The West Coast Offense

[EZ-E]

Cant remember if this is against the rules. If it is mods please delete.

 

 

From Wikipedia:

 

Theory

The popular term "West Coast Offense" is more of a philosophy and an approach to the game than it is a set of plays or formations. Traditional offensive thinking argues that a team must establish its running game first, which will draw the defense in and open up vertical passing lanes downfield (i.e., passing lanes that run perpendicular to the line of scrimmage).

 

Bill Walsh's West Coast Offense, however, differs from traditional offense by instead emphasizing a short, horizontal passing attack to help stretch the defense out, thus opening up running lanes. The West Coast Offense as implemented under Walsh features precisely run pass patterns by the receivers that make up about 65% to 80% of the offensive scheme. With the defense stretched out, the offense is then free to focus the remaining plays on longer throws (more than 14 yards) and mid to long yard rushes.

 

Desired Outcome

Walsh's West Coast Offense attempts to open up running and passing lanes for the backs and receivers to exploit, by causing the defense to concentrate on short passes. Since most down and distance situations can be attacked with a pass or a run, the intent is to make offensive play calling unpredictable and thus keep the defense's play "honest".

 

Beyond the basic principle of passing to set up the run, there are few rules that govern Walsh's West Coast Offense. Originally the offense used two split backs, giving it an uneven alignment in which five players aligned to one side of the ball and four players aligned on the other side (with the quarterback and center directly behind the ball). Although Walsh-influenced teams now commonly use formations with more or fewer than two backs, the offense's unevenness is still reflected in its pass protection philosophy and continues to distinguish it from single back passing offenses. Throughout the years, coaches have added to, adjusted, modified, simplified, and enhanced Bill Walsh's original adaptation of the Paul Brown offense. Formations and plays vary greatly, as does play calling.

 

Another key part of the Walsh implementation was "pass first, run later." It was Walsh's intention to gain an early lead by passing the ball, then run the ball on a tired defense late in the game, wearing them down further and running down the clock. The San Francisco 49ers, under both Bill Walsh and George Seifert, often executed this very effectively.

 

Another key element in Walsh's attack was the three step dropback instead of traditional seven step drops or shotgun formations. The three step drop helped the quarterback get the ball out faster resulting in far fewer sacks. "WCO" plays unfold quicker than in traditional offenses and are usually based on timing routes by the receivers. In this offense the receivers also have reads and change their routes based on the coverages presented to them. The quarterback makes three reads and if no opportunity is available after three reads, the QB will then check off to a back or tight end. Five step and even 7 step dropbacks are now implemented in modern day WCO's because defensive speed has increased since the 80's. Some modern WCO's have even used shotgun formations (e.g. Green Bay, Atlanta '04-'06, Philadelphia '04-present ).

 

Typical Plays

The majority of West Coast Offense routes occur within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage. 3-step and 5-step drops by the quarterback to take the place of the run and force the opposing defense to commit their focus solely on those intermediate routes. Contrary to popular belief, the offense also uses the 7-step drop for shallow crosses, deep ins and comebacks. For instance, past Michigan Wolverines offenses utilized the 5- and 7-step drops about 85% of the time with West Coast pass schemes implemented by then-Quarterbacks Coach Scot Loeffler. Because of the speed of modern defenses, only utilizing the 3- and 5-step pass game would be ineffective since the defense could squat and break hard on short-to-intermediate throws with no fear of a downfield pass.

 

The original West Coast Offense of Sid Gillman uses some of the same principles (pass to establish the run, quarterback throws to timed spots), but offensive formations are generally less complicated with more wideouts and motion. The timed spots are often farther downfield than in the Walsh-style offense, and the system requires a greater reliance on traditional pocket passing.

 

Another aspect that makes the West Coast offense one of the most difficult to master is that it requires a deeper connection between quarterback and receiver. More specifically, on any given route, a receiver has as much as three options (i.e. hitch vs. slant vs. fly) depending on what the defense is showing. The quarterback is responsible for recognizing the defense and adjusting the route if needed. This explains the communication mistakes that commonly occurs on West Coast offensive plays where the quarterback throws to a spot that the receiver is running away from.

