NAVY OFFENSE – KEN NIUMATALOLO

WFCA Clinic – March 26, 2009

Keys to a Successful Offense

(1) an identity – this is the same offense we ran in 1987 at Hawaii

(2) a “philosophy”

- run the ball

- control the clock (time of possession – we want opponent to have 8 series max)
- pass for big plays (throw it over their heads)
- have a “system”
- practice the “system” every week – players will get good at it
- K.I.S.S. principle

(3) a “package”

- we are a triple option team first and foremost

- everything we do comes off the triple option
- complementary plays: counter, midline, trap, belly
- key premise – we’ll take what they give us
- multiple formations (over 20) – ability to run the same plays out of most of them
- play-action passing game that mirrors our running game
- sprint-out package
- a simple goal line package
o “heavy” formation
 there are really only 3 plays
• rocket toss
• QB iso
• ?
o 80% red zone efficiency in 2008

(4) a “package” you can fix

- early adjustments
o during a series and between series
o NOT on Saturday mornings!!! (Sundays if college)

- to do this - play caller and offensive assistants must watch the game
- no script!!! (it is tough to see the game with your head buried in a script)

- have answers!! – be prepared for anything

- entire staff/coaches must be on the same page – speak same language/vocabulary

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- examples of a “fix-it” during the game

o can’t block 3 tech or a good 5 tech

 down block him
 G block him
 read him
 double team him
 trap him

o vs. zone blitz? – run option away from it

o vs. 4-3 defense – can not get the MLB blocked

 go to “heavy” formation
 loop the FST to him (vs. Duke – 2008)

- be specific in your fix-its – focus on one thing at a time – for example:

o work on the ILB
o work on the FS

Play-Calling Philosophy – Attacking the Defense

- good defenses limit what they do (too much will hurt them) – prep time is short
- defense must play balanced

- we saw basically 3 fronts all year in 2008 (4-3/6-1, 50 (odd) variations, 8-man front)

- basically 3 coverages (4-across, 3-deep, man free)

- no nickel or dime coverages
- secondary must read run/pass (high hat, low hat, etc.) yet still handle cut blocks

- what we check for (in order):

o numbers advantage

 different formations help us get this

 start in spread
 then go unbalanced
• trips (slot/HB over to his buddy’s side)
• over (WR over – ineligible inside receiver)
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o blocking angles (usually to the smaller technique, i.e. shade vs. 3 tech)

 2 on 1 blocks if at all possible

o to the field (example – double 2Is have no technique advantage)

o play-action passes (P.A.P.) to hurt specific defenders on the field - this is why we want
to make it look like the running plays as much as possible

 vs. 8-man front – the free safety (alley player)

 vs. quarter coverage – whomever the run support is

 vs. cover 2 – the roll corner

 vs. mike LB -

o other passing game elements (especially if vanilla coverages)

 1-on-1 routes (since usually ‘man” coverage

 7 or 8-man protection allows for “double-move” routes off of this

 possible double move routes:

• post
• post corner
• dig or post-dig

Keys to Implementing a Successful Offense

- be committed

- be patient
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Cadence:

- in the past - it has been this: Ready – Set – Hike

- we are experimenting with these ideas:

o Down – Set – Hike

o Down – Ready – Set – Hike
o Going on 1st sound

Formations:

- Spread

- Trips (both HBs on one side – both of them off the LOS) – a good run and pass formation

- Over (both WRs on one side – inside WR ineligible)

- Over Green (over-side HB steps up onto LOS – inside WR off)
- Over Brown (HB opposite the over steps ontp LOS – inside WR off)

- Heavy (both OTs on one side – one plays TE position – WR plays nub side OT)
o used a lot in goal line situations
o TE responsibilities the same as the HB

- Double Flex (both WRs in tight)

Splits:

- O-line = 3 feet
-
- Slots = inside foot touching OT and 1 yd back (used to be 1 yd x 1 yd) – based on pitch timing
-
- WRs = basically on the numbers of the field when the ball is in the middle
-
- FB = heels at 5 yards from the tip of the football – we experimented woth 4 yards but it was too
quick for the mesh

Stances:

- O-line = narrow stance, lots of weight forward, feet under armpits

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The Triple Option

FSWR
– block the near deep defender
– (1/2 field safety in Cov 2-like looks) (a “switch” with the FSHB)
– (deep 1/3 CB in Cov 3-like looks)
– (non-inverting safety (Cloud) or CB (Sky) in 4-Across looks)

FSHB
– block the run support or force
– (roll CB in Cov 2-like looks) (a “switch” with the FSWR)
– (invert safety in Cov 3-like looks)
– (inverting safety (Sky) or CB (Cloud) in 4-Across-like looks)

