeping your tight end on the field, you better find one that is versatile.

With the healthy crop of tight ends that Texas has coming into this spring, using at least one of them shouldn’t be a problem. When Tom Herman got the job in Austin, he said he wanted to be in 11 personnel about 98 percent of the time. Injuries at that position may have limited that possibility in 2017, but consider the following as an indicator of what’s to come this fall: Let the following information serve as an indicator heading into the fall: the Longhorns were in 11 personnel in over 94 percent of snaps this spring. It seems now they have the tight ends to do it.

But in order to play that many downs during the course of a game, the Y must have a broad based knowledge of the entire system, because he will often be the adjustor to line up in different formations. “You can line up the first three plays of the game and play three different positions,” tight end coach Derek Warehime told us. “You need to be pretty good at all that stuff.” All that stuff is essentially every concept in Coach Herman’s system.

The good news is that the staff at Texas makes it easy for this player to learn and retain information. Each concept has a name, and each of those names is tied to a concept. They lump their run game into three types of concepts: tight zone, wide zones, gap runs and man runs. The pass game is separated into quick game; drop back, play action and pocket escapes. Sure, this may not be different than other offensive systems, but how many of those systems account for the tight end being asked to handle the following job descriptions all within the course of one game?

• Know the 56 formations in Texas offensive system that the Tight End is on the field.
• Know the 12 run concepts that are most commonly used in Texas offensive system, including the dozen tags that correspond with it.
• Know the 6 pass protections that Texas uses with the tight end involved.
• Know the 10 route concepts that involve the tight end.

Coach Herman wasn’t kidding when he said how important it was that this player be versatile. He would know; in his 12 years as a coordinator, he coached three that ended up in the NFL: James Casey (Rice), Collin Franklin (Iowa State) and Jeff Heuerman (Ohio State). The purpose of this study is to help coaches provide their tight ends with the necessary tools to be successful in this type of system, where much is put on their plate. We were impressed with the ways in which these players absorbed information in the short time we were there this spring considering many of these players were either hurt or played an entirely new position last season. Of the top three Y’s on the depth chart this spring only one saw significant playing time last season. The other two were redshirts. But the learning curve has been sharp. The unit has nearly doubled their catches (from 18 to 34) from last season seven practices into spring.

In this case, we wanted to present a general overview of the Longhorns’ system and transition into the role that the tight end plays in it. We will detail the formation classifications, the kinds of motions that this player is expected to know and the tempo in which he is asked to execute these rules. In subsequent cases, we’ll detail the specific types of blocks he’s asked to learn and the techniques he’s taught to execute them.

Tempo and Cadence

The Longhorns are a signal team that has the potential to be a tempo team. Within their system, there are six types of tempos; each has a different meaning. But don’t call Texas a tempo offense; Coach Herman relies more in change of speeds rather than a hell bent philosophy to go fast. “I believe the more you control the tempo, the better off you will be,” he said. “If you go fast all the time, the defense will adjust. However, if you are fast one play and slow the next, it keeps the defense off balance. We use tempo more for practice. The pace of practice is so much faster. The second thing is I want the tempo to go up and down. That keeps the defense off balance.”

Coach Herman is a firm believer in complementing the defense with tempo. They work hand in hand. If an offense goes too fast, it leaves the defense on the field for too long. And while the Texas offense may have struggled with ineptitude at times last season, it was able to pull off seven wins at times relying on a defense that ranked eighth in the country in rushing defense.

How co-offensive coordinators Tim Beck and Herb Hand mix up the tempo is by using several cadences within their communication system. Each cadence has a buzzword. For example, “orange,” could signify the ball being snapped on the first “hut” after the quarterback gestures the clap, while “white” declares the ball being snapped after the second “hut.” When mixed with freeze, look and opposite cadence (where the play direction is changed), the offense can continually put the defense on its heels. The tight end will look to the sideline immediately to get the personnel, tempo, formation, motion protection and play concept.

According to Coach Herman, this ebb and flow of communication was one of the main catalysts for the University of Houston being so successful on short yardage while he was there. The Cougars were third in the country in third down efficiency his last season there. In any case, the signal procedure uses the following sequence: personnel, tempo, formation, motion, protection and play.

General Formation Structure

In each of the formations in Texas’ system, if the Y is in the game he is going to the strength of the formation. Both he and the Z are the adjusters. If the Y is on the ball, the Z is off and vice versa. If Y is in the Up position off the ball, Z is on.

“Up” Alignment

Of the 56 tight end formations in Texas’ system, 32% (18) of them require the tight end to be in an “Up” alignment. The “up” is tagged in the formation call. This essentially means that he is to be in a detached (from the line of scrimmage) alignment in the core. While the horizontal alignment of the Y may vary based off play call, his typical vertical alignment is about a yard off the Tackle. “His base alignment is to straddle the outside leg of the Tackle which, according to Coach Warehime, is for cut blocking purposes. “Now he’s unrestricted and he can cut as an offensive linemen,” said Coach Warehime. “If you’re outside of that tackle, your cut blocking rules are limited.  But the teaching comes in getting him lined up to do his job properly. If we’re blocking down with the Y, he may move up closer to the line of scrimmage where if we’re going insert along the line of scrimmage, he can back himself up. They need to be deeper in the insert game so they can see how things sort out.” 

Those 18 formations can be tagged with “strong” or “weak,” verbiage, which tells the Y to align in the backfield at five yards either to or way from the strength call respectively. This is mainly done for pass protection purposes or in the zone insert game (both of which we will detail later in this case). “During the spring, I don’t care too much about the specifics in alignment,” Coach Warehime told us. “But when the season starts and we start game planning I’ll tell them ‘when we run these X plays from up, line up in these spots.’ If there is a tight 5-technique team and we’re running divide zone read or divide zone, we’ll say okay let’s line up in the B gap in up and get depth to make the block required. Then I’ll go back from week to week and self scout to see if there are tendencies.”

Attached Alignments

When the tight end is attached in the core, he’s required to have an 18-inch split with his outside hand down in his three-point stance. There are several formation structures where this player is asked to be on the line of scrimmage, and we were curious to find the distinction. According to Coach Warehime, the answer can come as simply as whether or not he can handle the 7-technique defensive end. Can he cutoff a backside 7-technique in tight zone schemes or does he need help doing it? Or, can he block down on a 7-technique in power on the line of scrimmage or does need to do it with more spacing off the ball? In fact, Coach Herman told us he basically started using the up alignment because one of his tight ends at Rice couldn’t cut off a 7-technique so he backed him up to do it.

The inside zone and power run scheme are staples in this offensive system. The question is not if they are going to be run, it’s how are they going to be run? “A lot of our thinking comes in the form of a matchup,” Coach Warehime told us. “If they are a 9-technique team, we may want to run the ball inside with a Y on. If they are a 7-technique team, we’ll use the up position.”

Formation Packages

Before we delve into the Y responsibilities in each run and pass in the Longhorns’ playbook, we wanted to draw out where this player aligns in each formation in the system. Again, our intent is to put the reader in the perspective of the tight end in this system. The offensive staff at Texas conceptualizes each formation to indicate the positioning of the tight end. Although we kept the specific names of the formations out of the report (we will leave that up to coaches’ imaginations), we did want to categorize their formation structure into the following verbiage. Each type of formation starts with a different letter.

“D” words = 2x2 formations

“T” words = 3x1 formations

“S” words = two tight end (Y/H formations)

Of course, we will not produce the actual names of these formations. We will leave that up to coaches to tag and categorize their formations accordingly. In fact, the players can probably do it better than we do. They are the ones that need to remember them. In any case, each alignment in this system is segmented based on formation package below:

Editor’s Note: Each of the following diagrams in this report are provided by First Down Playbook, “the ultimate digital playbook reference tool for all levels of football.” For more information on this product, go here: http://blog.firstdownplaybook.com/editing-tool

2x2 Formation Package

3x1 Formation Package

Empty Formation Package

Two-Tight End Formation Package

Y Movements

Along with absorbing alignments, the tight end must also understand his pre-snap movement calls. In the Texas offense, these are used for two main reasons: to gain an advantage in alignment to accomplish a particular task (such as motioning into the line of scrimmage to make a down block on perimeter concepts) and to get an indicator of the coverage being played. Distributing this player in different places forces a decision on how to account for him. Defenses need make a decision on whether they are going to treat him as a speed receiver on the perimeter (like a slot) and gear coverage to him or leave him isolated on an inferior coverage defender. Below are the movements that the Y is expected to know: These motions are a part of the play call. Again, the specific names will go unnoticed.

Across Motion: Y begins in called formation, motion across ball to necessary alignment for called play. He’s taught to move full speed to the opposite A gap across the Center. Once he gets across the Center, he can square up from there. The purpose is to create chaos and get the defense not in control.

Return Motion: Begin in called formation, motion across ball and return to assignment alignment (Y Return). This is mainly used as a coverage indicator for the quarterback.

In Motion: Y motions from original formation called toward ball to necessary alignment for called play. An example of this could be in the Texas pin and pull scheme, where the Y will start outside the Z then motion inside of him to block the box for the outside run scheme. It doesn’t matter where he lines up. He needs to finish where he can be most successful.

Trade: Y will start away from formation call. The QB will call “move” call and the Y will shift to formation called. For example, “Trade, right,” tells the Y to start left (usually in an unbalanced look) and trade right.

Conclusion

Those are all the items that the tight end needs to know before the ball is snapped. It’s important to understand the logistics of the system before we get into the specific run and pass concepts Texas utilizes. Once the quarterback calls for the ball, an entirely new set of job descriptions ensue. In the next case, we will report on the responsibilities that the tight end has in the run game, particularly in runs where he’s asked to insert along the line of scrimmage.

 

[Majorcholas 508]

Part 2.... Inside run skills

Dont think the videos will show up of the drills the TE's do, but here is the youtube link with all of them.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0ubHFNI11DoyKDnhYfqgQA/videos

Spoiler

Introduction

According to co-offensive coordinator Tim Beck, part of the reason why Texas is utilizing the Y so much in its run game is to attack the odd fronts synonymous in the Big 12 conference. Aside from Kansas State, the prototypical four down, two high defense, every other program in this conference bases out of a three-down front. This means there are no-open B gaps or A gaps along the line of scrimmage with perimeter support coming from overhang defenders (Diagram 6). So, if you want to run the ball against this spacing, it almost becomes necessary to insert another blocker along the line of scrimmage to create another gap. Of course, that blocker naturally becomes the tight end.

The advantage is that Y can insert anywhere along the front, from C gap to C gap. The downside is that he has to know exactly where to fit based on play concept and he has to be prepared to block any defender, from defensive end, to zero nose to box linebacker. The job description is extremely versatile. In this case we detail the top interior A/B gap runs in this system, what blocks that tight end is expected to make and what techniques he’s taught to make them. We also explain the drill work that is used to teach this technique. First, we segment our research based off the concepts that Coach Herman has prided this offense on since its inception, the A/B gap run game.