 

Scripted Plays

A Walsh innovation was scripting the first 15 offensive plays of the game (Walsh went as far as to scripting the first 25 plays but most teams stop at 15). Since the offensive team knew that the first 15 plays would be run as scripted no matter what, they could practice those plays to perfection, minimizing mistakes and penalties. Success of the offense could establish momentum and dictate the flow of the game. It also gave the coaching staff an opportunity to run test plays against the defense to gauge their reactions in game situations. Later in the game, an observed tendency in a certain situation by the opposing defense could be exploited.

 

Requirements and disadvantages

The West Coast offense requires a quarterback who throws extremely accurately, and often blindly, very close to opposing players. In addition, it requires the quarterback to be able to quickly pick one of 5 receivers to throw to — much more quickly than previously used systems. Often, the quarterback cannot think about the play, but instead reacts instinctively — and thus is often under the control of the offensive coordinator, calling the plays for him.

 

This is in contrast to the previous quarterback requirements of other systems, which were an adept game manager and a strong arm. Thus, for example, many people reasoned that Johnny Unitas, a strong-armed field general would not have fared well in being subservient to the offensive coordinator, and that his long but sometimes wobbly passes would not have worked in the new system. The West Coast offense caused a split still evident today among quarterbacks: those who were more adept at the West Coast style (Joe Montana, Steve Young, Brett Favre, Matt Hasselbeck) and those more in tune with the old style (Dan Marino, Jim Kelly). Rich Gannon is a good example of a quarterback who fared better in one system than the other. Gannon struggled in the old style system but found great success with the Oakland Raiders and the West Coast system run by head coach Jon Gruden.

 

Also, the West Coast offense requires sure-handed receivers comfortable catching in heavy traffic, and the system downplays speedy, larger receivers who are covered easily in short yardage situation. One result has been the longevity of receivers in the West Coast system (such as the notable Jerry Rice) because a decline in speed is not as harmful, when, in "stretch the field" systems, a receiver who loses a step is a major liability. "WCO" systems also rely on agile running backs that catch the ball as often as they run. Roger Craig was a leading receiver for the 49ers for many years and was a 1,000 yard rusher and 1,000 yard receiver in the 1985 season. Finally, receivers must follow precise, complicated routes as opposed to innovation; so meticuluous, intelligent players are valued more than independent, pure athletes.

 

Finally, the West Coast offense, with its emphasis on quick reactive skills, can be seen to further develop the running quarterback motif, where extremely fast running quarterbacks (Randall Cunningham, Michael Vick, and Vince Young) and other notable scrambling quarterbacks (Jake Plummer and Donovan McNabb) are valued, if they are good passers, because in blitz or short-yardage situations, when the West Coast offense's value is negated, the running quarterback can make up this difference by posing a threat to make the first down himself, paralyzing an aggressive defense.

[Igetbored216]

And your point?

[EZ-E]

To me it explains why we do a lot of the things we do. It explains why our play calling is completely off the wall.

[Bremser]

To me it explains why we do a lot of the things we do. It explains why our play calling is completely off the wall.

As far as I am concerned we stopped running the "wco" in our loss to Colorado in 2007. That was the game where we started running a bunch of spread read option with ganz. We are not running much wco at all anymore. Watson has been trying to switch to the spread for the last two seasons. We stink at it too!

[TITANIC VS LUSITANIA]

Cant remember if this is against the rules. If it is mods please delete.

 

 

From Wikipedia:

 

Theory

The popular term "West Coast Offense" is more of a philosophy and an approach to the game than it is a set of plays or formations. Traditional offensive thinking argues that a team must establish its running game first, which will draw the defense in and open up vertical passing lanes downfield (i.e., passing lanes that run perpendicular to the line of scrimmage).

 

Bill Walsh's West Coast Offense, however, differs from traditional offense by instead emphasizing a short, horizontal passing attack to help stretch the defense out, thus opening up running lanes. The West Coast Offense as implemented under Walsh features precisely run pass patterns by the receivers that make up about 65% to 80% of the offensive scheme. With the defense stretched out, the offense is then free to focus the remaining plays on longer throws (more than 14 yards) and mid to long yard rushes.

 

Desired Outcome

Walsh's West Coast Offense attempts to open up running and passing lanes for the backs and receivers to exploit, by causing the defense to concentrate on short passes. Since most down and distance situations can be attacked with a pass or a run, the intent is to make offensive play calling unpredictable and thus keep the defense's play "honest".

