Passing Game Concepts
What is a concept?
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
In football language a concept is running the
same play as many different ways as you
can think of.
For Example: How many ways can we run
Curl Flat?
Why do we teach concepts?
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1. It allows us to
maximize reps in
practice
2.It is simple for our
players but causes
problems for defenses
3. It allows skill players
to improve quickly
4. Simplifies the game
for the QB.

5. Protections are
consistent.
How do we teach our concepts?
1.
2.
3.
Movement Key ( based on coverage)
Dual Concept ( 1 or 2 high beater)
Single concept (not based on coverage)
Single Concept
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We apply this sequence
to each concept.
Every play has the
following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Gift ( pre snap)
Protect (pre snap)
Action (1)
Reaction (2)
Check Down (3)
Concepts
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1. 3 step or 90
2. Spacing/ Snag/ Bucs
3. curl/flat
4. smash
5. 4 verticals
6. shallow/cross
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7. boots/nakeds
8. Play-Action,Sprintout: Flood, Snag,mesh.
How do we teach it
1. Throwing the football takes
twice as much time to
become proficient at it. You
must be patient and stay the
course.
2. Throwing the football is
about spacing and timing.
Phases
1. Individual routes
2. Routes on Air/ Passing
station
3. Skelly
4. Team
5. After a summer of throwing
thousands of reps in 7 on 7
we do much more team
pass when we start practice.
It is different when you have
a rush.

3 Step-90/ 91/ 92 / Snag/ Bucs
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Important coaching points:
1. We never throw the 3 step
game enough!
2. We make it part of our run
game
3. If you are under center
use a scout team center to
snap to QB during
individual. It forces Qb to get
ball set. It helps with the
timing
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4. When we are in gun we
tell Qb catch-cock and
throw.
5. When never throw the 3
step enough!
Spacing
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What is spacing?
In a nut shell it is a shorter
curl flat
Z runs a mini-curl- 5 yards
and stem the post to 7.
TE runs a corner
FB runs an arrow no deeper
than 1 yard. (important)
X runs a quick out
QB progression
1. Pre-snap-If the quick out
(Gift) is open take it every
time.
2. If not you will work strong
side.
3. The thought process is minicurl arrow
4. We only throw the corner
when we tell him to look at it.
You are kidding yourself if
you think he can go
corner,mini curl, arrow.
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Coaching points
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1. You cannot go from
the quick out to the
mini-curl. It must be a
pre-snap read.
2. QB must take a Big
three drop. 1-2-3-Hitch
if throwing string side.
3. Z must body up in
front of corner. Show
numbers to QB.
FS
C
W
T
C
SS
C
S
M
N
SS
T
E
FS
C
W
T
S
M
N
T
E
X
Z
FB
Spacing star
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
Spacing Star
Everything remains the
same except sit rout is
coming from the
opposite side.
FS
SS
C
C
M
W
T
N
T
X
TB
S
E
Y
Z
QB
FB
Snag
1.
2.
3.
Great because you
can run it against any
coverage
Inside receivers run a
win route. Must chase
the inside arm pit of
the defender.
X and Z run snag
routes.
FS
SS
C
C
M
W
T
N
X
T
S
E
Y
QB
FB
TB
Z
Coaching Points
1.
2.
The win route is the
most important part of
play. Inside receiver
must take off inside
arm pit.
Vs. press man
coverage X and Z
make corner turn his
hips ( 5 to 7 yards).
“make it happen”
Curl /Flat
1.
2.
We are trying to create
a triangle when
running this. We want
a curl, a arrow or
pirouette, and a check
down or sit.
We run our curl 14
yards. At 12 yards we
stem the post to 14
yards.
Coaching points:
1.
2.
3.
4.
You can run an arrow
or pirouette
Pirouette really gives
the curl defender
trouble. They can’t
stand it!
QB progression is
Curl (Action)-Flat
(Reaction)-Check
down or Sit
Spacing is essential!
14 yards
C
FS
W
E
M
S
T
N
X
C12
SS
E
Y
Z
FB
TB
14 yards
C
FS
W
E
M
N
S
T
SS
E
Y
X
TB
FB
C
Z
Curl- Flat- Switch
1.
2.
3.
Vs Cover 4 we like to
switch up Y and FB.
Why? Safety in cover
4 is reading #2. If 2
goes flat safety jumps
curl.
Switch up Y and FB. It
opens the curl window
C
14 yards
SS
FS
W
E
M
N
C12
S
E
Y
T
X
Z
TB
FB
Variations of Curl- Flat
14 yards
C
SS
FS
W
E
M
N
C12
W
E
T
E
Z
14 yards
SS
FS
W
E
M
N
C12
X
TB
FB
E
Y
M
N
E
Y
T
Z
TB
C
C
SS
FS
W
E
M
N
S
T
E
X
Z
TB
C12
S
X
S
T
SS
FS
S
X
C
14 yards
C
Z
Smash
1.
2.
3.
4.
Smash is out corner and
under concept
It is good against all
coverage's especially man.
Corner is run at 12 yards.
Under is a 2 step route.
We then read inside
defender. If he sits I sit. If
he opens hips and moves
we come on the banana.
1.
2.
3.
4.
QB will pre-snap the
coverage.
If cover three or Quarters
we tell QB Corner is off go
to under route now.
If cover 2 we high low
corner
If man we throw corner
now.
SS
FS
W
C
T
N
M
T E
S
C
Z