Engaging the Explosive Play Using the CAP Accelerator

Engaging the Explosive Play Using the CAP Accelerator Published on Sunday, 07 April 2013 15:07 By Dub Maddox Offensive Coordinator at Jenks High School (OK) and Director of Product Development at the National Football Academy (NFA)

coordinator and quarterback coach for the 13 time Edi tor' s Note:  Dub Maddox is the offensive coordinator 6-A State Champions Jenks Trojans in Oklahoma. In the off season season he is the Director of Camp operations for National Football Academies and travels across the country training athletes and coaches. Under Maddox’s guidance the Trojan offense has generated the All -time Oklahoma 6A  scoring record of 53.4 points per game in 2010 as well as the All-time rushing record of 3884 total yards in 2011. Maddox 2011. Maddox has produced the school’s All -time -time leading passer (Sawyer  Kollmorgen) with 6,716 yards (73TDs) 2008-2010, 2008-2010, along with the school’s All -time -time career TD record holder (Mark Ginther) with 76 TD’s combined with a 70% career completion percentagepercentage2006-2007. In 2012, Maddox coordinated the Trojan offense offense to help win a State Championship Championship that outscored opponents 458-73 in the first half alone. His QB (Kyle Alexander) set the A ll-Time best TD- Int  Int ratio by throwing for 2034 yards with with 27 TD’s and only 2 Int’s in 219 attempts. Dub attempts. Dub  Maddox is the co-creator and author of the R4 system and book From Headset to Helmet.

An Explosive Play Defined Maybe you’ve heard the t he coach’s dilemma: "You have to run the ball to win, but you you have to throw the ball to score."

Can you find the key ke y relationship in this statement? Every successful football team has nailed it: The best offenses are not one dimensional! dimensional! To run the football effectively you must must keep defenders out of the run-box by threatening a pass  ; to pass effectively you must keep the box defenders and secondary players at bay by threatening a r un . This double threat demands a specific type of o f run and pass. In fact, according to Mike Eayrs, Head of Research and Development for the NFL’s Green Bay Pack ers, over the last 30+ years in the NFL, the distance o f 12 or more yards on runs and 16 or more yards for passes are the minimum distance needed  to  to trigger a dramatic dramatic increase in scoring probability. probability. When these distances are achieved on a run or a pass they are labeled Explosive labeled Explosive Plays. Plays. As you’ll see, most QB decision making structures on pass plays hinder explosive opportunities. In that same timeframe, the NFL team with a positive po sitive turnover ratio and more explosive plays (You get more more than you you give up) win 91% of the time! Lesson learned: learned: We need more explosive plays in our offense. To rephrase the coaching coach ing dilemma, to increase probability of winning games I need more explosive plays than my opponent . Yet to get explosive explosive run plays (12+ yds) yds) I need the threat of throwing explosive passes (16+ yds). But how ho w do I throw explosive passes without committing the greatest indicator indicator of o f wins and losses….turnovers?

Eliminating Archaic Trains of Thought 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- incompletions and interceptions- haunt the hearts of coaches. This fear fear drives coaches in their pursuit pursuit of what pass concepts to use and how to teach their QBs to read them.

The most popular philosophies differ in coaching the moder n passing game and explain why w hy QBs miss explosive explosive play opportunities. Most coaching methods methods for reading pass concepts serve serve the coach not Giving up control and trusting a QB to make the right right read can be coach not the QB. QB. Giving extremely difficult.

Holding onto the reigns for your QB The clever but ineffective coach controls co ntrols his fear by attaching reins to the QB to "simplify" "simplify" his decision-making. They might say pick pick a route-side combo based on number of safeties safeties or use

defender key quick-game and screens in order to pro vide 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 occurring post-snap of plays. We explored the "Why" behind decision-making and gave the QB

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: 

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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. If the WR is "hips or hand" in front, the route is UNCAPPED.

The diagram below shows different CAP scenarios that occur in the development of a fade 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.

Below is an in-game picture of what the hard deck looks like.

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 p laying 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 revea ls 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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Locate the safeties to determine if it is a 1-high or 2-high safety look Locate corners to check their depth, eyes and leverage Locate linebackers to determine if it is man or zone coverage Check for hot route or protection adjustment vs. blitz look Locate a defender key 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 Reduces number of thought-processes to get the most important info needed

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 bu ilds 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 —  . advantage: Of f ense