 

Beyond the basic principle of passing to set up the run, there are few rules that govern Walsh's West Coast Offense. Originally the offense used two split backs, giving it an uneven alignment in which five players aligned to one side of the ball and four players aligned on the other side (with the quarterback and center directly behind the ball). Although Walsh-influenced teams now commonly use formations with more or fewer than two backs, the offense's unevenness is still reflected in its pass protection philosophy and continues to distinguish it from single back passing offenses. Throughout the years, coaches have added to, adjusted, modified, simplified, and enhanced Bill Walsh's original adaptation of the Paul Brown offense. Formations and plays vary greatly, as does play calling.

 

Another key part of the Walsh implementation was "pass first, run later." It was Walsh's intention to gain an early lead by passing the ball, then run the ball on a tired defense late in the game, wearing them down further and running down the clock. The San Francisco 49ers, under both Bill Walsh and George Seifert, often executed this very effectively.

 

Another key element in Walsh's attack was the three step dropback instead of traditional seven step drops or shotgun formations. The three step drop helped the quarterback get the ball out faster resulting in far fewer sacks. "WCO" plays unfold quicker than in traditional offenses and are usually based on timing routes by the receivers. In this offense the receivers also have reads and change their routes based on the coverages presented to them. The quarterback makes three reads and if no opportunity is available after three reads, the QB will then check off to a back or tight end. Five step and even 7 step dropbacks are now implemented in modern day WCO's because defensive speed has increased since the 80's. Some modern WCO's have even used shotgun formations (e.g. Green Bay, Atlanta '04-'06, Philadelphia '04-present ).

 

Typical Plays

The majority of West Coast Offense routes occur within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage. 3-step and 5-step drops by the quarterback to take the place of the run and force the opposing defense to commit their focus solely on those intermediate routes. Contrary to popular belief, the offense also uses the 7-step drop for shallow crosses, deep ins and comebacks. For instance, past Michigan Wolverines offenses utilized the 5- and 7-step drops about 85% of the time with West Coast pass schemes implemented by then-Quarterbacks Coach Scot Loeffler. Because of the speed of modern defenses, only utilizing the 3- and 5-step pass game would be ineffective since the defense could squat and break hard on short-to-intermediate throws with no fear of a downfield pass.

 

The original West Coast Offense of Sid Gillman uses some of the same principles (pass to establish the run, quarterback throws to timed spots), but offensive formations are generally less complicated with more wideouts and motion. The timed spots are often farther downfield than in the Walsh-style offense, and the system requires a greater reliance on traditional pocket passing.

 

Another aspect that makes the West Coast offense one of the most difficult to master is that it requires a deeper connection between quarterback and receiver. More specifically, on any given route, a receiver has as much as three options (i.e. hitch vs. slant vs. fly) depending on what the defense is showing. The quarterback is responsible for recognizing the defense and adjusting the route if needed. This explains the communication mistakes that commonly occurs on West Coast offensive plays where the quarterback throws to a spot that the receiver is running away from.

 

Scripted Plays

A Walsh innovation was scripting the first 15 offensive plays of the game (Walsh went as far as to scripting the first 25 plays but most teams stop at 15). Since the offensive team knew that the first 15 plays would be run as scripted no matter what, they could practice those plays to perfection, minimizing mistakes and penalties. Success of the offense could establish momentum and dictate the flow of the game. It also gave the coaching staff an opportunity to run test plays against the defense to gauge their reactions in game situations. Later in the game, an observed tendency in a certain situation by the opposing defense could be exploited.

 

Requirements and disadvantages

The West Coast offense requires a quarterback who throws extremely accurately, and often blindly, very close to opposing players. In addition, it requires the quarterback to be able to quickly pick one of 5 receivers to throw to — much more quickly than previously used systems. Often, the quarterback cannot think about the play, but instead reacts instinctively — and thus is often under the control of the offensive coordinator, calling the plays for him.

 

This is in contrast to the previous quarterback requirements of other systems, which were an adept game manager and a strong arm. Thus, for example, many people reasoned that Johnny Unitas, a strong-armed field general would not have fared well in being subservient to the offensive coordinator, and that his long but sometimes wobbly passes would not have worked in the new system. The West Coast offense caused a split still evident today among quarterbacks: those who were more adept at the West Coast style (Joe Montana, Steve Young, Brett Favre, Matt Hasselbeck) and those more in tune with the old style (Dan Marino, Jim Kelly). Rich Gannon is a good example of a quarterback who fared better in one system than the other. Gannon struggled in the old style system but found great success with the Oakland Raiders and the West Coast system run by head coach Jon Gruden.

