If/Then Sheet: Flexbone

If 2/3 tech. run midline. If no 2/3 tech. run triple. If read turns shoulders to stop running back, run zone dive. If pitch key turns shoulders to stop QB, run rocket. If backside runs lateral w/ motion or at snap of ball, run counter option. If secondary sky/cloud forces at snap of ball, run triple pass or rocket pass. That is as simple as it gets. I have more if-then's that I have learned from the Paul Johnson family of coaches if you'd like Double Eagle Defense (AKA: TNT): Run Rocket (numbers advantage on the perimeter). Todd Spencer gave me this one. Eight Man Front: Run Over to gain the 1/2 man advantage. I got this one from Jasper. 4i: Cowboy (double option w/ QB and slot w/ running back loading the 4i). Mick Yokitis, Navy Prep coach gave me this one. Triangle to both sides (three in-box defenders outside the B gap): run zone dive (outnumbered inside the tackles). w/ force players on line of scrimmage: Double Flex formation (Jasper) w/ force players on the line of scrimmage: Double flex rocket (to crack alley player with receiver). Jasper gave me this one. vs. okie defense: 12/13 tackle (pull tackle to influence read--makes tackle think rocket is coming. Jasper gave me this one, personally. Tackle will run to the sideline vs. Odd Stack: Heavy formation. If they are blitzing to stop the veer then run rocket. If they are stunting to stop the veer run zone dive. Defending Triple Offense: Take your base defense and find a systematic way to stop the triple option two ways. Yes, this is contradictory from what I stated earlier; however, if you can stop the triple two ways with a systematic approach, this is the best way. For example out of the odd stack: Call 1- Ends In-stacked backers out (In-Will-Mike 3) Call 2- Ends Out-stacked backers in (Out-Will-Mike 3)

Randomize this to ensure unpredictability Blocking Rules: Man On - Playside Gap - Linebacker PST: G(ap) O(n) O(utside gap) B(acker) Guard would be G(ap) O(n) D(own) IV is as follows: PST block down on 1st thing inside and possibly combo to backer. All other linemen block the closest DL to them and combo to the closest LB if you have a chance. We feel that if a team does something to hurt these rules then we just run another play. We make the adjustments not the kids. Again I'm new to the flexbone as a system, but have ran the option always. Against 50 Front In the 5-2 their are (outside of twisting D line stunts) only two defenders that are capable of attacking the play side B gap, PSILB and PSDT. In the 5-3 their are 3 players that can attack that same gap MILB, PSDT, play side stacked backer. This determines if our tackle veer release (inside DT) or arcs (outside DT). We want to limit how many players that can attack the play side B gap to one player (QB read of HOK). The PSG will take one of the ILBs that are capable of attacking the B gap. If there is only two (5-2) we arc the tackle to keep the PSILB from scrapping over the top to the QB. If there are 3 (5-3) we veer release to check the stacked backer. If he comes to B gap we block him, if he flows away the tackle goes for the FS and the play side slot is responsible for him BST - Scoop BSG - Scoop C - Scoop; if covered and need help, make "Ace" call to PSG PSG - Covered - Turn him (in or out); if you want help make "Deuce" call to tackle - Uncovered - First LB on to inside PST - PSG covered - Veer release to 1st LB - PSG uncovered - Loop to LB to Safety; if Center makes "Ace" call, veer release to 1st LB. Backside scoops regardless of where the defense is lined up. The PST has the first guy inside the read and the PSG has the second guy inside the read. Read #1, Pitch off #2, Block #3 regardless of where they line up Play Order in Flexbone: 1. IV 2. OV 3. Midline - We do not run mid triple

