LUTHERAN COUGAR PISTOL OFFENSE

1. LUTHERAN COUGARPISTOL OFFENSE Doug Kuhlmann -- Head Football Coach Lutheran High School, St. Charles 5100 Mexico Road St. Peters, MO 63376 (314) 497-3014 DKuhlmann@lhssc.org Click anywhere to continue

2. CHAPTERSCLICK ON THE LINK TO VIEW CHAPTER Chapter 1 - LHS Philosophy Chapter 9 - Running Game Chapter 17 - Sprint Out Pass Chapter 2 - Basics of the Pistol Chapter 10 - Option Chapter 18 - Play Action Pass Chapter 3 - Pistol Terminology Chapter 11 - Jet Sweep Chapter 19 - Screen Package Chapter 4 - Play Series Chapter 12 - Spinner Series Chapter 20 - QB/RB Mesh Chapter 5 - Formations Chapter 13 - Passing Game Chapter 21 - No-Huddle Chapter 6 - Run Blocking Chapter 14 - Quick Passing 90’s Chapter 22 - Trick Plays Chapter 7 - Zone Blocking Chapter 15 - Special Passes Chapter 23 - QB Recognition Chapter 8 - Pass Blocking Chapter 16 - The Shallow Cross Chapter 24 - Conclusion To advance between slides in the presentation, click the space bar or use the keyboard arrows. The Home Button will return to this screen for selection of another chapter.

3. PART 1 - OFFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY

4. LHS OFFENSIVE SCHEME The LHS Offense is built on 3 Principles Moving the Chains • Control and dictate game tempo by sustaining first down after first down with consistent, relentless play. • Use a complete “toolbox” that allows us to capitalize on any defensive weakness and play “downhill” with high-percentage plays • Understand each situation and play smarter than our opponent. • Multiplicity • Attack with multiple personnel groups, formations, and movement. • Gain leverage, create good matchups and blocking angles. • Make full use of all skilled players, showcase what they do best! • Relentless Attack • Expect to score each time we take possession of the ball! • Dictate to the defense, make them uncomfortable! • Use all parts of the field, sideline to sideline, short and deep. Make use of a complete arsenal that includes Power, Misdirection, Perimeter runs, Screens, Play Action, and Tricks.

5. WHY DO WE “GUN THE RUN”? • By forcing the defense to cover the entire field, “ganging-up” on the ball carrier is reduced. • Line play is simplified by reducing the defensive front and limiting the number of blocking schemes. • Blocks are delivered confidently, due to a concrete understanding of assignment. • Runs are varied through different backfield actions. • QB has easier pre and post snap reads. • QB already has depth in the pass game -- We are a dink and dunk passing offense. • QB will be able to see blitzes quicker and throw hot. • We get our athletes the football in open space. • Basketball on grass, with fast break potential. • Defenses have to account for the QB running the ball. • Every time QB meshes with the RB, both will be moving downhill towards the LOS. • By delivering the ball quickly in the passing game, the receivers can make a man miss and use their athleticism to have good YAC.

6. LHS OFFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY • What it is that we are truly trying to achieve as an offense? • Attack the weakness of the defense (a specific player), not the defensive scheme itself • Type of offense are we going to be (offensive philosophy) • Attacking with the foot on the pedal (for for it on 4th down) • Run to pass • Quick passing game -- 1 and 3 step drop (quick pass: dink and dunk) & (pick one side of field pre-snap and attack) • Quarterback in pistol/gun with a 70/30 distribution in run/pass

7. WHAT MAKES THE LHS OFFENSE WORK? • Our players will be PHYSICAL on the line of scrimmage and while running/passing the ball • Our players will practice the offense year round • If the other team can’t consistently stop a play, we will keep running it • Our players will not be overcoached, we will allow them to be players and make plays • Our coaches are prepared to prepare our players

8. WHAT MAKES THE LHS PLAYERS LOVE THE PISTOL OFFENSE? • We are creative with formations in all aspects of the offense. • We use movement to change strength and create better blocking angles. • We force the defense to play option responsibility, respect the power game, and defend the pass on any given play. • We are multiple, so that allows our offense several avenues of success in the course of a ball game. • We distribute the ball to several players. • We are unpredictable!

