COACHINGTHE COMPLETETRIPLE GUNOFFENSE

Tony DeMeo

COACHING THE COMPLETE TRIPLE GUN OFFENSEby Tony DeMeo

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Specialbook/DVD

package

ISBN 978-1-58518-925-0

US $39.95

A “coach’s coach,” Tony DeMeo has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the mostinnovative coaches in the game. His new bookshows why Tony is regarded as an expert atbringing the gun and triple option together.

— Dan RobinsonHead Football CoachNorthwest High School (IN)

An excellent resource for gridiron coaches at allcompetitive levels who want to install andexecute the triple gun offense.

— Sonny DetmerDetmer Football CampsSan Antonio, Texas

An exceptional teaching tool for coaches on bothsides of the ball who want to better understandthis innovative offensive system.

— John LevraFormer NFL CoachBuffalo Bills

A first of its kind, this DVD/book packageexplains and demonstrates the basic principles,fundamentals, and techniques required to employthe triple gun offense. I recommend it highly.

— John RiceHead Football CoachCanyon Springs High School (CA)

A succinct, easy-to-follow book, Coaching theComplete Triple Gun Offense provides a detailedoverview of Tony DeMeo’s gun triple approach to attacking defenses—whatever scheme a team uses.

— Dave ChristensenOffensive CoordinatorUniversity of Missouri

A must-read book that belongs in theprofessional library of every coach who wants tostay on top of the game.

— Stan ZweifelOffensive CoordinatorUniversity of Wisconsin-River Falls

Tony DeMeo

COACHING THE COMPLETETRIPLE GUN OFFENSE

Tony DeMeo

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©2007 Coaches Choice. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted,in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of Coaches Choice.

Throughout this book, the masculine shall be deemed to include the feminine and vice versa.

ISBN-13: 978-1-58518-925-0ISBN-10: 1-58518-925-1Library of Congress Control Number: 2004117823Diagrams: Studio J Art & DesignBook layout: Deborah OldenburgCover design: Studio J Art & DesignFront and back cover photos: Randy Olney

Coaches ChoiceP.O. Box 1828Monterey, CA 93942www.coacheschoice.com

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Dedication

To all those who serve

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Acknowledgments

I would like to express my thanks to all the coaches with whom I have worked over theyears and to all those who have helped me in any way. I would also like to acknowledgeall the fine young men whom I have had the privilege to coach. In addition, I would liketo acknowledge all of the coaches who have shared information and have passed ontheir insights and ideas to me. Each of you has my gratitude.

Aristotle said the purpose of education is to pass on values. As a coach you are aneducator––first and foremost. Though teaching technique and strategy are important,your primary mission as an educator is to use the opportunity afforded you as a coachto build an atmosphere of respect and acceptance by those young people with whomyou work for those basic principles and tenets you hold dear to your heart.

The values that have made this country great are under continuous attack. As such,it is important for you to stand strong and teach these values that form the foundationof this great country. God bless you; always pitch from your heart.

Your friend and colleague,Tony DeMeo

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Contents

Dedication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chapter 1: Philosophy and Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Chapter 2: Coaching the Triple Gun Triple Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Chapter 3: Coaching the Double Options in the Triple Gun Offense . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Chapter 4: The Triple Gun Power Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Chapter 5: The Triple Gun Draws and Counter Plays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Chapter 6: Installing the Passing Game. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Chapter 7: Triple Gun Screens and Bubbles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Chapter 8: The Triple Gun Quick-Passing Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Chapter 9: The Triple Gun Dropback-Passing Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Chapter 10: Triple Gun Play-Action Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Chapter 11: Triple Gun Boot Passes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

Chapter 12: The Triple Gun Sprint Passes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Chapter 13: Postscript . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Appendix A: Coaching Lessons from Military Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

About the Author. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

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Introduction

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to write the book Coaching the Shotgun TripleOption. One of the responses to this well-received book was that a number of coachesinquired about other aspects of our triple gun offense. Coaching the Complete TripleGun Offense is my effort to tell “the rest of the story.”

In reality, offensive football is a continuous state of evolution. The advent of the 8-and 9-man front defenses, along with the prevalence of zone blitzes and teams whoemploy an “overloading-the-box” approach to defense, has created a scenario whereteams still need to be able to run the ball, but need to be able to do it in a way thatcan exploit the overloaded box. The triple gun offers such a means.

While the shotgun has some obvious advantages when it comes to the passinggame, teams legitimately realize that they need to be able to run the ball as well. Assuch, the triple gun offense provides the foundation for a balanced attack—an attackthat gives the “have-nots” a chance to succeed in the same way the wishbone offensedid at the height of its popularity. To that extent, an argument can be advanced that thetriple gun is the “wishbone” of the new millennium.

