Who invented spread offense

There are major spread elements present in the NFL today, because it's usually the best way to isolate match-ups which is what the pro game is all about, thus you're now seeing it at traditional power programs in the college game. The good pro-style spread teams are concept based, like the Air Raid, and try to do a few things really well.

The bad ones try to mix in spread formations and concepts with pro-style language and approaches, call themselves "multiple," and are inefficient at most everything.

It's very difficult for college teams to actually be really, really good at multiple comprehensive concepts. The amount of practice time and the versatility or roster depth necessary to be balanced between the run and pass is usually beyond most programs. You see this most prominently at tight end. The best tight ends you've heard of are usually just okay run-blockers and great receivers. Then there are tight ends who are great blockers but aren't typically awesome receivers.

The challenge of the pro-style spread is usually how to run the ball effectively from formations with a TE if the TE isn't actually a good run-blocker. The answer has essentially been the RPO game, which is why nominally pro-style teams are now embracing spread formations and tactics. If you can combine your drop-back West Coast passing staples with your zone or power run game on the same play you simplify protections and you put much less burden on your TE to be a master of both blocking and route-running.

To use spacing, tempo, and options to augment both pro-style run and pass concepts in a balanced attack. Those are the main schools that dominant spread systems across the college football landscape. Did I leave any out? Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.

By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Filed under:. The 4 main schools of spread offense New, 13 comments.

Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. Main strategy of the Air Raid As Mike Leach put it, "we want to throw it short to people who can score.

Main strategy of the spread-option To put defenders into conflict and distribute the ball wherever leverage advantages result.

Signature scheme The zone read with outside zone blocking and a backside bubble screen is a favorite way Oregon uses to put maximal horizontal stress on an opposing defense: The smashmouth spread There's a lot of overlap between these varying philosophies and in particular between the "spread to run" schools of spread-option ball and the smashmouth spread.

To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Louis Cardinals talks with players prior to the start of an NFL football game circa Coryell coached the Cardinals from There were times last year when it looked like Mike McCoy was calling the running plays. So many wasted downs and scoring chances, imo. There seemed to be a lot of slamming him straight up the middle into the DL. Although maybe it was just difficult to judge because Kyler is so quick and would regularly get 10 yards on his runs.

Walter, it could just be me making things up but it felt like the running game last season was much more boring than The strategy and philosophy behind this thinking has been widely debated and many coaches have found success using a 30 front, or using a 40 front against the spread.

Combined with his program's emphasis on defensive speed, TCU has proven capable of defending against many spread offenses. American Football Database Explore. Recent blog posts Forum. Explore Wikis Community Central. Register Don't have an account?

Spread offense. History Talk 0. Retrieved Sports Illustrated. New York Times. College Football Nation Blog. Retrieved December 30, Individual plays. Lateral pass Quarterback scramble Minnesota shift. Dime defense Nickel defense Two-level defense Zone defense in American football. Icing the kicker Pyramid Play Zone blitz.

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