12/13/12 Spread'Em & Shred'Em

Spread'Em and Shred'Em

Spread'Em and Shred'Em.Com- Dedicated to the Air Raid Offense

SMALL SCHOOL AIR RAID ...

The Sting of The Hornets

by Neil Weiner
Head Football Coach
Catholic High of Pointe Coupee
New Roads, LA

It is a privilege to be able share part of our program with others,

since we can’t take credit for everything we do, but have used ideas
from others to best fit our program. Following our 2005 season, and
losing Offensive Coordinators two years in a row to the Head
Coaching ranks, we made a decision committing to throwing the
football. We had used “Spread” principles as a part of our two
previous systems, but we weren’t a “Spread” team.
The old saying is true, that, “If something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” I decided I was going to take over
play-calling duties and as a staff we were going to sell-out to the Tony Franklin System. I spoke with Tony at length
over the phone, voicing my concerns about the practice time and depth needed to successfully install his brand of
the “Air-Raid” offense. He assured me if, we were willing to coach as hard as we could it would be the best thing
we ever did. He even offered to refund my money if I wasn’t satisfied with his services.

We installed the offense one week before our Spring Practice began in May, and never looked back. We went
from 3-7 (2004) to 4-6 (2005), made the switch to the Tony Franklin System and went10-0 and District Champions
(2006). This past year we went undefeated in District play and won back-to-back championships.

Our school, Catholic High of Pointe Coupee, located in New Roads, LA (population under 4,000), has 197
students in Grades Nine through Twelve. This year’s squad dressed out 38 players. We participate in the
Louisiana High School Athletic Association in Class 1A (smallest football division).

Offensive Package
We use as a part of our offensive package: 7 Drop-back (3-step from the “gun”) routes, 6 Quick game (1-step or
no-steps from the “gun”), 5 Screens, and a wide variety of run plays (Zone Read, Counter/Power/GT, Veer Option,
and the popular “Spin” offense).

“Platooning”
We feel that our best football players must play, meaning sometimes a player may need to start on both sides of
the ball. However, when possible, we like to “start” as many different players as possible. For example, in 2006
we were able to limit our two-way starters to only 3 players, while in 2007 we had 3 players limited to only offense.
Because of our platoon philosophy we must practice both Offense and Defense on both days with portions of our
practice devoted entirely to one side of the ball, or the other.

Practice Organization
The following are percentages of time spent each day on Offense and Defense:
Monday – 60% Offense, 40% Defense
Tuesday – 80% Offense, 20% Defense
Wednesday – 25% Offense, 75% Defense
Thursday – Game Simulation/Walk-through
The following is a list of practice segments for each day on Offense:

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Monday
Settle and Noose
Pat and Go
Mesh Drill
Routes on Air
Run Game Review
Team Screen versus barrels
Team Script: Openers, Coming off, 3rd and Short

Tuesday
Settle and Noose
Pat and Go
Individual
Mesh Drill
Routes on Air
Run Game – Inside Drill
11 on 11 Pass-Under-Pressure
Team Screen versus Scout Team
Team Script: Openers, (-5 to -20), 3rd and Medium

Wednesday
Settle and Noose
Pat and Go
Mesh Drill
Routes on Air
Team Script: Red Zone, Goal Line, 3rd and Long

“Numbers” problems

The traditional “Air Raid” offense uses their “Routes On Air” Drill as a staple in practicing route packages. The
drill calls for five Quarterbacks lined up almost “shoulder-to-shoulder” throwing to the five eligible receivers in the
pattern. As many small school programs probably know, having five quarterbacks on a team of less than forty
players is a rare thing. So to keep all five receivers in the drill, we asked two of our assistant coaches to rotate in
with the Quarterbacks. So, our coaches rotate along with the QB’s so that they can throw each part of the
progression throughout the drill.

One concern we had going in to our first year with the system was the ability to install our entire package while
having players spend time on both sides of the ball. In other words, can our players remember their plays? Using
the Tony Franklin System wristband technology, our problems were erased. Players have an individualized
wristband insert, so that only their assignment is on the wristband. This allowed us to not only install our entire
package but we were able to interchange personnel and positions through the course of a game if injury would
occur. For instance, in one game our starting Strong Safety, was bale to fill in on offense at X, H, and F positions,
without ever having to learn what each player does on each route.

Another issue was conditioning. With most of our squad playing both offense and defense, would we be able to
effectively run a “No-Huddle” offense and still be strong in the Fourth Quarter? Our practice tempo enabled us to
practice for a full two hours without having to “waste” 15 minutes at the beginning of practice on stretching and 15
minutes at the end of practice running conditioning drills. We used our “Settle and Noose” and “Pat and Go” drills
to warm-up and still coach the fundamentals and individual techniques needed in our passing game. Our up-
tempo style of play is even sped-up during practice, so we “condition” while running our ROA Drills along with our
Team Scripts.

Final Thoughts

The last four years turning the program around has been very rewarding for our staff. Once we “sold-out” to the
spread two seasons ago, we really started to have some fun, which is spelled “W-I-N” in the world of football
coaching. Is the “spread offense” the answer for you? Is it the best offense to run? I don’t know. It was for us,
because it is what got our staff the most excited. We have other offenses in our state that are very successful
“option” teams, while there is plenty teams lighting up scoreboards running the Wing-T. I think we all agree that the
offense that works best is the one that you and your staff can get excited about enough that you don’t get bored
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offense that works best is the one that you and your staff can get excited about enough that you don’t get bored
coaching the small things.

You can contact me with any questions you may have by emailing me at nweiner@catholicpc.com.

Neil Weiner
Head Football Coach
Catholic High of Pointe Coupee
New Roads, LA

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