Packaging Plays: Draw + Y-Stick

Offensive football continues to evolve every year. Since I started coaching over a decade ago, the way plays are called has changed dramatically.

First, coaches called the play to a huddle that was locked in, no exceptions. Then, a "check with me" system was implemented where the QB would turn to the sideline to get a new play call. Next, plays were called so quickly that it didn't really matter what the play call was, speed was the main factor.

Today, the play call often doesn't occur until AFTER the ball is snapped. This is done through combining two-three plays into one, giving the QB an option on what play to run based on what happens with the defense POST-SNAP. Often the coach doesn't even know where the ball is going to go, putting the decision-making process into the hand and mind of the Quarterback to make a snap-second decision.

Teams have been doing this for years in the run game, particularly with option football. The new wrinkle is that option football has now moved to the passing game.

I've written about our double-screen concept that has been very good for us the last couple of years.

Chris Brown from Smartfootball.com has also written about this concept in greater depth.

This year, we combined one of our best passing concepts, Y-Stick, with a running back draw play. We averaged almost 9 yards a play on this concept, mostly because the defense really can't be right.

This is how we block the scheme vs. a 3-2 Front. Basically, we are reading the playside inside linebacker. If he sits, we throw the Stick. If he widens, we handoff on the draw. The  QB just stares down the linebacker and reads his drop. It is very simple.

We have had so much success throwing the Stick, we almost should have handed off every single time. 

Here are some cut-ups powered by Hudl:

Check out some other great cut-ups utilizing the QB draw, something we may toy with next year.

What other plays are you combining together to take advantage of what the defense does post-snap?