Gun Option Offensive Playbook

Advantages of being in the Gun

1. The defense must account for the quarterback as a runner.

2. Every play essentially becomes an option play. 3. The QB has easier pre and post snap reads. 4. The QB is working downhill on nearly every play, as opposed to uphill from under center. 5. In a two back pro look, the defense must defend three receivers and three backs. 6. In a one back, four wide look, the defense must account for two backs and four wide outs. 7. In an empty look, the defense must account for five wide outs and one back. 8. Quarterback already had depth for the pass game less steps for better setup and delivery. 9. The LBs are in no mans land versus a balanced attack. 10. The defense must defend from sideline to sideline.

Read the Backside 5 Technique

The main concept you will get from this manual is the concept of reading the backside 5 technique. The QB will read the backside 5 technique. This allows the backside tackle to work up to the second and third level. Under center, the quarterback is not able to read the backside 5 technique, he is working uphill. From the gun, the QB can read the backside 5 tech and use his rule. QBs Rule: Squeeze and Chase, pull and replace. If the 5 technique squeezes the tackles release and chases the back the quarterback is meshing with, the QB will pull the football and replace the 5 technique. This is a way of reminding the QB to get downhill. If the 5 tech does anything else, the QB gives the ball and carries out a downhill run fake to hold the pursuit. We drill this with our MESH DRILL. The QBs and running backs work together getting their mesh down, while the QB reads the 5 tech.. We vary how the 5 technique plays in each situation as we drill the mesh and read.
Mesh Drill

DE C QB RB

If the DE squeezes and chases, the QB will pull the ball and replace the DE. We want the QB to get downhill. If the DE sits at home, or goes upfield, the QB will give the ball and continue a downhill run fake.

The five technique will either be coached to contain the QB, or to chase the back. No matter what he does, he will be wrong. T he footwork for the QB and RB will be described on the next page. It is very important that the mesh is worked for at least 10 minutes on each play.

Reading the Backside 5 Technique

The main idea of this offense is being able to read the backside 5 technique. Any play in which the QB is told to read, he will be reading the backside 5 technique. This allows the backside tackle to work up the field to the second and even third level. Under center, it is nearly impossible to read the backside 5 technique, but from the gun it is relatively easy. QB Rule: Squeeze and chase; pull and replace If the 5 technique squeezes the tackles release and chases the back the quarterback is meshing with, the QB will pull the football and replace the 5 technique. This is a way of reminding the QB to get downhill. If the 5 technique does anything else, the QB gives the ball and carries out a downhill run fake to the pursuit. We will drill the QB and RB mesh in practice along with reading the backside 5 technique. We will vary how the 5 technique plays in each situation as we drill the mesh and read. The 5 technique will either be coached to contain the QB, or to chase the back. No matter what he does, he will be wrong. The footwork for the QB and RB will be described on the next page.

If the DE squeezes and chases (dotted line), the QB will pull the ball and replace the DE. We want the downhill. QB

If the DE sits at home or goes upfield (solid line), the QB will give the ball, and continue downhill with the fake.

Footwork for the QB and RB

The footwork for the quarterback and running back is very important to the running of this offense. We will drill it over and over so that it becomes easy. Actually, the footwork for the QB is simple. The QB will take a flat step with his outside foot. He will step about 12 inches with his foot closest to the back. His second step is a short step, which will be with his opposite foot. If his feet are right, you could draw an imaginary line between the front of each foot that would be about a 45 degree angle. When the QB takes his flat step, he must get his eyes to the read. While he does this, he must reach the ball deep. We want the ball extended at least six inches beyond the back leg. We do this to elongate the mesh. We want a longer mesh to allow the QB a good read. The footwork of the running back must be timed up to match the footwork of the QB. The back takes one step opposite the QB with his outside foot. He begins moving as soon as he sees the ball clear the center. The back will pivot his inside foot on that imaginary 45 degree line, and form a deep pocket for the mesh. The inside arm up, with the palm facing straight ahead. This helps to keep the elbow up. The bottom palm facing up, with the forearm tight to the body. He shows his numbers to keep his chest up for the QB. This increases both players sensitivity to the football. The back must time up his footwork so that the mesh with the QB is smooth.

