Mtjoyshane Montgomery

O

n behalf of Miami University and 2003 MAC Coach of the Year Terry Hoeppner, I would like to thank the AFCA for allowing me to contribute to the Summer Manual. This past season was one of the most successful years in the long and storied history of Miami University football, and our offensive staff did a tremendous job of teaching and motivating our players each day. Our offensive staff consisted of: Jim Wachenheim (Runningbacks), John Peterson (Offensive Line), Bobby Johnson (Tackles and Tight Ends), Brian Von Bergen (Wide Receivers) and Billy Lynch (Offensive Graduate Assistant). Their hard work and dedication created a great working atmosphere. The Miami offense set numerous school and conference records in 2003. Our game-by-game goals were stressed each day in practice through individual, group and team periods. The preparation put forth throughout the week from our players and coaches helped us perform at a high level on game day. Game Goals 1. WIN! 2. Eliminate Turnovers 3. Score 100 percent in the Red Zone 4. Avg. 4/+ yards per rush 5. Complete 60 percent /+ of passes 6. Eliminate sacks 7. Convert 50 percent/+ of third downs Our offensive philosophy at Miami University is to mix a highly efficient passing game with a physical running game. The past three years, with Ben Roethlisberger as our quarterback, our run/pass ratio has been around 50/50. We wanted to take advantage of his skills as a passer by spreading out defenses and making them defend the entire field. After the 2002 season, our staff felt that there were two areas in which we needed to improve for 2003. First, was to improve our running game. We felt that our opponents weren’t respecting this aspect of our offense and it was putting too much pressure on our passing game. Secondly, we needed to create more big plays. As successful as we were throwing the ball in 2002, we didn’t have a large number of big plays and thus had to rely on sustaining longer drives time after time. To address these areas, we decided to use a second back or tight end in our formations more than we had in the previous year. We combined our second tight end

and our fullbacks and came up with a new position (“B” back). Besides putting the “B” back on the line of scrimmage or in the backfield, we could move the “B” back around to help as an extra blocker in our run game, send him out in routes, or use him as a pass protector. By constantly motioning our “B” back, we could jump in and out of numerous formations and keep the defense off balance. The following formations are the ones we use in which we utilize our “B” back (Diagrams 1-4). The TE (Y) is always to the strength of our formation. If the “B” is on the TE side, it is considered a “wing”, if the “B” is opposite the TE, it is considered a “slot.” We are usually motioning the “B” back out of these formations.

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Diagram 3

Diagram 4

Pla y Ac ti o n P as se s t o C omp li me nt the Running Game

Why the Play Action Pass? The more success you have running the ball, the more defenders you will start to see at the LOS. Once there are more defenders in the box, the opportunity for the big play increases as your receivers tend to get man coverage. Play Action Philosophy 1. Have a play action pass off each run game action. 2. Make play action scheme look like run. 3. Play action tends to slow down pass rush. 4. Better opportunity for 1-on-1 matchups. Power Pass One of our most successful runs this past year was our strongside power. We ran it to the TE and B back most of the time, even though occasionally, we would run it weakside. Off the strongside power, we implement the power pass (Diagrams 5-6). The initial action looks like our power play, however, we use a gap protection and do not pull the backside guard as we do on the run play.

Diagram 5

release to 10-12 yards, run deep zone post. Split End (X): (Diagram 5) Execute deep crossing route at 20-25 yards. (Diagram 6) Execute crossing route at 10 yards. Tailback: Slide step, quick downhill power steps and block first defender outside offensive tackle (Let QB do most of faking). Quarterback: Open at five o’clock, quick fake to tailback. Must be ready to throw hot to B back if two defenders rush outside our playside OT. Progression Diagram 5: B/Y off widest defender. Backside crossing routes are late throws. Diagram 6: B/Y/Z; must always be ready to get ball to B, but can check deep if no blitz. Gap Protection Another play action pass off our strongside power is our gap protection scheme. The initial action looks like our power and power pass, however, both TE’s stay in for protection. The runningback makes a great fake before helping in protection. Three of the main routes are shown below. (Diagrams 7-9)

Diagram 7

Diagram 6 Diagram 8

Assignments Offensive Line: Responsible for back gap away from power pass call. Be aggressive to sell run as best as possible. Tight End (Y): Vertical release to 10-12 yards, execute corner route. B Back: (Motion) Release right off TE to flat, get head around quickly (2-3 yards deep). Flanker (Z): (Diagram 5) Execute crossing route at 10 yards (Diagram 6). Vertical

Assignments Offensive Line: Responsible for back gap. Be aggressive to sell run as best as possible. Tight End (Y): Responsible for man on to first threat inside. B Back: Responsible for first threat outside TE.

