By Greg Christodulu • Assistant Coach • Shenendohowa High School (NY)
There are times throughout the course of a game or, for that matter a season, that defensive personnel must be stretched vertically to open up certain aspects of your offense. This is a very simple package that is consistent with its teaching and creates multiple conflicts for the defense. It would also be a dependable and exciting package for utilization whenever you feel appropriate.
The “DRIVE ” package may initially look extensive and difficult to install, but in reality, it is one of the most repetitive passing game packages. There are multiple layers of choices and reads for the quarterback and receiver corps that are consistent throughout the system. In addition, the quarterback progressions are repetitive, making for a quick-learning progression for a young quarterback.
The “Drive” concept itself is neatly packaged and will enhance not only your passing game but also your entire offense. The system is limited only to one’s creativity, imagination, and ability to execute. Most importantly, the players will enjoy the continued development and evolution of the system. The beauty of the series is that, regardless of the creative formations in which a play can be run, the concepts remain the same and the terminology and quarterback’s progressions are similar throughout the series.
PROTECTION:
The installation of the series starts with the 5-step protections (“Mike Protection”). The front five linemen are responsible for the four down defensive linemen and the Mike LB. The fullback is responsible for the Sam LB. The Will LB is the “Hot” pre-snap and post- snap read for both the QB and the H-Back (See Diagram 1).
QB PROGRESSION: Y DRIVE SERIES
1. FULLY UNDERSTAND SERIES CONCEPTS
• Routes of receivers
• QB has 2.5 seconds to release the ball
• Understand that over 2.5 seconds, protection may break down
• X Receiver to “Triangle – Triangle – Triangle”
• QB and X Receiver is a game within a game (3 routes to choose from)
2. PRE-SNAP INFORMATION
• Protection • “Gimme Throws”
• Read coverages • Footwork
• Snap Count
3. 1st READ
• Choice Receiver – (X) (3 routes to choose from)
• 7 step-stop/10 step-out/fade route
• Know alignment of CB and WLB
• Patterns are dependent on defensive scheme and alignment
- Basic rule of thumb – dependent on arm strength
Near hash – out route or fade route
Middle of field – stop route or fade route
- Signals
7 step stop – top of helmet
10 step out – inside hip
Fade – face mask
4. 2nd READ
• Y drive series
- X then Triangle
• QB reads the triangle progression
- Drive route/stick route/dig route triangle
5. DIG ROUTE READ
• Read free safety in cover 3
• Split underneath LB zones vs. cover 2
• High / low read on dig route and vertical post route
• Throw to window on dig route (keep the ball low)
• Throw just inside hash to post route (overthrow the deep ball)
Here is a series of four plays within our offense that utilize this concept (Diagrams 2-5).
Vs. ZONE: (Diagram 2)
X – Choice Routes
- 7 Step Stop – Signal touch - “Helmet” - when WLB is aligned in the box.
- 10 Step Out – Signal touch - “Hip” - when ball is on near hash or close to near hash.
- Fade / Go Route – Signal touch - “Mask” – vs. pressed corner.
H – “Down the Tracks” – Hash mark to inside the hash post route.
- Will LB stunt – vs. man over the top defender - run stop route.
Y – “Drive Route” – Climb to 6-7 yards and level off, 3 yards outside the opposite tackle vs. man coverage.
Z – “Dig” – 12-14 yards over the ball between the LB’s vs. man coverage.
F – Read strong side LB stunt – “Chip Technique” to “Stick Route”
- 4-5 yards over tackle box opposite the drive route vs. man coverage.
Vs. MAN:
Run away from the defender.
QB PROGRESSION:
- 2.5 seconds to release the ball
- X Route to triangle Y - F – Z
- Dig route is after 2.5 seconds
- “Hot” read is the H to the X
Vs. ZONE: (Diagram 3)
X – Dig Route – 12–14 yards over the ball between the LB’s.
H – “Down the Tracks” – Hash mark to inside the hash post route.
- Will LB stunt – vs. man over the top defender - run stop route.
Y – “Drive Route” – Climb to 6-7 yards and level off, 3 yards outside the opposite tackle box vs. man coverage.
Z – “Post Route” – Down the tracks just inside the hash marks vs. man coverage.
F – Read strong side LB stunt – “Chip Technique” to “Stick Route”
- 4-5 yards over tackle box opposite the drive route vs. man coverage.
Vs. MAN:
Run away from the defender.
QB PROGRESSION:
- 2.5 seconds to release the ball
- H Route to Triangle Y – F - X
- Dig route is after 2.5 seconds
- “Hot” Read is the H
Vs. ZONE: (Diagram 4)
X – Choice Routes - 7 Step Stop – Signal touch - “Helmet” - When LB is aligned in the box.
- 10 Step Out – Signal touch - “Hip” - only when ball is on near hash
- Fade / Go Route – Signal touch - “Mask” - Corner Pressed
H – “Stick Route” – 4-5 yards over tackle box opposite the drive route vs. man coverage.
Y – “Drive Route” – Climb to 6-7 yards to 3 yards outside the opposite tackle box vs. man coverage.
Z – “Dig” – 12-14 yards over the ball between the LB’s vs. man coverage.
F – Read LB stunt – Pass protect.
QB PROGRESSION:
- 2.5 seconds to release the ball
- X Route to Triangle Y – H - Z
- Dig route is after 2.5 seconds
- “Hot” read is the X
Vs. ZONE: (Diagrams 5)
X – Choice Routes - 7 Step Stop – Signal touch - “Helmet” - When LB is aligned in the box.
- 10 Step Out – Signal touch - “Hip” - only when ball is on near hash
- Fade / Go Route – Signal touch - “Mask” - Corner Pressed
H – “Down the Tracks” – Hash mark to inside the hash post route.
Y – “Drive Route” – Climb to 6-7 yards to 3 yards outside the opposite tackle box vs. Man coverage.
Z – “Dig” – 12-14 yards over the ball between the LB’s vs. man coverage.
F – Read strong side LB stunt – “Chip Technique” to “Stick Route”
– 4-5 yards over tackle box vs. man coverage.
Vs. MAN:
Run away from the defender.
QB PROGRESSION:
- 2.5 seconds to release the ball
- X Route to Triangle Y – F - Z
- Dig route is after 2.5 seconds
- “Hot” read is the H or the X
Summary:
As you can gather, the Y drive package can be run from the I formation, utilizing “iso” play-action look, trips formations, wing-t with four eligible receivers, shot gun or even no-back formations. The quarterback can either be under center or in shotgun formation. The responsibilities, assignments and progressions throughout the package remain consistent for both the quarterback and receivers.
{This package is also capable of using the similar concepts and expanded into the “X Drive” series, “Z Drive” Series, and the “H Drive” Series.}
About the author: Greg Christodulu played at both Syracuse and Delaware and has coached at Albany, James Madison, and Susquehanna. Christodulu was also the offensive coordinator at Gloversville High School (NY) and is currently an assistant coach at Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park (NY). He can be reached at chrigrep@shenet.org