4. Toss 5. Counter Option 6. Speed Option to FB 7. Double Dive - This is a play Army gave us in the spring. It kills 4 man fronts. Because we ran this early in the season, we do not see even fronts anymore Double Dive We run this to the widest technique on the line. Most teams are showing us a 2i away from the TE and a 3 and 7 to the TE. We would run it at the 3 tech. C - steps hard backside and cuts the 2i. BG - Fold blocks around the center and picks up the backside ILB. PG - Base blocks anything in playside B gap. No specific assignment. Just lock on with anything in B gap. FB - Charges straight into playside A gap and cuts down anything that gets in his way. PSlot - Toss Motion QB - Toss action and inside hand off to backside slot Bslot - Aiming point for hands of FB then up field directly behind center starting point. Must make a move on safety at 8-10 yards. If toss is being run effectively, the ILB will step to toss which makes an easier block for the folding backside guard Paul Johnson QB Instruction Sheet Three questions can be asked about a quarterback prospect to determine if the prospect is an option quarterback. When the three questions are answered with a "yes" than more than likely the prospect can be an option quarterback. He may not be a Colorado or an Air Force style quarterback, but, he can run the option effectively to win football games. The first question is, regardless of athletic ability, does the prospect have the willingness to get off the ground after a "big hit", call the same play and run it aggressively? If the answer is "yes" he has the mental and physical toughness to be an option quarterback. Mental and physical toughness is the quarterback's ability to remain poised, confident, determined, and courageous regardless of what happens on the field, or off the field. Mental and physical toughness, not sheer athletic ability is the key ingredient in a winning quarterback. A quarterback who has average athletic ability and endowed with mental and physical toughness is more likely to win than a quarterback with excellent athletic ability and marginal toughness. The second question, does the quarterback have enough athletic ability (speed, quickness, balance) to run for a first down on third and seven when the defense forces the quarterback to carry the ball on an option play? If the answer is "yes" the quarterback can be an effective option quarterback. The third question, does the prospect have the willingness to be an option quarterback? For the answer to be "yes" the quarterback prospect must be willing to execute option plays, not just tolerate running the option. Decision-making The ability to make the decisions to execute an offense is the true measure of a quarterback. Quarterbacking is decision-making. The quarterbacks decisions win or lose football games. Regardless of the style of an offense a coach designs, it won't be successful unless the quarterback makes a significant number of correct decisions. Athletic ability and mental and physical toughness are key ingredients in a quality quarterback. But, a quarterback with these qualities can't get on the field when he doesn't possess the decision-

making ability which allows the offense to move the ball. The most important and difficult technique to coach in any offense is the quarterback's decision-making. The difficulty arises in preparing the quarterback for the numerous variables, either offensively or defensively, which influence the quarterback's decisions. The quarterback's decision-making in an option offense is the key to success because of the number of decisions an option quarterback must make in a game. To be a successful decision-maker the quarterback must be coached to understand and execute a simple and logical decision-making process. A quarterback can't be expected to be one hundred percent correct with his decisions. In football that is impossible when twenty-two players react on the snap of the ball. But, two very important results must occur when the quarterback makes a wrong decision. First, the initial wrong decision creates a lost yardage play or turnover. Second is, the offense has possession of the football after the quarterback makes an incorrect decision. The quarterback must understand he will make X number of wrong decisions in the course of a game. Those X number of wrong decisions are acceptable if the offense has possession of the football when the whistle blows to end the play. An offense can recover from a quarterback's wrong decision, but often can't recover from a turnover. Regardless of how complex double or triple option decisions appear those decisions aren't complex when a simple, logical decision-making process is coached, practiced and applied in a game. In an option offense the quarterback must have the decision-making tools to minimize the risks in an option offense. An option quarterback to consistently make the proper decisions must be coached to: 1. Make one way decisions, 2. Pre-snap read the defense, and 3. understand the perimeter of the defense. One Way Decisions The key to consistently making correct decisions in an option offense is for the quarterback to make one way decisions. One way decisions are predetermined in the huddle or at the line of scrimmage. In a double option play the quarterback can't come down the line of scrimmage to option number three, hesitate and then decide whether to pitch the ball to the tailback or no to pitch the ball. The decision can be predetermined for the quarterback with a one way decision-making process. The one way decision-making process removes hesitancy because the process instructs the quarterback exactly what to do when he reaches number three. The one way decision-making process instructs the quarterback to pitch the ball off number three, until number three won't allow him to pitch the ball. The quarterback makes a pre-snap read for triple option by asking four questions. The four questions are: 1. Where is the free safety? 2. Where is the read man? The read man's alignment on the offensive guard or tackle establishes the quarterback's one way decision-making process for reading triple option.