Coaching the Complete Triple Gun Offense also features a DVD, The Triple GunOffense: Understanding the Basics that presents an overview of the principles,fundamentals, and techniques involved in this innovative offensive system. Collectively,the book and DVD offer coaches at all competitive levels on both sides of the ball theperfect tool to better understand the key aspects of the triple gun offense. To the extentthat Coaching the Complete Triple Gun Offense helps coaches grasp and appreciatethe nuances of this offense, then the effort to write it will have been well worth thetime and energy. Enjoy!

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Philosophy and Organization

As my earlier book, Coaching the Shotgun Triple Option, touched on, balance hasalways been a strong part of my coaching philosophy. Such a philosophical focus is particularly relevant, given the fact that in recent years, defenses have almost

made one-dimensional offenses extinct. As such, the days of a pure ball-control optionteam are almost gone, not only because of the defenses that currently exist, but alsobecause of the offenses that many teams employ. In fact, modern offenses can scoreso quickly that no lead is completely safe. You may want to control the ball, butregardless of how effective your defense, you better have weaponry to win a scoringbattle. Because no-huddle, spread attacks can quickly erupt for touchdowns, you musthave the capability to match them.

Offensive Philosophy

The two words that best define the triple gun offense are balance and flexibility. In thatregard, a primary objective of the offense is to be able to attack the defense with variety.Over the last four seasons, teams that I’ve coached have averaged over 200 yards pergame passing and over 200 yards per game rushing. In order to have the balance andflexibility that are essential for success, it is important that a team is able to run inobvious run downs and pass in obvious pass downs.

Within the framework of the triple gun offense, the run game consists of the tripleoption as the hub. The option attack is also complemented with a counter game, apower game, and a package of double options.

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The basic foundation of the pass game is the dropback attack—utilizing both the 3-and the 5-step drops. The 3-step passes also incorporate a possible boot. Sprint-outand play-action passes are incorporated into the attack to marry the run game and thepass game. As such, whenever appropriate, an attempt is made to have passes thatlook like runs and runs that look like passes.

A variety of formations are used to spread the defense, create mismatches, and geta numbers advantage. The core run is the triple option, along with counter triple option,draws, and powers. The pass game involves 5-step and 3-step, sprint, and play-actionpasses, along with a screen game.

Being multiple and flexible enables the offense to control the clock and have big-play potential. All factors considered, the triple gun offense is unique and representsquite a challenge for defenses who only have a week’s preparation time. Furthermore,the flexibility of the triple gun offense lends itself to great game-day adjustments. Ateam can go from being a predominantly run team to being a predominantly pass teamin the course of a single game—however the circumstances dictate. Another majoradvantage of this offense is that it provides teams that would otherwise be consideredas one of the “have-nots” with a chance to be competitive.

Universal Truths of Offensive Football

Before examining the triple gun offense in greater detail, it is beneficial to review thefollowing fundamental truths that apply to offensive football.

� Truth #1: Put speed in space—all factors considered, the more you do, the morepoints your team will score.

� Truth #2: Make cover guys tackle and tackle guys cover—create mismatches.

� Truth #3: Balance is essential—incorporate the option, power, and counter playsand dropback, sprint, and play-action passes into your team’s offensive attack.

� Truth #4: Better to run a lousy play great than execute a great play lousy.

� Truth #5: Get a head start—use the threat of a counter to keep the defense still,while the offense is moving.

� Truth #6: Stretch and pierce—a ballcarrier who is going north and south while thelinebackers are going east and west will always gain yards.

� Truth #7: Attack complexity with simplicity and attack simplicity with complexity.

� Truth #8: Always keep in mind that you are only limited by your ability to teach and organize

� Truth #9: Never forget that details are the difference—minimize techniques andmaximize their use

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� Truth #10: Attack a powerful defense with finesse and attack a finesse defense with power.

� Truth #11: Attack a speedy defense slow and a slow defense with speed; outrun aslow defense and counter a fast defense.

� Truth #12: Prepare for the blitz or it will give you fits.

� Truth #13: Maximize by surprise and disguise; a play that is part of a sequence ora package is far more effective than one that stands alone.

� Truth #14: Repetition is the greatest teacher if the reps are done with awareness;repetition is the greatest teacher if the reps are done with awareness.

� Truth #15: Too many answers to a problem = no answer and one problem; onegreat answer is better than ten mediocre ones.

� Truth #16: The only tendency that is valid is your tendency to score.

� Truth #17: Your scheme must magnify the talent of your offense.

� Truth #18: The most important ability is dependability.

� Truth #19: Never fight today’s battles with yesterday’s weapons.

� Truth #20: Talent is only talent if it fits your system.

