In the last installment, we covered the basic rules we teach our players that will define their assignment on a given play call.  Here, we will give further insight to these applications, and hopefully show you how an offense can show a defense a multiple number of looks, while no additional learning burden to the offensive players.  For the purpose of illustration, put yourself in the shoes of the slot, or "A" receiver -- besides the quarterback, he has the most to know in this passing game. As we go through these examples, keep in mind that the drag is one of the three universal routes in this offense -- every skill player reps it every day.

The previous article illustrated "A Drive." The first (and most basic) variation would be to exchange the assignments of the inside recievers:

Because of the way we teach  inside receiver's responsibilities, slots/ tight ends/ H-Backs are interchangeable.  Furthermore, the picture (and rhythm) of the play stays the same for the QB.  Moreover, because we base out of 1 TE, 1 Back, 3 WR personnel, as we teach the basic rules for each position group, we are also teaching as we install personnel groupings.

Remember - inside receivers learn together. So, as we go to 4 WR personnel, the backup "A" receiver already learned that on Drive: we will "tag" the drag runner; the other inside guy has the middle route.

If we were to decide Z Drive provided the best matchup, we would tell the "A" to run a specific route so as to not interfere with the integrity of the pattern:

The above might be used to combat a defense that carries with a vertical release by inside receivers.  Likewise, if our X was the best runner after the catch in this situation, we could call X Drive Y Clear (once again, no new learning, since everyone learns how to run a drag route in this offense):

The comeback to the wide field is an almost impossible throw; there are three solutions to this dilemma:
1. Keep the comeback isolated to the boundary by using 3-1 sets.
2. Eliminate the comeback to the field from the quarterbacks thought process; two deployed receivers really should   prevent squatting on a drag route by the flat defender.
3. Use the "Bench" tag, which is an "out" by the inside receiver - same picture by the quarterback, but with a more makeable throw:

Once again: formation variations should not create new stress for the offense -  only the defense.  Teaching rules (and limiting exceptions to those rules) can create seemless transitions for the offensive players.  Here are two more examples:

1.  "H Drive A Bench" from  1 RB/ 2 TE/ 2 WR personnel -- the tight ends learn the original inside reciever rules.  H is tagged to run the drag, while Y has the middle route.  A is tagged to run Bench.

2.  "Y Drive A Clear" from 0 RB/ 1 TE/ 4 WR personnel -- the fourth receiver (the second "A") is playing the "B" position, but is lined up exactly where he would in 4 wides.  His rule as always -- run the middle route because he is not told otherwise.  Of note here is Z-- someone else was sent deep by the "Clear" tag -- he now runs an under, which is a staple route in the offense.  Moreover, the under replaces the RB as a checkdown -- again, same picture for the QB.

I am very selective in my useage of the term "pass concept;" while some coaches use the term synonymously to define a given pass play or even route structure, I define a pass concept as the coordination of a quarterback's eyes and feet with regard to certain spots on the field.  With this specific concept, there are two primary tags: DRIVE and CROSS.  Though these are two play tags (and as we'll demonstrate - mulitple combinations), it provides one just one learning component for the QB: the passer will be provided the same picture in this concept, over and over again.  Furthermore, the rules set for the receivers will allow multiplicity, while minimizing the need for added learning.  Before we begin with the actual mechanics of how the play is assembled, one must understand that for the pass offense described here, the Drag Concept is one of the major pillars upon which the offense is built.  It is a "Day 1" installation pass, and is a major component of the offense  in general.  Every skill position player learns how to run a drag route, as its techniques carry over to the rest of the offense. In my opinion, this method of teaching is what creates true "synergy" within an offense, allowing a team to carry more offense than others -- this is how the practice field battle is won!  For this article, I will cover the basic thoughts associated  with both DRIVE and CROSS, and the rules we give players in order to get the distribution of players we want. 

The basic idea is to create a triangle over the ball, using a drag runner, and deeper route in the middle, and an outlet.
In its standard form, the two outside receivers will be used to discourage perimeter defenders from helping thier buddies inside, keeping an advantageous ratio for the offense.  "DRIVE," seen in the first diagram below, will feature the middle route and the drag route coming from the same side.  "CROSS," as the term might describe, features the middle route (more on this in a bit) and the drag route coming from opposite sides of the formation. 

