Elevating your football game starts from the trenches, where a potent run game lays the groundwork. However, complementing this foundation are ingenious play action pass strategies, enabling quarterbacks to deceive defenses and create opportunities downfield.
Ferris State boasts one of the most innovative and electrifying offenses in contemporary college football. Their prowess played a pivotal role in clinching the National Championship in Division 2 this past season. Leading the charge is Coach Sam Parker, the mastermind behind Ferris State’s offensive line and run game coordination. Delving deep into their distinctive spread offensive scheme, Coach Parker shares invaluable insights in a comprehensive 6-part presentation.
Ferris State Playbook – Decoding Play Action Pass Protection
Unraveling the intricacies of Ferris State’s play action pass game, this segment dissects their approach to protection. Learn how they seamlessly integrate pass protection with their base run plays, fostering a dynamic pass game. Dive into specific examples from their triumphant 2021 championship campaign to glean actionable strategies.
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Unveiling Ferris State’s Full-Slide Pass Protection Strategy
In the Ferris State offensive playbook, the utilization of a full-slide pass protection scheme mirrors the approach taken in their inside zone blocking tactics.
The fundamental philosophy is straightforward: Each of the five linemen is assigned a specific gap responsibility, while the two players in the backfield are tasked with addressing any late threats emanating from the callside tackle’s positioning. In this instance, the callside tackle, typically the right tackle, serves as the linchpin of the scheme.
At Ferris State, the coaching philosophy extends seamlessly from their zone blocking schemes to their pass protection strategies, ensuring simplicity for the linemen.
In their teaching of the inside zone scheme, Ferris State employs the mnemonic “Look-Lean-Climb” to emphasize vertical movement of the line of scrimmage, aiming to displace the defense.
Transitioning to pass protection, the focus shifts to “Look-Plant-Kill.” Linemen execute two sets into their assigned gaps, ready to either “attack” an oncoming threat or “plant” and deliver a decisive block in the absence of immediate pressure.
Understanding the dynamics of the pocket in a full-slide protection scheme is paramount, particularly for the callside guard and tackle. Emphasizing mobility, coaches instruct them to clear paths for the quarterback, even if it means chasing defenders to the sideline rather than impeding passing lanes.
Ferris State Offensive Strategy – Half-Slide Pass Defense
Referred to as the “half-slide” by many coaches, the defensive tactic known as “Man Slide Pass Protection” is widely utilized across various football tiers. This approach proves especially valuable in formations lacking a fixed tight end presence or when the tight end is directed to engage in pass routes.
The primary distinction between this defensive strategy and the full-slide method lies in the assignments of the right guard and tackle. In this approach, they remain fixed on the defender directly opposite them, mirroring their movements. Meanwhile, the running back adjusts accordingly. These linemen aim to “set for depth,” creating room to counter any potential stunts or loops initiated by opposing players. However, they are instructed to maintain square positioning aligned with the rest of the line.
Similarly, the running back adapts his role, with a slight variation from the full slide technique. His focus shifts to identifying the first threat over the center and scanning from inside to out on the protection side to detect any blitzers.
Although this method still incorporates a sliding protection scheme, it applies exclusively to one side of the offensive line. Nevertheless, the linemen adhere to the same principles, prioritizing gap responsibility and executing the “Look-Plant-Kill” directives previously outlined.
The sequence of implementation holds significance. This protection strategy is introduced subsequent to the inside zone and full slide methods. By this stage, three of the five linemen are accustomed to similar responsibilities, streamlining comprehension of their tasks.
Play Action Pass Concepts – Unbalanced Quads
In a snow-covered field game, discerning the defensive lineup became challenging due to obscured markings. However, this play exemplifies Ferris State’s strategic utilization of the jet package to enhance their vertical passing game.
The motion triggers a significant reaction from the defensive secondary, prompting the strong safety to swiftly descend, aiming to neutralize the potential jet sweep threat. Meanwhile, the backside corner refrains from pursuing the motion player across the field.
Navigating this play presents a significant challenge for the defense as Ferris State adopts a clear empty set formation, prompting the defense to execute their predetermined empty check. However, moments before the snap, they realize it’s an unbalanced formation, forcing them to quickly adjust their defensive strategy amidst the motion threat. This demands extensive thinking and communication under tough conditions.
Furthermore, adding the vertical pass threat complicates the defense’s task, making it almost unfair to expect comprehensive coverage.
