Offense 101

[Mr. Scot]

For the folks that regularly hear a lot of talk about different offensive systems, concepts and such who don't necessarily understand all that talk but would like to, here are some articles that can help.

Examining NFL Offensive Philosophies

This article gives you a basic understanding of the concepts key to the Coryell, Erhardt-Perkins and (Walsh) West Coast Offensive systems. Also the Run and Shoot, but you don't really see that anymore.

Understanding Basic NFL Offensive Concepts

A little more info on the primary systems but also some of the underlying concepts like Man Blocking vs Zone Blocking, etc. to help gain a deeper understanding.

The Most Important Schemes and Concepts in the NFL Today

A good piece by Doug Farrar, not so much about the offensive systems but more about stuff like RPOs, motions, fronts and other things of that sort.  And as such, a nice guide to understanding some of what you hear analysts refer to on Sundays refer.

For those who want to go even deeper, I always recommend two books. "Football for Dummies" by Howie Long and John Czarnecki and "Play Football the NFL Way" by Tom Bass. The second one is more geared to coaching than just learning but it's pretty informative too.

Hope that's helpful.

[Black&BlueBubba]

Can you send this to Ron???  

[Sirpurrsom3885]

Yeah none of that matters unless everyone is wearing a tie on the bus. 

[ElkinPanthersFan]

The only offense here is that Rivera is still coaching this team. I find it quite offensive.

[Mr. Scot]

1 hour ago, Black&BlueBubba said:

Can you send this to Ron???  

Ouch

[Navy_football]

21 hours ago, Black&BlueBubba said:

Can you send this to Ron???  

[panthers55]

Thought Norv ran the offense and somehow I think he could have written these books.

[Pimpdaddy]

20 hours ago, Sirpurrsom3885 said:

Yeah none of that matters unless everyone is wearing a tie on the bus. 

..when the relationship soured....

[philit99]

I think it would be nice to include personnel packages as well. We always used them when I was coaching but I have noticed that announcers and fans on here have started to use personnel terms. In football you can only have 5 pass receiving eligible players on offense.

00 personnel = “5 wide” = 0 RB’s and 0 TE’s 5 WR

01 personnel = 0 RB’s, 1 TE’s, 4 WR’s

02 personnel = 0 RB’s, 2TE’s, 3 WR’s
03 personnel = 0 RB’s, 3 TE’s, 2 WR’s
10 personnel = 1 RB, 0TE’s, 4 WR’s

11 personnel = “RPO” 1RB, 1TE, 3WR

12 personnel = “ACE” 1RB, 2TE, 2WR also good for RPO

13 personnel = 1RB, 3TE, 1WR Strong run goalline short distance.

20 personnel = 2RB, 0TE, 3WR’s

21 personnel = 2RB’s, 1TE, 2WR’s

22 personnel = 2RB’s, 2TE, 1WR

23 personnel = “goalline” 2RB’s, 3TE, 0WR’s

 

[Pimpdaddy]

...you mean they dont tell our WR's to just run around and get open?

[Khyber53]

22 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

For the folks that regularly hear a lot of talk about different offensive systems, concepts and such who don't necessarily understand all that talk but would like to, here are some articles that can help.

Examining NFL Offensive Philosophies

This article gives you a basic understanding of the concepts key to the Coryell, Erhardt-Perkins and (Walsh) West Coast Offensive systems. Also the Run and Shoot, but you don't really see that anymore.

Understanding Basic NFL Offensive Concepts

A little more info on the primary systems but also some of the underlying concepts like Man Blocking vs Zone Blocking, etc. to help gain a deeper understanding.

The Most Important Schemes and Concepts in the NFL Today

A good piece by Doug Farrar, not so much about the offensive systems but more about stuff like RPOs, motions, fronts and other things of that sort.  And as such, a nice guide to understanding some of what you hear analysts refer to on Sundays refer.

For those who want to go even deeper, I always recommend two books. "Football for Dummies" by Howie Long and John Czarnecki and "Play Football the NFL Way" by Tom Bass. The second one is more geared to coaching than just learning but it's pretty informative too.

Hope that's helpful.

The New Thinking Man's Guide to Professional Football by Paul Zimmerman may be the best, in depth look at the sport by one of the great scholars of the game. Hardback and paperback versions can be really expensive (and hard to find) but Kindle does offer it for free to Unlimited readers or for a reasonable $9.99.

Dr. Z was the original Power Rankings guy for Sports Illustrated and one helluva writer and sports historian. Sadly, his career ended far too abruptly due to a stroke.

 

[philit99]

One could also examine the route tree for a Coryell offense. The route tree is a number told to a wide receiver in the huddle, and that number is the route that would be run. “Bang 8” or skinny post is a great route, just go back and watch Michael Thomas wear our safeties out with it for the last 3 years. You can also find the 9 route or go route, and Julio Jones is still running today.