3. Where is number three? 4. Where is number four? When the quarterback answers these questions he can execute the option with confidence and with a minimum risk. Challenging the quarterbacks decision is an integral part of his education as a decisionmaker. The challenge puts the quarterback in a mindset that no decision can be taken for granted. Challenge the quarterback's decision whether the decision was right or wrong. Ask him after each play which requires a decision why he made a particular decision. Ask him to be specific. Challenge the quarterback after he made a correct decision by asking him with disbelief in your voice. "Why did you make that decision?" The question tests the quarterback's understanding of the decision-making process and his confidence in his decisions. The Quarterback and the Option For a quarterback prospect to develop into an option quarterback he must be coached to understand: 1. The theories behind the option plays and how the quarterback brings to life those theories. 2. The decision-making process which enables the quarterback to make the proper decisions to effectively execute the offense. 3. How to protect himself when he runs the football, and 4. How important it is to respect and protect the football. The Quarterbacks Willingness For the quarterback to make a contribution to the offense he must be willing to: 1. Take the initiative and the time, on and off the field, to prepare himself mentally and physically. 2. Become a student of option football by giving his attention and energy to detail (doing the "little things"), and 3. Accept the positive and negative aspects of being a quarterback in stride and never allow either the positives or negatives to effect his attitude. The Perimeter Defense The quarterback must have a fundamental knowledge of perimeter defenses to execute an option play. He must understand how the defense reacts from a variety of perimeter alignments to defend the option. Also he must recognize the perimeter defense to determine whether the offense has a number advantage or disadvantage based on the alignment.

The defenders in the perimeter defense are the quarterback's alphabet to read the perimeter defense. The perimeter defense include: the option man (number three), the run support defender (number four, either a defensive back or an outside linebacker), the free safety, and the defensive backs responsible for the deep half or third of the field. When number three has a soft number four (either a strong safety or a cornerback) aligned outside, more than likely number three has the pitch, number four is a deep pass defender, and number two is responsible for the quarterback. When number three has a hard number four (either a strong safety or a cornerback) aligned outside, more than likely number three has the quarterback and number four is responsible for the pitch. The quarterback's option technique of running at the option man's nose was effective because: 1. The technique created a wide inside running lane for the quarterback. The quarterback was running away from the heart of the defense and to the option alley. 2. The technique allowed the quarterback to pitch the ball more often. The ball was pitched more often for two reasons. First, the quarterback chased the option man to get the ball pitched. Second, the ball was pitched more often when the option men were coached to restrict the quarterback's wide inside running lane. Regardless of the option technique one factor must remain constant. The quarterback must neutralize the option man as an alley player. He can't allow the option man to force a pitch and then make a play on the tailback for a short gain. Optioning Defenders The quarterback coaching points: 1. Pre-snap read the defense. Anticipate the intentions of the defense before the ball is snapped. 2. Always think hard end. Be prepared to pitch the ball quickly. 3. Mentally set in motion the one way decision-making process. ("Pitch, pitch, until the option man won't let me pitch the ball.") 4. Come off the mesh holding the ball with two points of pressure in front of the jersey numbers to be prepared to pitch at any time. 5. Attack the option man's nose. Close the gap as quick as possible, but remain under control to pitch the ball on any step. 6. Keep the eyes focused on the option man's body. See his feet with the bottom of the eyes, when the back foot plants pitch the ball. 7. Challenge the option man. Close to within an arm's length or closer before pitching the ball. Don't allow the option man to be an alley player. When the option man widens to maintain outside leverage continue to chase him to pitch the ball. To pitch the ball look over

