The gun n' run: a variation of the spread offense

Coach and Athletic Director, August, 2003 by Bill Leach

At Princeton, we have never been blessed with size on the offensive line, we have more than made up for it with speed and athletic ability. Three years ago we visited Northwestern University to see how they utilized the spread offense and we liked what we saw ... and adopted it.

Over the past two seasons we have put up some big offensive numbers. We have averaged 33 points, 416 yards of total offense, and 68 offensive plays per game.

The key to these offensive numbers was our quarterback, an outstanding running back with great vision who could improvise and get the ball to the receivers. With that type of player at the controls, we modified the spread to capitalize on his talents.

We lined him up in the shotgun, spread the defense, and looked to run the ball. We, use the term "run" to define any play in which we can get the ball to a skill player (especially the QB) who has a chance to run with it.

Our QB's two-year totals were pretty impressive. In 22 games he ran for 2,570 yards with 43 TDs and threw for another 5,333 yards and 42 TDs. He averaged 359 yards of total offense per game.

HERE ARE THE BASICS:

1. We do not huddle. As soon as the previous play is blown dead, our five offensive linemen set up where the official puts the ball back in play. As the receivers return to the LOS, they are getting a signal for the next formation and they line up in it.

2. Plays are called down from the press box and signaled in, based on the defensive alignment.

3. We use no back or "empty" sets. We want the ball in our QB's hands as much as possible. This forces the defense to cover five receivers (H, X, Y, Z, F) and defend the QB.

4. We maintain the tempo to tire out the defense, especially the big defensive linemen.

WHAT IT DOES TO THE DEFENSE:

1. It forces them to line' up with specific personnel and stay with them for the entire possession.

2. The fast tempo makes it tough to substitute, and if the defense is not as well-conditioned as the offense, it won't be able to keep up the pace.

3. It often forces the defense to line up in the same pass prevent defense for the entire possession.

4. The empty sets force the defense to cover five good athletes.

5. Defensive coaches can choose to concentrate their efforts on taking away the pass or the run, but they rarely can do both.

STRATEGIES:

1. When the defense lines up against our formation we look for "defenders in the box" (an area from tackle to tackle five yards from the LOS). If five are in the box, we run (Diag. 1). If six are in the box, we throw (Diag. 2).

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2. We use a QB draw (Diag. 3), QB dive, and a QB counter (Diag. 4). Each play has its own blocking scheme. We will also utilize a called QB sweep if we have the defense outnumbered to one side or the other. We also have many other variations and plays that complement our offense and take advantage of teams that try to take away the QB.

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3. We try to utilize our athletes at the receiver spots to exploit their athletic ability. Our routes emphasize RAC yards (run after catch). We get the bail to the receivers quickly and allow them to run with the ball (Diag. 5).

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Defenses are usually reluctant to play us man or press us because of our speed, size, and athletic ability at these positions. We will go vertical over the top any chance we get.

KEYS:

1. The formation must be called from the press box quickly to maintain the tempo. We sometimes use a script early in the game to make sure we get a 'look" at all of our formations and how the opponent will defend them.

2. The play caller in the press box must get a feel for the defensive game plan. Are they trying to defend the passing game or the running game?

3. The coach on the sideline has to work closely with the play caller to give him a feel for the emotions of the game. The coach on the sideline can see attitude and posture for the defender, especially the CB to his side.

4. Communication on the headsets must be limited to the play caller and the signalman on the sideline while in possession of the ball. Because of the up-tempo nature of the offense, any undo chatter on the headsets will interfere with the play calling and slow the tempo down. Talking and making adjustments and suggestions should be done while the defense is on the field.

BILL LEACH

Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach

Princeton High School

Cincinnati, OH