Mantras in Run Game

If you hang around offensive line coach Herb Hand and tight ends coach Derek Warehime long enough (as we did) you’ll hear two common phrases uttered on the daily. “Get the play started” and “don't pass color.” These are the two most frequent maxims both of these coaches use in teaching their players the run game. In fact, they are written all over the meeting rooms in Austin. We did our best to define them below:

“Get the play started”: This means that there is always one blocker that is asked to generate momentum for the play at the point of attack. It varies based on concept, but basically if this player doesn’t make his block the play is over. An example could be the tight end on the Longhorn’s speed sweep or Maserati concept (which we detail in case three). If he doesn't block the overhang at the point of attack, the play is over.

“Don’t pass color”: This one is a little more obvious. It simply means that blockers cannot pass up a different color jersey (opponent) before carrying out their assignment. This rule trumps whatever responsibility is expected of them on the play call. An example could be the tight end passing up an edge rusher that the pulling guard missed on the play side of the Longhorn’s counter or Fiat concept (which we will detail in case three).

Box Count Relevance

We wanted to know that the tight ends are expected to know as far as box count goes in the run game. Since they are asked to do so many things, we were curious to see if Coach Warehime trains their eyes to scan the box when runs are signaled. As it turns out, there are only a couple items the Y needs to understand and much of it is predicated on the Center identification. The tight ends block in the run game is directly tied to the Center’s ID. In the Longhorns’ system, the Center will verbalize only two types of front identification (Even or Okie) and gesture with this fingers- raising four or three respectively, so the tight end can see them in the commonly crowded venues in the Big 12. His eyes go from the Center to the ID count to the defender he needs to block.

Teen vs. Deuce Identification Protocol

Like most offensive systems, the Center makes his identification count based on two things: whom the combination is working to in the run game and whom the protection is working to in the pass game. But, the identification can change based on the following: run concept, which is carrying the ball and what front the defense presents. For the most part, the Center will identify the play side linebacker in zone runs and the backside linebacker in gap runs (because that is where the combinations are occurring). In the quarterback run game, the identification can be pushed a defender back because the offense can attain an additional blocker to the play side (in the form of the running back). The Longhorns will use both a teen identification (runs that start with “1”) and a deuce identification (runs that start with “2”) to alert the Center on which he should use.

In order to keep things consistent vs. odd fronts, the Center will identify the backside linebacker in both zone and gap schemes. This is done to keep things consistent for the backside Guard and Tackle whom will be asked to block the ID and the defender past the ID, respectively. The adjusters are the play side blockers. The play side Guard and play side Tackle always double team to one past the identification play side.

Editor’s Note: In each of the diagrams presented in this report, the circled defender indicates the identification of the Center- both for run and pass.

Inside “V” vs. Outside “V” Aiming Points

Once the identification is determined and ball is snapped, the technique kicks in. We will detail all of the techniques needed to make the blocks the tight end needs to make in this system. But before carrying out the necessary techniques the underlying premise is the landmark in which these blocks have to be made. These landmarks fall in the realm of two categories: and outside ”V” landmark and an inside “V” landmark. Each play concept requires the tight end to block one of these landmarks:

Inside V Landmark: This means the tight end (blocker) needs to maintain inside out leverage on a defender.

Outside V Landmark: This means the tight end (blocker) needs to maintain outside in leverage on a defender.

Since understanding landmarks is so important in any run game, a great deal of emphasis is placed by Coach Warehime in teaching these tight ends to get to their landmark before making a block. So, for each of the run concepts in this case we explain which landmark Coach Warehime emphasizes.

Identifying Potential “Rockets”

There is a code word in Texas’ system to identify an potential edge pressure that can disrupt the run game. That code word is “rocket.” It’s challenging to spend five minutes within any offensive meeting without hearing that word. It resonates with quarterbacks, offensive linemen and wide receivers alike for good reason: edge pressure can severely fracture any run or pass concept so there are checks built in to adjust the play. So, not surprisingly a great deal of time is spent on the tight ends not only recognizing a potential rocket, but also on how to block them. For definition sake, a rocket is classified as a defender who is in a speed stance (stagger) creeping down towards the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.

Traditionally, “rocket” in the playbook means the defender is on the line of scrimmage or he’s an overhang player. And for the vast majority of the Longhorns schemes, the Y is responsible to block him one way or the other. There are some plays (like speed option-Mercedes, which we detail in case three) where he is responsible for a late rocket defender because there are perimeter aspects to those plays. For the most part, off the line of scrimmage is a non-rocket look (Diagram 8). “Whenever that defender is in a stagnant position and not in a speed stance we can usually tell he’s not a potential blitzer,” said Coach Warehime. “But when the Y is moving with action coming out him it gets a little more difficult to determine. It’s a discussion because you get rocket to two-man blocking surfaces more than three-man surfaces because of the shorter edge.”

“Push” vs. “Heavy” Calls

These two calls are also foundations in the Texas run game and are adjustments within the blocking progression along the front. These are adjustments to deal with someone on the line of scrimmage that is not the count to the open side. Both push and heavy are also used against pressure to pull off any double team calls and are full zone principles. “Sometimes, we need to pull everyone over on the play side track to block the play side rocket,” said Coach Warehime.

“Heavy” Call: The heavy call is a call used against any internal pressure such as double A gap pressure. It’s a “square shouldered” call to get linemen going north and south when double teams are required. It pulls the double teams off.

“Push” Call: This is used against play side pressure that is not in the count. Here, linemen are taught to track out to that defender. “That defender is not in our original count,” said Coach Warehime. “So we plus the count out on paper, but we actually track (block) it on the football field.”

In each of the run concepts in this case, we present the blocking adjustments that need to be made in “heavy” and “push” calls. And we also present our research on how potential rockets can alter the blocking of the play.

Base Footwork

At Texas, the tight end position is trained similar to an offensive lineman. Makes sense considering Coach Warehime spent the previous year working with the front five in Austin. So, a strong reliance is placed on footwork, landmark and strike point. But the issue is Coach Warehime only gets 25 minutes per practice on average to work with this group. So, he’s had to develop some ingenuity in grouping types of run concepts with the same fundamentals. We’ve already addressed the two types of landmarks Coach Warehime will use with his group (inside V and outside V) and later in this report we detail the specific strike points for each run concept. But, any offensive line coach will assert that it all starts with footwork. Coach Warehime grouped each run and pass concept in Texas’ system on the following types of footwork below. These are all repped from both the attached and detached position.

Vertical Step Footwork: This is a gain ground on first step with a six inch movement with hips down and hands low. The coaching point is to load his mental weight up on the opposite foot by pressing off the instep and gain ground on whatever track he needs to execute his block. This type of footwork is used on the following concepts in Texas’ system (all of these concepts are detailed later in this case and in case three):

• Insert zone “Camaro” to insert on backside second level defender
• Divide zone “Chrysler” to block backside C gap defender
• Power “Ferrari” to kick out play side C gap defender
• Counter “Fiat” as the reamer (second puller)
• Divide zone read “Durango” as backside blocker for QB.
• Speed sweep “Maserati” as perimeter blocker
• Insert Protection- 814/815 Chevron (insert) protection

Coach Warehime works these footwork drills both off PVC pipe and on the sled.

To study drill film of the Vertical Step on Air Drill, click on the link below:

 

 

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To study drill film of the Vertical Step on Sled Drill, click on the link below:

 

 

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Slide Step Footwork: This is a lateral, vertical footwork with the intention to climb to the second level. The transfer of weight goes from outside foot to inside foot. This type of footwork is used on the following concepts in Texas’ system (all of these concepts are detailed later in this case and in case three):

• Cutoff Zone “Chevy” vs. 6-technique defender on cutoff
• Insert Zone “Chevron” to insert on play side second level defender
• Play side Zone Read “Dotson” to influence read on zone read to play side
• Speed Option “Mercedes” to influence read on play side
• 812/813 Bob (insert) protection

To study drill film of the Lateral Step on Air Drill, click on the link below:

 

 

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To study drill film of the Lateral Step on Sled Drill, click on the link below:

 

 

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Angle Step Footwork: This is a lose ground on a 45 degree and work on an angle step. The key is to not drag the second step, which should go straight through defender’s crotch. This type of footwork is used on the following concepts in Texas system (all of these concepts are detailed later in this case and in case three):

• Cutoff Zone “Chevy” vs. 7-technique defender cutoff
• Double team footwork with offensive tackle
• Pin and Pull “Mazda” vs. 9-technique defender

This footwork is also repped on boards and PVC pipe to get players understand the need to step over them. But whatever the initial footwork requites, the emphasis is on getting vertical post-contact. The buzzword Coach Warehime uses is to “accelerate your feet.” It’s a phrase routinely heard at practice.

To study drill film of the Angle Step on Air Drill, click on the link below:

 

 

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To study drill film of the Lateral Step on Sled Drill, click on the link below:

 

 

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Insert Run Concepts

These are mainly tight zone run concepts that require the tight end to insert somewhere along or inside the line of scrimmage from C gap to C gap. As noted above, the A/B gaps are coveted areas in Coach Herman’s offensive system. North and South is the quickest way to gash a defense and these runs are always the first to install in Austin. The reliance on the inside run game may not be that different than other programs, but the various tags that Coach Beck and Coach Hand use in their tight zone run game help to make everything similar to the offense yet present different visuals for the defense. For each of these concepts, we wanted to provide readers with the following:

1. The philosophy of the concept
2. What the tight end is taught to do
3. The technique he’s taught to use to execute it
4. The variations of these concepts that Texas uses to get an extra hat to the play side of the scheme

Editor’s Note: For the purpose of this report, these tight zone runs are tagged with car names starting with the letter “C.” Texas has its own names for these concepts, which we kept out of this report.

Cutoff Zone “Chevy” Concept

The Chevy concept is the bloodline of Coach Herman’s system. It’s a tight zone run scheme. At Ohio State, the back was taught to chase the butt of the Center but now with the influence of Coach Hand the aiming point has changed to the inside leg of the play side Guard. It’s an A gap to C gap read for the ball carrier.

What is the Y is taught to do?

The “Chevy” tag tells the Y that he’s responsible for cutting off the backside C gap defender. This is the most difficult block the tight end is asked to make in this offense, particularly against a 7-technique (C gap) defensive end.It’s the reasoning why Coach Herman started putting the Y off the ball in the first place over a decade ago in order to get leverage. He can do this from both the attached and detached position, of course.

Attached Rules: Cutoff C gap defender, possible “sift” call. Block number one defender past the Center’s ID.

Detached Rules: Block number two defender past the Center’s ID.

Editor’s Note:

Many of the nearly 200 football play diagrams in this report were drawn by FirstDown PlayBook, a digital football playbook website that has over 33,000 football plays all drawn by coaches with NFL backgrounds. For more information on this product, go here:  http://blog.firstdownplaybook.com/editing-tool

How is he taught to do it?

Because this is the base concept in Texas’ system, it is run from various formations. This requires the tight end to execute several types of blocks. For the most part against a 7-technique Coach Warehime will teach an angle step to the inside V landmark of defender.

To study film of the Cutoff Drill against a 7-Technique from Attached alignments, click on the video below:

 

 

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From the Up position, the tight end must take an angle step and must lose ground with the aiming point being the inside V of neck. 

