Unlocking the Secrets of the Modern Passing Game: Mastering the Art of Concept Passing Teaching

Football has evolved over the years, and so has the passing game. Gone are the days of traditional drop-back quarterbacks, stationary wide receivers, and predictable route combinations. In today's game, passing concepts have become the driving force behind successful aerial attacks. It's time to delve into the intricacies of concept passing teaching and understand how it has revolutionized the way football is played and strategized.

The Rise of Concept Passing Teaching

Concept passing teaching is the brainchild of innovative football coaches who sought to break free from the limitations of conventional offensive strategies. Instead of focusing solely on individual routes, concept-based passing emphasizes relationships between multiple routes and the thought process behind the quarterback's decision-making.

By grouping routes into concepts, coaches can ease the cognitive load on quarterbacks and encourage a more holistic understanding of the passing game. This approach enables quarterbacks to read the defense, identify vulnerabilities, and exploit them effectively.

Concept Passing: Teaching the Modern Passing Game

by Dan Gonzalez(Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	18530 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	204 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Understanding Passing Concepts

Passing concepts can be categorized into various families, each with its own set of purpose and execution. Let's explore some of the most popular concepts that have reshaped modern passing games:

1. West Coast Offense

The West Coast Offense, famously crafted by Bill Walsh, places a heavy emphasis on short, precision passes. Routes in this concept frequently involve crossing patterns, option routes, and quick slants, designed to target the intermediate areas of the field. By relentlessly attacking these intermediate zones, offenses aim to catch defenses off-guard and gain consistent yardage without taking substantial risks.

2. Air Raid

The Air Raid concept emphasizes spread formations, vertical routes, and a high-tempo passing attack. It aims to stretch the defense by sending multiple receivers deep, creating mismatches and forcing defenders into difficult decisions. Coaches employing the Air Raid concept prioritize speed, precision, and the ability to quickly exploit defensive mistakes.

3. Mesh

The Mesh concept features crossing routes that create natural rubs or picks, catching defenders in coverage and giving receivers space to get open. It is particularly effective against man-to-man defenses and can create confusion and miscommunications among the defenders, leading to big gains for the offense.

4. Smash

Smash is a popular concept utilized against Cover 2 defenses. It involves a short corner route on one side of the field to bait the cornerback deep, followed by a quick hitch or hook route underneath. This concept exploits the space between the cornerback and the safety, forcing the defense to make difficult choices and opening up opportunities for big plays along the sideline.

The Art of Teaching Concept Passing

Mastering the art of teaching concept passing requires coaches to adopt innovative and engaging teaching methodologies. Here are some key strategies that can be employed:

1. Film Study

Showcasing game footage from successful passing plays can help quarterbacks understand the decision-making process and execution behind each concept. Breaking down film teaches quarterbacks to read defenses, identify coverage shells, and make quick decisions based on pre-snap and post-snap reads.

2. Repetition and Visualization

Repetition is key to developing muscle memory and perfecting the timing between quarterbacks and receivers. Drilling passing concepts through practice sessions and visualizing the execution in different scenarios will enhance the quarterback's ability to recall and execute each concept effectively.

3. Simulated Game Situations

Simulating game situations helps quarterbacks understand the dynamic nature of concept passing. Introducing live defenders, varying pass rush schemes, and altering coverage disguises during practice sessions extends the learning experience beyond the classroom, allowing quarterbacks to make quick decisions under pressure.

4. Progression-Based Teaching

Concept passing teaching should progress from simple to complex. Start with basic concepts and gradually introduce variations, reads, and adjustments. By building a strong foundation and gradually layering complexities, quarterbacks can develop a deep understanding of each passing concept and make split-second decisions during game situations.

The Impact on Modern Football

The advent of concept passing teaching has revolutionized the way football is played at all levels. Gone are the days of predictable, one-dimensional passing offenses. Teams that have embraced the concept-based approach have witnessed remarkable success in the passing game.

Quarterbacks who have mastered concept passing are now the most sought-after assets in the football world. They possess the ability to dissect defenses, manipulate coverage, and create explosive plays through a deeper understanding of passing concepts. Teams no longer need superstar wide receivers to carry the passing game – instead, they rely on quarterbacks who can efficiently distribute the ball to all eligible receivers based on the concept's underlying principles.

The Future of Concept Passing Teaching

As the game continues to evolve, concept passing teaching is likely to advance further. Advances in technology, such as virtual reality simulations and data analytics, will provide coaches with new tools to enhance concept passing education.

Moreover, with the rise of dual-threat quarterbacks who can extend plays with their legs, coaches will need to adapt passing concepts to cater to these dynamic playmakers. Concepts that seamlessly integrate read-option elements or designed quarterback runs will likely become a greater focus in the coming years.

Concept passing teaching has brought a new level of sophistication and efficiency to football's passing game. By understanding the complexities of passing concepts, coaches and players alike can unlock the secrets behind successful aerial attacks. By embracing this modern approach, teams can find success in the ever-evolving landscape of modern-day football.

So, go ahead, dive into the world of concept passing teaching, and witness the transformation it can bring to your team's offensive game. Remember, the future belongs to those who dare to think beyond convention and embrace innovation.

Concept Passing: Teaching the Modern Passing Game

by Dan Gonzalez(Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	18530 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	204 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

To effectively overcome the problems presented by modern defenses, a complete passing game must possess both diversity and "learnability." Concept Passing: Teaching the Modern Passing Game combines these two characteristics results in a highly sensitive balancing act for offensive coaches. A complete passing game must be able to attack a given defensive structure on all levels yet be learnable enough to yield a high degree of efficiency. The following system of passing presented in this book totals nine concepts that adapt to numerous protections, quarterback drops and actions, and personnel groupings. Furthermore, the concepts have been applied in varied presentations to the defense (huddle or no huddle) and at small college, junior college, and high school levels.

Chapters include:
Defining Concept-Based Passing
Formations and Personnel Groupings
Passing Game Terminology
Protection Schemes
The Drag Concept
The Vertical Concept
The Two-Man Game Concept
The Quick Concept
The Corner Concept
The Horizontal Concept
The Numbers Concept
The Three-Level Concept
The Object Concept
Application of Pass Concepts