Offensive Line Blocking

Zone Combo Two OL tracking the DT and LB. Jam step to get hip to hip. Second step is upfield and punch near number and put helmet at near ear. Get four eyes to backer. If backer fills to your side, you take the LB. The other lineman will overtake the down guy.

Base The OL will step with his playside foot on the first step and step through the crotch of the defender on the second step. A base block is designed to turn a player away from the play. The OL wants to get his butt rotated towards the ball while driving the defender out. Two Track Two This is a technique usually used between a TE and OT. The tackle releases inside while the TE releases outside. If the backer steps up, the tackle picks him up and the TE goes to the safety. IF the LB flows over top, the TE will seal him and the tackle will go to the safety. This is a way to get both the safety and backer.

Inside Zone On the inside zone, we will work combinations with the covered and uncovered lineman. The uncovered lineman step at 45 degrees and puts his indicator hand out. This is his hand closest to the down guy. He is looking for a slat from the DL. If he gets a slant, he takes over that block. If not, he climbs to the LB. The covered lineman steps at 45 degrees to the playside and gets to the playside number of the down lineman. If he gets a slant, he gets up to backer. If not, he steps through the crotch and drives upfield.

Formations
We will use a variety of formation to attack a defense. This gives us the ability to confuse the defense without changing anything that we are doing. We feel that the main formations we will use are the Ace and Cincy formations because we can run most of our offense out of these two formations. When you incorporate a variety of formations, with the occasional motion, it appears to the defense that we are constantly changing, when in reality we are just changing the appearance, but not what we are doing. A list of the formation we may use are below, and a picture of each are on the pages that follow.

Ace Cincy Double Over Bandit Right (base) Bunch Trey Trips Empty Slot Tight

Formations
Ace Cincy

Double

Over

Bandit

Right

Formations
Bunch Trips

Empty

Slot

Tight

Trey

Motions
We will utilize four motions in our offense. They each will be used for a specific purpose. Usually motions are used to give the defense one look and then change that look to hopefully catch the defense out of position. We will also use motion to identify coverage. By motioning a receiver, we will be better able to see what coverage the defense is giving us and we will be better prepared to attack it. We will use motion to put the receiver in a position to make a big block for us. And finally, we will use motion to get our players into a position that the defense is not prepared for. The list of motions we will use are as follows.

Zoom Zip Zap Zag

Motion Types
Zoom motion from one side of formation to other

Zip motion in to end man on LOS do not cross

Zap motion into backfield as running back

Zig motion in to end man on LOS and then return to original starting position

Run Offense
Our run game will be the basis of our offense. If we can run the ball effectively, we will also be able to pass the ball effectively. The majority of the offense will be run out of the shotgun. We will be able to execute a variety of run plays out of the shotgun that will keep the defense guessing. The run package includes zone, lead, trap, iso, counter, and option. We have also incorporated an undercenter package in case we want/need to pound the football a little. The base series are as follows.

10 Series QB Runs Series 20 Series Inside Zone Series 30 Series Outside Zone Series 40 Series Isolation Lead Series 50 Series Trap Series 60 Series Counter Series 70 Series Option Series

80 Series Draw Series 90 Series I-Formation Series

10 Series - QB Run Series

This series is designed to get the QB involved in the running game. It is useful if we have an athletic QB or notice that a defender is over playing the running backs. This series contains basically all of the same run plays we have for running backs and modified to treat the QB as a running back.