To study film of the Cutoff Drill against a 7-technique from Detached alignments, click on the video below:

 

 

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Against a 6-technique or head up defender, it becomes more of a slide vertical step to the inside V of the neck landmark.

To study film of the Slide Vertical Drill against a 6-technique, click on the link below:

 

 

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If the tight end is blocking a second level linebacker is in a C gap alignment, he will take more of a slide step to get to his inside V aiming point. “We don't shuffle step because we don’t get enough time to do it,” Coach Warehime told us. “It’s an over and up footwork, no shuffle overlap (See Chop in Diagram above).  

When blocking a C gap defender in an even front (See Cross A in Diagram above), the emphasis is to try to get to his inside V, but if he can’t he’s taught to wash his butt down. “We need to lose a little bit of ground here,” said Coach Warehime. “The first step is the angle step, second step is vertical with hat to inside V and then we figure it out from there. If I can get to the inside V, then I square my shoulders. If I can’t, then I accelerate my feet and the ball may wind behind you.”

Finally, in situations where the tight end is asked to “sift” inside a D gap defender to work to a second level defender, he’s taught to take an inside vertical step and half-bench through 9-technique to his inside V landmark on linebacker. He needs to maintain his leverage because the ball can wind up back there.

To study film of the 9-Technique Sift Drill from Attached alignments, click on the video below:

 

 

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To study film of the 9-Technique Sift Drill from Detached alignments, click on the video below:

 

 

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What variations of this scheme must he know?

“C” Combination Block with OT: When the tight end is working with that tackle on a C gap combination block, he’s working to one past the identification. He will get called in by the Tackle because he needed help. In these situations, his first step is based on the alignment of the backer since there is no one in the C gap. “If the backer is in a 30 tech or stacking the Tackle, we need to take that angle step to lose a little bit of ground,” said Coach Warehime. As he loses ground, he looks at the near knee of the 7-technique. “If the knee stays away, he stays on his track to inside V to get him cut off,” said Coach Warehime. “Knee comes to him, stay on track to inside V work to stay square back up on defender. The goal is to make him a 9-technique defender. It’s an angle step followed by a vertical step to try to get back square and pry that gap open.”

Rocket Adjustment: Zone the C gap (See 6-1 Diagram above)

“Push” Call: Flat tracks (See Chop Diagram above)

“Heavy” Call: Vertical tracks (See Field Barrel Diagram above). The coaching point is to get your hat in a gap and go.

“Cadillac” Concept

The 12 personnel complement to the Cab concept is called “Cadillac.” Here the Y works the cutoff technique and the H arcs to the number two defender past the ID The quarterback is asked to read the Sam linebacker (Diagram 10).

To study game film of Texas cutoff zone concept, click on the link below:

 

 

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Divide Zone “Chrysler” Concept

The complement to Chevy is Chrysler, which is the cutoff zone with the tight end coming from the backside. 

What is the Y is taught to do?

In simplest terms, he’s asked to cut off the C gap defender off the hip of the backside tackle. So in order to do that, his alignment can be no wider than toe to toe with the tackle he’s aligned on, but he can be closer to the B gap if necessary. What’s different is the path that Coach Warehime teaches the tight end to get there. Rather than chase the leg of the backside tackle, he landmarks the inside leg of the backside Guard. “We want to be downhill into the line of scrimmage and that landmark puts you in a great spot to be in an inside out alignment on the C gap defender,” said Coach Warehime. “You have to be ready to clean up any trash that runs through the backside A gap or backside B gap.”

How is he’s taught to do it?

The tight end uses a lead step on the snap and has to run the track at 100 miles an hour. Another discrepancy in how Coach Warehime teaches this block as opposed to other coaches is by using a strike point with hands rather than shoulders. “We try to use our hands on this block,” he told us. “We put our hat on the inside V of the neck of the defender and need to stay inside out on that defender.”

Because so many defensive ends are taught to wrong arm or spill that block, Coach Warehime will tell his tight ends to anticipate the wrong arm by his third step. While that may sound like clinic talk, the main objective is for him to at least have a plan. There are times when he’ll ask that tight end to turn up inside any wide box defenders. They are not in a position to make a play on a tight zone run concept, so why block him?  

To study drill film of this technique, click on the video below:

 

 

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What variations of this scheme must he know?

“Trap to Wrap” Technique: Against odd front schemes, like the one used defensive at Texas, the presence of 4i defenders can cause the B gap to get “dented,” meaning there could be penetration there. In these situations, it’s the tight ends job to put their hats on it. In these situations, the Mike can wrap to play the C gap. So, the tackle and tight end have to handle the end and the Mike. If the Mike comes across the end on the exchange he’ll pick it up (See Okie Diagram above).  

Vs. “Rocket”: Against any potential rocket to the play side, the overriding rule is trap the innermost defender, but not block a high up field charger (See Chop Diagram above). “We have to make a decision on if we block the spill player,” said Coach Warehime. “He has to see two defenders outside. If the defense leaves two defenders outside the tackle, we send the tackle through and trap the inner most defender. We do not chase high up field charger, we need to handle the line of scrimmage first. It’s not a natural reaction. We get so used to seeing the up-field charge and not the switch blitz pattern. The Mike can get a TFL if he comes off the tackles but and the Y ignores him.”

To study drill film of this technique, click on the video below:

 

 

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To study game film of this concept, click on the video below:

 

 

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Zone Iso “Chevron”/“Camaro” Concept

The Chevron and Camaro concepts are insert zone concepts from the tight zone family. The Chevron is a same side zone insert for the Y. This means he is inserting on the same side that he is lined up on. In order to do this, he’s asked to back up and get some depth off the line of scrimmage. The offensive line blocks man on the backside. The complement to Chevron is Camaro, a tight zone concept that brings the tight end across the formation to insert on a second level defender.

What is the Y is taught to do?

The rule for the Y is to insert into the line of scrimmage (through the A or B gap) and block one past the identification. It’s an inside V of neck landmark on the defender with the intention of driving him out of the hole.

How is he’s taught to do it?

This block is a little more complicated than it seems. He will be asked to take a lead step to the near hip of Center and work A gap, to B gap to C gap with an inside V of the neck landmark on defender. “We use a full bench technique with elbows tight, thumbs slightly outward. It’s known as a power foot technique. I want the power foot in ground and it should be hat and hands accelerate on contact,” said Coach Warehime. “It happens fast. If he crosses our face, we run him. As long as we get a body on a body we are good because the back is hitting it so fast in there.” 

Although the ideal situation is to insert into the open B gap, it doesn’t always shake out that way. Sure, the quarterback can check the play to the open B gap (or what’s known as the white side in Coach Herman’s system). But if there is a B gap first level defender, the tight end will need to insert into the A gap instead. So, if it’s an A gap insert, he’s taught to chase the hip of the Center to get an inside fit on the Mike linebacker. If it’s a B gap insert, he’s taught to chase the hip of the Guard to get to the inside V of the linebacker. Coach Warehime calls this a “flip hips” technique, meaning the Guard or Center has to get hips turned on the backside to make it easy for the Y to declare which gap he’s fitting into.

In order to execute this technique, Coach Warehime works his Chevron Drill with both of these potential reads.

To study drill work of this technique, click on the video below:

 

 

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What variations of this scheme must he know?

There may be times when that tight end will insert into a C gap, particularly against the odd fronts that are common in the Big 12. If the tackle washes the 4i technique, the C gap may be the only entry point and the ball may wind up back there.

Vs. Rocket or Heavy: Zone C gap. The insert is off (See Chop Diagram above).

Vs. Push Call: This turns into a backside cutoff. He works his tracks (See 6-1 Diagram above).

To study game film of this concept, click on the video below:

 

 

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Sail Chevron

This is Texas 12 personnel complement to Chevron (Diagram 14). Here, the H is responsible for one past the identification and the Y is responsible for two past the identification. Both have inside V aiming point. There will be times here where the Y must make “on” or “base” call for to block the Sam. In these situations, he must use a strong inside hand to keep him out of the C gap. The emphasis is to drive him on his track using slide step footwork. “We accelerate on our track and only work hips if he crosses our face,” said Coach Warehime. “We want to drive through the inside knee of defender.”

Divide Zone Iso “Camaro” Concept

The complement to Chevron is Camaro, a tight zone concept that brings the tight end across the formation to insert on a second level defender.

What is the Y is taught to do?

The rule is the same as in Chevron. Insert into the line of scrimmage (through the A or B gap) and block one past the identification. It’s an inside V of neck landmark on the defender with the intention of driving him out of the hole. The difference is he will take the same Chrysler landmark path off the inside leg of the Guard.

How is he taught to do it?

Because he’s coming from the other side of the formation, the tight end takes more of a lead step. If it’s an A gap insert, he chases the hip of the Center to get an inside fit on the Mike. If it’s a B gap insert, he chases the hip of the Guard to get to the inside V of the linebacker. Again, it’s a full bench technique.

To study drill film of this technique, click on the video below:

 

 

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What variations of this scheme must he know?

Vs. Rocket: “Heavy” call

Vs. “Push” Call: Run heel line of offensive line

Power “Ferrari” Concept

The Ferrari concept is a gap scheme where the tight end is asked to kick out the play side C gap defender. This can be executed from both attached and Up alignments.

The gap concepts in this system are tagged with car names starting with the letter “F.”

Editor’s Note: For the purpose of this report, these gap scheme runs are tagged with car names starting with the letter “F.” Texas has its own names for these concepts, which we kept out of this report.

What is the Y is taught to do?

The Y is asked to kick out the first defender from C gap out. The landmark is inside leg of the play side tackle with the strike point being the inside V of neck of defender. Maintaining inside/out leverage on this defender is imperative to the success of this concept and was another factor in having that tight end do this from off the ball alignments. At Texas, the Y is asked to get into the mentality of “kick, kick, kick the defensive end.” He will eventually log himself and the backside puller (Guard) will adjust accordingly. In order to do this, he will cheat back his alignment to help his angle and should anticipate the wrong arm by the third step. Against even fronts, he split the inside leg of the Tackle. And against wider defensive ends, like the ones Texas played at Missouri in the bowl game, the tight end can get behind the tackle or wider.

How he’s taught to do it?

According to Coach Warehime, the hardest step to make from a square stance is an angle step and have the power and energy needed to kick out the C gap player. It is for this reason why he teaches a lead step in this concept. If there is a C gap defender, the Y must tighten himself down to make the block. “We try to full bench the defender with our hands expecting him to spill,” said Coach Warehime. “As long as we full bench him and keep him on his grass (his side of the line of scrimmage), the backside Guard is going to make the play right. We don’t try to position block it. We’re land marking the inside V of the neck right off the tackle’s hip. Even if he wrong shoulders it, we just can’t give up penetration.”

From an inline position against a 7-technique defender, Coach Warehime will teach lateral vertical footwork with the hat on the outside V landmark. The coaching point is to accelerate your feet.  

What variations of this scheme must he know?

“Trey” Block: Against the odd fronts in the Big 12, the tight end will asked to combination block the 4i with the Tackle, particularly if there is no C gap defender on the line of scrimmage (Diagram 16). There is no kick out block. So when the tight end identifies this, he must tighten himself up to the Tackle for the trey block. He uses an angle step with the purpose to knock color back onto the Tackle, so the tight end can climb to backside second level player. He wants to get hip to hip with Tackle and use a high post (or high leg) technique with the inside leg.

