Engaging the Explosive Play Using the CAP
Engaging the Explosive Play Using the CAP
Accelerator
Accelerator
Published on Sunday, 07 April 2013 15:07 Published on Sunday, 07 April 2013 15:07 By Dub Maddox
By Dub Maddox
Offensive Coordinator at Jenks High School (OK) Offensive Coordinator at Jenks High School (OK) and
and
Director of Product Development at the National Football Academy (NFA) Director of Product Development at the National Football Academy (NFA)
Edi
Edi tor'tor' s s Note: Note: Dub Maddox is the offensive coorDub Maddox is the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for the dinator and quarterback coach for the 13 time13 time 6-A State Champions Jenks Trojans
6-A State Champions Jenks Trojans in Oklahoma. in Oklahoma. In the off seasIn the off season he is the Director on he is the Director of Campof Camp operations for National Football Academies and
operations for National Football Academies and travels across the country training athletes andtravels across the country training athletes and coaches.
coaches. Under Maddox’s guidance the Trojan offense has generated the All Under Maddox’s guidance the Trojan offense has generated the All -time Oklahoma 6A-time Oklahoma 6A scoring record of 53.4 points per game in 2010 as well as the All-time rushing record of 3884 scoring record of 53.4 points per game in 2010 as well as the All-time rushing record of 3884
total yards in 2011.
total yards in 2011. Maddox has produced the school’s All Maddox has produced the school’s All -time leading passer (Sawyer-time leading passer (Sawyer Kollmorgen) with 6,716 yards (73TDs)
2008- Kollmorgen) with 6,716 yards (73TDs) 2008-2010, along with the school’s All 2010, along with the school’s All -time career TD-time career TD record holder (Mark Ginther) with 76 TD’s combined
record holder (Mark Ginther) with 76 TD’s combined with a 70% career completion percentagewith a 70% career completion percentage--2006-2007.
2006-2007. In 2012, Maddox coordinated the Trojan oIn 2012, Maddox coordinated the Trojan offense to help win a State Championsffense to help win a State Championshiphip that outscored opponents 458-73
that outscored opponents 458-73 in the first half alone. His QB (Kyle Alexander) set the Ain the first half alone. His QB (Kyle Alexander) set the A ll-Timell-Time best
TD-best TD- Int ratio by throwing for 2034 yards w Int ratio by throwing for 2034 yards with 27 TD’s and only 2 Int’s in 219 attempts.ith 27 TD’s and only 2 Int’s in 219 attempts. Dub Dub Maddox is the co-creator and author of the R4 system and book From Headset to Helmet.
An Explosive Play Defined
An Explosive Play Defined
Maybe you’ve heard t
Maybe you’ve heard the coach’s dilemma:he coach’s dilemma: "You have to run "You have to run the ball the ball to win, but yto win, but you have toou have to throw the ball to score."
throw the ball to score."
Can you find the ke
Can you find the key relationship in this statement? Every successful football team has nailed it:y relationship in this statement? Every successful football team has nailed it: The best offenses
The best offenses are not one dimensare not one dimensional! ional! To run the To run the football effectively you musfootball effectively you must keept keep defenders out of the run-box by threatening a
defenders out of the run-box by threatening apass pass ; to pass effectively you must keep the box; to pass effectively you must keep the box defenders and secondary players at bay by threatening a
defenders and secondary players at bay by threatening arrun un .. This double threat demands a specific type o
This double threat demands a specific type of run and pass. In fact, f run and pass. In fact, according to Mike Eayrs,according to Mike Eayrs, Head of
Head of Research and Development for the NFL’s Green Bay PackResearch and Development for the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, over the last 30+ years ers, over the last 30+ years inin the NFL, the distance o
the NFL, the distance of 12 or more yards on runs and 16 f 12 or more yards on runs and 16 or more yards for passes are theor more yards for passes are the minimum distance
minimum distance needed needed to trigger a dram to trigger a dramatic increase in scoring probabiliatic increase in scoring probability. ty. When theseWhen these distances are achieved on a
distances are achieved on a run or a pass they are run or a pass they are labeledlabeled Explosive Plays Explosive Plays. As you’ll see, . As you’ll see, mostmost QB decision making structures on pass plays hinder
QB decision making structures on pass plays hinder explosive opportunities.explosive opportunities. In that same timeframe, the NFL team with a po
In that same timeframe, the NFL team with a positive turnover ratio and more explosive playssitive turnover ratio and more explosive plays (You get m
(You get more than yore than you give up) ou give up) win 91% win 91% of the of the time! time! Lesson lLesson learned:earned: We need moreWe need more explosive plays in our offense.