Formations

A couple of points should be made concerning the use of formations in the triple gunoffense. First, on occasion, we go under center and run the triple, midline, and countersand throw the ball. On the other hand, the number of times we go under center islimited. We especially like it in short yardage and on the goal line. The key point to keepin mind is that if your team goes to the gun, you must reduce your under-centerpackage. While you must make sure your under-center package is sufficient, you mustalso be careful not to exceed your team’s actual needs. As such, a very basic short-yardage attack is suggested.

It should also be noted that this book does not use numbers to designate a specificplay in an attempt to give coaches a system of communicating what particular play iscalled. Rather, coaches should determine for themselves how to denote the play withintheir own team’s system.

In our program, formations are divided by the following personnel groups:

� Normal formation: two wide receivers, two halfbacks, and a tailback (Diagram 1-1)

� Pro formation: a tight end, a tailback, a halfback, and two wide receivers (Diagram 1-2)

� Twins formation: three wide receivers, a tailback, and a halfback (Diagram 1-3)

� Trey formation: three wide receivers, a tailback, and a tight end (Diagram 1-4)

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Diagram 1-1

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Diagram 1-2

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Diagram 1-3

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An Evolution of Understanding

As was explained in my earlier book, the primary reason we went to the shotgun waspurely as a solution to a pass-protection. Subsequently, however, as we developed intoa shotgun team, many other advantages attendant to being in the gun becameapparent, including:

• It is much easier to develop the quarterback’s drops in the shotgun.

• The quarterback sees better from the gun—especially a shorter quarterback.

• It is easier to avoid the rush because the quarterback already has a cushionbetween himself and the line of scrimmage.

• It is easier for the quarterback to find throwing lanes.

• The quarterback clearly has more time to throw.

• It is easier for the offensive line to pick up stunts and blitzes.

• Sight adjusts and hot throws are easier for the quarterback to execute.

• The alignment of the tailback makes it easier for him to get out on pass patterns.

• Quick screens and screens in general are more effective in the gun. For example,it’s easier to combine a flash screen or bubble screen with a running play.

• Pass protection is more forgiving—room exists for the quarterback to escape a rusher.

• It’s more difficult for the defense to “load the box.”

• It’s more difficult for defensive backs to distinguish between 3- or 5-step drops.

• It’s more difficult for the defense to read play action pass. Offense line pad levelsare the same on run and pass.

Diagram 1-4

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Shifts

We have several pre-shift sets, which we’ll change up from game to game. For example,hawk may be a pre-shift set or gun may be a pre-shift set. So if gun was called, wewould start in hawk and shift to gun, or vice versa. With three wide outs, trips could beused as a pre-shift set. In that scenario, if we called twins, we would then shift to twins.Another way to shift is to call “shift open.” In this method, we would align in any setother than the set called in that personnel group, and then shift to it.

Motions

In the triple gun offense, fly motion is assumed unless otherwise noted. Accordingly,any time the triple option is being run, the pitch back knows when he must go inmotion. Other possible motions calls include the following:

� “Hazard”: to motion a back across the formation

� “Zoom”: to motion a wide receiver across

� “Zip”: to shorten the zoom

� “Z”: to put the wide receiver in fly motion

� “Y”: to motion the tight end

� “HAZ”: to motion the slot

Diagram 1-5

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Diagram 1-5 cont.

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Coaching the Triple Gun Triple Options

Because the shotgun triple option and the flip option are taught in complete detail in my earlier book Coaching the Shotgun Triple Option, this book does notaddress these plays in depth. On the other hand, this chapter provides an

overview of these plays and some ideas on using formations to make both of theseplays even more effective.

The Shotgun Triple

� Benefits of the Shotgun Triple

When this play was initially installed, no one had any idea that it would develop intoour most productive play. The more we ran it, however, the more advantages wediscovered to the play, including:

• In a two-point stance, the offensive line can adjust their splits after the defense lines up.

• By being in a two-point stance, the offensive line hides the dive back, thereby making it difficult for the defense to find him.

• The tailback also has cutback possibilities (like an “I” tailback)—a factor which destroys the triple option keys.

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• The secondary—in particular the free safety—can’t tell the difference between the run and the pass, because the offensive line is already up in two-point stances.

• After the quarterback disconnects, he becomes a north/south runner, making it difficult for the defense to “slow play” him.

• Because the quarterback is going downhill sooner, he doesn’t have to be as fast a runner as he otherwise would need to be under center.

• The gun triple can be run equally well versus a 1 technique or a 3 technique.

• The offense is relatively easy to check to a run or a pass, and even has a built in “auto pass” with the play.

• The gun triple is very formation friendly.

• The gun triple is easier for the quarterback to read.

• Because the quarterback is off the line of scrimmage, the offensive guards can’t be overpowered by 2 techniques.

