Cougar Offensive Philosophy

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s football coaches, we are constantly “tweaking” our offenses and looking for new ideas. However, we are not necessarily looking for huge changes in schemes, but rather subtle changes that allow for continuity within what we are already trying to accomplish. In the 2001 season at Washington State, our number one and two commitments were toward ball security and reducing penalties so as not to help our opponents. We were successful in doing this and had a record that was reflective of this success. Our third focus was in small changes to help our basic schemes. The following is a few of the “WRINKLES” that helped us in the 2001 season. Single Back Toss Scheme We, at WSU, used a man blocked toss play as a wrinkle in our run game. We had lighter, more pass-oriented tight ends this year, so we utilized an athletic offensive line that could get out in front of our running backs. By using the man blocking scheme on the front side of the toss play, we were able to take advantage of angles. When we faced defenses that used their defensive ends for containment, we felt like we could stretch the ends and cut off the lineman to create large downhill run lanes for our backs. We pull the playside guard at times, the play side tackle at times, and both versus specific defenses. Our biggest key as to who will do the pulling is the alignment of the play side linebacker. Obviously, you should take in consideration the athleticism of your personnel. Some linemen make better pullers than others.

Cougar Offensive Philosophy

Tight Ends vs. Blitz Situations In recent years at WSU, we have relied heavily on our receivers in blitz situations. Going back through our past year’s cutups, we were able to notice that defenses were covering down our hot route areas by our wide outs. We came to the conclusion that we needed to incorporate our tight ends in our hot route schemes by designating certain routes versus different types of blitzing defenses. Drag Route: Versus middle and weak side blitzing teams we used the drag route, where the tight end could use his speed and athletic ability to run away from a strong side defender in man coverage.

Mike Levenseller Ofensive Corrdinator Washington State University

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Pullman, Wash.

Flat Route: Versus strong side blitzing teams we like to use our flat route, where our tight ends could catch the ball and use his bigger size and strength to get upfield against a safety in man coverage.

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Kasey Dunn Runningbacks Coach

Aaron Taylor Price Quarterbacks Coach

Bob Connelly Offensive Line Coach

Robin Pflugrad Tight Ends Coach

Diagram 1 Vertical Seam Route: Versus safety pressure or when the free safey vacates the middle of the field, we like to use a seam route, where our tight end can use his athletic ability and speed to work his route against a linebacker in poor position to cover the vertical seam area.

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• Proceedings • 79th AFCA Convention • 2002 •

F Screen Offenses utilize the running back “slow screen” in a variety of different situations and for some it is just another way to get the ball to the back. At WSU, our running back “slow screen” is an opportunistic play specifically designed to take advantage of blitzing defenses and penetrating lineman. To begin with, the basic WSU “slow screen” really is not a slow screen at all. Ideally we want to hit the play on the run. The timing should be such that the back catches the ball while moving laterally to the line of scrimmage at nearly full speed. By doing this we do not need to use the backside guard as a peel back or clean up blocker. Instead we gain him downfield and he now becomes responsible for the game breaker block on the free safety. Our base techniques are as follows:

Play Side Tackle: Poor pass protection, force the defensive end outside, get in the inside hip pocket and run him by the quarterback. Play Side Guard: Quick punch on the defensive tackle, two count, then release to the flat defender. C e n t e r : Quick punch on the low shade, two count, then release to the middle linebacker. Back Side Guard: Quick punch on defensive tackle, two count, then run the alley to the free safety. Back Side Tackle: Poor pass protection, force the defensive end outside, get in the inside hip pocket and run him by the quarterback. Runningback: From base alignment, work to the inside hip of the play side tackle, releasing when the guard releases. Stay flat and work to 1x6, one yard off the line of

scrimmage and six yards outside of the playside tackle. Look the ball in and immediately rip upfield, knowing that the flat defender has been removed by the play side guard. Quarterback: Take five step drop, look ing away from the direction of the screen, pause, then throw a firm ball to the running back, fading away from the rush. Receivers: Run off blocking.

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American Football Coaches Association Code of Ethics Summary “The ultimate success of the principles and standards of this Code depends on those for whom it has been established — the football coaches.” Ever since the AFCA adopted its first formal Code of Ethics in 1952, the organization has had a keen awareness of its importance and has done all in its power to keep the public aware of the AFCA’s concern with morality and integrity. A complete copy of the Code of Ethics is sent to every member.Vital tenets include: “PREAMBLE: The distinguishing characteristic of a profession is its dedication to the service of humanity. “Those who select football coaching must understand that the justification for football lies in its spiritual and physical values and that the game belongs, essentially, to the players. “The welfare of the game depends on how the coaches live up to the spirit and letter of ethical conduct and how the coaches remain ever mindful of the high trust and confidence placed in them by their players and the public. “Coaches unwilling or unable to comply with the principles of the Code have no place in the profession...

“PURPOSE: The Code of Ethics has been developed to protect and promote the best interests of the game and the coaching profession. Its primary purpose is to clarify and distinguish ethical and approved professional practices from those considered detrimental. “Its secondary purpose is to emphasize the purpose and value of football and to stress the proper functions of coaches in relation to schools, players and the public.” The AFCA Code of Ethics deals at length with the following subject areas: Article One: Responsibilities to players Article Two: Responsibilities to the institution Article Three: Rules of the game Article Four: Officials Article Five: Public Relations Article Six: Scouting Article Seven: Recruiting Article Eight: Game day and other responsibilities Article Nine: Acceptance of all-star assignments and other allstar coaching honors

“The Code should be studied regularly by all coaches and its principles should always be followed. Violations of the Code should be reported to the Ethics Committee.”

Be A Responsible Member Of The Football Coaching Profession Follow The AFCA Code Of Ethics • Proceedings • 79th AFCA Convention • 2002 •