with Anthony Pratley,
former Concordia University (Ann Arbor) Offensive Coordinator;
innovator of the Pistol Spread Option Offense
Discover how to run the Zone Read from multiple formations without confusing your players. By utilizing just two calls for each position on the line, Anthony Pratley shows you how to make the Zone Read an entirely different play to the defense while maintaining the same blocking scheme for the rest of your offensive line.
In this video, Coach Pratley, the creator of the Pistol Spread Option offense, begins by diagramming the basic zone blocking scheme and how he teaches it to offensive lineman. The line calls allow you the flexibility to run a multiple look offense with nearly endless combinations.
Zone Blocking Scheme
Coach Pratley diagrams the zone blocking scheme against even and odd fronts and describes how the simple rule he gives his offensive lineman applies to all defensive fronts. You'll learn what he terms a "two two," which helps his lineman account for stacked linebackers, as well as the blitzes and games that can result from these defensive alignments. Pratley also breaks down the footwork and technique he teaches to the offensive lineman in order to execute the various blocks they're asked to do in his offensive scheme.
Tag Options
Pratley describes the various tags that he uses to modify the basic zone scheme. In this system, the zone play can be run as a read play in which the quarterback will read a designated defender and decide if he will hand the ball off or keep himself. He describes the zone read play and how they tag the read defender in the play call by designating the gap that he should occupy. Pratley also describes how he modifies the blocking scheme to make the zone read play either a "bluff" play or a split zone play, which are complimentary plays to the traditional zone running play.
In the split zone, the designated player blocks the read player. Pratley presents the terminology he uses in the play call to designate the read player and which player should block the read defender.
Zone Bluff Play
In the Zone "Bluff" play, the designated offensive player reads the primary read defender and determines if he will block him or bypass him based on his reaction. This action is designed to look like the split zone play to the defense, but has the ability to become a zone read play with a lead blocker for the quarterback on the edge. Pratley describes, in detail, how the "bluff" block is made and how he teaches his players when to block the read defender and when to bypass him and block a scraping defender. Pratley also describes how he ties the quarterback's read into the "bluff" player's read. You'll see the play diagrammed as well as its variations run from several formations and personnel groupings.
Coach Pratley does an excellent job diagramming various components of the zone running play for the spread offense. This is an excellent video for any coach looking for a comprehensive zone running system that is easy to teach and doesn't depend on a running quarterback, but can be adapted to take advantage of one.
80 minutes. 2017.
FD-05166B:
with Anthony Pratley,
former Concordia University (Ann Arbor) Offensive Coordinator;
innovator of the Pistol Spread Option Offense
Anthony Pratley is well known around coaching circles for his innovative style of the Pistol Spread Option. In this video, he teaches how to use the power blocking scheme in the pistol to bring more blockers to multiple points of attack.
As a play caller, you have the ability to have your quarterback read the A or B gap defender as well as tag the play with an Option, Bubble or Tunnel screen. This scheme will have the defense scrambling to stop the diversity of the play. Combining the play with the Read, Jet, Inside Veer, Counter and Counter Trey creates countless more variations that will blow holes in even the best defenses!
The Power Scheme takes on a whole new dimension in the Pistol Spread Option Offense. Using an easy-to-follow software presentation, Coach Pratley breaks down five explosive series: Power Read, Power Counter, Power Trey, Power Jet, and Power Inside Veer. This video contains in-depth instruction for multiple formations to keep the ball moving and keep your opponent guessing.
Blocking Rules, Reads and Option Tags
Learn the key blocking rules that will put your offensive line in an advantageous position at the point of attack with superior numbers. Every play has a "read" component that, when properly executed, will make the defense wrong every play. You'll learn how a simple "bubble, option, or tunnel" tag can turn the play into a triple option, further exploiting any defense on the perimeter. Additionally, you'll see how to:
- Read ends or linebackers and use their assignments against them, AKA "Rule-busters"
- Get backside guards at the point of attack every play
- Use various formations 2x2, 3x1, Empty Set to put play makers in space on the perimeter
- Call "hard-nosed" running plays even out of traditional passing sets
Power Jet & Power Inside Veer
One of the most popular perimeter plays in football, the jet sweep, gets a new wrinkle in the pistol offense with Coach Pratley's Power Jet Series. You'll learn how to use motion to get athletes on the perimeter with the ball. Additionally, see how Pratley uses a read component to make the defense wrong every time. When you use multiple formations, defenses will have difficulty picking up any tendencies, and will leave themselves vulnerable.