9. MYTHS OF THE GUN OFFENSE • The Gun Is A Pass Only Offense. Similar to the Run-and-Shoot in the 80’s, people perceive the gun as pass first. • The Gun Is A Finesse Offense. You can run a power offense from the gun! • The Snap Is Too Easy To Fumble. Our center will be the constant in our offense. His perfect snap will allow our offense to work and mesh. • Your line must be in a 2 point stance in the Gun. You can operate from a 3 point stance. • You can’t block the box if you spread the field. We do not have to because of our misdirection and the potential ballcarriers.

10. GUN vs. UNDER CENTER F C R W M • Def Accounts For 4 WR and 1 Back • Defense Does Not Have To Defend The QB As A Runner • Defense Can Defend The Box With 6 vs. 6 S C E T T E F C R W M S • Defense Must Account For The QB AS The Second Back • Defense Must Account For Four Wideouts • If D Account For 4 Wides, They Are Left With 6 To Defend 7 In The Box C E T T E

11. GUN vs. UNDER CENTER F C R W M S • Def Accounts For 3 WR and 2 Backs • Defense Does Not Have To Defend The QB As A Runner • Defense Can Defend The Box With 8 Men C E T T E F • Defense Must Account For The QB AS The Third Back • Defense Must Account For Three Receivers • The Defense Must Defend Three Backs With Six or Seven Players • To Get 8 in the box, D must play man C R W M S C E T T E

12. THE CENTER: THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT The feet parallel -- left foot should be slightly ahead of the right to facilitate a first choppy step to be used on blocking assignments. Heels -- will be slightly off the ground. As you reached for the ball, weight will be transferred to the balls of the feet. Legs -- spread legs as far apart as is comfortable. Then, the center reaches for the ball, approximately one half of the ball will be under his head. This will vary according to the length of the snapper's arms. The Butt -- may be slightly higher than the shoulders and the back should be fairly straight. The tail should not be inordinately high. As the season progresses work to get the tail of your center lower, this will aid him in not having the high snap or bad pass. The Head -- the head may be dropped enough to see the target between his legs. Note: in high school, a center may never be hit around the head and should not be hit in any spot until one second following the snap of the ball . OUR SYSTEM • Q is Quarterback • A is Tailback (Primary ball carrier) • H is Fullback (#2 ball carrier, WR #4, TE #2) • Y is TE (Good blocker on LOS, possession) • X is Split End (Best WR) • Z is our Flanker (Jet Sweep ball carrier, quick routes, lots of motion)

13. PART 2 - ALIGNMENTS/BASICS

14. THE HUDDLE: “A brief, efficient business meeting” • How we conduct and break the huddle sets the tone for how we will play once the ball is snapped…it must be disciplined, focused, and unified! • The Center sets the location of the huddle, then calls the business meeting to order by giving the down and distance situation. • Sprint to it and out of it! Create TEMPO! • Once the quarterback enters the huddle, he assumes COMPLETE control of the business meeting. NO ONE else talks!

15. THE HUDDLE Our Sideline Line of Scrimmage LT LG C RG RT X Y Z H A Q The huddle is 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. The Center is responsible for “calling” the huddle. Once called, the huddle is silent. The quarterback is the only one who will talk in the huddle. As the play is being called in or ran in by the Quarterback, it is important for the quarterback to communicate the down and distance to the other players. The offensive lineman should have hands on knees with eyes and ears forward. The quarterback will call the play 2 times. After the second time, the huddle will “break”! If you do not understand or hear the play, call “check” and the play will be repeated. A player should not go to the line of scrimmage if he does not know the play. After “break”, offensive line will “sprint” to LOS and get set.

