Tulane’s Jet Read Concept and Complementary PAP’s

By Mike Kuchar with Slade Nagle
Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Tulane University (LA)
Twitter: @Coach_Nagle

Like most offensive operations, Tulane uses a great deal of tempo when utilizing its Jet read concept. It keeps defenses off-balance and often gets defenders to misfit the play. One of the most important points in teaching the play is making sure the ball carrier “tempo’s” the play. This means that they have to be able to under some type of control so that the quarterback can accurately read the  front side of the play

Mesh Points:

When the concept is used from condensed formations- something Tulane does often- the receiver closest to the mesh point is always the ball carrier. It used against man coverage teams so that the edge can be produced more quickly. So, Coach Nagle teaches the ideal snap point to be when he is either at the tight end or ghost tight end (in two-man surfaces backside). The quarterback is taught to take two shuffles while making this read. “We just talk about having the ball carrier outrun the middle backer and free safety,” said Coach Nagle. “That’s his job.”

“If he’s giving it; give it,” said Coach Nagle. “If he pulls it we tell him to stab himself in the gut with it so that it’s a clear and concise read with the runner. Then he sticks his foot on the ground and gets vertical. If the defender is flat footing or surfing and the ball getting pushed outside of him.”

One of the additional motions Coach Nagle uses in the concept is what he calls “Twirl Motion,” by having the ball carrier come across the formation, then pivot to be in phase with the mesh. “It’s good against rock and roll safeties and man coverage,” he said. “As soon as he starts to turn his hips, we snap the ball.”