10 Draw 11/12 Trap 11/12 Zone 13/14 Lead 15/16 Counter 15/16 Iso 15/16 Counter Read 17/18 Zone 17/18 Sweep

Ace Right 10 Draw vs. 4-4

Ace Right 10 Draw vs. 5-2

Ace Right 12 Trap vs. 4-4

Ace Right 12 Trap vs. 5-2

Ace Right 12 Zone Read vs. 4-4

Ace Right 12 Zone Read vs. 5-2

Ace Right 13 Lead vs. 4-4

Ace Right 13 Lead vs. 5-2

Ace Right 15 Counter vs. 4-4

Ace Right 15 Counter vs. 5-2

Ace Right 15 Iso vs. 4-4

Ace Right 15 Iso vs. 5-2

Ace Right 16 Counter Read vs. 4-4

Ace Right 16 Counter Read vs. 5-2

Empty Right 17 Zone vs. 4-4

Empty Right 17 Zone vs. 5-2

Over Right 18 Sweep vs. 4-4

Over Right 18 Sweep vs. 5-2

20 Series Inside Zone Series

The Inside Zone Read is a great play to start installing the concepts of the gun offense. Our QB will be able to learn to read the backside 5 technique. Our offensive linemen will learn how to step playside, and work towards the playside jersey number of the defender. We use will use the term vertical with our linemen. We want to get our second step down and contact the defender being able to move them vertically. We want to push the line of scrimmage down field. We dont want penetration, but by working downhill, we can negate penetration.

22/23 Zone Read 22/23 Lead Read

22/23 Option Read 22/23 Scissors Read

Ace Right 22 Zone Read vs. 4-4

Ace Right 22 Zone Read vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 22 Lead Read vs. 4-4

Cincy Right 22 Lead Read vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 22 Option Read vs. 4-4

Right 22 Option Read vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 22 Scissors Read vs. 4-4

Right 22 Scissors Read vs. 5-2

30 Series Outside Zone Series

The Outside Zone play is necessary when running the inside zone play. Both plays have the same aiming points, which put linebackers is conflict. Both plays also give the offense the ability to cut back. The outside zone and inside zone will use very similar blocking schemes. The only real change is the aiming point goes from the playside number to the playside bicep of the defender.

37/38 Zone Read 37/38 Lead Read 37/38 Option Read 37/38 Scissors Read

Ace Right 38 Zone Read vs. 4-4

Ace Right 38 Zone Read vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 38 Lead Read vs. 4-4

Cincy Right 38 Lead Read vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 38 Option Read vs. 4-4

Cincy Right 38 Option Read vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 38 Scissors Read vs. 4-4

Cincy Right 38 Scissors Read vs. 5-2

40 Series Isolation Lead Series

The Isolation Lead series is a group of plays that will incorporate our two back system with some of our more successful plays. The only difference is that the plays will now be run from the shotgun. I think this series will also help with the transition to the shotgun offense, by allowing us to run plays that are familiar to us.

43/44 Lead Read 43/44 Power Read 45/46 Iso Read

Cincy Right 44 Lead Read vs. 4-4

Cincy Right 44 Lead Read vs. 4-4

Ace Right 44 Power Read vs. 4-4

Cincy Right 44 Power Read vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 46 Iso Read vs. 4-4

Cincy Right 46 Iso Read vs. 5-2

50 Series Trap Series

The trap read play works well against both even and odd fronts. It has been a successful play for us in the past and should be just as successful from the shotgun. There are several variations to the play with the line play being basically the same for each, just the back field action changes. This will be a big play for us.

51/52 Trap Read 51/52 Trap Option Read 51/52 Trap Scissors Read

51/52 Tackle Trap Read

Ace Right 52 Trap Read vs. 4-4

Ace Right 52 Trap Read vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 52 Trap Option Read vs. 4-4

Right 52 Trap Option Read vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 52 Trap Scissors Read vs. 4-4

Right 52 Trap Scissors Read vs. 5-2

Ace Right 52 Tackle Trap Read vs. 4-4

Ace Right 52 Tackle Trap Read vs. 5-2

60 Series Counter Series

The Counter Read series is a great play to run from both the one and two back set. We will be pulling the backside guard and tackle on this play. The DE is usually taught to get in the hip pocket of a pulling tackle, and if this is the case it will open up a variety of option for the QB. We will have the backside guard pulling and kicking out, and the backside tackle will lead through the hole.