16. HUDDLE TO THE LINE: “The six second rule” • The most important six seconds of a football play happen BETWEEN the huddle and the line of scrimmage…how you prepare yourself during this time will determine the success of the play! • “The Six Second Rule” is a simple mental routine that each position has that allows them to do their thinking before the play so that they can be prepared, confident, and aggressive once the play begins, and be ready for anything that might happen! • The actual routine varies by position, but its basic elements are: • --WHAT IS MY JOB (or basic assignment) on this play? • --What, if anything, should I do with my ALIGNMENT to help me do this job? • --What is the DEFENSE’s basic alignment? • --Based on the defense I see, what will my FIRST 2-3 STEPS off the ball be? • --What ADJUSTMENTS might I have to make, based on the defense, to get my job done?

17. HOW WE CALL PLAYS • First Word = Formation and backfield (with any special adjustments) • Second Word = Motion • Third Word = 2 Digits • First Digit tells the series of the play • Second Digit tells the hole the play is going and the play itself • Fourth Word = tells you the play as well as the blocking rules and the direction the play is being run • EXAMPLE Pro Right Eye-- Zip -- 34 -- Zone Right Formation The ball is going to the 4 hole and is an Zone Tells you your blocking rules As well as the direction of the play Motion 2 Back run series

18. THE SNAP COUNT In order for us to keep the defense off balance we will use the following varying snap count. Black 85 -- Black 85 -- Set -- Go (first go) -- Go (second go) -- Go (third go) Different snap counts On first sound -- Get to the LOS and snap the ball on “Go” On Set -- Plays with no motion can be on set (following color #, color #) On one -- On the first go On two -- On the second go On three -- On the third go We have to be able to use different snap counts to not let the defense tee off on our snap counts. No snapcount needs to be used or should be used more than the others. This requires discipline from our team.

19. HOLES The second number in the two number running plays generally indicates the point of attack. We run all even numbers to the right and odd numbers to the left. 9 7 5 3 1 0 2 4 6 8 Holes 8 and 9 are wide running plays to the right and left respectively.

20. QUARTERBACK ALIGNMENT • QB aligns 3 yards from the center • Feet are slightly staggered with throwing foot slightly in front (by 4 inches) • Hands are comfortable, with fingers spread • Center will snap ball into hands of the QB • On snap, the QB executes the running play or he checks his read on the passing play

21. RUNNING BACK ALIGNMENT • RB lines Up 3 to 4 yards behind QB. Or, if we are in gun, he is behind the offensive guard • His eyes are straight ahead • He is balanced, with his hands on his hips • If his hands go to his knees, he goes to the bench • We have some flexibility to his alignment with tags on our plays (Rock, Eye, King, Queen etc. explained later in the playbook.)

22. WIDE RECEIVER ALIGNMENT • All wide receivers will line up with the inside foot up. • Hands should be up in a sprinters stance or at their sides; weight should be over the toes. • Knees should be slightly bent. • Eyes should be looking in at the ball to know when it is snapped.

23. OFFENSIVE LINE ALIGNMENT • The offensive line will line up in three point stances. (Unless we are in 3rd and 10+, then we go to 2 point stances.) • O-Line splits are 2.5-4 feet. • Follow our adage: Check your feet, Silverback, Stretch, Stance. • Avoid looking in at the ball. You must KNOW the snap count.

24. X Y LB LB LB LB E T T E THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE FS C C H Z Q A 1a. Offensive Linemen get in their stance and ready to get off the ball immediately! 1b. Quarterback gets to the line quickly, gets hands in ready position to force defense to adjust 2a. Center calls basic front structure (even, odd) and blocking scheme 2b. Receivers make coverage calls 3. Linemen make calls specific to the play being run 4. Quarterback begins cadence