According to Coach Warehime, it’s a hip aiming point on the 4i defender. “We work to knock the 4i down,” he said. “He looks at the near knee of the 4i. Any color he sees he’s going to knock that on that track. He is going to knock anything he sees with square shoulders onto the tackle and keep on the track he’s on.”

To study drill film of this technique, click on the video below:

 

 

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Vs. Rocket: This play can significantly get affected by edge pressure, which is why the tight end MUST make a “rocket” call if he sees it (See Steeler Diagram above). If there is a defender unblocked near the play side C gap he can blow the play up. So, he cannot leave one on the perimeter unblocked. The Trey is off. “There can’t be any free hitters off the edge for the puller to block,” said Coach Warehime. “The tight ends job is to get the play started.”

In order to do this, the tight end has to make a full speed decision on whether the rocket can make the play. “Even if he’s on the line of scrimmage, we look at the demeanor of his body,” said Coach Warehime. “Is he in a staggered or square stance? Staggered may mean he’s coming. Basically, the question is can he make the play if the ball is given off? Because the backside Guard is not going to block him. I won’t minus a guy in grading if that potential rocket is 2x2 off the defensive end in a stagger stance with his inside leg up and we go block him. The failsafe is always, communicate. If we’re all wrong, we all wrong together.”

To study game film of this concept, click on the video below:

 

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“Folston” Concept

The Folston concept is the 12 personnel variation of Ferrari. Now, the Y is asked to make the C block with the offensive Tackle on the 4i technique and the H is the inside out kick out blocker on the EMLOS. It’s a good answer against three-down teams who will need to put an outside backer type up on the line of scrimmage.

Renegade Concept

The Renegade concept is the 12 personnel complement to power. It’s an unbalanced formation where the Y lines up as backside Tackle and the H aligns to play side. The tackle (who is lined up to the three-man surface) blocks down and the H arcs to the Sam linebacker on the play side. The major coaching point on this concept is the backside hinge block by the Y. He’s asked to take two post steps (similar to pass protection) and identify the numbers to the backside. “If there is a 3-technique to his side, he must take two post steps and take inside hand and shoe down sternum of 3-technique while peeking at backside linebacker,” said Coach Warehime. “He must leave the widest rusher unblocked. If the Mike plays the A or B gap he has to handle the 3-technique and set the 5-technique loose. The most important thing to do is shut off penetration in B gap.”

Y Counter “Fiat” Concept

The Fiat concept is the Y counter concept in Texas’ system. It’s the complement of the power scheme that requires the backside Guard to kick out the C gap defender on the line of scrimmage while the Y is the wall puller (or reamer) that inserts up into the line of scrimmage.

What is the Y is taught to do?

The Y is the second puller who pulls for the first defender past the identification. In gap scheme identification, the Center declares the backside as the ID because that is where the combinations are working. His path is the inside leg of the play side Tackle with an entry point from A gap out. He must stay tight and not force any entry by reading things out.

How is he taught to do it?

In order to get the proper spacing on this concept, the Y is taught to be in “one man spacing” from his puller. This means that there should be room for one defender between the both of them (Diagram 20). But in order to do that, Coach Warehime will tell the Y to “know the abilities of the puller” in front of him. “If you have a slower Guard, you need to kill some more time,” he told us. “So you may need to use a jab step away with a backside foot. If you have a faster Guard you don’t need to. You can just lean over the outside leg instead of jab stepping away.”

The landmark is inside hip of the Tackle, so he must use a flat track to inside leg of off of Guard’s block. “We don’t want to teach a skip pull because we don’t have the time to do it,” said Coach Warehime. “These guys are more athletic than Guards or Tackles, so they can get their shoulders back around square.” In any case, the Y’s 

eyes need to be on the hip of the backside puller. “If the defender’s butt stays to me, I turn it up,” said Coach Warehime. “If the defenders butt is away from me, I need to be tight off his butt and get vertical. If the Guard traps the defensive end, I plant off outside leg and get vertical. It’s an inside V fit. If the Guard logs the defensive end, I clip butt cheeks with that Guard and still work to inside V of the play side. The strike point is to Nose up the defender.”

What variations of this scheme must he know?

“Never pass up Color”: The underlying premise of this concept is for the tight end not pass up any defender in his path. This is similar to the rule in Chrysler. If the 4i dents the B gap he must get blocked (See Okie Diagram above).

To study game film of this concept, click on the video below:

 

 

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Conclusion

The potential of the tight end to insert along the line of scrimmage creates an extra gap and an extra hat for tight zone runs in this system. In the next case, we are going to present our research what the Y is asked to do in perimeter runs in this system.

 

 

Edited May 3, 2018 by Majorcholas

[Majorcholas 508]

Part 3 - perimeter run skills

Spoiler

Training the Modern Day TE in 11/12 Personnel Offensive Systems - Case 3: Blocking Rules and Fundamentals for Perimeter Runs and Screens

•  

 Category: Insiders Special Reports

 Published: Tuesday, 01 May 2018 18:12

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By Mike Kuchar 
Senior Research Manager 
X&O Labs 
Twitter: @MikekKuchar 

 

 

 

Introduction

Like most offensive systems, the runs being packaged in Austin complement each other. Power is married to pin and pull, divide zone is married to divide zone option, insert zone is married to cutoff zone. The concepts are meant to look the same to the defense, particularly the defensive end that will get a myriad of different visuals when defending this scheme. This means the onus is on the tight end to be the manipulator on these runs and continually execute different blocks based on the play concept.

In this case, we are going to present our research on how tight ends coach Derek Warehime and the offensive staff train the tight end to adjust his footwork, blocking angles and strike points to block both interior and perimeter runs in this system. It starts with understanding the aiming point and landmark needed to execute these blocks.

Inside “V” vs. Outside “V” Aiming Points

Once the identification is determined and ball is snapped, the technique kicks in. We will detail all of the techniques needed to make the blocks the tight end needs to make in this system. But before carrying out the necessary techniques, and underlying premise is the landmark in which these blocks have to be made. These landmarks fall in the realm of two categories: and outside ”V” landmark and an inside “V” landmark. Each play concept requires the tight end to block one of these landmarks:

Inside V Landmark: this means the tight end (blocker) needs to maintain inside out leverage on a defender.

Outside V Landmark: this means the tight end (blocker) needs to maintain outside in leverage on a defender.

Since understanding landmarks is so important in any run game, a great deal of emphasis is placed by Coach Warehime in teaching these tight ends to get to their landmark before making a block.

Identifying Potential “Rockets”

There is a code word in this system to identify a potential edge pressure that can disrupt the run game. That code word is “rocket.” Again, it’s challenging to spend five minutes within any offensive meeting without hearing that word. It resonates with quarterbacks, offensive linemen and wide receivers alike for good reason: edge pressure can severely fracture any run concept. In fact, the “rocket” adjustment is built into each of the Longhorns play concepts in the playbook. So, not surprisingly a great deal of time is spent on the tight ends not only recognizing a potential rocket, but also on how to block them. For definition sake, a rocket is classified as a defender who is in a speed stance (stagger) creeping down towards the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.

Traditionally, “rocket” in the playbook means he’s on the line of scrimmage or he’s an overhang player. And for the vast majority of the Longhorns schemes, the Y is responsible to block him one way or the other. There are some plays (like speed option which we detail in case three) where he is responsible for a late rocket defender because there are perimeter aspects to those plays. For the most part, off the line of scrimmage is a non-rocket look (Diagram 22). “Whenever that defender is in a stagnant position and not in a speed stance we can usually tell he’s not a potential blitzer,” said Coach Warehime. “But when the Y is moving with action coming out him it gets a little more difficult to determine. It’s a discussion because you get rocket to two-man blocking surfaces more than three-man surfaces because of the shorter edge.”

“Push” vs. “Heavy” Calls

These two calls are also foundations in the Texas run game, which can change the entire blocking progression along the front. These are adjustments to deal with someone on the line of scrimmage that is not the count to the open side. Both push and heavy are also used against pressure to pull off any double team calls and are full zone principles. “Sometimes we need to pull everyone over on the play side track to block the play side rocket,” said Coach Warehime.

“Heavy” Call: The heavy call is a call used against any internal pressure such as double A gap pressure. It’s a “square shouldered” call to get linemen going north and south when double teams are required. It pulls the double teams off.

“Push” Call: This is used against play side pressure that is not in the count. Here, linemen are taught to “track” out to that defender. “That defender is not in our original count,” said Coach Warehime. “So we plus the count out on paper, but we actually track it on the football field.”

In each of the perimeter run concepts in this case, we present the blocking adjustments that need to be made in “heavy” and “push” calls. And we also present our research on how potential rockets can alter the blocking of the play.

Editor’s Note: For the purpose of this report, these zone read runs are tagged with car names starting with the letter “D.” Texas has its own names for these concepts, which we kept out of this report. In each of the diagrams presented in this report, the circled defender indicates the identification of the Center- both for run and pass.

Zone Read “Dotson” Concept

What is the base concept?

The Dotson concept is a double option, zone read scheme with the Y on the read side of the concept. He can be both in an attached or detached formation. The quarterback reads the EMLOS for a give or pull read. The offensive line still blocks a tight zone concept, but with a dual threat quarterback the ball can often push to the perimeter on keep reads. When it does it’s important to understand Texas’ rules for perimeter receivers. The perimeter blocking rules for outside receivers in this system are to pin the Nickel and push crack against two high safeties. Against one high safeties, receivers will block the most dangerous defender.

Editor’s Note: Many of the nearly 200 football play diagrams in this report were drawn by FirstDown PlayBook, a digital football playbook website that has over 33,000 football plays all drawn by coaches with NFL backgrounds. For more information on this product, go here:  http://blog.firstdownplaybook.com/editing-tool

What the Y is taught to do?

The tight end rule in Dotson is to block two past the Center identification regardless of the front. He will take his normal Chrysler alignment and can be in B gap or even be outside of the Tackle because the timing of the concept is different. Chrysler is a pure cutoff zone concept with no option element. The ball is pushed into the A or B gap, and in rare circumstances the C gap. If the Dotson concept is pulled, chances are it will wind up outside the D gap. Because of this the tight end, must be able to be patient on his block.

How is he taught to do it?

In Texas’ perimeter concepts, the tight end is asked to “mini arc,” which is either an inside vertical step or inside slide step to make it look like he is going to cut off the C gap defender. He pushes off that inside foot and mini arcs to two yards outside the defensive end for just one step. “It doesn’t need to be more than that,” said Coach Warehime. “I know the quarterback is reading my block so we will try to keep outside leverage regardless,” he said. “So most of the time it will be a kick out block on that alley defender. If he sees I have inside leverage, we need to clear the picture by locking the inside hand and running to clear that seam. Or, if we do get the defender nosed up, the QB will run the ball to the perimeter. If we ever lose leverage, we teach to rip with the inside hand and run.”

