RANGER FREEZE: QUICK PASS PATTERNS - #1

RANGER FREEZE: QUICK PASS PATTERNS - #1

QUICK PASS #1: This pattern is perhaps the second most run pattern out of the Quick Pass Series probably because we see so many two deep secondaries because of the run support that they are trying to generate.

First, I want to talk about receiver stance. Every play begins with a stance. You can read about stances for every position in the online playbook at www.jvm.com/coachfree. You can also view cut ups for these plays at www.maxcast.com/EQualizer. For our split receivers, we want their inside foot up, two point stance. The main coaching point here is that the receiver ‘break’ the knee of that up foot and squat over that knee. This helps with his start and also helps keep him onside. How many times have you seen those wide receivers roll forward and be offside for no real reason? Breaking that knee helps with that.

At the snap, the receiver is to run a three step pattern at the outside shoulder of the defender on top of him with the idea of getting that defender’s hips to turn. On the third step, R’er plants and breaks to the inside getting his head around to see the QB running a pattern at a 45 degree angle or so to the post. The ball will be in the air on step five or six and we need to see the ball and get our hands in the proper position to receive the ball. Ideally we want to catch the ball and then break upfield to the goal line. Split the defenders and race them to the goal line.

Running the pattern properly will place the defender on the back of the receiver. We believe that if the defender is on the back of the receiver, he is open and we can deliver the ball, complete the pass, make the first down and keep the drive alive. And as you can see in the videos, even more on occasion.

As with all quick pass patterns, we run the same pattern to both sides of the formation. While the split receiver runs his three step skinny post, the inside #2 receiver to his side runs an immediate out. By that I mean, from his receiver stance, he takes one step with his back leg toward the sideline and “runs around” it with his left leg, get his head around ASAP – the ball might be coming immediately.

The idea is that this inside route will influence the flat defender to cover him immediately and that clears the throwing lane to the wider split receiver. It is important that the inside receiver execute an immediate, quick out. He does not run upfield for three steps and then break out. There is not enough time for him to do that and the flat would not be cleared in time.

AS with all passes, it is the job of the receiver to make the QB look good and catch everything thrown his way. If it is in arm’s reach, it should be caught, right? Then get as many of those yards after the catch as possible.

If as the QB reads the play and the receiver routes and sees that the flat defender is hanging there in the flat, it is easy for him to come off that 1 route and hit the out. That receiver catches the ball, puts it on the sideline and turns up to run on the outside and make another first down.

Quick Pass One is as easy a pass to execute as we have. It is the first pass we introduce in pre-season drills. In fact, this would be our 3rd practice of the day during the pre-season. We would conduct our regular 2-A-Day practices as usual, but we would come back after supper for a 3rd practice where we would install the passing game for the receivers. The line would go to the weightroom for 45 minutes while the backs worked on passing game. After 45, the backs and receivers would go to the weightroom, and the linemen would come out to work on pass protection and footwork.

So . . . for the Quick Pass Offensive drill, we would establish 4 lines of receivers across the field, outside and inside receiver line to both sides of the field. We would then have 4 QBs near where the ball would be snapped. On command, all receivers run the called route: 1-2-3-4 and the QBs throw the ball to the R’ers on time. We are able to get lots of reps in this fashion.