Installing Your Passing Game
#TXHSFBCHAT August 2, 2023
Installation schedules are being finalized and published as I type this out. The order and progression in which you install the base components of your system help your assistant coaches determine the foundation of skills the players will need in order to perform and be successful on the field.
As football has evolved into a passing game at every level, how we install these concepts and protections are a Day 1 priority. It important to consider several factors when putting together this key component of your attack.
Your passing game install starts with your protection. It does not matter what concepts you scheme up if the offensive line cannot protect it. Today’s offense asks the OL to think quick and execute for simplicity and tempo sake. That is why I prefer a slide protection scheme at the high school level. Slide protection can be communicated quickly, it is easy to understand who each individual lineman is responsible for, and it is also easy to pair installation rules with a run scheme.
As you see in the two diagrams, the LEFT SLIDE protection scheme has the same basic blocking scheme as the RIGHT ISO run scheme. Each OL is responsible for the same gap and also looking to the same backer.
If you can install your pass protection in a way that directly relates to another blocking scheme in your system, you are helping your players create mental connections and reduce mistakes.
Slide protection also makes it easy to identify responsibilities for the backfield. The running back protects inside - out, eyeing the linebackers who occupy those positions to determine who to block. In the 6 man protection, the QB knows he is responsible if a 7th blitzer comes.
You can continue to run the slide protection even as a 5 man protection. If the back is released on a route, the OL can still slide to the most dangerous defender, or away from who the QB determines will be the MIKE. That way the QB knows who he is responsible for in the scheme, and the OL will slide to and pick up the rest.
Good communication and full understanding of responsibilities helps reduce mistakes, and therefore sacks more than anything else when installing your pass protection.
What is your goto protection scheme and how do you install it? How does it impact your concept installation?
Reply to this email or comment below. Good luck this week!