the option man's inside shoulder to misdirect him. To keep the ball, look over his outside shoulder to misdirect him. 8. Run to the option ally on a keep. Run hash, numbers, and to the boundary to run away from the defense. 9. Look the pitch into the tailback's hands. 10. Don't get hit. Optioning a Defensive Lineman A quarterback for the most part options a defensive player in a two point stance. Occasionally he options a defensive lineman in a three or four point stance. The coaching points and techniques are the same as for optioning a defender in a two point stance. But, the quarterback must be aware a down lineman usually plays a hard end technique. Reducing the Risks The quarterback reduces the risks of executing an option play by adhering to several option rules. The option rules are part of the quarterback's option technique: 1. Always think hard end. Be mentally prepared for defensive pressure from the option man or secondary blitz. 2. When in doubt, don't. When the defensive reactions create any doubt in the decisionmaking process, keep the ball. 3. Don't pitch in the grasp. When in the grasp of a defender the play is over. Protect the ball. 4. Don't pitch blind. Look the pitch in. Make sure the tailback is in position to catch the pitch. 5. Never pitch off number two (except on options which are designed to option number two). When the ball is pitched off number two the option man can attack the tailback as he is about to catch the pitch. Pitching off number two is a turnover decision. 6. Get the ball pitched to the tailback. Pitch the ball when the defensive reactions allow the ball to be pitched. Don't keep the ball for a five to six yard gain when the tailback would have gained thirty yards if the ball was pitched. 7. Don't cutback. Run to the option alley on a keep to run away from the defense. 8. Don't get hit. A quarterback is a quarterback, not a tailback. His running style is different, except on short yardage. The tailback can take on tacklers, the quarterback avoids tacklers. Questions about Flexbone: 1) How are you going to handle a 3 tech on inside veer? Double him 2) Are you going to run midline and do you still run it vs. a zero nose? Yes and Yes

3) Loop or not to loop? Currently loop vs. Okie 50 and 3-3, but if I had didn't set of lineman maybe not 4) Do you want to read the stack? I prefer to pull to pitch vs. 4-3 and 3-3 stack 5) How are you going to block PA pass, block HOK with FB or Tackle? Man blocking 1. Do I need more than IV - Rocket - Zone Dive - Midline - Counter? I use Belly and OV to complete my PlayBook 2. How expansive do I need to make the Rocket Series? Will trap work best off of Rocket. Can I incoporate a play away from the full flow rocket action? If I do so will this limit my ability to be effective at other plays? I run Belly to the flow to take care of the LB's, When we ran wing-t only trap and rocket do go hand and hand, but since we have the Veer and Midline not as much. I believe in the bootleg pass. 3. Should I attempt Counter Trap considering we cannot cut that backside 5? No, I would just run Counter Iso. 4. Do I want to ever use a TE. I know you can dictate alignment and also now run OV, but do I need it? I love OV as a play but can it be executed effectively? Yes, if the TE is good use him a lot, if one is just ok, consider passing game and Tackle over formations to place him on the backside 5. Should I go with 4 foot splits between G and T? WOW, good one, maybe only vs. a uncovered G and a covered T 6. How simple can I make the passing game, yet still have it be effective? I want to answer that question myself 7. Can I get away with one pass protection on all drop back passes? I believe yes, the question is which one is best to use 8. Do I need a rollout package? I am going with 1 play only on the sprint-out #4 - #8 are the most pressing things on my mind for the 08 season. We're going into contact days after school in June and we're going to make decisions on just that. In order here's how I'm approaching them but still open to changing my mind. #4 NO- do not want a TE this year and will not have OV as a base to our Off. #5 Yes - been struggling with this one but i believe going 3 and 4 will give us Mid and IV vs everything #6 1 base 3 step pass, 1 base 5 step pass, 1 screen.. that with our playaction is what i want to start with.. we dont throw the ball enough to warrent more practice time spent than that. #7 YES - we're doing B.O.B with inside A-Gap protection with the FB #8 NO - we dont need one but my coaches are begging for one ... i'm begging for them to give me statistical evidence that the play is worth keeping in our package .. we'll se when we meet in camp