 

Also, the West Coast offense requires sure-handed receivers comfortable catching in heavy traffic, and the system downplays speedy, larger receivers who are covered easily in short yardage situation. One result has been the longevity of receivers in the West Coast system (such as the notable Jerry Rice) because a decline in speed is not as harmful, when, in "stretch the field" systems, a receiver who loses a step is a major liability. "WCO" systems also rely on agile running backs that catch the ball as often as they run. Roger Craig was a leading receiver for the 49ers for many years and was a 1,000 yard rusher and 1,000 yard receiver in the 1985 season. Finally, receivers must follow precise, complicated routes as opposed to innovation; so meticuluous, intelligent players are valued more than independent, pure athletes.

 

Finally, the West Coast offense, with its emphasis on quick reactive skills, can be seen to further develop the running quarterback motif, where extremely fast running quarterbacks (Randall Cunningham, Michael Vick, and Vince Young) and other notable scrambling quarterbacks (Jake Plummer and Donovan McNabb) are valued, if they are good passers, because in blitz or short-yardage situations, when the West Coast offense's value is negated, the running quarterback can make up this difference by posing a threat to make the first down himself, paralyzing an aggressive defense.

 

 

Here is what it is really supposed to look like (from the QB's point of view)

These videos somewhat help explain how Watson is thinking.

The videos are a lecture, so feel free to forward two minutes to get to the plays

 

u_GifKM9DAk

 

5sghX-YSJ_w

 

 

Too bad it dosnt work for us. I would have loved to see it executed well.

[TITANIC VS LUSITANIA]

dp

[Enhance]

To me it explains why we do a lot of the things we do. It explains why our play calling is completely off the wall.

As far as I am concerned we stopped running the "wco" in our loss to Colorado in 2007. That was the game where we started running a bunch of spread read option with ganz. We are not running much wco at all anymore. Watson has been trying to switch to the spread for the last two seasons. We stink at it too!

I think you have some conflicting ideas here in what you are saying. The "spread read option" is, as you said, a spread offense play, so it can't be lumped together with the WCO. We used the spread read option a lot in the 2008 season. Almost every handoff to the running back can be taken by the quarterback depending on what the defense does. It just so happens that the running back is the one who generally gets the ball.

 

Also, even when BC was here, we didn't run a straight traditional WCO like that of USC. We still had quite a few shotgun formations. It just so happened that following BC's departure, Watson decided to combine his offensive strategies with that of BC.

 

Personally, I've never been a fan of the spread/west coast offense here at Nebraska. Nearly every team is running some variation of the spread these days. I don't understand why we would want to compete with the 100+ Division I schools that recruit the same type of players we are looking for offensively. I like the article that Sip wrote in the LJS. He talked about how, through various interviews with coaches, he assumes we are going to take an Alabama type approach to offense, using a lot of downhill running and throwing the ball maybe only 20 times a game. He also said that the option could get more of a role in the offense.

 

We just need the players to do it. Big, physical, technique-sound guys up front and a quarterback who knows what to do with it.

[Hunter94]

the WCO is dead, no one uses it, no one.

[Never Skerd']

Hunter... No one is running the Georgia Tech Triple Option either... NO ONE(well Navy?) They should pry just drop that too, right?

 

I was watching something on NET and they were interviewing Steve Spurrier on the topic of TOM, He said he admired the man so much because he did things his way. Offensively he never had to hire someone to "install" a system or to move the ball. I thought this was awesome and def. something college football has lost. I think Bo should take the reigns completely. He is a defensive mastermind and HE KNOWS which offense is the best to run and which is the hardest to defend. I believe he said something along the lines of the Florida Spread Triple Option. I just want Bo to take over and do what he thinks is right...

[Enhance]

Hunter... No one is running the Georgia Tech Triple Option either... NO ONE(well Navy?) They should pry just drop that too, right?