explosive plays in our offense. To rephrase the coach
To rephrase the coaching dilemma, to increase probability of winning games I needing dilemma, to increase probability of winning games I need moremore explosive plays than my opponent
explosive plays than my opponent . . Yet to get explosiYet to get explosive run plays (12+ ydsve run plays (12+ yds) I need the threat of) I need the threat of throwing explosive passes (16+ yds). But ho
throwing explosive passes (16+ yds). But how do I throw explosive passes without committingw do I throw explosive passes without committing the greatest
the greatest inindicator odicator of wins and losses….turnovers?f wins and losses….turnovers?
Eliminating Archaic Trains of Thought
Eliminating Archaic Trains of Thought
As the old saying goes: "Three things happen when you throw the ball and two of them are bad." As the old saying goes: "Three things happen when you throw the ball and two of them are bad." The two negative results of passing-
The two negative results of passing- incompletions and interceptions- haunt the hearts ofincompletions and interceptions- haunt the hearts of coaches.
coaches. This fThis fear drives coaches in ear drives coaches in their pursuitheir pursuit of what pass t of what pass concepts to use and concepts to use and how to teachhow to teach their QBs to read them.
their QBs to read them.
The most popular philosophies differ in coaching the moder
The most popular philosophies differ in coaching the moder n passing game and explain wn passing game and explain whyhy QBs miss expl
QBs miss explosive play opportunities. osive play opportunities. Most coaching mMost coaching methods for reading pass concepts servethods for reading pass concepts servee the
the coachcoach not the not the QBQB. . GivinGiving up control and trusting a QB g up control and trusting a QB to make the rito make the right read can beght read can be extremely difficult.
extremely difficult.
Holding onto the reigns for your QB
Holding onto the reigns for your QB
The clever but ineffective coach co
The clever but ineffective coach controls his fear by attaching reins to the QB to ntrols his fear by attaching reins to the QB to "simplify"simplify" his" his decision-making.
defender key quick-game and screens in order to provide high-percentage completion security but fizzle the explosive play. Logic is replaced with a "take a shot" mentality instead of the
explosive pass play, often by "tagging" the deep route on a play or calling a "double" move route when they "feel the force" and hope it will be there.
Another common method of reading pass concepts is taught through progressions. A coach gives his QB a number of routes to scan through after the snap in a sequential 1, 2, 3 and up to 5 order. The QB has greater freedom to view more of the field, but it requires keen mental discipline and mature timing to look at the right place at the right time to make the right throw. That’s a lot to put on a young QB. So to simplify it, coaches break up the read by removing the explosive, and
lucrative, deep routes from the post-snap decision-making process so he can focus on a defender key stretch for an intermediate or flat throw, thus eliminating the explosive play! Common coaching buzz-words such as "Alert" or "Peek Deep" are called pre-snap to remind the QB to evaluate the availability of the explosive route if coach hopes it will be there.
The problem is that the "reins" fail to teach t he QB to read what happens post-snap as the play is developing. The Post-snap decision-making process is the highest need of the QB….Even more so in today’s complex game. The advancements of pass defensive coverages in tod ay’s game are designed to short-circuit the QB’s pre-snap decision-making process. Defensive post-snap
pattern reading, post-snap rotation, and split field coverages create overwhelming mental chaos in a QB. What you see pre-snap is no longer what you see post-snap.
A New QB Operating System- The R4 Approach
What if it was possible to engage an operating system that gives the QB and co ach the ability to anticipate where the highest probability of completion is no matter what the coverage? What if we had the tools to accelerate QB decision-making both pre- and post-snap by allowing him to read what is happening in real-t ime instead of what he thinks will happen? What if the coach and the QB had a common language that increased explosive play opportunities by defining what "Open" really means and looks like? What if they could control the Chaos?
