The spacing concept play is a staple in our offense. This concept allows you to isolate your ‘go-to receiver’. If the defense gives you single high man or zone, you can work the backside receiver on a hitch, slant, quick out or a fade. The reason we like this concept is because you have a man or zone concept built in. If a team gives you two high then you work the spacing concept. The rules are to the bunch-side, if you are on the ball, you are over the ball. Inside receiver arc his release and run a pivot route 5 yards. Outside receiver releases to the flat. Of course we run our flip or toss play out of this formation so teams can’t assume we are running spacing. We also motion to get to this concept. We teach our QB’s to take a 3-step drop if he is working the single receiver side (slant, hitch, out or fade). Now if it’s two high we still want the QB to move the backers by looking to the single receiver side, pump on the third step and take one step and work the spacing. This is a great medium yardage play.
Reggie Barlow is the QB coach at Alabama State University. Prior to coaching, Reggie spent 8 years playing in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders and won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Bucs. Reggie played college football at Alabama State. He played wide receiver and is the school’s all-time leading receiver.