 

I was watching something on NET and they were interviewing Steve Spurrier on the topic of TOM, He said he admired the man so much because he did things his way. Offensively he never had to hire someone to "install" a system or to move the ball. I thought this was awesome and def. something college football has lost. I think Bo should take the reigns completely. He is a defensive mastermind and HE KNOWS which offense is the best to run and which is the hardest to defend. I believe he said something along the lines of the Florida Spread Triple Option. I just want Bo to take over and do what he thinks is right...

I think you are starting to see Bo ease his way into that facet of the football team.

 

The guy obviously knows how to stop offenses, but can he create one and control it himself? Well, my guess is he's learning. There is no one coach that is a guru of both sides of the ball. Head coaches have ties to either side, and then over-see the other with the help of a coordinator. I think Bo is starting to get more comfortable coaching the offense, but defense will always be his forte.

[MCAT800]

Well in CFB we have multiple types of offenses, from the supposed archaic option, the west coast, and dozens of variations of the spread. But the one common denominator is it doesn't matter what in the hell you run. All that matters is recruit and sign the best kids for your offense, have quality coaches to teach the fundamentals and when the lights turn on, execute.

[bshirt]

To me it explains why we do a lot of the things we do. It explains why our play calling is completely off the wall.

As far as I am concerned we stopped running the "wco" in our loss to Colorado in 2007. That was the game where we started running a bunch of spread read option with ganz. We are not running much wco at all anymore. Watson has been trying to switch to the spread for the last two seasons. We stink at it too!

I think you have some conflicting ideas here in what you are saying. The "spread read option" is, as you said, a spread offense play, so it can't be lumped together with the WCO. We used the spread read option a lot in the 2008 season. Almost every handoff to the running back can be taken by the quarterback depending on what the defense does. It just so happens that the running back is the one who generally gets the ball.

 

Also, even when BC was here, we didn't run a straight traditional WCO like that of USC. We still had quite a few shotgun formations. It just so happened that following BC's departure, Watson decided to combine his offensive strategies with that of BC.

 

Personally, I've never been a fan of the spread/west coast offense here at Nebraska. Nearly every team is running some variation of the spread these days. I don't understand why we would want to compete with the 100+ Division I schools that recruit the same type of players we are looking for offensively. I like the article that Sip wrote in the LJS. He talked about how, through various interviews with coaches, he assumes we are going to take an Alabama type approach to offense, using a lot of downhill running and throwing the ball maybe only 20 times a game. He also said that the option could get more of a role in the offense.

 

We just need the players to do it. Big, physical, technique-sound guys up front and a quarterback who knows what to do with it.

 

 

Wow....what a post! Truly the finest music to my ears. I just really, really want Sip to be right. If he is....the Big Red Machine will be back soon.

[Nexus]

Hunter... No one is running the Georgia Tech Triple Option either... NO ONE(well Navy?) They should pry just drop that too, right?

 

I was watching something on NET and they were interviewing Steve Spurrier on the topic of TOM, He said he admired the man so much because he did things his way. Offensively he never had to hire someone to "install" a system or to move the ball. I thought this was awesome and def. something college football has lost. I think Bo should take the reigns completely. He is a defensive mastermind and HE KNOWS which offense is the best to run and which is the hardest to defend. I believe he said something along the lines of the Florida Spread Triple Option. I just want Bo to take over and do what he thinks is right...

I think you are starting to see Bo ease his way into that facet of the football team.

 

The guy obviously knows how to stop offenses, but can he create one and control it himself? Well, my guess is he's learning. There is no one coach that is a guru of both sides of the ball. Head coaches have ties to either side, and then over-see the other with the help of a coordinator. I think Bo is starting to get more comfortable coaching the offense, but defense will always be his forte.

 

Bo is in a unique position of opportunity having Dr. Tom at his disposal. He has the rare instance of having a boss who completely understand his job better than himself. I'd love to be a fly on the wall during their meetings. I imagine it being a Mentor-to-Mentee type of relationship.

 

With that being said, I'm quite confident Bo will have NU back to elite status within the next 3 years.

[HuckFoley]

Heavy sets run game, play action pass. Option is likely coming back as well.

 

Bo is on record for having some intrigue on the option.

 

Spring game should be very experimental

[RockyMountainOySker]

First line:

 

 

The popular term "West Coast Offense" is more of a philosophy and an approach to the game than it is a set of plays or formations.