By Mike Kuchar

The Origins of the Pistol Formation

Jim Mastro remembers the day like yesterday.  The former Nevada running back coach- now handing the same responsibilities at Washington State University- recalls the time that former Nevada head coach Chris Ault bursts into the football offices with a pre-conceived idea that at that time might have been seen as football blasphemy.   In 2005, the Wolfpack were having a hard time with their QB getting the proper depth on his pass drop from pro typical shotgun formations.  “When he was supposed to be at seven yards, he was at six,” said Mastro.  “When he was supposed to be at nine yards he was at seven.  The conversation started with ‘how are we going to get the QB away from the Center easier and faster?’  

“Finally Coach Ault came in one morning and said ‘let’s go downstairs and let’s talk about this.’  He didn’t like the shotgun.  For the few years that he was out of football  (as an Athletic Director at Reno) the shotgun became trendy.  When he came back to coach again, we had all (his staff) coached in the shotgun but he didn’t like it because your run game is East and West.  He liked the idea of the shotgun, but we wanted the downhill run game.  We decided to move the QB up and put the back right behind him.”

Thus, the birth of the Pistol formation.  What started as a shot-in-the-dark notion now has become all the rage in the high school, collegiate and even professional ranks- thanks to the success that Colin Kaepernick, the former Wolfpack QB- has basked in San Francisco.  It’s no surprise considering 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman logged a good deal of time in Reno studying the formation while he was an assistant at Stanford University.  “Some of the things we talked about they are doing,” said Cameron Norcross, a former Nevada offensive line coach now at the same position at Fresno State University.  “ When they are bringing backs and tight ends across the formation to block alley players- that is what we made our money on at Nevada for years.  We always tried to gain blockers on the opposite side.  I see it from the Redskins and 49ers.  I guess imitation is the highest form of flattery.”

But according to that Nevada staff, the now sought-after zone read element of the offense wasn’t part of the original plan.   Nevada was already successful running its gap schemes and it’s downhill inside zone schemes from the Pistol.  The zone read game wasn’t necessary.  According to Mastro, it transformed into the zone read when Colin Kaepernick came to town.  “He (Colin) was a freshman and Nick Graziano was our starting QB. They were both freshman.  Graziano could throw the heck out of the ball.  We were playing Fresno State and Nick Graziano gets hurt in the second quarter of the game by breaking his ankle.  In comes Colin as a redshirt freshman.  In one half of football, he threw for about 400 yards and ran for another 80.  The next week was going to be his official start and we’re going up to play Boise State on a Friday night on ESPN.  That’s the game that ends 69-67 in a triple overtime game.  Colin winds up throwing for 250 yards and runs for 170 more.  Therein lies the beginning of zone read football from the Pistol formaion.  What we saw we had in him, that’s how it began.  Then after making every mistake you can within a year or two we finally came up with a pretty good finished project in 2008, 2009, 2010.” 

Why this Report?

That finished product will be the focus of our special report on the Pistol formation.  It’s important to note the Pistol formation is in fact, a formation, not so much an offense.  That’s something we learned while putting this together.  We were originally hell-bent on the philosophy that this was a structured offense with it’s own set of verbiage and methodology and it may have certainly been at Nevada in the early days.  Now, we’ve found literally hundreds of coaches that are simply finding ways to implement their system, concepts and protocols to fit in the Pistol formation.  Quite frankly, it’s taking off and taking off quickly. In fact, 52.2 percent of coaches have begun to use the Pistol formation the last 1-2 seasons.   Only 4.9 percent of coaches implemented the Pistol (in any form) between 7-10 years ago, roughly when the scheme started. 

None of which was a surprise to those native Nevada coaches who were there during its conception.  They knew they had something special and they believed in what they were doing, even if no one else did. “The one commitment we made is that we were going all 15 days that spring in 2005 by running the scheme,” said Chris Klenakis, the offensive coordinator under Ault.  “ We would not scrap it come Day 8 and then dump it. We went all 15 practices and made a commitment.   At the end of those 15 sessions, we figured we got something here.”

Oh, they got something all right.  Perhaps the newest innovation in offensive football.  So, it took eight seasons to completely come to fruition.  But its here now and by the looks of our research, it’s not going away anytime soon.  Our HUDL account was inundated with dozens of coaches- many of whom at the top levels of football- willing to contribute some of their concepts from the Pistol.  It’s our pleasure to present our gatherings in what we feel is the largest collection of data on the Pistol from the originators- five of whom were on Ault’s original staff- to the many who have tweaked Ault’s original blueprint to fit their needs. Enjoy the contents below.  It was a long time coming for us. 

Why the Pistol?

We’re certain that are still many coaches that want to find the evidence behind this.  Many who are still a little cautious about dipping their feet into the “Pistol” waters and using this scheme full time.  It’s a realistic thought, considering what we assumed would a major time commitment to implement this scheme.  Although years ago the decision made by Ault and his staff were to commit to it full time, we’ve found that there are many coaches who just use parts of it in their offensive system.  When we asked this question, we’ve found coaches split down the middle.  26.7 percent of coaches said they are in the Pistol less than 25 percent of downs while 26.0 percent are in the Pistol between 75-99 percent of downs.