25. ALIGNMENT

26. ALIGNMENT

27. ALIGNMENT

28. DAILY PRACTICE OL: Tracks on Board Step and Punch(Outside DLTech)-vary width 2 Man Combos 3 Man Combos RB: Climb Levels Reads on Zone/Veer Sideline YAC Gauntlet FB/TB Force Drills QB: Hand-off Mesh Drill (Zone, Veer, Belly) WR: Stalk Block Crack Block Blocking Force WE MUST GET BETTER AT THE FUNDAMENTALS EVERY DAY! RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

29. SPECIAL SITUATIONS • Kill - Hurry up to the LOS and get to the ball, get set, and spike ball to stop clock. Cadence is “Set…Go.” QB will act like he is spiking the ball as he is running up to the LOS. • Victory - Get to the line and take a snap and take a knee to run out the clock. • Ice - Line up in Pro Right and try to draw the defense offsides. We will call timeout from the sideline as the play clock goes down.

30. TEMPO SETTERS • Stampede - Every week, we will have a series of three plays which we will use in order. We will not huddle up and the formations will be the same. We want to get those plays off as fast as possible. • Money - Every week, we will have our BEST play for the opponents defense. When we call “Money,” everyone will know where to line up and what play we will run. • Petey - Run the same play…same formation. Snap count will always be on go!

31. BASIC AUDIBLES • Nestle (Quick) - Quick route if DB is 8 yards off the outside receiver or 6 yards off inside receiver and we have a running play called. O-Line will cut. • Hawaii - Hitch route if DB is 10 yards off the outside receiver or 6 yards off inside receiver. • Zone - We will run 34/35 zone to the right side. • Wyoming - Bubble Screen if we get a 2 x 1 or a 3 x 2 on our outside edge. O-Line will zone block. • Noah - QB sneak (wedge call by offensive line).

32. PART 3 - TERMINOLOGY

33. DEFINITIONS OF BASE PLAYS BEFORE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND OUR PLAYBOOK, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND “FOOTBALL” MEANING, YOU NEED TO SEE WHY WE RUN THE PLAYS THAT WE RUN AND HOW WE RUN THEM. FOLLOWING ARE DEFINITIONS OF THE PLAYS THAT WE LIKE TO RUN.

34. TERMINOLOGY I Belly - Quarterback comes downhill and hands ball off to the fullback (H). Guard trap blocks out. We can also run a Belly Keep (quarterback keeps ball) or an option off of the fake to the H-back. Counter - A running play designed to get the defense going in one direction while the running back goes back against the intended pursuit of the defense. We generally fake to the H-Back and come back with a handoff to the A-Back. The guard on the backside pulls across and opens up the hole. Dart - Running back fakes as if he is running across the formation on the mesh with the QB. Then, he reverses his field and runs to the side he was initially line up on. Offensive line blocking is like the toss (kick out block). Zone - H-Back makes a lead block on the inside linebacker (isolation block 1 on 1) and the quarterback gives ball to the Tailback (A) through the hole. This is our base play. Zone blocking by the offensive line.

35. TERMINOLOGY II Jet - A play when one of the wide receivers or slotback comes in motion as fast as he can towards the quarterback. On the snap, the QB meshes with the motion man and either gives him the ball or runs a counter play. This is our 50 series. Option - A play when the quarterback has the choice of giving to the first man or running the ball himself with a second running back. This is our 40 series. Power - Quarterback meshes with the A or H going across the formation. We will pull the backside guard and block down with the playside line. Play-Action Pass - A passing play after the quarterback has faked a hand-off. Sprint Out - When a quarterback runs parallel to the line, looking for a receiver.

36. TERMINOLOGY III Stretch - Quarterback takes snap and hands ball to back going wide (outside tackle) to the running back. Handoff should be made behind the QB. The play is designed to hit real wide. Toss - Quarterback opens and tosses the ball back to the running back who cuts upfield inside the tackle. Play looks like the pitch, but should hit more inside. Veer - Quarterback meshes playside with the playside running back. Backside back comes behind as the pitch back. Waggle - The quarterback fakes a handoff one way and then rolls out the other way. This is used to fake out the defense. Wedge - Back takes ball and lowers his head and runs straight ahead. Generally a short yardage play designed to get a yard or two. Wedge blocking by the offensive line.

