Third and long or second and medium you need a play to get the ball down the field. You need concepts that work both the strong side and weak side of the defense. You also would like to have the ability to work all areas of the field and force the defense to stay honest and defend every zone.
The Sail and Cross concept has been a staple of the Air Raid offense since its infancy. Both of these concepts are drop back passes and can be often categorized as a strong side flood, and a weak side flood. In the Open Grass Concept we have adapted some ideas that helps us blend some quick game with these drop back passes, that makes the plays ever more dynamic.
In this book we will take a deep look at both of these plays as well as how we make the defense play the whole field.
In the EARO we have adapted these concepts into more dynamic plays. We do run them both left and right, and we do move the running back around to force the defense to declare strength. Take a look inside this book to gain a deeper understanding into these concepts everyone needs in their playbook.
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Glossary of terms
- Open Grass Idea: If you have not watched any of my free videos, or bought any of my other books, this will be new to you. We use this idea to the backside of any concept that does not cross. It allows us to force the defense to defend the whole field, get the ball out quick versus the blitz, and have a ton of options.
- Slow Process: This is the pre-snap process we use to train the eyes and brain. We force the brain to set up a process oriented progression of visualization, that lead to the reaction of the post snap play. The quarterback will walk through these steps with his eyes and brain to cognitively trigger key elements of the defenses alignment.
- Fast Process: This is the post snap reaction based play of the quarterback. PROGRESSION LANGUAGE
- Rhythm Read: Always the first read in a progression.
- 2/3 Read: In the EARO, we combine the 2nd and 3rd read in the concept, by using an If/then principle.
- Drop Back: This indicates that this is a drop back passing scheme. This means the lineman will be in a 4 step vertical set, and the quarterback will be in an open 2 drop 3 step pattern.
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Sail concept 1
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This is the “base” way to run the Sail Concept. One of the defining attributes of this concept it is a strong side flood.
Open Grass Reads Progression:
- Z Rhythm Read
- Y/R 2/3 “if then” read
This is a deep drop back so we will use a 5 step gun drop.
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SLOW PROCESS Where is the Corner responsible for the route by Z? Is the route covered by alignment? |
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Who is the 2/3 read player/ |
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Any Sign of blitz? |
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How is my Open Grass idea being defended? Is anyone open now? |
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FAST PROCESS |
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During the Drop back the QB will peek the route of the Z receiver. When he reaches the base of his drop, he must made his decision to throw his rhythm read. |
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Find the 2/3 player and use the “if/then” principle. If flat is bailing then throw swing If the flat is running to swing throw the sail route to grass |
By making the decision during the drop, it allows the quarterback throw the deep route in rhythm, time and get through progression faster. Allowing him to get to the 2/3 read faster, thus negating defenses ability flood the zones as fast. 4
The route structure of this concept is taught as follows:
Z Receiver:
- Mandatory outside release fade. This receiver must push deep as fast as possible. He is the first read of the concept, and must get out clean and force the defender to turn their back to the concept. Get deep fast.
- ***Note on Cover 0, we will tag the Z receiver on a post to exploit the middle of the field
Y Receiver (Sail Route)
- We vertical stem this for 8 yards. I then teach a speed turn into the outward stem. This receiver should peek the depth of the corner, to get a feel for how the sail will be bent to the sideline. If the flat (2/3) read player walls and settles, he should look for the ball to be thrown to the grass vacated on the sideline, from the route of Z. Initially we concentrate on making the speed cut out and looking for the ball out of the break, thrown to the sideline. The quarterback will throw him to the opening in the grass. We will take this route a step further for teams that want to play flat footed and drive on the out with a safety, by allowing the quarterback to throw more of a “broken or lazy” corner route. Again the Sail route would be thrown to grass. It is important for the receiver to peek the corner play on the vertical stem and speed cut and look for ball being thrown to grass out of cut.
