Brent’s consistent success is a by-product of the staggering numbers his offenses have put up attwo different high schools over the past several years. The key to his success is multiplicitythrough simplicity. His utilization of a no-huddle tempo offense with multiple formations andsimple motions, while keeping the handful of route concepts and quarterback progressions thesame, makes it easy on his offense and difficult on the defense. This book is a must read foranyone developing an offensive identity or anyone who is looking to change offensive structurein an attempt to win with less talent.

Gregg NesbittCo-Defensive CoordinatorUniversity of Central Missouri

Coach Eckley has shown tremendous knowledge with regard to the spread offense. If you arelooking to implement the spread, or just want to tweak your current system, then this book isan excellent resource.

Patrick RossHead Football CoachLindenwood University

It is my pleasure and honor to recommend Coach Brent Eckley’s new book, 101 No-HuddleSpread Offense Plays. Coach Eckley is one of the most innovative offensive coaches in thecountry. The plays in this book are battle-tested on the field and are the reason for his team’sgreat success. Incorporating ideas from this book will put your team on the cutting edge of thespread offense.

Ken LeonardHead Football CoachSacred Heart-Griffin High School (IL)

Coach Eckley is one of the most innovative offensive minds I have come across. 101 No-HuddleSpread Offense Plays is a great resource for any football coach on either side of the ball. Thisbook will provide coaches with a detailed explanation of how to install, practice, teach, andrun the no-huddle spread offense.

Paul DayHead Football CoachFort Zumwalt West High School (MO)

NO-HUDDLE SPREADOFFENSE PLAYS

101NO-HUDDLE SPREAD

OFFENSE PLAYS

101

Brent Eckley

ECKLEYCOACHES CHOICE

101 NO-HUDDLE SPREAD OFFENSE PLAYS

9 781606 790472

91995

US $19.95

ISBN 978-1-60679-047-2

Brent Eckley

101No-Huddle Spread

Offense Plays

Brent Eckley

2

©2009 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, orotherwise, without the prior permission of Coaches Choice. Throughout this book, themasculine shall be deemed to include the feminine and vice versa.

ISBN: 978-1-60679-047-2Library of Congress Control Number: 2009929113Cover design: Studio J Art & DesignBook layout: Studio J Art & DesignFront cover photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

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

3

This book is dedicated to my wife, Sherene, and children, Hannah, Emily, Madison, andHillary, and Marquis. My family has always been supportive and involved in myendeavors as a coach.

This book is also dedicated to my father Dallas, who passed away in 2008. He didnot understand football to any great depth but grasped the concept of hard work andmaking the people around him feel good, which I admire and miss the most.

Dedication

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The information in this book is a reflection of all the coaches that have been graciousenough to share with me their best schemes or techniques. As many of us know,football coaches are the best “borrowers” around, and I am no different.

I’d like to thank the following, in no particular order, for sharing with me: HalMumme, Mike Emendorfer, Eric Thomas, Ben Blank, Jeff Wallace, Dan Robinson,Andrew Coverdale, Cliff Ice, Phil Lite, Gus Malzahn, Ken Leonard, David Yost, ShawnJackson, Paul Day, Steve Rampy, Rick Jones, Greg Nesbitt, and Gene Gladstone amongmany others.

Also, I’d like to thank the Union High School football staff, both past and present:Brad Julius, Keith Janssen, Gary Vogel, Chris Kelley, Erick Webster, Pat Luck, Nick Kelley,Isaac Arand, George Hinkle, and Paul Brake.

Finally, and most importantly, I’d like to acknowledge my high school footballcoach, Tom Stone, who has won well over 300 games in over 35 years of service asa head coach. Coach Stone was a true father figure to me from the time I was anelementary school student until well after I finished college. Coach Stone is the reasonI coach, which is one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.