1) How are you going to handle a 3 tech on inside veer? *** I'm going to give my psguard the rule that he will block the shade TO the shade on ISV- even if it means blocking out on a 3 tech. Navy does this... and the FB reads the G when he gets the "Give." The guard will tread a head-up 2 tech as if he were a 2-I and get him to the inside - scramble blocking him if need be. If your center and backside G and T and scooping hard and doing what they're supposed to do, you look like a genius for calling that FB "base dive" at precisely the right time! It's not what C-N draws up, but it's worked pretty good for Johnson. 2) Are you going to run midline and do you still run it vs. a zero nose? *** Which "flavor" of Midline do you mean, lol? the Midline ran as a true triple (ala old Ga Southern), the midline double with the pstackle blocking out and one WB leading up in the LOS, or the Blast with the pstackle blocing and both WBs leading up into the LOS? I say lets have all three in the mix and in the hunt and maybe throw in a little trap option (freeze option) as a change of pace (and so your 2nd string QB has a series that won't overwhelm him ithe first couple of series that he's in) I prefer checking to ISV vs a 5 front, but our midline rules vs the 50 will allow it to be ran in some fashion regardless. 3) Loop or not to loop? ***Both. 4' g-tackle splits with inside release unless the loop is called... can also be week to week. 4) Do you want to read the stack? ***I _don't_ want to read the stack with my high school QBs. I will switch to double options, trap options, and quick play action if LB stunts are having success. 5) How are you going to block PA pass, block HOK with FB or Tackle ***turnback from 1st uncovered man... psG blocks to shade and FB fills... psT blocks what's on him with backside WB (or HB if you're in splitbacks) picking up trash off of an initial pitch path. (sorry, been to too many C-N clinics to start changing now!) Teaching Progressions in Flexbone: ISV series with -ISV -FB Dive -SB Counter -PA Pass (MIDLINE) RnS series -"Go" -"Switch" -"Choice" -4-Verticals -Dig-Post-Rail/flat Then Rocket/Jet -Rocket Toss

-Rocket PA pass -Jet Sweep -Jet Dive -Jet PA pass Teaching Progression 2: ISV MIDLINE ROCKET all with P.A.P.'s Progression 3: ---------The "A" List. Midline Double (maybe some triple later in season) ISV PAP off ISV. ---------The "B" List Counter Option (pulling the bsG to LB - leverage pitching off EMOL) Inside FB trap (faking the counter option listed above) Rocket + Rocket Boot + Rocket Screen ---------The "C" List Some max protected Trips sprint out stuff with 2 rec's playside. Some 1 back protection routes from Flex and Trips. 8th Grade Playbook: PLAYS: VEER SERIES: -12/13 Veer -13/14 Counter Veer MIDLINE SERIES: -14/16 "Zoom" (Basic Midline)

-22/41 "Blast" (Cal Poly Iso) ROCKET SERIES: -28/49 Rocket Toss -28/49 Rocket "Iso" -28/49 Rocket Reverse (Counter Play) PASS SERIES: -12/13 PA Pop Pass (No Motion) -Slants, Arrows (WR's run slants, SB arrows) -X or Y "NOW" -X or Y "FLY" -2B/4B Middle Screen Jet sweep with FB leading They run Nine Plays - 7 of which can also be ran from the Shotgun: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Counter (off of Triple) Iso Trap Trap Option Mid-line (SE or TE) and Midline Pitch Triple (FB Dive) FB Belly (Off Rocket / Belly Option) Belly Option Toss (Must create formations to continue to run it effectively) Gun Zone Option (Which is not taught like a true ZONE)

All can be ran from the Gun except for Counter Iso and rocket. When running the Triple from under center they always double team. This is vs. a 4-3 and a 4-4 they don't run triple vs a 50 or 3-3 All there option plays have 2 schemes, Load or Arc. They don't teach the loop scheme. They love to run Boot from Rocket to the TE and they love it from the unbalanced formation with the TE and Tackle flipped. There passing game is based off of 4 Verts and Post & Wheels (Deep Passing and PlayAction Passes)

