B. QB Thought Process

15. B. QB Thought Process In addition to the physical steps involved in running the Veer, there are a number of mental "checks" and things for the QB to consider. 1. The QB should strive to be efficient in his reads, not perfect. Even if you guess, you'll be right half of the time. 2. We want a quick read; Know by the time the second foot is down whether it is give or pull. "Better wrong then Long" 3. We want the ball on the perimeter as often as possible, because perimeter = points. 4. When is doubt, give the ball. 5. "Never pitch under stress, or pitch into a mess." Pitching with someone all over you or the pitch back will result in a fumble or bad pitch. 6. Know and understand the strategy behind the offense. This will be discussed in detail later, but the QB must understand and be able to recognize defensive fronts and alignments, which in turn enable us to flip the play to the best side or audible to another play if need be.

16. 7. Once the QB knows the direction the play is going, the first thing he must do is identify the dive key: the first down lineman past the dive path. (See diagrams below) He should also note the dive key's proximity to the dive path. Don't guess what the dive key will do, but anticipate give or pull. 8. The QB uses an "UNLESS" rule when reading the dive key. "I will hand off to the FB unless the dive key comes down and hard on the FB." Anything other than that is a give. Dive key runs up field, give. Dive key sits, give. Dive key attacks the QB, give. 9. Before the ball is snapped, the QB should also identify the pitch key, and his proximity. The pitch key is the next defender outside the dive key. (See diagrams below) The closer the pitch key, the sooner the pitch will happen. Know whether the pitch key can crash hard. 10. Once the ball is pulled, the QB again uses the "UNLESS" rule. "I will keep the ball unless the pitch key's far shoulder turns toward me." After the pull, the QB snaps the ball to his heart, and attacks the inside shoulder of the pitch key, but he reads the outside shoulder. 11. Be ready to keep the ball after the pull. If the pitch key generally attacks the pitch, get to the option alley. Hash, numbers, sideline. Don't cut back, stay away from the pursuit which comes from inside out. Dive Key Pitch Key

19. Lane 1 Lane 2 Lane 3

21. PSG & PST Willie-Cop

23. PST Veer (inside) release

24. The Center and PSG begin with a “Willie” block, But at the last minute, the Guard comes off the Block, looking for the backside LB. Versus double 1 techniques, the Center should, according to the Zone blocking rules, overtake the playside defender as shown above. The PSG can also single block the playside DT, allowing the Center and BSG combination block the weakside. Getting the backside LB blocked is extremely important! More often than not, he is the one to make the play. If he is flowing so quickly that he cannot be cut off, counters and cutbacks should be called.

27. BSG cuts the 2 tech, and the BST and TE work up field.

28. 3 1 2 4 Read Read Blocked Blocked This is the potential 5th defender we can’t account for. We can choose to block him (treat him as the force defender) and not block the FS, but then the FS will be the 5th defender .

29. 4 2 1 Deep Third Pitch Key Dive Key 3 Force * An integral part of this scheme is to force the LB to take the FB. If we allow the DE to take the FB, the LB will scrape over the top and take QB, effectively becoming the 5th defender. This will leave the SS unblocked, but without the threat of a 2 on 1 scenario. We have to condition the LB to take the dive, widen the DE to the point where he cannot effectively stop the FB, and hit a tighter landmark. All of these things will enable the PST to make his block on MLB, and once again force a decision on the DE. Either take the dive away or we will beat you up inside with the FB.

31. 1 2 3 Which defender is the “force” player? 4

32. Which defender is the “force” player? How many perimeter defenders are there? Remember, when there are 3 perimeter defenders, the FS becomes the force. 4 3 2 1 Note the tight alignment of the alley player (#2). This player would be tough to block anyway, but since he is the first defender outside the dive key, he is the pitch key and therefore not blocked. According to the blocking rules, either the Slot or WR should go block the FS, who is the force player. If the inside LB is flying out to take the QB (he becomes #5), and the PST cannot get him blocked, we will have to block him with the Slot and take our chances with the FS. Vs. 4 perimeter defenders, #1 and #2 are the dive read and pitch key. This leaves #3 and #4 to be blocked by our two receivers. #3 is in the better position to give run support, so he is the force defender. 4 3 2 1 When facing a defensive adjustment like this, we would rather block #2 with our Slot, and option #3, leaving the WR to stalk block the Corner (#4). With the SS up on the LOS, this is a tough block for either receiver. Another way to attack this is to throw the ball. Remember, a defense set up to stop the option is usually weak against the pass.

33. 2 1

34. We can account for 3 perimeter defenders on the single receiver side; 2 are optioned and one is blocked. The WR’s assignment is called “Crack-Read”. As the WR runs at the Corner, he reads his reaction. If the Corner backpedals, the receiver looks for the FS filling the alley. When the FS begins to fill the alley, the WR should take the FS out. If the FS sees him coming, the WR will simply wall of the the pursuit of the FS. Obviously, we can go ahead and stalk the Corner and force the FS to fill the alley. Many teams will try to have the FS become the 4th defender (which we cannot account for) on the weakside. We will assume that either the FS or Corner will stay back and defend the Deep third. We will block whichever defender is coming for run support. 4 4 2 1 3 To run Veer weak from Trips, we would have to motion The TB into the backfield. Read #1, pitch off of #2. Whether we stalk the corner or crack the FS will depend on which is the better tackler. Most FS are better tacklers than corners, so we can decide during scouting which defender we want to force into action, If we feel we can simply outrun the pursuit of the FS, we will stalk the CB. Once we have the Corner coming up to stop the option, the flag route will open up behind him. If the defense is in some kind of man or man, we will automatically crack the FS. The CB must run with his man, so we block two defenders with one man.

35. 4 3 2 1 The TE side attack is not meant to a mainstay of the offense. It is used when the defense begins to overshift to the Twins side, and to keep the defense honest. Many teams will shift their FS toward the Twins side. When they do, we have a numbers advantage. One blocker plus three ball carrier options against 3 perimeter defenders.