With the Power Inside Veer series, Coach Pratley neatly marries two of the best offensive attacks in football.
- Learn how to use Power Inside to get ball carriers into the line of scrimmage quickly and running downhill.
- Call simple tags to get a triple-option component, further stretching the limitations of your opponent to stop the Pistol Spread Option.
Coach Pratley has a developed a reputation for creating innovative offenses that are simple to install, but difficult to defend. This video gives you five series from six formations for everything you need to know to run a power football game all over the field!
67 minutes. 2017.
FD-05166C:
with Anthony Pratley,
former Concordia University (Ann Arbor) Offensive Coordinator;
innovator of the Pistol Spread Option Offense
Want to add a wrinkle into your offense without totally confusing your team? Anthony Pratley teaches you how to implement the zone running game into your offense!
Through in-depth commentary, whiteboard illustrations, and animated plays, Coach Pratley provides every aspect of how to install the base zone play and subsequent variations - including three built-in RPOs and multiple formations. Additionally, Pratley discusses the four types of first steps all offensive players will use in his system, as well as guiding principles for primary and secondary QB reads to make sure they always make the right decision.
Finally, Pratley offers some brief advice on when to call each variation on the base play. By the end of this video, you'll have everything you need to understand, teach, and install a multiple attack offense that will keep your opponents on their heels!
Learn the Basic Zone Play
Coach Pratley takes you through the basics of the zone with an explanation of the blocking rules for the offensive line. Using simple "covered or uncovered" rules, linemen are able to block any front and do so with confidence.
Pratley describes the four types of first steps that all offensive players will use on any given play: on step, gap step, lateral step, and a pull step. These key fundamentals ensure that your players will be in the best position to accomplish their blocking responsibilities. Pratley preaches "reading the knee" of the defensive lineman when double teaming to anticipate gap exchange with a linebacker.
Incorporate a Read Option Element
Pratley adds a layer of complexity to his scheme while keeping the same blocking scheme in place by incorporating a read option wrinkle off of the base zone run play. His simple method for labeling defensive players based on their respective responsibilities (i.e., edge defender is labeled `echo') allows the offensive coordinator to pre-determine which defensive player the QB should read on a given play.
Maximize Variations for Each Play Without Changing Blocking Responsibilities
Coach Pratley maximizes the number of plays based off the same zone blocking scheme by incorporating RPOs and multiple formations. You'll see how simple play tags allow you to incorporate bubble screens, triple options, and tunnel screens off the same zone blocking run play (offensive linemen's responsibilities never change!). RPOs are gaining popularity in all levels of football and provide maximum flexibility in your play calling.
The same defensive labeling system allows you to isolate your opponent's best player by making him either a primary or secondary read on any play. Pratley teaches you how to run the same plays with the same blocking rules out of multiple formations, including: 2x2, 3x1, 2-back, offset I, and 3-back formations.
Finally, subtle variations including the Zone Veer, Zone Toss, and Zone Jet make it even harder for the defense to read and diagnose your offensive call.
This pistol zone run game video from Coach Pratley's provides a comprehensive installation guide for teams at any level. See how to minimize the amount of practice time and learning needed to implement the Pistol Spread Option offense!
88 minutes. 2017.
FD-05166D:
with Anthony Pratley,
former Concordia University (Ann Arbor) Offensive Coordinator;
innovator of the Pistol Spread Option Offense
Discover how to create balance in your offense with the use of the three-step passing game. The ability to run the football will be always be the key to winning a championship, but if you become one dimensional, the defense can load the box and stop your running game cold.
Anthony Pratley teaches his exciting idea for calling and executing the passing game. Using a "concept" based passing game, you can use multiple calls to create a new look to the defense without changing the read for your quarterback.