37. PART 4 - PLAY SERIES

38. PLAY SERIES • 00 - Spinner Series • 10 - QB Runs • 20 - RB Runs • 30 - RB Runs • 40 - Option Series • 50 - Jet Sweep • 60 - Play Action Passes • 70 - Screen Passes • 80 - Sprint Out Passing Plays • 90 - Passing Plays (1, 3, and 5 step)

39. 40’s -- Option Series 40/41 - Triple Option 42/43 - Load Option 44/45 - Veer Option 46/47 - Shovel Option 48/49 - Speed Option 50’s -- Jet Sweep Series 50/51 - Jet Wedge 52/53 - Jet Stretch 54/55 - Jet Zone 56/57 - Jet Rocket 58/59 - Jet Sweep 60’s -- Play Action Series 60/61 - Wedge Pass 62/63 - Veer Pass 64/65 - Waggle 66/67 - Bootleg 68/69 - Jet 70’s -- Screen Series 70/71 - Flair Screen 72/73 - Slip Screen 74/75 - Middle Screen 76/77 - Funnel Screen 78/79 - Bubble Screen 80’s -- Sprint Out Passing Series 80/81 82/82 - 84/85 - 86/87 - 88/89 - 90’s -- Quick Passing Series 90 - Read 91 - hitch 92 - Slant -- Slant and Out 93 - Sling -- Slant and Swing 94 - Short -- Slant and Slip 95 - Cross -- Post and Drag 96 - Smash -- Hitch and Flag 97 - Delta -- Drag and Dig 98 - Flat -- Fade and Out 99 - Go 00’s -- Spinner Series 00/01 - Spinner wedge 04/05 - Spinner Zone 08/09 - Spinner Stretch 10’s -- QB Series 10/11 - QB Wedge 12/13 - QB Trap 14/15 - QB Power 16/17 - QB Counter 18/19 - QB Stretch 20’s -- RB Run Series 20/21 - Wedge 22/23 - Trap 24/25 - Power 26/27 - Counter 28/29 - Outside Zone 30’s -- RB Run Series 30/31 - Midline 32/33 - Dart 34/35 - Zone 36/37 - belly 38/39 - Pitch

40. PART 5 - FORMATIONS

41. VARYING FORMATIONS • We want to dictate how the defense lines up • We want to cause confusion • Create mismatches • Work to get great run looks • Be able to put any player any where • Verbiage is simple to learn and follow for our offense and our defense • Disguise our best plays/players by using shifts and motions • Once we find a good run look, we will stay with it until the defense stops it

42. OUR SYSTEM • Q is Quarterback • A is Tailback (Primary ball carrier) • H is Fullback (#2 ball carrier, WR #4, TE #2) • Y is TE (Good blocker on LOS, possession) • X is Split End (Best WR) • Z is our Flanker (Jet Sweep ball carrier, quick routes, lots of motion)

43. OUR RULES • Y and Z always go to the call side of the formation, unless there is a TE, then the Y goes to TE and the X and Z stay go to twins look. • When we are in 2 back sets, Queen tells H to go to away from the Y and King tells him to line up on the same side as the Y. • When we are in 1 back sets, Eye tells the A back to be behind the QB. Rock tells the A back to align to the QB’s side.

44. X Y Z H Q Pro Right Queen A X Y Z Q H A Pro Right King

45. X Y Z H Q Deuce Right Queen A Y X Z Q H A Deuce Right King

46. X Y Z Q H Tight Right King A X Y Z H Q A Slot Right Queen

47. Y X Z Q H A Twins Right Queen X Y Z Q H A Nasty Right king

48. X Y Z Q H A Wing Right King Y X Z H Q A Trio Right Queen

49. H Y X Z Q A Ace Right Eye X Y Z H Q A Spread Right Eye

50. X Y H Z Q A Cougar Right Rock X Y H Z Q A Trey Right Eye