Once he gets there, there is no inside V or outside V landmark. Instead, he wants to nose the defender up using a full bench technique. “Because of the timing it’s going to be more of a full stalk blocking situation,” said Coach Warehime. “So once he gets to the three of four yard cushion, he needs to shimmy down to get to the one yard strike zone. At that point he gets the power foot into the ground, gets hands inside and accelerates his feet.”

If the Y is attached, he will use a slide step, push off mini arc and block two past the identification. Which means against a 9-technique he will “sift” to block a second level defender (See Cross A Diagram above).

What variations of this scheme must he know?

From “Dotson to Chevy”: Against Even fronts, the Y is responsible for the Sam. But if the Sam goes up on the line of scrimmage, it becomes a “rocket” check and the play concept goes from Dotson to Chevy. The tight end makes the “rocket” call and works his inside C gap track like he would in Chevy. If the quarterback sees hands on the read key it becomes an automatic give (See Diagram of Steeler above).

But in order to get this communicated, the Y, or number three receiver must make a communication call so the slot can block the Nickel and the Y does not. “We call it bypass blocking now,” said Coach Warehime. “We work off an inside vertical step or slide step and try to influence the rocket by making it look like Chevy. If anybody ever crosses his face we take him and the Y will make him right.”

Against one high, seven man boxes, the tight end must block his rule or one past the identification. This means, he’ll actually need to sift to block the weak side linebacker. Again, it becomes like Chevy. The Tackle has one past the identification, which is the Mike (Diagram 24).

“Dodge”

Texas 12 personnel complement to Dotson is “Dodge.” Here, the read is a D gap read, not a C gap read. The Y will block his Chevy tracks while the H arcs to block number two past the identification (Diagram 25).

Divide Zone Read “Durango” Concept

The Durango concept is the divide zone read concept. It’s a tight zone run concept, but the tight end comes across the formation post-snap to execute his assignment.

What the Y is taught to do?

The Y is now responsible to cruise the box to block the alley defender, which is two past the identification. He will align himself in the zone side B gap in order to get the read cleared up. He will run the same Chrysler path but the aiming point is now the inside leg of the Tackle so he’s not as tight as he would be in Chrysler. He must influence the defensive end, anticipating the wrong arm of defensive end by third step

How is he taught to do it?

If the defensive end stays square, the Y needs to take his inside shoulder and inside hand and deliver that defender on the Tackle to be a bonus blocker on the alley. “We want to clip shoulder pads with the defensive end and tight turn this thing,” said Coach Warehime. But because so many defenses will “back gap” or rock back with the movement of the tight end, he will need to secure the box first.

To study drill film of this technique, click on the video below:

 

 

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What variations of this scheme must he know?

Vs. “Rocket”: Again, if there is any read side rocket the concept goes from Durango to Chrysler (See Chop Diagram above). “We have to block the most dangerous of the rocket to the Will linebacker on his Chrysler path,” said Coach Warehime. But, a determination needs to be made if that rocket defender is a spill defender or an up field rusher.

“If that rifle is a spill guy, the quarterback is going to see us block him and we will hand the ball off,” said Coach Warehime. “If he’s a contain high up field rusher, it’s a wrap block for the Will and the ball winds back up in there. We don’t need to block him. He needs to read his rush path.”  

Because the following two concepts ask the Y to mainly block a perimeter defender, they are tagged with cars beginning with “M” for word association.

Speed Sweep “Maserati” Concept

The “Maserati” concept is a pure speed sweep concept with the X receiver. It’s mainly used in unbalanced formations and it’s an addendum to the Texas system provided by new Co-Offensive coordinator Herb Hand who brought it from Auburn. It’s purely a perimeter scheme; the ball cannot go back inside.

What the Y is taught to do?

This is the one scheme that the Y doesn’t necessarily have a set rule. He is the “get the play started” blocker who must seal the edge of the flank. Whoever that defender is, one thing is certain: it will not be the C gap defender. That player is left unblocked in this concept; he is not expected to make the play. That is, unless he’s on the line of scrimmage as a potential “rocket.” In that case, the Y must cut the leg of the blitzer. Because of this the Y needs to be deeper than normal than toe to toe with Tackle so he can evaluate whether or not to chop the outside leg of that defender. The running back adjusts off the Y and blocks the next perimeter threat.

How is he taught to do it?

The coaching point on this block is to use a lead step and get the helmet on the outside thigh board of the defender. “If we get hip cut we pop up and keep going,” said Coach Warehime. “If we don’t get him cut, we alligator right back into him. We need a square surface to cut block so we can’t don’t turn our shoulders. We put our backside shoulder through the middle of his crotch.”

To study drill film of this technique, click on the video below:

 

 

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What variations of this scheme must he know?

The efficiency of this play lies on the proximity of the C gap defender. If the C gap defender is tight as he would be in four down fronts, the Y is asked to peek any potential rocket and than secure the box with the Tackle (Diagram 28). If the Sam expands, he will work up inside and block the box as well. He gives the Sam to the back as he snaps his eyes back inside.

Speed Option “Mercedes” Concept

The Mercedes concept is new to the Austin arsenal this spring. It’s a delayed speed option concept is married with the Chevy concept if the tight end can’t get the 7-technique blocked. And unlike pure speed option concepts, it’s coupled with a mesh to get the Mike and Will to step up. Quite simply, it’s a dive action concept that bursts into a speed option play.

What is the Y is taught to do?

The tight end is asked to mini-arc and influence the defensive end then secure the box. While this concept structure is similar to Mercedes, the timing is significantly different. Because of the mesh, it’s a slower developing concept that takes time to develop. This is why the tight end’s eyes need to be on the Nickel for any delayed rocket. “If the Nickel/Sam expands, we need to get leverage on the Mike,” said Coach Warehime. “But we never pass up opposite color jersey on way to secondary defender.” 

How is he taught to do it?

The tight end must influence to make it look like Chevy but he’s mini arcing. Chances are he’s not going to get to the Nickel linebacker because of the tempo of the block. Either way it’s an outside V landmark fit for the Y to block for the pitch.

To study drill film of this technique, click on the video below:

 

 

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What variations of this scheme must he know?

Vs. Rocket: Because the tight end’s rule is to secure any late rocket, his eyes need to scan the perimeter. If the rocket is on the line of scrimmage, he must make a “rocket” call. The TB makes “now” call saying pitch key is on the line of scrimmage and is the blitzer (Diagram 30). This then turns into regular speed option, with no mesh with the quarterback. The Y now has to get to the Mike and secure the box. “We would only block rocket if he showed up late,” said Coach Warehime. “We take a slide step and work to knock outside leg of Mike.”

To study drill film of this technique, click on the video below:  

 

 

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If there is no defensive end in the C gap, the tight end may not need to influence him. In this case, he mini-arcs to two yards outside the Tackle. His outside foot is power foot. He will run feet through block. If he can’t get him blocked, then he rips and runs.  

Vs. 9-tech: tight end sifts to secure the box.

Vs. “Heavy”: lock the box

Pin and Pull “Mazda” Concept

Mazda is one of the only man scheme runs in Texas’ offense. It’s a pin and pull scheme with both Guards pulling.

What is the Y is taught to do?

The rule for the Y is to block the play side defensive end in Even fronts and Trey block with the Tackle to the backside linebacker in the box in Odd fronts. If there is a 3/5 technique to the play side, the Tackle blocks down on the 3-technique, while the Tight End is down on the 5-techique. It’s a play concept that complements power, but the landmark changes from an inside V landmark to an outside V landmark.

How is he taught to do it?

The technique is called “pin” blocking, which the same fundamental used in Naked and Boot concepts detailed in case four. “If there is a 5 or 7-technique, we want to execute a lead step with our near foot to the defender’s near foot with an outside V landmark and knock it vertical,” said Coach Warehime. “Against a 6-technique, we zero step to the inside V landmark. Against a 9-technique, we make a ‘9 call’ and angle step to the inside V landmark.” Coach Warehime tells his tight ends they must win at point of attack. “You are the key to the play,” said Coach Warehime. “There can’t be any cross face or penetration.”

What variations of this scheme must he know?

“Rake” Block Vs. “Rocket”: In potential “rocket” calls, the tight end must make the “rocket” call and execute a “rake” block on him. This is a “big arm, collect” block with the intention of brining the defender with him to the inside gap. The Tackle will do the same thing to the slanting 5-technique.  

Against an Okie front, the tight end must make an “on” call with Tackle to Trey block. In this situation, the play side guard is responsible for the Nickel or overhang (Diagram 31).

Outside Zone “Olds” Concept

The “Olds” concept is an outside zone concept to the three man surface (tight end) side. It’s the main wide zone concept in Texas’ system.

What is the Y is taught to do?

The tight end rule is to block one past the identification play side in four-down fronts and two past the identification in three-down fronts. The backside Tackle always has one past the identification. The only adjustment is a possible “Trey” call with Tackle if number one past the identification is un blockable.

How is he taught to do it?

It’s a lead step footwork technique with the landmark being the play side V of the defender.

What variations of this scheme must he know?

Vs. Rocket: Heavy call. Y and wide receiver are responsible for Nickel, Corner and Safety to play side (See Steeler Diagram above).

To study game film of this concept, click on the link below:

 

 

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Power Read “Ford” Concept

The Ford concept is the power read scheme in Texas system. Although it seems that the Longhorns have gotten away from majoring in power read, Mazda and Maserati were the concepts of choice this spring, it was a staple in last seasons arsenal. In this concept, the tight end is asked to influence the read (defensive end) and block the play side linebacker. It’s a “lock box” technique whether there is a potential rocket or not. As detailed in the diagrams below, the only other adjustment is a “sift” block against a wide 9-technique.

Screen Rules for Tight Ends

Texas has a number of screens in its play menu, many of which are bubbles to the back or smoke screens to the single receiver or slot. In these concepts, the tight end is asked to block on the perimeter. Even with an athletic tight end, it could be a challenging block to keep leverage on alley defenders in the Big 12 such as safeties or Nickel linebackers.

In order to do this, Coach Warehime emphasizes some important coaching points:

• Get nose to outside V leverage of defender.
• Once getting leverage keep leverage, close space and block him
• Shimmy down three yards away
• Put outside power foot hat on outside V of neck of defender and accelerate your feet

“We need to understand the leverage we need to keep,” said Coach Warehime. “We naturally work up the field and widen but we can’t widen so much where we get knifed.”

In order to maintain outside leverage on Nickel’s or Sam’s on perimeter screens like bubble concepts the tight end will align one yards inside the hash mark. “We teach the bubble guy to throttle inside number two (Y) so the tight end can maintain our outside shoulder leverage and we get our outside shoulder hammered,” said Coach Warehime (Diagram 34). “The back should be deep enough to catch the football and read our block.”

If the tight end recognizes man coverage on top of him, he will adjust and go slant crack and go take the next defender (Diagram 35).

To study screen concepts in this offense, click on the video below:

 

 

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Conclusion

Because the tight end in this offense are converted receivers and linebackers, they are required to be athletic. So, they are expected to be able to block outside linebackers and safeties in space. In the next case, we will present our research on the tight end’s involvement in the pass game, including protection schemes and routes.