Three-Step Passing Concept
The concept-based passing game out of the Pistol formation gives the quarterback the ability to get the ball out of their hand quickly before the rush can get to them. Learn a scheme that:
- Stretches the field vertically as well as horizontally
- Uses simple protection schemes that will keep your quarterback "clean" in the pocket and cut down on confusion on who the linemen should block
- Can run the same play out of 3x1, 2x2, 2-back and empty sets
- Includes routes to beat both zone and man as well as multiple ways to run them
Coach Pratley teaches quarterbacks the correct reading progression, defensive keys and alignments to make simple, highly effective throws. You'll see a diagram of the play and any route adjustments needed to take advantage of the coverage. Small adjustments made by receivers in the vertical concept are what make the plays so effective. Without these adjustments, the defense can take advantage.
You'll learn multiple concepts to add to any type of offensive system to increase efficiency in the passing game. Pratley covers the Whip, Snag, Double Outs, Post Combo, Smash, Trips Concept, Verticals, and his Mustang route. He goes over simple tags, formation adjustments, and motions that expand these plays into 20 different route combinations for a defense to handle.
Pratley uses an organized digital teaching presentation and playbook to explain both the passing game concepts and teaching techniques. These details prepare you to easily install these passing concepts in a way that's understandable for your players.
Pass Protection
The use of simple, but effective pass protections is key when developing a deep passing game in any offense. Pratley describes how three basic protections can be used to handle any and all defensive pressures, including the 5-man, 6-man slide, and 6-man triangle pass protections. These pass protections are described in detail against multiple fronts with diagrams from Pratley's digital playbook demonstrating them against a defense.
From the pass protections for the offensive line to the route adjustments players will learn to make on the fly, Coach Pratley provides everything you need to improve your offensive performance down the field!
70 minutes. 2017.
FD-05166E:
with Anthony Pratley,
former Concordia University (Ann Arbor) Offensive Coordinator;
innovator of the Pistol Spread Option Offense
Discover how to take the heat off of your quarterback with the use of a dynamic screen package and the quick passing game. If you're spreading the field, defensive coordinators will test your ability to block a heavy rush. The zone blitz and other exotic schemes can destroy the timing of your offense and create numerous negative plays and turnovers. The answer to this problem is to get the ball out of the quarterback's hand quickly.
In this detailed presentation, Anthony Pratley, innovator of the Pistol Spread Option offense, teaches a screen and quick passing game. You will learn:
- A screen package that can be thrown to any of your skill positions
- Simple protection schemes that will keep your quarterback "clean" in the pocket and cut down on confusion on who the linemen should block
- How to run the same play out of 3x1, 2x2, 2-back and empty sets
- A quick passing game that allows for a high percentage completion rate, allowing your offense to move the chains
Screen Game
Coach Pratley diagrams four screen game packages. The first is termed the ID screen package, which involves identifying who is uncovered by defensive alignment and throwing a quick screen to that player. With the use of hand signals, any offensive skill player can be tagged to catch the ID screen out of any offensive formation.
The next screen pass that Pratley shares is the Rex/Lex screen, which is a receiver screen that is a complement to the zone play. The screen can be run to the same side as the zone or the opposite side of the zone, depending on how the play is called. The Rob/Lou screens are variations of the Rex/Lex screen that change which lineman are involved in the screen.
The last screen play that Pratley diagrams is the Rocky/Apollo screen, which is a screen to a running back. You'll also see how the Rocky/Apollo screen can be thrown to a receiver using the same blocking by the offensive line.
The Quick Passing Game
The quick game package features slants, hitches, and fades that can be run in any combination depending on how the defense is aligned and what coverage they're running. Pratley describes coaching points for the receivers on each route and the quarterback's read progression on the plays in the quick game package.
Pratley diagrams his play action pass package, which involves a traditional run fake and throw to a predetermined side of the formation. He also diagrams two different "pop" passes that feature run action and quick passes to take advantage of a defensive player's reaction to his key.
Pass Protections
Pratley diagrams the basic pass protection that he uses with his offense. He breaks down the protection vs an even and odd front and describes how the blitz would be handled from either an inside defender or an edge rusher. See how to teach your players to identify defenders, and how to communicate threats.
This video from Coach Pratley will give you an effective way to stretch the defense horizontally and advance the ball up the field!
59 minutes. 2017.