Diagram 9

Flanker (Z): (Diagram 7) Execute comeback at 20 yards. (Diagram 8) Execute corner route. (Diagram 9) Execute deep climb route. Split End (X): (Diagram 7) Execute comeback at 20 yards. (Diagram 8) Execute corner route. (Diagram 9) Execute crack and go route. Tailback: Slide step, quick downhill power steps, responsible for C gap to scan. Quarterback: Open at five o’clock, great fake to tailback to sell run, deep setup. Progression Diagrams 7 & 8: Can go either side based on leverage of CB’s. Diagram 9: X/Z of free safety and weak CB. Naked/Boots Our primary play action pass off our inside zone is our naked or boot scheme. The naked scheme lets the QB know that there are no offensive linemen pulling for protection purposes. In the boot scheme, we pull our center or backside guard, whomever is uncovered, as a protector for the QB. In Diagrams 10 & 11, we use both our naked or boot scheme If we call this out of a two tight end formation. We usually fake the run to the TE (Y) and naked back to the B back. We keep simple rules if we call this out of a 2x2 formation. The No. 1 receiver to the call side executes a streak route, and the No. 2 receiver runs a snag route to the flat. On the backside, the No. 2 receiver (inside) executes a crossing route, and the No. 1 receiver (outside) runs a deep crossing route. (Diagram 10) If we call a naked to a trips formation, we will tag a three level route (Diagram 11). Assignments Offensive Line: The line must do a great job of selling the zone by keeping their pads low without going downfield. Tight End (Y): Zone step to get best release off DE. Work upfield to depth of 10

Diagram 10

Diagram 11

yards on crossing route. Be patient, don’t be too fast! B Back: Use motion to make play look

like run. Have the ball snapped when B is right inside OT. Aim for DE’s outside shoulder, remain square, throw defender inside after two-second count and release to flat at 2-3 yards deep (Motion helps us control the edge player). Flanker (Z): (Diagram 10) Execute deep crossing route on backside. (Diagram 11 ) Release vertical for eight steps and bend towards sidelines to open area. Split End (X): (Diagram 10-11) Execute streak route through cornerback on frontside. Tailback: Zone steps, good fake, protect off edge of formation for blitzers. Quarterback: Fake zone away, two steps deep off fake, boot to callside. Progression Diagram 10: B/Y/Z; look quick for B vs. outside blitz. Diagram 11: B/Z/Y; could look for Z first if no immediate pressure.

• QB can look for Z first vs. man coverage, but must hit him right off break. Conclusion Our two-tight end personnel accounted for nearly 35 percent of our offensive plays in 2003. By mixing this personnel with our spread personnel (three or four WR — other 65 percent), we were able to show the defense a lot of formations each week. The two tight end formations enabled us to establish a physical running game. Once defenses stacked the line of scrimmage to stop the run, our wide receivers and tight ends were able to get one-on-one matchup on the outside. These one-on-one matchups led to big plays. Again, thanks from Miami University for letting us contribute to the Summer Manual. Please feel free to contact us if we can ever be of any help. Best of luck in 2004!

Practice Safety-First Coaching Techniques Excerpted from an article by Dick Schindler for the National Federation News

Coaches’ Checklist 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

Keep the head up. Discuss risk of injury. Keep the head out of contact. Explain how serious injuries can occur. Involve parents in early season meeting. Have a set plan for coaching safety. Clearly explain and demonstrate safe techniques. Provide best medical care possible. Monitor blocking and tackling techniques every day. Repeat drills which stress proper and safe techniques. Admonish and/or discipline users of unsafe techniques. Receive clearance by doctor for athlete to play following head trauma. Stress safety every day. Don’t glorify head hunters. Support officials who penalize for illegal helmet contact. Don’t praise or condone illegal helmet contact. Provide conditioning to strengthen neck muscles. Entire staff must be “tuned in” to safety program. Check helmet condition regularly.

20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

Improper technique causes spinal cord injuries. Helmet must fit properly. Be prepared for a catastrophic injury. The game doesn’t need abusive contact. Player safety is your responsibility. It’s a game — not a job — for the players.

Keep The Head Out Of Football Rules changes that eliminated the head as the initial contact point in blocking and tackling have significantly reduced head and neck injuries in the sport. Coaches can do their part to continue that trend by teaching correct techniques and emphasizing proper fundamentals at all times. That way, players can avoid catastrophic injury and coaches can avoid lawsuits.

Keep the head out of football.