RSOs (Run/Screen Options) and PSOs (Pass/Screen Options) From 10/11 Personnel

By Jeff Fischer
Offensive Coordinator/QBs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Ventura College (CA)
Twitter: @coachfischer7

At Ventura College, we want to stretch the defense both vertically and horizontally on any given play. These concepts are meant to widen the field and use all 53 and 1/3^rd, with simple quick “Candy” screens. We use these quick screens as a part of our run game, giving our athletes the most space possible with the ball. We all want an honest box for our run game, or we are going to “Take the Candy” on our quick screen game. The great thing is it is an easy concept for our players to understand and it forces the back end of defenses to either play tighter in coverage or must make a lot of tackles in space.

We run the quick screen game to both sides of the field if the run is intended to be between the tackles. Anything that is designed to be run outside we will stalk block to that side and we can run the quick screen backside.

We try to make the reads as simple as possible for the QB (counting). Including the QB read to run rules, do we have numbers to block the box? Or do we have numbers in the Quick Screen Game? The only time the QB needs to alert and possibly change the play is vs Cover 0 and pressed across the board.

10 Personnel:

5 or 5 ½ in the box = Run the ball!

6 in the box = Run or Throw depending on the depth of secondary or apex defender. (If they give you the candy, take the candy)

6 ½ or 7 in the box = (Depending on Run Scheme) Have to throw!  Press Cover 0 Quick Screens aren’t great (likely to change play).

11 Personnel (TE in Run Scheme):

6 or 6 ½ in the box = Run the ball!

7 in the box = Run or Throw depending on the depth of secondary or apex defender. (If they give you the candy, take the candy)

7 ½ or 8 in the box = (Depending on Run Scheme) Have to throw!  Press Cover 0 Quick Screens aren’t great (likely change play).

We do not play fake and we make the decisions pre-snap, giving us the ability to get the ball outside as quickly as possible. We want to play fast and not let the defense move around after we have made our decision, so we do not tell the RB if we are throwing when in the gun (RB takes regular run tracks). QB must take one clear step by throwing foot backward, so we do not hit the RB while throwing. From pistol, QB must tell RB if we are going to throw the ball (usually with hand signal right before the ball is snapped).