These were the answers I was seeking when I started coaching QBs. How do I teach them to decide when a WR is "Open" and what does "Open" mean? When I visited clinics or Division 1 programs, I asked these "questions" and common coaching answers were sweeping statements
such as "Throw to grass", "Throw them open" o r "If they can’t do it, we find somebody who can." I thought to myself, How much grass is needed to be considered open, when does my QB throw it there, and what if I don’t have another guy? Each time I came away frustrated.
These questions led me and fellow colleague Darin Slack to explore a better way to teach and accelerate the decision-making process for QBs. We developed a common language that built a bridge between the Coach and the QB, allowing them to communicate the reality of what was
and Coach the ability to Self Correct their mistakes. We created a process that tied the rhythm of QB footwork to the DNA of routes. We authored — and proved — an operating system that made any offense run better…faster. We call it the R4 system.
Engaging Explosive Plays into Your Offense
A great passing game hinges on the QB’s ability to anticipate opposition moves and throw the ball in rhythm to the WR breaking for open space. The offense consistently throwing explosive,
rhythmic pass plays forces the defense to respect immediate vertical threats on the field. Rhythm passing also gets the ball out quickly before defensive pressure can battle to the QB.
Threatening a defense vertically with explosive plays eliminates pressure and neutralizes the main non-negotiables of pass defense. Engaging the devastating explosive pass also opens the advantage for the explosive run.
With so much going on in an average play, what’s the key to mastering explosive rhythm
passing? Our answer is the mental accelerators that equip the QB in consistently and accurately anticipating the opening of a route before it happens.
NFL QBs process up to 20 decisions between plays!
Most QBs are bogged down with multiple pre-snap "if/then" statements that slow the mental decision-making process for a play. The R4 system is designed to filter the myriad if-then possibilities by teaching the QB the no n-negotiables of pass defense and how to "flip the script"
on the defense by using their own strengths against them. We call these non-negotiables accelerators.
The CAP Accelerator
The CAP is the first of the three main accelerators a QB uses to anticipate the availability of an explosive play. The CAP is the dominant position a defender assumes to cover a particular space. CAP stands for Coverage, Angle, and Personnel . These three components of CAP
reveal the intent of a defender and his ability to do so as a pass play develops.
The ultimate goal of a defender is to CAP (cover) the route-side space of a WR. Route-side space is the area that a route is designed to attack. If that space is left UNCAPPED (or open), the route can be executed. This means:
If a defender CAPs the route-side space, t he route is covered and he will be in a position
to make a play on the ball.
If the defender’s body is over the route-side space with his "hips or hand" in front, he has
CAPPED the route.
The WR is trying to UNCAP vertical route space and the DB is trying to CAP vertical route space.
The QB reads the defender CAP to see if the WR can get his "hips or hand" beyond the DB to UNCAP the route. The CAP concept allows the QB to operate faster by having a clear
understanding to what "Open" and "Covered" means.
PRE-SNAP CAP
The CAP concept uses both pre- and post-snap reads. Reading the pre-snap CAP allows the QB and Coach to look deeper into the coverage they see. To better organize and process the 11 variable movements (which are the 11 players on defense that can move at any given time) of defenders on the field we need to establish frames of reference that allow the QB to
compartmentalize information in the area of his vision so he can det ermine which space is CAPPED or UNCAPPED.
5 Vertical Tubes
Divide the field of play into 5 vertical "tubes;" one tube for each of the 5 potential WRs that can be distributed on any given play.
Below is an in-game picture of what these tubes look like pre-snap. Notice how the field is divided into five tubes.
The Hard Deck
Establish a horizontal "hard deck line." The Hard Deck is a frame of reference used to divide the vertical position of the defender(s) in a WR tube.
The Hard Deck is a fighter-pilot term to alert aircraft of the minimum distance they can fly without being in danger of getting shot down by anti-aircraft missiles. In football, a Hard Deck alerts the QB that when defenders get below the Deck the defender is susceptible to getting beat vertically by the WR. The Hard Deck line is adjusted each game based on the personnel of the offense and defense. It’s important to note that the Hard Deck is set higher if the offensive
personnel are stronger than the defense, and lower if the reverse is true. The line is determined by the coach and usually ranges from 7 to 10 yards.