By Mike Kuchar

Introduction

In this case, we will focus on the base run game concepts most associated with Pistol formations.  Our intent is to detail the play, the specifics of QB mechanics and provide research on new trends of the scheme.  We will not direct much attention to the blocking schemes surrounding each play.  In the interests of time and space, there are other means in which you can go about finding that information.  As we were conducting our research on this scheme, a prominent NFL assistant told us “You can base your entire offense off the Pistol.  I don’t know why many coaches aren’t.”  Well, if nothing else this section will perhaps open your eyes into using the same run concepts you have in the past and marrying them with the Pistol formation.

Inside Zone

Washington State University running backs coach Jim Mastro (among dozens of others) told us it all starts with the inside zone, so we will simply follow suit.   We’ve found that 18.2 percent of coaches have had the most success utilizing the inside zone out of the Pistol than any other run concept.  This was second only to Read Zone concepts, which we will address in Case 3.  According to the coaches we spoke with, its imperative to teach the inside zone first because all other run concepts deviate from there. 

Pistol Advantages

The number one advantage of being in the Pistol is the downhill run effect it presents to the defense particularly in the zone run schemes.   “The ball gets to the back much faster,” Chris Klenakis, Iowa State’s offensive line coach (and Chris Ault’s former OC at Nevada) told us.  “He has a chance to make a decision quicker for cutbacks.” Another advantage the Pistol gives in zone game is that defenses cannot set their fronts based on the back.  Because the back is directly behind the QB, you won’t see four-down front team set its 3-techinque to the side of the back.  There are no identifiers.  We talked with Cameron Norcross about the benefits of using the Pistol formation and he gave us a laundry list of advantages below:

• Doesn’t tip the direction of the play scheme (because back is not offset)
• Initially hides the running back to cloud linebacker’s vision.
• Easier mesh point with QB/RB.
• Running back is able to stay square, and thus get downhill
• Running back is able to push longer before the cutback.

With all these advantages, its no wonder why the inside zone scheme is so prominent in Pistol formations.  The back is able to stay square for longer, thus making his cut into the line of scrimmage with his shoulders parallel.  The entire philosophy behind the inside zone scheme is to get movement along the front and get lateral displacement for the second level linebackers.  Because the back is able to keep his shoulders squared, it allows him to do that. 

QB Footwork/Mesh Game

As detailed by Norcross above, the Pistol formation hides the mesh point with the QB and RB- a benefit of the offensive structure.   While at Nevada, Klenakis taught the clock system to his QB’s.  “Upon securing the snap the QB opens play side at either four or eight o’clock,” he told us.  “He gets the ball as deep as possible to the back while continuing his boot path opposite.”   Like many other shotgun zone schemes, the tailback is responsible for the mesh, but unlike those traditional shotgun offenses where the back will have to take lateral steps before attacking downhill, the Pistol gets him downhill in a hurry.  “The back takes one lateral step to the play side and gets moving.  He pushes to the inside leg of the Guard and reads the first down lineman past the Center play side but it has the opportunity to be cut back all the way to the backside B gap (Diagram 1). 

Klenakis admits that when he first installed the scheme at Nevada, he had his backs read the inside leg of the play side Tackle, but now the play has to be hit much tighter than that.  “We started recently to key the inside hip of the Guard,” said Norcross.  “It gets the back downhill quicker and allows him to cutback if needed.”  Reid Evans, the offensive coordinator at Central College (IA) has even modified his reads for the ball carrier to become tighter to the line of scrimmage.  “If it’s zone to the right, our QB steps with his right foot (play side foot) and clears space so the tailback can come straight downhill.  It’s a natural path,” said Evans.  “When we stared out we wanted that tailback to read the front side A gap but we found it to be more natural for him to read the negative or backside A gap and work your way play side (Diagram 2).  If there is a down lineman in the negative A gap that is who will read.  We will read the play side number and try to press it vertical.  If he gets washed on passed, we are behind him (Diagram 3).   In most looks it will be the A gap defender whether it’s the positive A gap, negative A gap or Nose guard.”

Inside Zone Variations

While this is certainly not revolutionary, we’ve found that many coaches are finding innovative ways to seal off the backside edge defender on inside zone schemes.  This concept is most commonly called “slice.”  Patented by Nevada’s former head coach Chris Ault, the slice player’s job is to run the heel line of the offensive line and seal off any threat of a backside tackler.   “He leads with the inside foot and run the heel line,” Klenakis told us.   “He will aim for the inside leg of the opposite Tackle.  He will hit whatever color is on that track (Diagram 4).  Of course, the player that does this can vary from each offensive scheme.  According to our research, 51.9 percent of coaches will use a fullback to do this from a backfield alignment (Diagram 5).   This player can either do this by using pre-snap motion or just by handling the assignment once the ball is snapped.    According to Klenakis, when using motion the ball must be snapped by the time the motion man is at the outside hip of the Tackle if it is a post-snap movement. 