Acknowledgments

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Dedication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Section 1: The Quick Passing Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Chapter 1: Hitch Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Chapter 2: Slant Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Chapter 3: Out Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Chapter 4: Under Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Chapter 5: In Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Chapter 6: Spacing Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51Chapter 7: Split Calls to Attack Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Section 2: The Dropback Passing Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61Chapter 8: Curl Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63Chapter 9: Smash Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71Chapter 10: Vertical Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79Chapter 11: Choice Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Chapter 12: Pivot Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97Chapter 13: Stick Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101Chapter 14: Drag Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105Chapter 15: Drive Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111Chapter 16: Scat Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

Section 3: The Screen Passes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125Chapter 17: Bubble Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127Chapter 18: Hitch Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131Chapter 19: Double Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137Chapter 20: Tunnel Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141Chapter 21: Slip Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

Contents

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Section 4: The Movement Passes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149Chapter 22: Movement Passes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Section 5: The Run Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159Chapter 23: The Sweep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161Chapter 24: Option Plays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167Chapter 25: Counter Plays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179Chapter 26: Wrap Plays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185Chapter 27: The Trap Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191Chapter 28: The Isolation Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195Chapter 29: Zone Plays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202

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Section 1The Quick Passing Game

8

1

9

Hitch Routes

Introduction

The quarterback will pick a side of the formation to which he will throw the ball. Hisdecision is based on finding the shortest throw that is the most open. He makes thisdecision pre-snap.

F

C C

BBB $

The #2 defender is

the read player.

Figure 1-1. Finding the #2 defender

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F

C C

$B BB

Based on this look, the QB should

read the #2 defender on his left.

Figure 1-2. The quarterback must determine which #2 defender has the least advantageousleverage.

F

C C

$B BB

Counting the defense outside-in.

#1#1

#2#2 #3 #3

Figure 1-3. Count system

It is beneficial to have a consistent defender-counting system. The counting systemthat is used in this book is an outside-in system, as shown in Figure 1-3.

Play #1: The Hitch Route

The hitch route has become a staple of the spread offense over the years. It has beenvery easy to teach and learn. The hitch route has many different applications.

After the ball is snapped, the quarterback will read the #2 defender to the side ofthe formation he picked before the snap. He wants to make the defender wrong. If thedefender backpedals or gets width immediately, the quarterback will throw the ball tothe inside receiver. If the defender stays in place or holds on the stem of the #2receiver, the quarterback will throw to the outside receiver.

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F

C C

$B BB

If the defender vacates the inside hitch

route, the QB will throw to the inside WR.

Figure 1-5. Quarterback reads the uncovered technique by the #2 defender.

F

C C

$B BB

If the defender holds on the route of the inside

WR, the QB will throw to the outside WR.

Figure 1-4. Quarterback reads the wall technique by the #2 defender.

Each receiver will run a hitch route. The hitch route technique is to drive four hardsteps and take two buzz or control steps. After the receiver gets to the top of his route,he will get his hands up and snap his head back to the quarterback.

The offensive line will all take a quick set, which entails the linemen popping upinto their pass-protection stance and taking two backpedal steps. The linemen will thenstop their momentum to be ready to make a strong wall for pass protection. Thetechnique of the offensive line will not change on any of the quick-pass routes, so passprotection will be limited to this chapter.

The hitch route can be run out of several different formations within the spreadoffense, including 2 x 2 sets, 3 x 1 sets, 3 x 2 sets, and 4 x 1 sets.

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Figure 1-6. Hitch route in a 2 x 2 set

Figure 1-7. Hitch route in a 3 x 1 set

Figure 1-8. Hitch route in a 3 x 2 set

Figure 1-9. Hitch route in a 4 x 1 set

Play #2: The Hitch-and-Go Route

Several tags can be used with the hitch route. The first tag for the hitch route is the gotag. The go tag is a double-move tag that is given to assigned players. Usually, the bestpositions to execute this tag are the outside receivers. However, the go tag can also beused for inside receivers.

The technique of the tagged receiver is to initially run the normal hitch route. Whenthe receiver gets to the top of his route, he will turn his head and shoulders to thequarterback and raise his hands to catch a pass. He would like to avoid contact withthe defender as he turns back upfield. The receiver will take the best angle for release,either a spin to the sideline or a shuffle slide to avoid contact.

The quarterback will pick a side of the defense, catch the snap, and pump fake tothe receiver lined up to the side he picked. The quarterback’s next step is critical to thesuccess of the play. After his pump fake, he will set his feet and throw the ball. It’simportant for the quarterback to set his feet and throw the ball quickly. A common errorof the quarterback is to take a three-step drop after the pump fake. A three-step dropmakes for a longer throw and gives the defense more time to react to the double move.

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Figure 1-11. Hitch-and-go route in a 3 x 1 set

Figure 1-10. Hitch-and-go route in a 2 x 2 set

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Figure 1-12. Hitch-and-go route in a 3 x 2 set

Figure 1-14. Hitch-and-go route to a single receiver in a 3 x 2 set

Figure 1-13. Hitch-and-go route in a 4 x 1 set