Running Back:
- The swing route is ran in a straight line. We then the RB to open his concept side foot in a 90 degree angle and turn hips. (exactly how you would teach an open and turn for a baseball player stealing second base). We also match his steps along with the drop of the quarterback. The RB will run for 5 steps, and then look for the ball. If he does not get thrown to, he must open up and settle on the numbers.
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The route structure of this concept is taught as follows:
One variation of the concept is using the angle route from the backfield. If the team is really hanging and making it a difficult throw for the quarterback, we like to use this as a change up to put stress on the flat defender and inside linebacker.
Running Back:
- The angle route is again timed up with the drop of the quarterback. We teach the RB to push at an angle of the pre-snap alignment of the flat (2/3) defender, for 5 steps. Basically we are teaching him to push at an angled vertical route for 5 steps, and then cut in and settle in the first hole.
This route really puts stress on a flat player because he has 2 coming at him and has to pick to expand for the sail or stay true to the angle threat. It also pushes the width of the underneath coverage of the inside linebacker.
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Open Grass on the Backside
Our QB had the option to throw backside based on his pre-snap (slow process) read. If it is there we allow him to take it right now. The lineman do not need a call change, it is just catch and throw it now.
This is where the EARO (Engineered Air Raid Offense) is unique. We combine quick game backside with our drop back concept front side. I get a lot of questions about handling blitzing teams, and this is one of the keys to our success. It is also an important key to controlling a defense that wants to shift strength to your running back because of your tendency to throw sideline triangles from a 2x2 formation. It also gives you a menu of quick game that is limitless to exploit the split coverages that are used against all spread teams now from the 5 defensive back sets. In the end the defense has to defend every inch of the field horizontally and vertically, and must pick and choose their weakness.
So earlier in the chapter in the slow process the quarterback asked himself what does my open grass idea on the backside look like. If he decides to use this post snap this will allow him to use quick game one step footwork. He does not have to reset protection with his lineman, or change the play. He only needs to catch the snap and exploit the leverage of the coverage we are getting. If you ask we what can you do backside? Anything you can do in quick game. Screens, hitches, high low routes, or whatever gives you the advantage. You can trump your opponents coverage weakness based on where they declare their strength.
Our default routes are double hitches If off coverage, and double slants if press man. Giving your players and quarterback the freedom to survey the whole field pre-snap makes your play calling tremendously more dynamic.
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Cross Concept
This concept was originally created as a weak side flood concept. To combat teams that are determined to set the passing strength to the running back. In a since it could be considered much like the bootleg pass was in the I formation. This concept has been a big producer for down the field throws, because of its ability to attack 3 deep areas, and the underneath vacated by coverage.
This concept has some key route teaching that we will cover, in addition to the tweaks we have made in the EARO (Engineered Air Raid Offense), to make it really dynamic in our offense.
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Cross concept
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This is the “base” way to run the Cross Concept. One of the defining attributes of this concept it is a weak side flood.
Teaching the Quarterback:
Open Grass Reads Progression:
- X Rhythm Read
- A/Y 2/3 “if then” read
This is a deep drop back so we will use a 5 step gun drop.
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SLOW PROCESS Where is the Corner responsible for the route by Z? Is the route covered by alignment? |
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Who is the 2/3 read player/ |
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Any Sign of blitz? |
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FAST PROCESS |
|
During the Drop back the QB will peek the route of the X receiver. When he reaches the base of his drop, he must made his decision to throw his rhythm read. |
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Find the 2/3 player and use the “if/then” principle. If flat is bailing then throw the out If the flat is running to out throw look to cross |
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The route structure of this concept is taught as follows:
X Receiver:
- Mandatory outside release fade. This receiver must push deep as fast as possible. He is the first read of the concept, and must get out clean and force the defender to turn their back to the concept. Get deep fast.
Y Receiver (Cross Route)
- The stem of this route starts with going underneath the SAM (flat player), and over the MIKE (or near side inside linebacker), working to a depth of 22 yards on the far sideline. One note we have made in this route is climbing when approaching SAM to look at play side safety, if he is sitting turn the route up the middle of the field, If he has vacated continue on default path. The Y should look for the ball in the as he climbs through each of he windows of underneath coverage.