By Mike Kuchar

Introduction

So, perhaps below is the information many of our coaches were looking for.  Thanks to QB’s like Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin Jr., the zone read game out of the Pistol has reached the forefront of schemes most utilized in this formation and our survey only validated that fact.  Of all the coaches that were surveyed, 35.1 percent said the zone read scheme was the number one most efficient run concept out of the Pistol formation in their program this past season.  

There are many reasons for this, all of which we will explain later in the report.  Before we start to pontificate on all of the various principles and concepts out of the pistol zone read game, we thought it was important to address the various types of options most commonly used in the Pistol formation. 

Genres of Option Concepts:

Before we address these various types of option concepts, it’s important to note that based on our research, 66.4 percent of coaches prefer to read the backside 5-technique or C gap player in their read option game.  This is more than any other read. 

Double option concepts– Quite simply, a double option concept is one that involves a potential ball carrier and the QB.  This is most synonymous in the form of a QB pull or give read on zone options.  These option concepts could be classified as the following:

• Zone reads- This type of scheme involves a ball carrier, usually the tailback, and the QB.  It is usually a backside read scheme. This was referred to as “bluff” in Nevada’s play concepts. 
• Gap reads- This read concept is modeled after gap schemes like the Power O, Counter or Dart Schemes in which offenses will gap block at the point of attack and entail a backside puller(s).  The QB will either give the ball to an up back on a fast flow path, or keep the ball on the Power. It is a front side read scheme.
• Midline reads- The midline read scheme usually involves optioning an interior first level defender.  While this scheme has become more relative to triple option teams, we’ve found that many spread offensive coaches are starting to integrate some of the midline option from a Pistol formation.  It is a front side option read.
• Load Options-This is perhaps the most common concept that entails a offensive player blocking the pitch player (or force player) allowing a QB to keep the ball. 

Triple Option Concepts- Triple option schemes involve a third player as a potential pitch player for the third phase of an option.  This player can come in the form of a pure pitch with motion, pure pitch without motion or even a bubble screen variable.  These option concepts could be classified as the following:

• Front side Veer Option- We’ve found that the veer option scheme out the Pistol is continually generating interest for option coaches.   It is a front side read play, which can implement man or gap blocking schemes.  
• Back side Veer Option- The backside veer option scheme is very similar to the zone read with one major discrepancy- the availability of a third option.   Although we didn’t originally differentiate these two schemes when we started our research, by talking to Pistol formation coaches we’ve found that there are several drastic differences between those two concepts.

QB Footwork and Mesh Game

We all know the schemes look pretty, but when it comes down to option football, there is nothing more important than the mesh game.  Don’t just take our word for it; listen to some of the more high-profile coaches we talked to for this report.  Whoever we talked to, there was one common thread among teaching the mesh- teach one thing, be consistent and don’t over coach it!   That sentiment was echoed throughout our reporting on the mesh game from the Pistol.  Consider Portland State’s offensive coordinator Bruce Barnum’s quip about how he learned to teach the mesh in his option game. 

When Barnum and his assistant Dave Brown first installed the Pistol in 2010 at Portland State, there was much ado about the QB/RB mesh in the option game.  Brown, who was a Graduate Assistant coach working with the running backs under Chris Ault at Nevada, had accessed hours of game film at Nevada and presented it to Barnum.  “I took all of Nevada’s video on Kaepernick,” said Barnum.  They used to talk about jab stepping, stepping to six o’clock, clearing the back, etc.  I turn on the film of Kaepernick and he catches the snap and hops in the air, stops and run the read zone.  I remember thinking this is crazy. “

Of course, Barnum was providing a little tongue and cheek humor, or perhaps just validating the super athlete that Kaepernick is.  But, he was illustrating a fair point:  be consistent.  “As long as the ball is getting deep and the read is long- that’ important,” according to Barnum.  “The last thing you want is that QB sticking that ball straight out because there is no read for that DE and there is no smoke to the mirrors.  It’s got to be consistent.  I don’t care if you jab step and clear.  I don’t care if you open to six o’clock and he screams by you.  We had a freshman last year who would ride the back all the way to the Center.  It doesn’t matter as long as it’s consistent. “

So, as a research company, we did our own validation on this topic and we went right to the source- Washington State running backs coach Jim Mastro- who was the running backs coach under Ault while at Nevada and quite frankly who Cameron Norcross calls the “best Pistol running back coach in the country. “  Since moving on from Nevada, Mastro has helped install the Pistol at UCLA under Coach Neuheisel and now is tinkering with it at WSU under Mike Leach.  Mastro spoke about making sure things are uniformed in the mesh game, particularly in the zone read.  “It’s not like the traditional run game which may be different because different QB’s have different arm lengths,” said Mastro.  “In the read zone game, the running back and QB must be attached at the hip all you will have balls on the ground all day long.”