Once the Hard Deck is established, the QB can read deeper into the intent of defensive coverage by reading the pre-snap CAP. If a defender is even or above the Hard Deck, he has CAPPED
vertical space. If he is under the Hard Deck then he has UNCAPPED vertical space.
The diagram below displays how the Hard Deck can be used to read the CAP. In this pre-snap scenario a QB can read the CAP to see three potential UNCAPPED tubes. This allows him to rapidly anticipate the possibility of an explosive play opportunity.
Reading the pre-snap CAP allows the QB and coach to better decide where to attack by reading what they are actually seeing as opposed to reading what Coverage they "think" they see. For example, a defense may be playing Cover 3 but that does not guarantee the defenders will carry out the intended coverage and may be in position to defend the 3 deep thirds of the field.
Take a look at the pictures below that show a pre-snap cap. You’ll notice that some receivers are capped and some are not.
The diagram below displays the defense playing Cover 3, but reading the CAP reveals the DB over the X receiver is NOT in a position to CAP vertical space.
If you slow down the still shot, you can see a n example of a Cover 3 alignment based on the caps of defenders
By using the Hard Deck to read the pre-snap CAP, a QB gains an explosive play advantage by anticipating when the UNCAPPED opportunities present themselves while gaining anot her critical advantage as well. It drastically reduces the number of pre-snap coverage recognition steps most QBs take at the onset of a play. For example, here are t he typical coverage decision steps QBs grapple with on a pass play:
1. Locate the safeties to determine if it is a 1-high or 2-high safety look 2. Locate corners to check their depth, eyes and leverage
3. Locate linebackers to determine if it is man or zone coverage 4. Check for hot route or protection adjustment vs. blitz look 5. Locate a defender key
6. Locate primary route, route combination, or route progression
While this decision tree works well in a classroom environment it doesn’t hold up as we ll in a pressure-packed, chaotic environment on the field. How do we gather key information when the pieces are out of place, moving or disguised? The CAP provides the answer. With a quick scan
above the Hard Deck we can eliminate decision steps and answer t he question that matters most….Is there somebody in the way? It’s that simple. It’s the same thing you did playing football in the sandlot and on your Madden video game. Read the CAP!
Just because a QB reads the pre- snap CAP and sees an opportunity for an UNCAPPED explosive play doesn’t mean that it will be there post-snap. The CAP reveals much more information than just alignment to cover vertical space. It also reads and anticipates actual intent and ability of defenders in all of space. A closer look at the CAP will provide even more information. Remember, CAP stands for Coverage, Angle, and Personnel .
In the video below, you will see how Coach Maddox uses the hard deck to influence his CAP accelerator. It’s amazing to see the difference in production before and after t he CAP accelerator was installed.
Coverage
Coverage refers to both the vertical and horizontal position of the DB using the Hard Deck and the route stem of the WR. This position defines the CAPPED area of the field.
The diagram below reveals the DB under the Hard Deck and inside of the WR. This alignment places him in a position to defend inside-flat to intermediate route-space.
Angle
Angle defines the hip-angle alignment of the defender. The angle of a defender’s hips gives the QB more information on the area of route-space he can cover. A defender’s hips cannot be in a position to simultaneously defend both horizontal and vertical space. Therefore, be reading the hip angle allows the QB even more information to better determine which space is CAPPED or UNCAPPED. The diagram above shows the DB’s hip angle t urned out, allowing him to be in a position to CAP outside horizontal flat space as well.
Personnel
Personnel is the ultimate trump card of a CAPPED or UNCAPPED route. Personnel defines the talent of the defender covering the route-side space of the WR. Opposing a defender with more talent than a WR may override the QB decision to throw to him, even if route-space is
UNCAPPED. The same would go for the inverse, such as if a WR had more talent than a DB. The diagram above shows an UNCAPPED vertical-space scenario with a DB better than the WR. In this case a QB may choose a better mismatch to attack on this play.
With a deeper understanding of the CAP, a coach can better game-plan and play-call what route concepts he needs to attack UNCAPPED space. He can also make better in-game adjustments to routes or plays based on the CAP of defenders. QBs make better pre-snap decisions by using the CAP to choose the best primary explosive route that have the highest probability of becoming open.
Reading the pre- snap CAP give the Coach and the QB the following benefits:
Anticipation of explosive play opportunities
Ability to evaluate Intent and Ability of defenders Clearer definition of open space
Understanding of what routes to use to attack open space
In the video below, Coach Maddox talks about how he takes opponents personnel into account when teaching the CAP accelerator.
Post-Snap Cap
While the pre-snap CAP gives the QB and Coach a competitive advantage, the highest need for a QB and his coach is in post-snap decision-making. What a QB sees and anticipates pre-snap is not always what will happen post-snap. In these 2-3 seconds of chaos, most QBs lock up and have no context of how to identify if a route is going to be open or covered. The CAP
accelerator provides this context.
QBs must sync their footwork in rhythm with the ro ute break to provide a timeline he can use to maneuver through a progression of routes. The ability to stay mentally in sync or ahead of the physical footwork of the timeline is accomplished by using the post-snap CAP. The post-snap
CAP is the final confirmation to the QB that the route will be Open or the route will be covered. Just because we read a route as covered does not give the defense the advantage. In fact we maintain the advantage by holding a defender in space with a natural "look off" and t hus maintain space elsewhere on the play. The QB has up to the last step of his drop to throw the first route in his progression. We classify routes into families based on where they attack and when they break open in the timeline. Routes that attack vertically, break in 1.8 seconds and have 1 or no breaks are defined as Rhythm Routes. If the rhythm route is CAPPED, the QB resets his feet and reads the CAP of the next route in the progression. All of these route concepts will be explored in a subsequent report.
In the vide below watch how a structured four vertical concept can be more efficient using the R4 CAP system.
Using the Post-Snap CAP to Win Route-Side Space Back
Reading the post-snap CAP also gives the WR the ability to win back rout e-side space if a DB is CAPPING it on the QB’s drop. A defender’s hip angle can only be in a position to CAP vertical space or horizontal space. He cannot have the best of both worlds. Therefore, if a defender’s hip angle is open and CAPPING vertical route-side space, a WR can snap the route break flatter to win horizontal space. The QB in this situation snaps the throw flatter to get the ball into open horizontal space. Try this phrase to help the QB and WR remember this technique: "If they CAP it, we SNAP it."
In the diagram below, the left scenario shows that to win vertical route-side space on a Post Route, a WR has to break the CAP to win the space. If the position of the DB is over the top and outside of the route space on the break with his hips in a position to defend horizontal space, he cannot defend vertical post space. "If he breaks it, we take it."
In the video below, Coach Maddox shows how receiver are able to win back route side space based on the defenders post-snap reaction
In the scenario on the right if the DB CAPS the vertical route-side space of the post, he will not be in a position to CAP horizontal space. We can win horizontal space by snapping the route break off flat into a speed dig cut. "If he CAPS it, we SNAP it." By reading the post-snap
CAP, the QB can throw and a WR can own route-side space no matter what the defender’s position.
Reading the post-snap CAP gives the Coach and the QB the following benefits:
Confirmation that a route will be "open" or "covered" Ability to read multiple routes across the field
Insight in winning back route space on a throw
Accelerates decision-making by reducing if/then statements (diagram 15) Provides structure for better game-plan and in-game adjustments
Conclusion
Understanding the pre- and po st-snap CAP provides a common language that builds a bridge between the Coach, QBs and WRs. Coaches can give their QBs more freedom to read the field because they are on the same page of what "Open" and "Covered" means. QBs can make better,
faster decisions because they can reduce the number of thought-processes needed to get the information that matters most on a play. WRs will run better routes at full speed because they understand the QB has the ability to read the full field and they know what he is looking for to consider a route open. Mastering and incorporating the ability to anticipate opening routes into the rhythm of QB and WR footwork under pressure is the missing ingredient to getting the explosive play into the offense. Most coaches try to control when the QB can do it; with the understanding of the CAP a coach can now trust a QB to see when there is an opportunity —