� Offensive Line Play

• Stance: Assume a cocked two-point stance, be getting into a three-point stance, and then picking up his hand

• Splits: Assume a normal three-foot split. With regard to splits, the offense line’s basic goal should be to create seams and double teams. The seams can be created by intelligent splits. As such, the basic rules that apply to taking splits include the following:

� If the offensive lineman is covered, he widens a step, as long as he can protect his inside gap.

� If the offensive lineman is uncovered, he tightens a step.

• Technique: A simple explanation is: Stay on the double team unless you are forcedto come off or you’ve driven the down lineman to linebacker depth. The object is to create movement on the down lineman, while eyeballing the linebacker.

• Center Snap: The center should employ a pendulum snap with a stiff wrist. Accuracy is essential. The center’s target should be the quarterback’s belt buckle. Diagram 2-1 illustrates that in the triple gun offense. The quarterback is positioned four yards deep, while the tailback is aligned five yards from the line of scrimmage.

• When working with the offensive line in the triple gun, coaches should emphasize the following key points:

� If the linebacker runs, stay on the double-team and get movement.

� Create a cavity, not a crease.

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� Keep a body on a body.

� When coming off on a linebacker, vault off to create momentum.

� Try to always go through the breastplate of the hand-off key if he is a 5 or 4 technique.

• Blocking Specific Defenses (Diagram 2-2)

Diagram 2-2

Diagram 2-1

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Diagram 2-2 cont.

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� Offensive Backfield Play

• Tailback’s Rule: Aim for the onside A gap. Read the A gap (Diagram 2-3).

� If open, hit it going 100 mph.

� If closed, slide and glide in the direction in which it is closed; avoid linebackers.

� If the hand-off key is in the B gap, wrap and block linebacker-to-free safety.

Diagram 2-3

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• Onside slot: Block the first linebacker on or outside, unless an overhang exists or the Eagle rule applies. If so, then arc the safety.

� If facing a 4-man shell (i.e., two safeties), arc the safety.

� If facing a 3-man shell (i.e., one safety), seal the linebacker.

• Offside slot/flanker: Run the pitch course.

• Wide receivers: Stalk the deep defender

� Quarterback Play

• In the shotgun triple option, the following keys and guidelines apply to quarterback play:

� Read the first man outside a 3 technique as his hand-off key.

� Thought process: Give unless (“I’m going to give the ball every time unlessthe hand-off key turns his shoulders and comes down flat and hard on the dive back”). If in doubt—give.

� If the hand-off key is in the B gap, pull—do not mesh (Diagram 2-4).

� If the far shoulder of the pitch key turns to him, pitch heart-to-heart.

� If the pitch key is on the L.O.S., attack his up-field shoulder.

Diagram 2-4

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• Reading Defenses (Diagram 2-5)

Diagram 2-5

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Flip Option: A Counter Triple

Another effective play that was also described in detail in my previous book, Coachingthe Shotgun Triple Option, was the flip option. This play is a great counter triple optionthat is referred to as “flip” because the motion slotback and the tailback flipassignments. In this play, the motion slotback becomes the dive back, while the tailbackbecomes the pitch back (Diagram 2-6).

� Benefits of the Flip Option

Running the flip option offers numerous advantages, including the following:

• It breaks motion keys, because the play goes away from the motion.

• It breaks the perceived defensive key that the ball will always to the side of the tailback.

Diagram 2-5 cont.

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• It is a counter option that is read just like a triple option. As a result, the offenseincludes a dive, a quarterback keep, and a possible pitch.

• It gives the slot a chance to carry the ball going north and south.

• It requires only two new techniques. The offensive line, quarterback, andreceiver techniques are exactly the same as the gun triple.

• Not only is it formation-friendly, it actually enhances some formations, such as twins, trips, bunch, pro, and empty. It enables a team to run a triple option from an empty formation.

• It counters a defense that slants its line to motion.

• It also counters a defense that rolls its secondary to motion.

• The play-action pass perfectly complements the flip option.

• The flip option and the gun triple look exactly the same at the start of the play.

� Offensive Line Play

The offensive line blocks the flip option with the exact same techniques as the guntriple. On the other hand, the loop scheme can be employed because you pick up anextra blocker on the backside.

� Attacking the Defense with the Flip Option

The defense must be reacting to motion for the flip option to be called. The primarykey to running the flip option is that it is a play that is designed to exploit defensivemovement to motion. If the defense is not moving to motion, the flip option shouldn’tbe called. On the other hand, in that situation, a team should run the gun triple, andit’ll have a running start, while the defense is relatively still (Diagram 2-7).

Diagram 2-6

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Summary

The combination of the gun triple and the flip option is a devastating package.Collectively, these two plays provide a complete running game within themselves.Coaches who want more information on these plays and who are consideringadopting the triple gun offense are strongly encouraged to read Coaching the ShotgunTriple Option.

Diagram 2-7

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Diagram 2-7 cont.