So the rules given with this route concept are as follows:

Tagged Receiver -- execute a drag route.  4 yard split.  "Stair step" any tight man defender.  Key the far linebacker; if he blitzes or takes a drop that allows you to get to the backside flat, stay on the move and look for the ball.  If he expands, pivot to a stop outside the offensive tackle area. We can tag ANYONE to run the drag.

Inside Receiver -- execute an "IN" route on DRIVE and a "SNAG" route on CROSS.  As you are releasing up the field, peek at the near LB to tell you which window you will need to get to.  An IN route must stick at the top of the stem to create separation; a SNAG starts as a crossing route, then pivots back to the side it came from. 

* When teaching initially, we tell the inside receivers "One of you has the drag, the other has the middle route.  If we tell an outside receiver to drag, we will tell one of you what to run (Ex. 76 Z Drive A Clear).
**The purpose of the SNAG route is to create the exact same relationship for the QB as his eyes move from the drag to the next route in the progression.  Simply having an IN route come from the other side really doesn't accomplish this.

Outside Receivers:
Playside --  If the drag is coming to you, execute a comeback.  Versus a "cloud" (Cover 2) corner, it converts to a BURST FLAG.

Backside --  If the drag is going away from you, execute a 7 step quick post. As we add variations to this package, and we tell someone else to "go deep" (ex. A Clear, B Wheel), you will run a 5 yard UNDER, which is basically a 5 yard IN route.

Protection Receivers -- Check your protection reponsibility, and then run a stop route 3 yards deep and 3 yards outside the offensive tackle.  We will always check you away from where the drag route is going.

Quarterback -- "Quick 7- step" drop from under center, or "Quick 5- step" drop from gun. The basic progression is:
- Throw the drag in rhythm (Rhythm is defined as timed with the last step of your assigned drop)
- Hitch to the middle route (IN or SNAG)
- Hitch to the STOP route by the back

The outside recievers are there to protect the pattern.  The GLANCE provides another quick rhythm throw vs. blitz.  The COMEBACK provides an "advantage player" to protect from a defender collapsing on the drag route from the outside- in.

We tell the QB to move his eyes slightly before his feet as he hitches up and moves to the next receiver in his progression.  As he does this, he is to anticipate the next throw, preparing his feet and arm, with his eyes telling him not to.  Just as a batter begins his swing with every pitch, and then stops his swing if a pitch is not to his liking, so should a passer -- beginning his motion in anticipation of the next throw...   

Every good offensive system should be predicated on a foundation of plays or principals that will be part of the system’s installation and execution year after year, regardless of the defenses to be encountered.  In the passing system described here, the passing game is built up on the bedrock of three pass concept:  The Vertical Concept, The Two-Man Concept, and The Drag Concept.

I learned the finer points of this “West Coast Offense”
staple during the spring of my junior year at Texas. 
I played for very progressive offensive coaches, and the 49ers were in
their heyday: Steve Young throwing short passes to Jerry Rice with huge runs after the catch were common place on Sunday sports highlights. What the 49ers called “2 Jet Flanker Drive” was a bread and butter play of the San Francisco
passing game and a key play in their assault on NFL defenses.  My coaches decided to adopt the play, and that spring, “Scat Z Under” as we initially installed it, literally changed my life as a football player. Running a shallow crossing (AKA “drag”) route was one of those things I just had a feel for, and a few big plays in scrimmage situations helped me make a name for myself.  These big plays helped vault me from a career on the scout team (where most “walk ons” toiled) to traveling and lettering as a senior. Needless to say, I was sold on the concept, and have worked on refining
it’s teaching points my entire career.

Very early on in my career, I have had the great fortune of installing the passing game at each stop. What I have come to label as the “Drag Concept”  has been part of our Day 1 installation at every stop.  Not only does the concept provide solid answers vs. man, zone, and blitz coverages, but the techniques employed also provide carry-over to subsequent installation days.   As a result, instead of giving players a dizzying array of techniques to master, a solid foundation
is taught, and the lessons to follow are merely reinforcing that initial teaching.

In future posts, I'll get into the details of teaching the concept.  For now, let a few video examples suffice: