Run-n-Shoot Offense 101

Here at X’s and O’s Football we want to take a look at a very popular offensive style.  The Run and Shoot Offense was first developed in the 1960’s by Glenn “Tiger” Ellison from Middletown, Ohio. His very popular version of the offense averaged scoring a touchdown every ten plays and once scored 98 points in a single game. In the 1970’s, Darrel “Mouse” Davis began having tremendous success with the offense at Portland State.  Davis’s original version of the offense was more structured and contained only 3 running plays and five passing plays. He originally placed coverages into 4 categories (3-Deep, 2-Deep, Man-to-Man, and Blitz) and created variations of how the offense would attack each coverage.

Why Don’t More NFL Teams Use the Run and Shoot Offense?

NFL defenders are too fast and athletic for the Run and Shoot offense to succeed consistently. Pass protection can be difficult and a great deal of familiarity with the offensive scheme is in need to work to run it efficiently.

What is the Philosophy of the Run and Shoot Offense?

The Run and Shoot Offense is not about scoring points on one quick play. It’s about running a ball control offense with high percentage pass plays. This leads to throwing fewer interceptions and ultimately it gets you a much higher QB Rating. If you’re the type of coach who likes to chuck the ball up deep every play, then the Run & Shoot offensive system may not be right for you.

What Type of Personnel do I need to have run the Run & Shoot Offense?

To be able to run the Run and Shoot Offense, you need to have the right personnel. Let’s face it, if your team has weak receivers, but has a strong halfback with a powerful offensive line blocking for him, you are not going to want to run the Run & Shoot Offense. With that said take a look at the requirements to run one of the most dynamic offenses in Madden 2011

• Need to have an accurate quarterback. He does not need to have a strong arm, but it helps to get the ball to the spot faster.
• Having an athletic quarterback who can throw on the run or take off with the football is an additional benefit, but is not required.
  Need at least five receivers who can catch and have enough speed to separate from defenders once they catch the ball. Those receivers can be a combination of WR’s, RB’s or TE’s.
• Need to have an offensive line that is able to pass protect as most the plays have 5 receivers releasing into the pattern.
• In most cases five wide receivers spread the defense and limit the number of looks the defense can employ.
• It does not require tight ends or a fullback.

What Other Tips Should I Know About Running The Run and Shoot Offense?

• Always have two options when you come to the line of scrimmage. Read one defender and choose between two quick options based on the defender’s actions.
• Flood the zones with one more man than they can defend. The defense can always rush one more than you can block, so turn the tables on the defense with overloads.
• Against Stretch zones, clear out underneath passing lanes.
• Putting your best receiver in at the slot position will often give favorable passing match up problems against linebackers or weaker defensive backs.
• Requires being able to make pre-snap reads of the defensive coverages at the line of scrimmage and knowing immediately where to go with the ball once the ball is snapped.
• 1-3 step drops allows for the quarterback get the ball out quickly and lessens the chance of being sacked.
• Substitutes run game for a short controlled passing game.
• Even though we like the short passing game, we realize at some point we must run the ball to keep the defenses somewhat off balance. With the defense spread out trying to cover receivers, it allows the RB to get positive yardage up the middle on Draws, Delays and Dives.

June Jones Explains the Run-n-Shoot Offense

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efLE5JyskU8

More Run-n-Shoot Resources

To read more about the Run-n-Shoot offense, click any one of the following links below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run_and_shoot_offense

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2940589/199495-SMU-Mustangs-Run-N-Shoot-Offense

http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/03/simple-approach-to-run-and-shoot-part-1.html

http://www.suite101.com/content/what-is-the-run-and-shoot-offense-a147701