A Receiver:
- We teach this as a speed cut out, the same as the Sail Route.
Running Back:
- Check protection to the 2 yard shoot route. This would be a 3 step to LOS and then get head around in a straight line to a depth of 2 yards at the sideline.
Z Receiver
- The Z receiver is on a 5 step post sit. Push the vertical stem and them break on the post, look to sit in vacated area of the safety.
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Some Front Side Quick Game Adjustments
We have attached some quick game concepts to our base Cross play. In this picture we show how we have taken the corner concept, to the front side and the cross coming to it. What this has allowed us to do is put stress on the play side safety, by getting a vertical stem to the coverage exchange point. It puts the safety in a bind to give up the corner or the cross. The slant/sit route by the X receiver, stresses the underneath horizontal stretch of the coverage. This route can be allowed to sit in the first open area inside. We like to use this variation when teams are determined to sit the safety on the cross. It also gives another look to both our base concepts.
The only thing that changes for the quarterback is he reads the Corner Bail on at the snap. If he bails throw the Slant/Sit, If he follows get to corner/cross.
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Cross Concept
As we covered early the Cross Concept is a weak side flood. In the EARO we have created a different look based on how defenses now play us. Since we are a heavy sideline triangle team, then we get the defense to call strength of coverage to our back. In the picture below you will see the look we get in these situations. The flat player will be aligned with the #2 receiver to get a 3 on 3 advantage. Since Cross is one of
The few plays that we do not have
The “Open Grass” idea backside,
we found a way to combat what
we were facing, and gain an easier
release for the crossing route.
Another note since we are a spread
team flashing the back across,
created a “play action” look to the
play that holds the linebackers,
because flashing the back across
looks identical to our run plays. So
yes we made Cross a strong side flood, but it went with everything in our offense, and it puts the teams in a bind, because it looks like sail, but the back is flashing across. It looks like run to the linebackers. It also puts pressure on the play side safety because we are pushing his breaking point, on match coverage. The next few pages we will look at how we can run the play as both a weak and strong side flood by just placing the back on opposite sides, but really get the defense of a back-to triangle coverage tendency.
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This is the “base” way to run the Cross Concept. One of the defining attributes of this concept it is a weak side flood.
Teaching the Quarterback:
Open Grass Reads Progression:
- X Rhythm Read
- A/Y 2/3 “if then” read
This is a deep drop back so we will use a 5 step gun drop.
|
SLOW PROCESS Where is the Corner responsible for the route by Z? Is the route covered by alignment? |
|
Who is the 2/3 read player/ |
|
Any Sign of blitz? |
|
FAST PROCESS |
|
During the Drop back the QB will peek the route of the X receiver. When he reaches the base of his drop, he must made his decision to throw his rhythm read. |
|
Find the 2/3 player and use the “if/then” principle. If flat is bailing then throw the out If the flat is running to out throw look to cross |
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This is the “base” way to run the Cross Concept. One of the defining attributes of this concept it is a weak side flood.
Teaching the Quarterback:
Open Grass Reads Progression:
- X Rhythm Read
- A/Y 2/3 “if then” read
This is a deep drop back so we will use a 5 step gun drop.
|
SLOW PROCESS Where is the Corner responsible for the route by Z? Is the route covered by alignment? |
|
Who is the 2/3 read player/ |
|
Any Sign of blitz? |
|
FAST PROCESS |
|
During the Drop back the QB will peek the route of the X receiver. When he reaches the base of his drop, he must made his decision to throw his rhythm read. |
|
Find the 2/3 player and use the “if/then” principle. If flat is bailing then throw the out If the flat is running to out throw look to cross |
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Video Clinic
Follow the link to the clinic to hear a clinic on Y-Shallow, Y-Sail, and Y-Cross: https://youtu.be/w4B_afTLqp0
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