 

[Majorcholas 508]

part 4....Pass game routes/protections

Spoiler

Training the Modern Day TE in 11/12 Personnel Offensive Systems - Case 4: Pass Game Responsibility - Protections and Routes

•  

 Category: Insiders Special Reports

 Published: Tuesday, 01 May 2018 16:12

 Add to My Reading List

 

By Mike Kuchar 
Senior Research Manager 
X&O Labs 
Twitter: @MikekKuchar 

 

 

 

Introduction

There is no sense having a tight end on field if he can’t be a threat in the pass game. If that’s the case, you might as well bring in an extra offensive Tackle. It is Texas’ philosophy to have a tight end that cannot only pass protect but be a viable threat in the passing game. Because his offense is a downhill A/B gap system, much of Coach Tom Herman’s pass game is based on play-action concepts that complement these runs. Remember, this system produced three NFL caliber tight ends in James Casey (Rice), Collin Franklin (Iowa State) and Jeff Heuerman (Ohio State) all of which had the ability to not only pass protect but also catch footballs. And there is no better run/pass disguise to the defense than keeping this player on the field. It’s one of the goals of co- offensive coordinator Tim Beck who told us he’d like his tight ends to be on the field more than 80 percent of snaps this coming season, that includes third and long.

In this case, we are going to present our research on the main protections in Texas’ system and the tight end’s responsibility in those protections. We are also going to uncover the main routes in this system, particularly the ones that the tight end is expected to know.

Editor’s Note: Many of the nearly 200 football play diagrams in this report were drawn by FirstDown PlayBook, a digital football playbook website that has over 33,000 football plays all drawn by coaches with NFL backgrounds. For more information on this product, go here:  http://blog.firstdownplaybook.com/editing-tool

Just as footwork is put at a premium in the run game, it’s also stressed in the pass game. Although Coach Warehime doesn’t have the amount of time devoted to pass protection as the rest of the offensive line does, he focuses his teaching on some core drills in pass protection. There are the EDD pass protection drills he will work his tight ends through:

Demeanor Drill-This is more of a demeanor drill that emphasis leverage, and keeping feet under the body. It’s essential fundamentals in working against bigger offensive linemen.

To study drill film of this technique, click on the link below:

 

 

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Med Ball Progression Drill- Here Coach Warehime works on the punch necessary in pass protection. He will combine the footwork needed to keep the tight end’s body in line with the defender and the quarterback.

To study drill film of this technique, click on the link below:

 

 

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Hand Placement Drill- This drill also emphasizes the punch in pass protection, but does so in closer quarters. Here, the defensive lineman will alter his body surface to simulate rush moves. The tight ends are asked to maintain posture and extending the punch.

To study drill film of this technique, click on the link below:

 

 

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Bull Rush Defeat Drill- The bull rush can often be the move of choice for defensive lineman working against smaller tight ends. So, in order to destruct the bull rush, Coach Warehime will teach his players to “hop back” in order to maintain leverage. He works the bull rush drill on the daily as well.

To study drill film of this technique, click on the link below:

 

 

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Long Arm Defeat Drill- This drill simulates a long arm rush move by a defender that is trying to gain separation from the tight end. Coach Warehime will teach his tight ends to chop the long arm down from the elbow surface and immediately replace hands. He works this technique in the drill below.

To study drill film of this technique, click on the link below:

 

 

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Protections

812/813 “Bob”

“Bob” is an acronym for “Big on Big” protection that places the offensive linemen on defensive linemen in the protection scheme. It’s a run-action protection scheme, where the tight end is asked primarily to insert and block a second level defender. The route structure coupled with this protection consists of the intermediate, not downfield game. The premise of this protection is to get interior linebackers to step up on run reads so routes can get targeted behind them. Routes such as hook routes, wrap routes, shorter comebacks and stops are all part of the 812/813 Bob protection menu. “We’re trying to get the Mike and the Nickel all involved in run support so we can take advantage of that,” Coach Warehime told us.

It’s a seven-man protection scheme with play-action off Chevron or Camaro run action. Any four defenders strong or four defenders weak are handled by the running back or full side check. The quarterback will sell Chevron or Camaro and drop straight back.

What is the Y is taught to do?

The tight end is responsible for one past the Center’s identification, just as he would in Chevron or Camaro. Although Camaro and Chevron are the same protection scheme, it’s tagged that way so that the offensive line knows that in the run plays they are going to get rock back backers in Camaro. So when it comes to the protection they’re not worried as much about linebacker fits

How is he taught to do it?

The tight end runs the same protection path as he would in the run scheme. He will work to get deeper in his alignment so he can see the protection develop. “It’s a slide step with the inside foot and read one gap at a time, A gap, B gap to C gap just like he would in the run game to see where he’s going to insert,” said Coach Warehime. “He needs to truly sell the run to get the Mike to step up than we’ve won. From there, the hardest thing to do is get blitz. That is still his defender, so he needs to track that defender from a stagnant alignment. I go from run sell to here comes pressure so now I have to track my guy mode. He has to track the linebacker.”

To study drill film of this technique, click on the link below:

 

 

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What adjustments does he need to know?

Vs. “Rocket”: So, when that Mike or Will linebacker shows up on the line of scrimmage the Y is either asked to block him or the protection can be killed to full slide protection. It becomes similar to a Chevy block for him (See Diagram of 812 vs. Chop above).  

To study game film of this concept, click on the video below:

 

 

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814/815 Chevron

Similar to the protection above, the Chevron protection requires the tight end to work across the formation to block one past to two past the identification. The difference this is a six and one half protection scheme with the possibility of the back working out into a route if his rule in protection (one past the ID to the call side) doesn’t pressure.  It’s a middle zone play action sell for the quarterback and it takes two backside to make it hot.

How is he taught to do it?

The tight end still needs to run his Chevron path through the inside leg of the backside Guard and read his block. He will keep the inside V landmark on his backer and sell run action.

What adjustments does he need to know?

Vs. “Rocket”: He must block the Rocket just as he would in 812/813 Bob (See Diagram of 814 vs. Chop above).

Vs. Bear: This becomes a “Lock” call that puts the five offensive linemen on the five defensive linemen (See Diagram of 814 vs. Bear above).

Vs. “Out” Call: This becomes more like Chrysler, where he will take his Chrysler path and block the C gap (See Diagram of 814 vs. Smoke above).

700 (slide left)/701 (slide right) Protection

In Texas’ system, the 700 series is seven-man slide protection where the offensive line gap blocks away from the protection call. The running back handles the call side C gap to call side D gap threat. There is no run action on these protection concepts. The launch points for the quarterback are deeper with routes such as stutter routes, go routes, etc. “We’re not worried about run sell off of those linebackers,” said Coach Warehime. “The ball is getting thrown 40 yards down field. No need to sell the run.”

What is the Y is taught to do?

His rule is to block his backside gap. If there is no one in his backside gap, he stays in man block on the defensive end.

How is he taught to do it?

In order to accomplish this, the tight end needs to use a firm set and not allow inside penetration. A slide step can be used to cut off any potential inside penetration.

To study drill film of this technique, click on the link below:

 

 

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What adjustments does he need to know?

“Base” Call vs. Open C Gap: This call is used against a 9-technique down lineman with an open C gap and alerts the front the Y is not attaching to the slide (See Diagram 701 vs. Okie 4i’s above). “He tells the tackle that he has no help,” said Coach Warehime. “This changes the running backs call from C to D gap to B to D gap. The back knows he doesn’t have to haul ass and block the D gap defender because the tight end has him.” The tight end becomes an offensive tackle in these situations.

One on one pass protection is one of the most difficult blocks for tight ends to make in this system, mainly because they don’t have enough time to rep it. In fact, this spring we were witness to many wins by defensive ends against this player during one on one pass rush drills. The emphasis is to put his knee to his crotch of the defensive lineman with an inside V fit. It’s a pure kick step. Right left off line of scrimmage. He needs to use his hands and not get head involved. Although it requires a different skill set for this player, it’s necessary for the tight end (and not the running back) to block a bigger defensive end.

To study game film of this protection, click on the video below:

 

 

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Naked and Boot Protection

These are break contain situation for the quarterback, who is usually a dual threat in this system. The tight end is responsible for the EMLOS and can do so from the same side of the formation or from across the formation, like Chrysler. This means he is responsible for any potential rocket. Regardless of his pre-snap alignment, he’s asked to make what Coach Warehime calls a “Pin” block on that defender, using a strong outside hand to outside shoulder landmark to pin him inside to get the quarterback to the perimeter. “The divide action works better because the tight end has more time to see his responsibility,” he told us. “He can see the rocket. If there is no rocket, I can work to the outside shoulder of the C gap defender. He protects late rocket (Diagram 40).”

To study game film of Naked and Boot Protection, click on the link below:

 

 

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In Boot protection, this role is very similar but now the Guard is responsible for the potential rocket. In these situations, the tight end is eligible to be an actual receiver and negate protection as he would in Texas’ Yankee concept where he’s asked to replace the Will linebacker on shallow routes (Diagram 41)

To study an example of this, click on the video below:

 

 

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Reading the Inside Triangle

When the tight end is not involved in protection schemes, he’s asked to be a viable threat in the pass game. And although many of his catches in this system will come in the form out outs, hitches and flat constraints, he will also be asked to stretch the field vertically. If he’s not as a potential target, he can be used to alter coverage by his placement in the formation. While the tight ends are not expected to know a great deal about defensive coverage, they are asked to understand what co-offensive coordinator Tim Beck calls the “inside triangle” and how that can affect their routes. According to Coach Beck, the inside triangle consists of the Mike linebacker to the Nickel linebacker to the high safety. For the most part, this triangle will display one of three potential scenarios:

“Stack” Scenario (Insert Diagram 42): The Nickel and Sam are in a stacked position. This is an indicator that a rocket is probable.

“Sin” Scenario (Insert Diagram 43): The Sam here is located inside the Safety. This is an indicator that the potential of rocket is possible. But the main indicator here is that there could be a good deal of read coverage where the corner and safety could be “banjo-ing” the release of number two. The tight end can be accounted for vertically by the backside safety.

“Sos” Scenario (Insert Diagram 44): The Sam here is positioned outside the Safety. This is an indicator of buzz rotation by a high safety or man free coverage structures. “We will see the safety now on our Y if the Nickel can handle the slot,” said Coach Beck. “We will not see this if the tight end is attached or in the core.”

According to Coach Beck, positioning this tight end is essential, particularly if he is a downfield threat. This is why Texas will have several formations that place that tight end in different parts of the field. It’s been a patter in the Big 12 that if that tight end is in the core (either attached or detached) more often than not they will count for him with backside safety help if he’s vertical. If he’s out of the core, more combination coverage times (such as cloud, invert, bracket, etc.) will get triggered. And at times, if that tight end is aligned as the number two receiver, he may the Nickel on number two and the Free Safety on number three, which can be a mismatch for the receivers that Texas has on roster.

Route Responsibility for Tight End

Because the tight end is on the field in this system for most snaps, he is asked to know every route in Texas pass game catalog. Now, that doesn’t mean he will be a potential target in these routes; in fact Coach Warehime told us that he will place more of an emphasis on five or six yard routes such as quick outs or hitches during his practice time. In the past, they were able to hide the positioning of the tight end so he wouldn’t be asked to run the deeper routes in this system.