65/66 Counter Read

65/66 Counter Lead Read 65/66 Counter Option Read 65/66 Counter Scissors Read

Ace Right 66 Counter Read vs. 4-4

Ace Right 66 Counter Read vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 66 Counter Lead Read vs. 4-4

Right 66 Counter Lead Read vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 66 Counter Option Read vs. 4-4

Right 66 Counter Option Read vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 66 Counter Scissors Read vs. 4-4

Right 66 Counter Scissors Read vs. 5-2

70 Series Option Series

Using the option based attack in this offense opens up a new set of problems for the defense. As you can see, most plays in this offense are option plays, in which the QB reads the backside 5 technique. This series is straight option plays designed to quickly attack the edge of the defense and put defenders in a position in which they must make a split second decision.

77/78 Speed Option

77/78 Load Option 77/78 Shovel Option 77/78 Shovel Option (F-Zap) 77/78 Zone Read Option

Ace Right 78 Speed Option vs. 4-4

Ace Right 78 Speed Option vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 78 Load Option vs. 4-4

Cincy Right 78 Load Option vs. 5-2

Cincy Right 78 Shovel Option vs. 4-4

Cincy Right 78 Shovel Option vs. 5-2

Ace Right F-Zap 78 Shovel Option vs. 4-4

Ace Right F-Zap 78 Shovel Option vs. 5-2

Trips Right 78 Zone Read Option vs. 4-4

Trips Right 78 Zone Read Option vs. 5-2

80 Series Draw Series

The draw series is a good series to have especially in a shotgun style offense. The shotgun offense puts the idea of pass in the defenses mind from the snap. The draw play allows you to exploit defensive players who are overly worried about the pass and forgetting about the run game.

80 Draw

Cincy Right 80 Draw vs. 4-4

Cincy Right 80 Draw vs. 5-2

90 Series I Formation
This series is necessary because sometime you just need to get a few inches or you want to pound the football at the defense. This is the base run offense we used last year and many of the plays are similar to the shotgun plays we have in the 40 series. This series would be used in short yardage or a change of pace.

91/92 Give 91/92 Trap

97/98 Pitch 93/94 Lead 93/94 Power 95/96 Counter 95/96 Iso

Right 92 Give vs. 4-4

Right 92 Give vs. 5-2

Right 92 Trap vs. 4-4

Right 92 Trap vs. 5-2

Right 98 Pitch vs. 4-4

Right 98 Pitch vs. 5-2

Right 94 Lead vs. 4-4

Right 94 Lead vs. 5-2

Right 94 Power vs. 4-4

Right 94 Power vs. 5-2

Right 95 Counter vs. 4-4

Right 95 Counter vs. 5-2

Right 96 Iso vs. 4-4

Right 96 Iso vs. 5-2

Pass Offense
Our pass offense will be very simple and will be used to compliment the run game. The better we run the ball the better we will be able to throw the ball. Playaction passing will be an integral part of our offense because of our strong running game. Our pass game will be at an advantage because we will be using the shotgun offense. This allows the quarterback an opportunity to better scan the defense prior to the snap. Also, once the ball is snapped the QB will already be 5 yard deep and better able to see the field and should not feel the rush as quickly. This allows for better reads and more accurate throws because

of the extra time. The passing game will include quicks, deeps, playaction, and screens. We have also included the different types of coverages that we will see during a game. It is important to understand coverages and to know where the open areas are in each. The passing game packages are as follows.

Quick Series (3 step) Deep Series (5 step) Playaction Series Screen Series Coverages

Passing Route Tree

9 Fade/Go 8 Post 7 Corner

6 Dig 5 Comeback 4 Curl 3 Deep Out

2 Slant 1 Out 0 Hitch

Quick Series
The quick series will be the foundation of our passing game. We want to get the ball out quickly and allow our players on the edge an

opportunity to make a play. We will take what the defense gives us and we will be willing to beat them 5 yards at a time. We have several quick packages that allows us to attack a variety coverages. The quick series is as follows.