Originally conceived after a prior encounter with the same team, where Ferris State executed a simple jet sweep, this time, they opt for a vertical shot. Unlike a standard progression, the quarterback executes a one-man read, targeting one of their top players at the #4 receiver position on the quads side, who finds ample space.
Coach Parker’s strategy relies on the defense being equally concerned about a potential quarterback run away from the jet, leveraging the harsh winter conditions to obscure their intent to throw downfield.
Examining the pass protection, the quarterback opts to slide the protection to his blind side (the boundary). With no immediate threat to his gap, the right guard turns back to engage the A-gap defender, while the left guard and tackle adapt their sets based on the defensive alignment, ensuring solid leverage and stability.
Post-Wheel Play Action
In a pivotal moment during Ferris State’s clash with Grand Valley in 2021, this play unfolds as a dynamic dropback pass, strategically crafted for impactful shot plays. Although initiated with a play fake, the true excitement ensues when the quarterback, pressured and forced out of the pocket, locates the #2 receiver skillfully navigating his scramble rules. Seizing the opportunity, the receiver secures a critical catch and embarks on an electrifying touchdown run.
This strategic move unfolded early in the third quarter, as Ferris State sought to capitalize on their own tendencies and engineer a game-changing explosive play.
The primary receiver executes what Ferris State terms a ‘climb’ route, designed to draw coverage away from his side of the field. Meanwhile, the #2 receiver runs a curl route, not only aiming to get open late but also to create a pick on any defender shadowing #3. The #3 receiver, on a wheel route, was the intended target of this play. However, due to a breakdown in pass protection, the quarterback is forced to think on his feet.
At Ferris State, quarterbacks are trained to improvise, roll out in the opposite direction, reset their stance, and deliver accurate throws downfield. Thanks to the quarterback’s improvisational skills, what could have been a potential disaster transforms into a game-changing scoring opportunity.
In the heat of the moment, coaches understand that not every scenario can be explicitly coached. Sometimes, it’s the players’ ability to adapt and make split-second decisions that determine the outcome, as evidenced by this play.
Play Action Double Post from a Condensed Formation
In their opening move of the game, Ferris State aims to seize an early advantage. Employing the double post strategy, a familiar tactic in football, they opt for a condensed formation, setting the stage for a dynamic offensive play.
This approach reflects Ferris State’s penchant for strategic innovation. By compacting their formation, they effectively limit the defensive options available to their opponents, increasing the unpredictability of their offensive maneuvers. This includes their tendency to utilize boundary formations, further complicating defensive responses.
This specific play serves as a complement to their power read package, leveraging motion to enhance the deception. As the receiver shifts, two players in the backfield move in tandem, reinforcing the illusion of the run fake.
Facing an unconventional defensive alignment dubbed the “TNT” front by Coach Parker, Ferris State adapts their protection strategy accordingly. They shift protection towards the perceived primary threat, allocating responsibilities based on the play’s design.
Embedded within Ferris State’s ethos of camaraderie and fearlessness, the quarterback must make split-second decisions. Upon receiving the snap, he executes the fake before assessing the downfield options. In this instance, despite facing pressure, he delivers a well-timed pass, enabling the receiver to secure a touchdown on the opening offensive play of the game.
Play Action Boundary Fade with a Zone Read Look
This final play represents one of the most straightforward and effective shot plays in their arsenal.
As the receiver shifts in motion from the 2×2 formation, it telegraphs to the defense the impending zone read. This sequence epitomizes a fundamental and highly relied upon aspect of Ferris State’s offensive strategy.
As the player in motion crosses the center, the quarterback executes a “mesh” with the back, drawing the attention of all seven defenders in the box with a convincing play fake. This action creates uncertainty for the defense, forcing them to anticipate either the jet sweep or another common tactic utilized by the Bulldogs, such as using the motion man to trap or kick out the edge defender.
Once the quarterback disengages from the mesh, he quickly delivers a boundary fade pass, resulting in a significant gain down the field.
While many coaches may become preoccupied with identifying the defense’s coverage, Ferris State remains focused on compelling the defense to commit to one of their primary run concepts. This strategic approach aims to create opportunities for successful passes downfield.
Want More?
CLICK HERE to view additional clips from Coach Parker’s comprehensive 6-part presentation, delving into the intricacies of the Ferris State Offense.
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