But there has been more of an emphasis this season on getting this player to stretch the field more vertically. “This spring we’ve gone away from that stuff,” said Coach Warehime. “We will get really good at running the out or four roll to six route, but now we’ll be able to line up in the same formations that we run our base plays out of and not be afraid for the tight end to run the Pitt route (detailed below). We can put a faster guy at H and let him run the quick out route that complements it.”

This part of research is centered on the route concepts that have been most productive for the tight end position. We segment our research based on the following:

• Quick Game Concepts
• Intermediate Concepts
• Vertical Concepts

Quick Game Concepts

“Buffalo” Concept

The Buffalo concept is the bread and butter for tight ends in this system. It’s an out route concept that can be a physical catch on third down. The tight end is asked to “lose two” yards leverage toward the football from his alignment, push up to five yards and work out. He will need to break away from the football.

Baltimore Concept

The Baltimore concept is similar but now the tight end is asked to work towards the football. He will lose two yards leverage push up to five yards and break towards the football. It’s utilized by the backside number two receiver in Texas Baltimore concept.

“Boston” Concept

The Boston concept is a double slant concept from the boundary and a hitch concept to the field. The bench slot (or tight end) runs a “lookie” slant where he is asked to tip the inside shoulder of the first defender head up to inside him. Against pure man coverage, this could convert to a true three-step slant.

Intermediate Game Concepts

Dallas Concept

The Dallas concept is based off Naked protection schemes, the tight end will slam the EMLOS and boot off him and gain three yards to the sideline. He can do so from the concept side (Diagram 48) or work across the formation like he would in Chrysler (Diagram 49). “If we are on the play side, we slam and slide that defensive end,” said Coach Warehime. “So, we sell the cutoff block and off our third step, he pushes with the inside hand and pivots out of there and flat. If we are running it from the back side, it’s Chrysler action.” Against a 9-technique defensive end, the tight end attacks him instead of zoning him down to set the edge for the quarterback. The landmark is to nose him up like he would on Durango.”

Detroit Concept

In Texas’ Detroit concept, the Y sets the mesh. He needs to end up to be four yards over the football. “We talk about bracing yourself against man coverage to get a rub or pick but he must run through it,” said Coach Warehime. “Against zone we talk about him ‘banking,’ which is to settle in zones. We work to his alignment but execute two shuffles back away from that him.”

To study game film of this concept, click on the video below:

 

 

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Vertical Game Concepts

“Pitt” Concept

The Pitt concept has been on the hit list for tight ends this spring because of their enhanced athleticism. It’s also a fan favorite of the tight ends themselves, mainly because they are second in the progression. They will line up outside the tackle so there is no need to bow out and release up and over. They will work to the seam landmark with the intention of working under the Sam or Nickel and over the Mike to the opposite hash. “The middle of the field is their vertical stem line,” said Coach Warehime. “We work the seam landmark which is two yards outside the hash. If the safety is over there defending that spot, we stay skinny. If they rotate to one high, we need to get across his face.”

To study game film of this concept, click on the video below:

 

 

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Chrysler Philly/Phoenix Concept

These routes are all part of the same family, but the difference is where the tight end lines up. The route is used to the boundary for the tight end and they will usually get the ball late on the quarterback’s last progression. Once he clears the box he should take his landmark three yards to the sideline and expect the football. “If you’re working it to the field you need to sit at the top of the numbers,” said Coach Warehime. “If you’re working it to the boundary you work to what we call the ‘orange line’ the space between the tip of the bottom of the numbers and the sideline (this is also known in other programs as the lawn). Either way we need to square our shoulders to the quarterback and expect the football.”

In most times, they will run the Chrysler path to insert into the A gap to B gap and get into the line of scrimmage to get him hidden in the flat. According to Coach Warehime, the insertion helps. “You get a lot of 3x1 cross read safeties that lose track of him.”

To study game film of this concept, click on the video below:

 

 

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RPO Concepts

There are not many tight end based RPO’s in Texas system, but there is one concept that has produced many miles and significant yardage on third down. They are known as “Omaha” and “Ohio.” They are basically relief throws for the quarterback who is reading the seventh defender in the box. The tight end runs the line route and can do so from across the formation (Omaha) or to the formation (Ohio).

If he has a 9-technique he will sift to work the flat route just as he would in the run game. If he as a 7-technique, he will mini-arc to the same spot. In either case, he must stay behind the line of scrimmage because of the run action.

 

The quarterback is taught to “take the read to the pitch key” or seventh defender. He’s taught to read the defensive end but “feel” the Mike just in case the 5-technique spikes outside. Against any potential rocket, it will convert to a quick pull, pitch just like it would in any other triple option scheme.

To study game film of this concept, click on the video below:

 

 

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Texas did utilize some other RPO’s off its 11 personnel groupings that complemented its base runs. They are detailed briefly below:

3x1 Glance RPO off Counter Action (Diagram 56)

2x1 TB Wheel RPO off Pin and Pull Action (Diagram 57)

2x2 Y Pop RPO off Perimeter Run Action (Diagram 58)

To study game film of these 11 Personnel RPO concepts, click on the video below:

 

 

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Conclusion

Throughout the last four cases, we presented every play concept in Texas offensive system and the role that the tight end plays in it. As noted previously, it’s a mammoth task for this player. The next case is a bonus case on how to delegate the practice time needed to prepare this player for optimal success on game day.

 

Edited May 3, 2018 by Majorcholas

[Bigpoppapump 530]

Where are the footnotes, fuck me.

[Majorcholas 508]

4 minutes ago, Bigpoppapump said:

Where are the footnotes, fuck me.

There’s a lot to chew on. It’s a little more complicated than most think. Especially at this level

[futureman 22,462]

fans who dive into that shit are ridiculous.  unless you’re a coach just cheer for the team. 

[Funk Doctor Spock 12,201]

Cade Brewer looked promising. That's all I got. 

[futureman 22,462]

herman was working with 6’6” 260 lb monster early-round draft picks at TE when he was in columbus.  hopefully he’ll eventually be able to get TE like that here in austin. 

[Funk Doctor Spock 12,201]

How big is that kid from Arizona? Can't remember his name at the moment 

[Majorcholas 508]

Maybe I’m just a nerdy ol coach but I thought it was interesting how much goes into this position and that maybe warehime’s move may not have been so much of a demotion.

also find it interesting that Herman  would share so much. Probably trying to get some kudos in the high school ranks. Also maybe this is a top level Mensa “look what I could do with your TE so send all your te’s to us!” (Especially when we’ve had sooooo much bad luck at the position, although before Herman got here)

[Ricky Butler 2,720]

27 minutes ago, Spider2YBanana said:

Cade Brewer looked promising. That's all I got. 

Yeah, it's weird when a late offer comes in, plays immediately, and looks like he belongs. It's like... just find 25 of those guys every year.

[Funk Doctor Spock 12,201]

That's my dream scenario. I truly don't understand how the hell we haven't had a capable TE since Finley. Wtf. 

[futureman 22,462]

33 minutes ago, Ricky Butler said:

Yeah, it's weird when a late offer comes in, plays immediately, and looks like he belongs. It's like... just find 25 of those guys every year.

shut up and paint your goddamn house!

[po elvis 2,070]

Not a fan of the TE plays I remember from the spring game. I don't want passes to the TE that rely on YAC to make any yards. I want throws to the TE down the seam where it is open and if they make the catch they already have 10 yards and a chance for more.

[Napoleon 8,679]

Just happy that there wasn't a similar thread title for Sandusky.

[Leanderman 2,275]

I will wait for the cliff notes version.

[pearlandhorn 3,269]

5 hours ago, po elvis said:

Not a fan of the TE plays I remember from the spring game. I don't want passes to the TE that rely on YAC to make any yards. I want throws to the TE down the seam where it is open and if they make the catch they already have 10 yards and a chance for more.

Glad I’m not the only one who saw this. I did like how Leitao (sp?) blocked and played though.

[Katfid54 8,633]

"We use TE like NFL."

[Viper 12,109]

I for one am glad we have a top notch coach to teach such an important position in the offense. 

[Poolflood 845]

So we're gonna win all our games!!!   

 

Seriously, with the health of our 1st 2 quarterbacks and wanting to keep the freshman's redshirts intact would love to see more RPO and less qb runs.  When Sam inevitably gets hurt the quick, short pass seems to be Shane's strength.

[kevwun 15,788]

10 hours ago, Majorcholas said:

Maybe I’m just a nerdy ol coach but I thought it was interesting how much goes into this position and that maybe warehime’s move may not have been so much of a demotion.

also find it interesting that Herman  would share so much. Probably trying to get some kudos in the high school ranks. Also maybe this is a top level Mensa “look what I could do with your TE so send all your te’s to us!” (Especially when we’ve had sooooo much bad luck at the position, although before Herman got here)

Oh, it was a demotion.

[futureman 22,462]

21 minutes ago, kevwun said:

Oh, it was a demotion.

I dunno man.  find me someone who values a solid o-line over tight end play.  can’t do it. 

[Bobby_Batronic 1,994]

8 hours ago, po elvis said:

Not a fan of the TE plays I remember from the spring game. I don't want passes to the TE that rely on YAC to make any yards. I want throws to the TE down the seam where it is open and if they make the catch they already have 10 yards and a chance for more.

Hard to throw  up the seam when sprint out to the boundary passes are being called three quarters of the time. 

[Hank Chinaski 6,315]

12 hours ago, Majorcholas said:

 

  Hide contents

 

The good news is that the staff at Texas makes it easy for this player to learn and retain information. Each concept has a name, and each of those names is tied to a concept. They lump their run game into three types of concepts: tight zone, wide zones, gap runs and man runs. The pass game is separated into quick game; drop back, play action and pocket escapes. Sure, this may not be different than other offensive systems, but how many of those systems account for the tight end being asked to handle the following job descriptions all within the course of one game?

 

I'm sure there is good info in there, but I couldn't read past the above paragraph...it's so poorly written it is difficult to follow.

[closetojumping 62,725]

I enjoyed. Ignore all of the dipshits complaining that you posted a football thread on the football board. They don’t have enough space in their brains to handle anything beyond 140 characters with a pithy tone. 

[Machinator 32,099]

A bit too much detail for me to pretend to fully comprehend, but nice to see solid Xs and Os analysis on the football board.

The main takeaway is that the TE position is absolutely vital to Herman's offense, not just in physical capabilities but from a mental persepctive - whom to key on,  the correct reads to make, the right terminology. Even if Andrew Beck had stayed healthy last season, the position was not going to be fully weaponized just because you probably need a full year to really grasp the system. Then, of course, Beck went down and we were left with a true freshman, a converted WR, and a V&S blocking surface with decent hands and even less time to learn the offense. This is not to excuse the "square peg in round hole" philosophy our merry band of offensive thieves from the AD coaches took, but it's abundantly clear that even if the OL had been marginally better and our QBs less injured or brain-fart-prone, things were not going to be pretty.