Point Method v Ride-Decide: Point method from the late Jerry Easton (he started running the point in the 1980s): First off the QB will not be any deeper into the hole than the lip of the hole on a pull read, for the very reason you mention. As he takes his escape step and gathers his left foot to his back foot, he then drives downhill following the 0 line surge to his read. AS HE REACHES THE LIP OF THE HOLE HE WILL MAKE HIS GIVE OR KEEP DECISION. IF IT IS A GIVE HE SIMPLY CONTINUES ANOTHER STEP INTO THE HOLE AS THE BACK CLOSES DOWN ON THE FOOTBALL IN A PERFECT TRANSFER OF THE BALL. IF IT IS A PULL, HE SIMPLY PULLS THE EXTENDED BALL AS THE BACK CRASHES THE HOLE AND QB IS OFF TO HIS NEXT READ. THE TECHNIQUE IS EXACTLY THE SAME FOR BOTH ISV AND OSV WITH THE ADDED STEP NECESSARY TO REACH THE C GAP ON THE OSV BY THE QB. The over running of the hole by the QB is quickly addressed by getting a fire hose, use of cones or whatever, to establish correct aiming points for dive back (brown spot of the playside guard on the ISV and outside leg of T on the OSV) and repping it over and over again until it just becomes automatic. Bettter yet, use live personnel as much as is possible when repping, making certian the line splits are CORRECT. Hope these points will help. Coach Easton PS: I teach GATHERING front foot to back after initial escape step because I never want my QB to come down the LOS PARALLEL. I WANT THAT FIRST STEP AFTER THE GATHER TO BE DOWNHILL FOLLOWING SURGE OF THE LINE, ALWAYS!!! COMING PARALLEL TO LOS ALLOWS FOR PENETRATION TO BUBBLE THE QB'S PATH AND PRESENTS A FUZZY READ MOST OFTEN OF THE READ MAN, SOMETHING THAT WE TRY OUR BEST TO PREVENT FROM HAPPENING. I did ride and decide until 2005 and I ran triple out of the I, split backs, flexbone, single back, and attempted it out of the shotgun (until 2004 when I had a panic attack on the field after a bad shotgun snap and was hospitalized for three days). I worked Carson-Newman's OL camp in 2006 and learned the point from Coach Turner. Jerry Easton taught me the point method the same year on message boards like this and I would NEVER go back to the ride and decide! There is no comparison. The QB points the ball and puts the ball on the belly button of the RB unless the read key turns his shoulders to take the dive. The point looks just as deceiving. I use it for both midline and triple, and I run flexbone only. The point is even better out of split backs due to the quick-hitting action of the running backs. Point Mesh mechanics and clips from splitback ISV and OSV http://veersite.blogspot.com/2009/02/no-mesh-mesh-one-more-time.html Point Mesh from Flexbone ISV and Midline. http://veersite.blogspot.com/2009/03/point-mesh-from-flex.html QB Footwork IV & Midline: I have some stuff up on veersite concerning QB footwork for ISV and Freeze Option (very similar to Midline).

http://veersite.blogspot.com/2005/11/no-mesh-mesh.html http://veersite.blogspot.com/2006/11/mesh-revisted.html http://veersite.blogspot.com/2007/05/trap-option.html Installing Flexbone: In terms of the OL, I prefer to use hands instead of shoulders. I just feel that its more natural and we teach lifts that simulate blocking, therefore I think more power can be unleashed on a defender with a hands block. We teach the OL by getting the hose out, and showing them various fronts that they may see throughout the season. We teach them the process behind the play, and who the QB is reading, so that they understand the concept, not just what they have to do. We then rep the life out of inside veer and midline against a pile of fronts. Once we have inside veer and midline down, we work on the counter plays to those two plays (Counter Trap and QB ISO) Installing the motions can be done as soon as midline and IV are known by the entire offense. After we have in IV, Midline, the two counters we will work on Rocket. After the three base series are in in the double slot we will move to more formations. We do work a lot on scoops against bags with our O-line and preach constantly about take off speed and beating the other guy across the LOS. I will also add that when I was installing split back veer, I worked outside - in.... I taught OSV from our most basic set, two Tights. Then i taught ISV and then cutback trap. Since moving to Flexbone, no more OSV! So I go ISV with regular motion and ISV to Twirl motion (poor man's counter) and rep the heck out of it. Then I might throw in our PAP protection and routes. Then Rocket. Once I'm certain the QB is getting the hang of getting up in the LOS on ISV, I start working on Midline. I want ISV and getting into the LOS to be stamped into his brain before I introduce an off the line option like Midline. I start with Midline Triple since we already have ISV and the concept of the triple option in. I know some guys that teach Midline first... it's really up to you. I just know how hard it is to get a reluctant kid up into the LOS on ISV once they show problems in that regard. I save Counter Option for last and expect to be several games into the season before it's ready for prime time. Midline v 3-5-3 BWR- Crack BSB- Lead motion, Lead (Inside leg of OT--think LB) BT- Scoop BG- Tight Scoop C- Base PG- Veer A gap PT- High Pressure Control (on OLB in 3-5) PSB- Force PWR- Stalk QB- Midline steps RB- Midline path The key is to read the nose and the RB must cut wherever the nose is not. You may have both guards on the mike. That is fine. The BSB will block the Lou/Rob. If they easy stunt, it's a give read and the running back will be gone by the time the stunt can develop. 84 Iso