The "Quick" passing game: an integral offensive package at the high school level / Part 3.

Although the "Quick" Game constitutes only 20% of the complete passing game described in Parts I and II, it has been much more impacting and productive offensively.

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Over the past 17 seasons, this 20% has accounted for 30-35% of our total number of plays per game and per season, total offensive yardage per season and total number of touchdowns, two-point conversions (P.A.T.'s), and points scored per season.

These statistics substantiate why time should be allocated to the inclusion of the "Quick" Game package in every offensive system.

With full implementation, this "Quick" Game package consists of 17 base plays, eight of which are single receiver, isolation-type routes, and only nine that involve multiple receivers. Categorizing these plays by the number of receivers involved:

* Twelve single-receiver routes (Iso's)

* Six, two-receiver routes (Duo's)

* Three three-receiver routes (Trio's)

* One four or five-receiver routes (Full)

Logistically, the complete "Quick" Game package is multi-formational, multi-backfield, multi-initiation mode, and multi-motion driven. The following two "stationary" formations, with the same backfield alignment and mode of initiation (Shotgun), have been our most productive and versatile combination.

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The formation in Diags. 1 and 2, referred to as "Spread Right Ace" and "Spread Right Ace Invert" in our terminology system, is a 2 X 2 formation with one tight end, three wide receivers, one running back, and the quarter-back in the shotgun position.

Note: The FL and SE are 10-12 yds. from the TE and OT respectively. The WB "splits" the difference between the OT and SE.

Note: This variation (Diag. 2) "inverts" the positioning of the WB and SE--placing the WB on the LOS and the SE off the LOS.

In calling "Quick" Game plays in the huddle, our sequence can best be described as generic. The general "play call" sequence is as follows:

1. Formation.

2. Backfield Set.

3. Mode of Initiation.

4. Direction or Strength (R or L; if necessary).

5. Motion (if required).

6. Play (by name).

7. Protection Scheme.

8. Snap Count.

We fully understand that this "play-calling" method requires excessive verbiage, but we have been unable to find an alternative system that will meet our specific "play-calling" needs and objectives.

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Because these eight factors must be communicated to insure a successful play, and because the rules allow only 30 seconds between plays, each play in the "Quick" Game menu can be "called" only once in the huddle.

This "one-time" play call element forces players in the huddle to listen vs. hear. An additional coaching point, whose importance cannot be understated, is that basic "listening skills" must constantly be taught at meetings and practices.

Using our most productive "Quick" Game pass play (four verticals) the huddle play call would be: "Spread Right, GunWeak," "Virginia," "Bob on Go."

The way plays are named in our "Quick" Game, as opposed to "called," is personalized, non-generic, and can be considered somewhat unorthodox in a traditional sense. We do not use the conventional numerical "Passing Tree" method of designating specific routes in a pattern.

Because our total passing game has more than nine "individual" routes, our "naming" system cannot use this method. Instead, we have created a unique "naming system" to identify each play in the "Quick" Game. For us, play "names," consisting of words that have team- or route-related history or significance have worked.

This naming strategy has made each play meaningful and easier for our players to learn, understand, and execute.

Table I lists our best "Quick" Game plays in this format, identifying each by Type--i.e., Iso (12 plays), Duo (6), Trio (3), or Full (1)--describing the specific route(s) involved in its execution, and featuring major coaching points important to the success of the play.

"QUICK" GAME MASKS:

Diags. 3-5 show the three most productive "Quick" Game routes from the Table above. Each is diagrammed from its most productive and effective formation, backfield set, and mode of initiation.

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Football, as currently played at the high school level, requires an offensive sophistication that was confined to the intercollegiate level less than five years ago. Three glaring examples are the reemergence of Shotgun offenses, clones or versions of the so-called "West Coast" offense, and a switch to some form of option football.

Both the "Shotgun" and the "West Coast" offenses already feature some basic "Quick" Game concepts, and, it is an easy complement or "fit" to the "Option" series.

As high school defenses become similarly sophisticated and advanced, it is logical to explore these basic "Quick" Game principles and concepts as an offensive strategy to neutralize and attack the designated "run-stop" defenses. The advantages, options, flexibility, ease of implementation, and offensive productivity inherent are overwhelming, and well worth the investment, commitment, and expenditure of time.

The "Quick" Game has been our talent "equalizer," and an invaluable addition to our offensive repertoire.

This package can be made to "fit" into any offensive system, and my hope is that the three articles in this series have made the concept, play menu, logistics, and implementation easy to understand and use.

TABLE 1. "QUICK" GAME MENU

Play Call Type/Description/Coaching Point(s):

ISO   Lightning Iso; 6-7 yd. Stop or Hitch; "return" to QB.
      Skinny Iso; 3-Step, or 6-7 yd. "seam" slant.
      Indiana Iso; "Quick" In; lateral step in.
      Sting Iso; 6-Step "speed cut" out; the 6th step is a cross-over
      step (aka "Jerry Rice").
      Fade Iso; vs. Pressed CB's w/Head-Up, Inside, or Outside
      alignments; three releases.
      Dancer Iso; Fade + Hitch/Stop @ 6-7 yds.; "Hitch up" Inside or
      Outside depending on the position of the DB.
      Crunch Iso; 5 yd., 90 degree square out; "Stick" the inside foot;
      "Snap" the head quickly.
      Fly Iso; "Take-Off;" get vertical w/speed; create sideline
      "space."
      Post Iso; executed @ 8 yds.; "Step-and-Nod" the corner; Aiming
      Point: near goal post.
      Corner Iso; executed @ 10 yds.; "Step-and-Nod" the Post; 10 to 35
      yds. "Aiming Point."
      Arrow Iso; diagonal w/ 6 yd. X I yd. "Aiming Point."
      Swirl Iso; "Indiana" w/ "Arrow" back out; "Settle" option.
DUO   Iowa Duo; Skinny + Arrow.
      Dragon Duo; Skinny + Skinny (Double Skinny).
      Cobra Duo; Lightning + "SEAM" between CB-S.
      Lunch Duo; Crunch + Lightning.
      Hawaii Iso/Duo/Trio/Full; All Lightnings.
      Slide Duo; Fly + Sting.
TRIO  Scat Trio; Swirl + Corner + Arrow.
      Miami Trio; Indiana + Hook + Arrow.
FULL  Virginia Full; 4,5 Fly's (4, 5 "Verticals").

Note: Routes are sequenced from the Outside in; ie. 1--in "Masking,"
disguising, or camouflaging our Iso, Duo, Trio, and Full pattern routes
is also a concept priority in the "Quick" Game. Diag. 3 outlines the
seven subtle methods we use to accomplish this.

BY RON GUAGENTI

Offensive Coordinator

Marian Catholic H.S.

Chicago Heights, IL