Seattle Hawaii Ohio Florida Vegas

Ace Right Seattle

Ace Right Hawaii

Ace Right Ohio

Ace Right Florida

Ace Right X-Vegas

Deep Series

The deep series is important to our offense in that it allows us to pick up large chunks of yards at one time and always have the possibility of being a 10 second touchdown. Again, our deep series has a variety of packages that will allow us to attack a variety of defensive schemes. The packages in the deep series are as follows.

Cali Colorado Smash Virginia Switch Twist Seminole Omaha Shake

Ace Right Cali

Ace Right Colorado

Ace Right Smash

Ace Right Virginia

Ace Right Switch

Ace Right Twist

Ace Right Seminole

Ace Right Omaha

Ace Right Shake

Trey Right Virginia Y-Cross

Playaction Series

The playaction series may be the most important passing series that we utilize. We will run the football and teams will know that we will run the football. So, we need to be able to fake the run, draw the defense up, and then throw it over them. This has always been one of the most successful aspects of our offense and that will not change. After the quick series, this package will probably be the most important. And, we even think it may become the basis of our passing attack. The playaction series is as follows.

Pass Routes Red (drag, post, corner, comeback) White (post, drag, out, go) Blue (go, crack, drag, drag) Cali Playactions PA (drop after play fake) Boot (roll opposite the action) Cat (roll with the action)

Ace Right 11 Zone Boot Red

Ace Right 18 Sweep Cat Red

Ace Right 11 Zone Boot White

Ace Right 11 Zone Cat Blue

Ace Right 12 Zone PA Cali

Screen Series

The screen series has always been pretty successful for us and we thought it was important to add it to this offense. It is very useful against a blitzing or over aggressive defense as it catches them over running the play. We will run two basic screens, one to get the running back involved and the other to get the wide receiver involved. The screen series is as follows.

Swing Screen Slip Screen

Ace Right Swing Screen Left

Ace Right Slip Screen Left

Coverages

Prior to every play a QB should look over the defense and see what he faced with on that particular play. This is especially true when it come to the passing game. If the QB is able to recognize the defense and especially the coverage, he has a definite advantage. By recognizing the coverage, a QB is able to determine whether it is man to man or zone. He can determine if there is the possibility of blitz and where it will be coming from. And lastly, by identifying the coverage, a QB will know the open holes in the defense and where he has the best chance of completing his pass. The list below contains the various coverages that will be seen in a particular game.

Cover Zero Cover One Cover Two Man Cover Two Zone Cover Three Cover Four

Cover Zero

 Cover 0 No one Deep with Man Under. Usually bringing other 6 defenders

Cover 0 - Pick Routes, Slant and Wheel, Back out of Back Field

B S E T

B T E S F

Cover One

 Cover 1 1 Deep with Man Under. Drop, bring, or spy with extra defender

Cover 1 - Pick Routes, Slant and Wheel, Play Action

B S E T

B S T E

Cover Two Man

 Cover 2 2 Deep with Man or Zone Under. Weak zone if bring more than 4

Cover 2 Man - Draw, Screen, Shallow Crossing Routes

B S E T T E S

Cover Two Zone

 Cover 2 2 Deep with Man or Zone Under. Weak zone if bring more than 4 Cover 2 Zone - Post into 2 Deep void, 3 verticals, Uncovered Receivers with 7 man front

B S E T T E S

Cover Three

Cover 3 3 Deep with Zone Under. Weak zone if bring more than 4

Cover 3 - Curl/Flat, 4 verticals, Flood the underneath zones

C B S E T

C B S T E

Cover Four

Cover 4 4 Deep with Zone Under. Weak zone if bring more than 3

Cover 4 Attack Flats and Hook Zones, Screen, Draw

F C B S E T T E

F C