Quarterbacks Need a System, not a Bunch of Plays!

Too often it seems, offensive coordinators draw up sophisticated combinations of routes with the intent of attacking a coverage while never teaching the Quarterback how to approach what he sees. What usually ends up happening is that the QB will drop back and simply "look for someone open" rather than anticipate someone coming open. This can be extremely frustrating for both player and coach. This is why I believe in a systematic approach.

There are all kinds of "reads" a QB can be taught, but as long as they are taught a system to follow, with principles and rules, the frustration will be minimal.

Here are some types of reads:

Key reads. If you've ever played some version of monkey in the middle, you can understand a key read. Basically, you read one defender and attack him with 2 different routes. Whichever one he covers, the QB throws the other one. Key reading is simple and a great way to teach beginning QB's how to anticipate open receivers. Bill Walsh's "West Coast offense" (which he ran but didn't like the media coined phrase for) was famous for using key reads to work the short passing game.
Some examples of key reads:

- Hi/Low Concept (Indianapolis Colts call this Levels). In this read, if the Mike LB drops too deep, the QB simply throws underneath on the IN route. If the Mike stays short to stop the IN route, the QB resets his feet and throws the 12 yard Cross or Dig.

- Curl/Flat Concept. In this read, if the Curl/flat defender drops too deep, the QB simply throws to the flat route quickly. If the defender runs with the flat route, a window opens for the Curl route to be open, in which the case the QB resets his feet and throws a bullet to the curl.

I’m sure you can watch a game or two and see many different types of examples to come up with ways you Key Read (Monkey in the Middle) a defender.
Some pre-requisites are that the QB knows the coverages that he sees (which should be a given on any pass play). He also needs to know what the timing of the play is (ie. Where his feet go while he is deciding who to throw to).

Advantages:
1. The Key read is great for beginning QBs because it is simple to understand.
2. It is also great for the quick passing game because it can isolate one defender and it makes decision making for the QB very easy.
3. It can be used with almost an unlimited number of concepts that 2 receivers can run.
Disadvantages:
1. It can be hard to incorporate a third receiver without complicating the read. A third receiver usually means a second or third defender which can cloud the decision making progress, and cloudy QB play means turnovers!
2. The QB must determine which side to Key read before the snap, meaning a receiver can come open on the other side and never be seen.
3. QBs can have very poor timing with their feet. The tendency is to get to the drop and then throw what is uncovered. This can mean late throws, off-balance throws and poor timing for the receiver. Timing is still critical!
4. Key reads tend to be limited to two options: either or rather than 1, 2, 3 or even 4! For coaches who like to throw, using only 2 real options on every pass play can get boring.

Progression reads. What Bill Walsh's "West Coast offense" actually used more than any other type of passing system was a progression read system.

Progression reading is like choreographing a play to perfect timing. Each route in the play should come open at the same time the QB’s feet are set in each drop. The QB thereby reads the receivers in a particular order (usually deep to short) as he takes his drop.

If the first receiver is open on the 3rd step, the QB simply stops and delivers. If the 1st receiver is covered, the QB continues the drop while shifting to the 2nd receiver. If the 2nd receiver comes open, the QB stops his drop and delivers. He continues this pattern of dropping and reading thru 3 options. If after 3 options a receiver is not open, he looks to extend the play or has a dump off receiver that squeaks out of the backfield.

Progression reading is all about timing. If the timing of the route is not in sync with the QB feet in the drop, the play is broken. The other factor in timing relates to protection. Progression reading can take time. One of the things people forget about the Walsh 49er teams was that the early QBs were sacked often and took a beating.

Advantages:
1. The Progression read gives more options on any given play.
2. It is also great for the timing of a passing play because everything happens in rhythm.
3. It can be used with almost an unlimited number of concepts that 3 or more receivers can run.
Disadvantages:
1. It can be hard to get to the third option because of the amount of time it can take!
2. The QB must anticipate very well in order to throw the ball sometimes before the receiver is open.
3. Late throws, off-balance throws and pressures by the defense are almost certain interceptions. Timing is still critical!

Half-Field reads. Sometimes, it is easier to split the field in half and let the QB attack only one side. Doing this enables the QB to read (usually from High to Medium to Low) a limited number of defenders rather than accounting for the whole defense. A common Half-Field read concept would have a deep corner route with a curl or 10 yard out route and a route attacking the flat. This way, the QB can read from the corner to the out/curl to the flat on only one side of the field.

Offenses that have a true star receiver can use this to get a particular matchup and limit mistakes by a confused QB. For example, by occupying the backside half with 3 receivers, the QB can read the star receiver to the 2nd option on only one side of the field.

However, sometimes defenders who are not “occupied” by a quarterback’s eyes will float or cheat to where he looks and can jump routes they were not intended to cover.

Advantages:
1. The Half-Field Progression/Key limits the number of defenders to react to.
2. It can create easy mismatches and even numbers advantages
3. It cuts the field of vision (and thereby the numbers of defenders) a QB must read.
Disadvantages:
1. It can become easy to stare down targets!
2. Defenders can “cheat” with the eyes of the QB not keeping them occupied.

Full-Field reads. Full field reads incorporate concepts that cause the QB to read from one side of the field to the other, rather than simply one defender or High to low on one side. They are rather sophisticated for a QB. In order to full field read, the QB must know the coverage and have a thorough understanding of where defenders are trying to go as the patterns unfold.
Full field reads have some element of risk, but the reward is usually higher. For example, reading half the field, defenders on the backside are not fully engaged when playing zone coverage because they continually peek at the QB’s eyes. This factor can allow them to squeeze zones or jump routes because the QB is only focused on one side of the field. In full field read passing patterns, because the QB reads from one side to the other, by natural progression he can move defenders with his eyes simply by following his keys.

The element of risk that is high is that all pass defenders must be accounted for and no one receiver can be stared down or…..pick six!

Advantages:
1. The Full-Field Progression/Key naturally moves defenders as the reads progress.
2. It can open up zones and become a high reward pass play.
3. It gives a QB multiple options on the play to be successful.
Disadvantages:
1. Can be too many defenders to account for!
2. Late throws or stared down receivers will be problematic.

Conclusion
A solid passing offense should work to be able to include each of these types of passing systems. Obviously, the more skilled and experienced the QB you have the more you can incorporate into the offense.
Next time, I’ll talk more about incorporating all the reads into a system that speeds up the decision making for the QB.