Hopefully the TE room never again looks as barren as it did in 2017. You could make the argument that the most important recruits from Herman's transition class, after Gary Johnson and Ehlinger, are the two TEs he brought in.

Edited May 3, 2018 by Machinator

[Vertigo 20,285]

13 hours ago, futureman said:

fans who dive into that shit are ridiculous.  unless you’re a coach just cheer for the team. 

Not enough pictures for you? Perhaps it hits above your IQ's paygrade?

[Gene Parmesan 4,007]

Not enough scratch and sniff to hold my attention.

[Majorcholas 508]

Hahaha. Shag gonna surley.

For those that don’t like football talk, then just realize that the te is more important to the offense clicking than we ever knew. And know that with our struggles there it severely limited other parts of the offense based on all the things our third/fourth te had to execute. (Think limiting plays and schemes to what a frosh qb, banged up line, and 3rd/4th te are all capable of executing and being comfortable with)

It also might stop the mouth breathers from saying becks an idiot and warehime can’t coach. Did they both struggle last year? Sure, but they know football. There is so much going on in the background we don’t have a clue about.

[Bobby_Batronic 1,994]

9 minutes ago, Majorcholas said:

Hahaha. Shag gonna surley.

For those that don’t like football talk, then just realize that the te is more important to the offense clicking than we ever knew. And know that with our struggles there it severely limited other parts of the offense based on all the things our third/fourth te had to execute. (Think limiting plays and schemes to what a frosh qb, banged up line, and 3rd/4th te are all capable of executing and being comfortable with)

It also might stop the mouth breathers from saying becks an idiot and warehime can’t coach. Did they both struggle last year? Sure, but they know football. There is so much going on in the background we don’t have a clue about.

Oh. A football coach knows football?  Why did we ever fire Strong?  I mean, he was a coach. And he therefore knew football. There was so much going on in the background and yet we let him go. How do any coaches get fired?  Someone solve this riddle for me. 

Warehime was demoted, and is lucky that programs were allowed an extra assistant. Beck, who has a history before UT, was demoted.  Seems like that guy who’s really privy to the behind the scenes machinations of the offense and program, and who has an impressive record of being a offensive mind found their work to be substandard. 

But Im just a lay fan incapable of drawing such conclusions. I need someone who also doesn’t understand the deeper workings of the game  and who has trouble connecting the dots to tell me that I just can’t possibly understand the unknowable mysteries of being a football coach. 

[Majorcholas 508]

4 minutes ago, Bobby_Batronic said:

Oh. A football coach knows football?  Why did we ever fire Strong?  I mean, he was a coach. And he therefore knew football. There was so much going on in the background and yet we let him go. How do any coaches get fired?  Someone solve this riddle for me. 

Warehime was demoted, and is lucky that programs were allowed an extra assistant. Beck, who has a history before UT, was demoted.  Seems like that guy who’s really privy to the behind the scenes machinations of the offense and program, and who has an impressive record of being a offensive mind found their work to be substandard. 

But Im just a lay fan incapable of drawing such conclusions. I need someone who also doesn’t understand the deeper workings of the game  and who has trouble connecting the dots to tell me that I just can’t possibly understand the unknowable mysteries of being a football coach. 

Go have a beer bro.....

[Liquor and Poker 3,659]

What is a TE?  Is that some Canadian football thing?

[closetojumping 62,725]

7 minutes ago, Majorcholas said:

Go have a beer bro.....

No, he’s right. The concept that football is some complex endeavor on par with cancer research or space travel can go fuck itself and anyone espousing that premise can do so as well. 

I appreciated the write-up, but Warehime doesn’t get any benefit of a doubt. He’s done nothing to merit it. Same is true for Mehringer and Beck. These are career do-nothings or underperformers. They’re bad offensive hires on a bad offensive staff. Don’t fucking mix up their incompetence with Herman’s offensive complexities. 

Thanks. 

[Bobby_Batronic 1,994]

12 minutes ago, Majorcholas said:

Go have a beer bro.....

Don’t try to pass off two coaches who were relieved of duty, one who keeps getting relieved of duty everywhere he goes, as good coaches who are victims of circumstance. Both were B level hires at best. I’m enjoying reading the information above, but to call posters who rightfully question the performance of those two coaches mouth breathers is ridiculous. Their boss demoted their asses in light of everything going on.

Edited May 3, 2018 by Bobby_Batronic

[Sidney Sherman 66]

Chris Warren III should have stayed, he could've had a chance to make an impact and possibly have an NFL career.

[Majorcholas 508]

Just know the mouth breathers was intended at people in the stands screaming “this guy sucks” without being able to say anything about what makes him a bad coach (technique or scheme besides generalities like “he can’t call good plays”)

Every coach has been fired. It’s not because they suck it just may not have been a good fit at the exact time. Not many coaches stay at one place very long either. 

didnt mean to derail the thread. If we are gonna talk about why they suck let’s at least have a real discussion on why. My conclusion from the article was that warehime and beck do actually have a clue what’s going on. Feel free to disagree.

[Sidney Sherman 66]

Just now, Majorcholas said:

Just know the mouth breathers was intended at people in the stands screaming “this guy sucks” without being able to say anything about what makes him a bad coach (technique or scheme besides generalities like “he can’t call good plays”)

Every coach has been fired. It’s not because they suck it just may not have been a good fit at the exact time. Not many coaches stay at one place very long either. 

didnt mean to derail the thread. If we are gonna talk about why they suck let’s at least have a real discussion on why. My conclusion from the article was that warehime and beck do actually have a clue what’s going on. Feel free to disagree.

But BECK!

lel, can't fucking wait to watch the offense this year, I hope all those Beck haters have to eat their words.

It was never bad play calling, it was bad offensive line and QB play.

[Pig Bellmont 8,718]

I can’t remember the last time a TE made a significant contribution to a game. The MNC? Anything more recent?

[Majorcholas 508]

1 hour ago, Pig Bellmont said:

I can’t remember the last time a TE made a significant contribution to a game. The MNC? Anything more recent?

Blaine irby caught a trick play vs aggy? Irby was a stud till he got hurt.

thats all that comes to mind because it was last aggy game

[SA-KC_Horn 1,295]

1 hour ago, Pig Bellmont said:

I can’t remember the last time a TE made a significant contribution to a game. The MNC? Anything more recent?

I made a significant contribution to your mom's TE last night.

[Bobby_Batronic 1,994]

1 hour ago, Majorcholas said:

Just know the mouth breathers was intended at people in the stands screaming “this guy sucks” without being able to say anything about what makes him a bad coach (technique or scheme besides generalities like “he can’t call good plays”)

Every coach has been fired. It’s not because they suck it just may not have been a good fit at the exact time. Not many coaches stay at one place very long either. 

didnt mean to derail the thread. If we are gonna talk about why they suck let’s at least have a real discussion on why. My conclusion from the article was that warehime and beck do actually have a clue what’s going on. Feel free to disagree.

Every coach at this level knows what’s going on. That’s not a star in their crown. It’s not enough to know what’s going on. You have to be able to not only cooly plan during the week, but react and adjust on the fly on saturday. That’s where the rubber meets the road.

It’s good to be good at orchestrating practices and bringing in talent. But none of that matters when you ask Chris Warren to run OZ behind Tristan Nickelson.  Or go empty on third and forever with OT’s struggling to block air. Or call sprint out passes to the boundary targeting your 4th best WR on a crucial down. I can go on, and on, and on about this. 

Yeah, every play looks better when you have a great OL and talent everywhere. What do you do when you don’t?  Keep calling stuff that can’t possobly work?  Because that’s exactly what happened. 

Nobody is coming for Derek Warehime as and OL Coach, Mehringer for anything or Beck as an OC. All will get to enjoy some time as a position coach at a small school or do a bit of QC if let go from Texas. And it’s not because they’re “ bad fits”. 

Edited May 3, 2018 by Bobby_Batronic

[Bobby_Batronic 1,994]

1 hour ago, Pig Bellmont said:

I can’t remember the last time a TE made a significant contribution to a game. The MNC? Anything more recent?

I believe Brewer caught a TE hide or throw back pass on a sprint out against USC to score the tying TD or 2 point conversion. 

[Bobby_Batronic 1,994]

1 hour ago, Sidney Sherman said:

But BECK!

lel, can't fucking wait to watch the offense this year, I hope all those Beck haters have to eat their words.

It was never bad play calling, it was bad offensive line and QB play.

Beck has been a failure at every stop as an OC just as he was a failure last year, and had his playcalling stripped from him. 

Our OL May, May being the operative word progress from bad to below average. Our TE play will likely be about the same. QB’s? Meh. Not gonna excel behind this line. RB’s?  I’d like to see Young after a year or Ingram after some seasoning. Carter needs to find the handle and the exit from the dog house. 

This will not be a good unit. Marginally better than last year?  Maybe. And we’re not going to have an all world punter bailing us out and putting out defense in good field position time after time. Our offense will struggle this year, Beck will Beck and abandon the run while costing us a game and we’ll have someone else calling plays by mid season. 

[Machinator 32,099]

We've seen the ceiling of a team with Tim Beck as OC. It was on full display to everyone watching the Fiesta Bowl on December 31, 2016, and that's with orders of magnitude more talent on offense than we have.

I can't believe people still think he's not at least one of the major issues with the offense. The goal at the University of Texas is to win national championships, and that's not happening with Beck calling plays or coaching QBs.

[Walden Ponderer 12,639]

3 minutes ago, Machinator said:

We've seen the ceiling of a team with Tim Beck as OC. It was on full display to everyone watching the Fiesta Bowl on December 31, 2016, and that's with orders of magnitude more talent on offense than we have.

I can't believe people still think he's not at least one of the major issues with the offense. The goal at the University of Texas is to win national championships, and that's not happening with Beck calling plays or coaching QBs.

That wasn't technically the ceiling. That's not a defense of Tim Beck, by the way, just a defense of the English language. The ceiling would have been one of Ohio State's wins that season, as unimpressive as they might have been. No, getting shut down completely would be the floor. Though, again to be fair, the floor might have been lower, too, since he has also sucked against teams that weren't nearly as impressive as the one that shut him down in that game.

Tangent over, carry on. I'd prefer to see commentary on the TE situation, given the thread title, but if y'all want to keep whipping the dead horse, who am I to judge?

[Machinator 32,099]

I do think the TE play will be better this year. Andrew Beck should offer security and experience, though I would feel better if his prior injury issues were not of the foot variety.

[Majorcholas 508]

Was hoping to see more from leitao in spring game. He looked slow and heavy footed. I was a little disappointed honestly.

hopefully brewer is ready by fall. Any word on that?

[bschoolprof 6,254]

I used your mom's tight end last night, so this thread hits close to home.  

[Bobby_Batronic 1,994]

Beck is JAG. 

Letaio has a higher physical ceiling than Brewer, but he’s never played a snap of live college football. There will be a learning curve as the article posted suggests. I’ll be pleased if he’s flashing like Brewer was before injury. 

Brewe had a late season knee injury. He may be medically declared 100% by fall ball or something, but I wouldn’t count on him much if at all this year unless he’s a genetic freak of Spider-Man/Wolverine healing powers. 

2019 is when this group has a chance to break out.