Protection Schemes

In our protection schemes, we are simple.  We like to block "Bigs" which is big-on-big as the 1st element of the protection.  We put our big guys on their big guys.  Whichever side the back is set, he has responsibility for the linebacker to that side, and the center has the linebacker away from the back.

One of the exercises we do to emphasize the time factor in protection is placing a cone 7 yards off the line of scrimmage to mark the QB's drop.  We will place a defensive end in his alignment and time how long it takes him to get to the cone.  Usually takes about 1.8 to 1.9 seconds.  When we place simply a bag in front of him and take away his angle of pursuit, the time now changes to about 2.1 seconds.  For most of our passes, we want the ball delivered around 2.8 seconds.

I tell the QB's they need to throw the ball within 2.8 seconds or they will be sacked.  We tell our offensive lineman to give the QB 4 seconds to throw the ball.  If you really think about it, how hard is it for a lineman to block his guy for 1 second?

The protection is a critical part of the attack, but it is not that complicated or difficult.  In our slide protection, we slide the lineman into a gap-protection scheme and the R-Back blocks the 5-technique opposite of the call.

If we want to play-action pass, we give an "Act" call.  Our numbering system puts our odd numbers to the left and even numbers to the right.  If we call "Act 3, the offensive line hears "Act," and automatically slide away from the call.  On the "Act 3" play, the line slides to the right.

The last protection scheme is what we call "Solid."  We take our best offensive blocker and single him up on the defensive end.  He blocks by himself and is locked onto that guy, while the rest of the offensive line slides away from him.  The R-Back takes the linebacker to that side.

We have various other protection schemes for our Roll Out, Sprint Out, and Naked concepts.  I am looking for discussion on these 3 protections in particular.  If you would like to share some of your knowledge, I am eager to talk football.

No Huddle Discussion Part 1

Why Run  the No Huddle

There are many benefits to running no-huddle attack in today's football.  One of the benefits is that a team has the opportunity to run more plays during a game, due to them using less time between plays.  Instead of huddling after every play, teams will line up in a formation and either snap the ball or freeze the defense to catch them off guard.  With that said, defenses have less time to substitute players or to line up, which may and can lead to either mismatches or a blown coverage.

Statistics show that a team that holds the ball for 30 minutes in a 60 minute game, and use each second of the play clock, would be expected to run 45 plays per game (College Level).  The no-huddle offense eliminates approximately 10 seconds per play due to not returning to a huddle, getting the play call, and then proceeding back to the line of scrimmage.  Eliminating these 10 seconds, a no-huddle offense is able to run approximately 60 plays, which is 33 percent more offensive plays per game than a team that huddles after every play.

Now I know your thinking, "Huddles allow our offense time to catch a breather.  In my opinion, after studying the no-huddle offense for several years through clinics, books, and discussion boards, I believe that huddling after plays is essentially unproductive and provides little benefit to an offense.  Those additional 10 seconds can often benefit the opposing defense more than the offense.  Defenses have an opportunity to make substitutions, give different looks, rest, and prepare themselves for the next play.

No-huddle offenses are to generate more plays per game, however they also do not hold the ball as long as offenses that huddle.  In the NCAA, the top 10 no-huddle offenses on average held the ball for less than 30 minutes per game.  In 2010 Oregon's top-ranked offense (#1 in the Nation) held the ball for just 28:09 per game and was ranked 106 out of 120 Division 1.

No-huddle teams generally require their defenses to play for longer stretches of time because the no-huddle system increases the number of plays per game.  This results in defenses surrendering more total yards and give up more points.

No-huddle offenses enjoy advantages which are driven in part by opportunities created by the offense, and in part based on the added pressure a no-huddle offense places on opposing defenses.  Playing against a no-huddle offense creates anxiety and defenses are more likely to become confused or suffer from fatigue, increasing the likelihood of missed assignments or blown coverage.

One of the main reasons to sue the no-huddle offense is to reduce the defense's ability to call their own plays.  Defenses are accustomed to playing at a certain pace against teams that huddle.  The communication used by most defenses rely on the break in action while the offense is in its huddle.

Practicing against a no-huddle condition within a week's worth of practice time is challenging for most opponents.  The no-huddle is an extra component that defenses must prepare for which takes time.  Defenses will try to counter a no-huddle offense by simplifying their coverage and game plan, which plays right into the hands of a no-huddle offense.  No-huddle offenses tend to dictate the pace of the game which in turn dictates how an opposing defense can react.  Defensive substitutions are limited and defenses are less likely to blitz.