- if there is a FS in the middle of the field (i.e. 8-man front) – load block the FSLB
o if the FST has him blocked:
 go to the FS
 go to backside safety (if load is called vs. a 2-safety defense)

FST

- dip and rip by dragging your knuckles on the ground

– take your best release (outside or inside) to block the FSLB

o if the FSG is covered (2I-2-3) – inside release automatic
o if the FSG is uncovered – outside release (loop)

– to determine your FSLB - the key is your outside hip

o if the LB is inside of your outside hip – it is your FSLB – make an IN call to the QB
o if the LB is outside of your front hip – it is not your FSLB – make an OUT call to QB

- if you can’t get the FSLB (MLB vs. 4-3) - go to the next level
o vs. 2 deep safeties = the backside safety
o vs. 1 deep safety (FS) = the FS

- if in “heavy” formation – combo the 3 tech with the FSG

FSG
- base block man on (2I-2-3)
- if uncovered – block the near LB
 - if you can’t get the MLB (4-3) or FSLB (50) – block the backside safety (2-safety look)

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C
- scoop/base
- if uncovered – go playside A-gap
o if MLB = block him to backside safety (2 safteies) to fold (1 safety)
o if 2-LB defense = block FSLB (plug) to BSLB

BSG
- scoop
o 45-60-90 steps (45 1st step – 60 2nd step – 90 3rd step)
o you must scoop the area from your crotch to the C’s crotch
 we want the best of both worlds – width and gaining ground
 head to the playside thigh board
 take whatever shows

BST
- scoop
- 45-60-90 steps
- you must scoop the area from your crotch to the BSG’s crotch

- if no one to scoop (i.e BSG uncovered)

o dip and rip
o work more vertical to prevent 5 tech a flat release to run QB down from behind
 this is a “feel” thing
 is the “tunnel” closing up on you?
o look back to the fold player

BSHB
– tail motion (pitch path)
– you must get at least 1 ½ steps in the ground before the ball is snapped – preferably 2 steps
– get to the FB’s butt in his initial alignment
– take 3 flat steps
– get downhill!! – marry yourself with the QB’s path

- we want the pitch relationship ILLEGAL if possible (a forward pitch)

- clinc talk would say the relationship is 4 yards by 1 yard

BSWR
- cut-off
FB

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QB
- almost a double “hop” step to get the 2nd step on the ground ASAP
- we do not drag the back foot like some programs

- work to have feet land in a “staggered” position - front foot ahead of the back one a little
o gets us on the proper angle for the FB
o gives us a fraction of a second longer to ride it

- get the ball back as far as possible

- do not transfer the weight – stay even and balanced
- make a decision by the time the ball reaches your front leg
- push off downhill

- the “read”
o don’t over coach it
o if you think he can tackle the FB – pull it
o if not – give it
o a ton of reps solves the problem

- reading of stunts (every day in practice)

o blood stunt
 toughest read
 read key (#1) (FB) and pitch key (#2) (QB) both coming hard
 if #2 comes hard:
• disengage with FB immediately
• pause for a split second to determine #2’s angle (he may run to the pitch)

o X-stunt
 a “stack” look with the read key (#1) and a stacked LB (#2)
 #1 and #2 will switch responsibilities
 we will “area” read this

o hard stunt

o up stunt

o mesh stunt

- we let the QBs get a “game feel” of what is going on

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Play-Action Passing

- Protection:
o low hat - drive and press - screw in the shoulder pads
o big on big
o FB blocks FSLB
o QB takes care of #3 on the frontside edge
o if 4 come weak? – look out!!!

- QB footwork
o fake T.O and get back!!
o we tried 3 down the line and 2 back like Nebraska - QB got killed before setup

- Routes

o Verticals
 triple option action
 vs. 8-man front = FSHB down the middle of field
 vs. 4-Across Invert = FSHB run down the hash

o Switch route (vs. Cov 2) – even in the red zone with hard CB support
 Out of triple option play-action
 Also out of rocket toss play-action

o Boot/Naked
 off the rocket toss
 variations:
• hit FB in the flat
• hit the WR vertical, dig, or skinny post
• switch route

o Crossing routes
 good out of Double Flex
 variations:
• double drag (vs. alley FS)
1. FSWR and FSHB double drag to the backside
2. BSWR skinny post
• HB single drag (vs. Cov 4 with a deep MLB)
1. FSHB drags to the backside
2. BSWR runs vertical
• WR single drag
1. Off the rocket toss (vs. safeties making the hit on the toss)
2. QB drops straight back
3. BSWR runs the drag across