Air Raid - Everything You Need To Know

[Dr Death]

Thanks to HWill for posting the link - I am in the middle of burning some DVD's of old football games for a trade I am involved in and he got the link posted in the R&S thread. I thought I would start an Air Raid thread because it deserves its own thread and I didn't want it getting buried in the other one. Enjoy this. It might take you a week to get through it all, if you watch all the videos, but it's well worth the time!

http://smartfootball.com/offense/the...sen-and-beyond

A huge THANK YOU to HWill for getting it on here!

[jolson88]

I can't wait to digest all of this!

[jolson88]

How's the WVU playbook this year? With Dana Holgorsen as Head Coach, I would think that it would be a pretty awesome Air Raid playbook. Anybody give it a try yet?

[gigemaggs99]

I like the first video, were UK beats Bama for the first time in 75 years, simple logic....WE WON NOW LET'S BREAK SOME SH!T LOL

Thanks for posting the link. Dr. Death are you moving away from the RNS? I've always enjoyed your breakdown and knowledge you've passed on, on the RNS. It's helped me learn a lot. Are you leaning more towards the Raid now? If so it will be nice to see some of your breakdown/information.

Hope to see more soon!

[JeffHCross]

I don't think Dr. Death has used the RNS in game for years, because the RNS representation in the game isn't all that accurate (plus you could never really run out of Shotgun, which is a fundamental to how the RNS really runs).

[Dr Death]

I like the first video, were UK beats Bama for the first time in 75 years, simple logic....WE WON NOW LET'S BREAK SOME SH!T LOL

Thanks for posting the link. Dr. Death are you moving away from the RNS? I've always enjoyed your breakdown and knowledge you've passed on, on the RNS. It's helped me learn a lot. Are you leaning more towards the Raid now? If so it will be nice to see some of your breakdown/information.

Hope to see more soon!

I wouldn't say I am moving away from the R&S, I've always posted about it because I've been studying it for - now - over 22 years. The Air Raid I've only been following since Mike Leach arrived at and then . Both offenses are great, though both have had games where they've been stopped cold. But hey, name one offense that has never been stopped cold and I'll hand you a million bucks!

Back in 2002 I was watching the and that was the year that Rich Gannon just went off. I have every game from that year on tape or DVD and I noticed that whenever they went 5-Wide, they were unstoppable. Problem was, they didn't go 5-Wide that often, but w/ Charlie Garner out of the backfield and lined up as the slot WR on the Trips side, nobody could stop them.

So that gave me an idea to create an offense based on the West Coast, which is what the were running, the R&S and the Air Raid. I've used it in real life and it works and in the game I can recreate about 85% of my offense, so that's what I do in the game. Like my sig says: 5-Wide & Throw Often. It's my offense but it's based on 3 different offenses. You pick something you like from each one and create your own.

I still love the R&S, love the Air Raid and love the WCO. And I really love my 5-Wide attack!

Just got back in town from Philadelphia and seeing Roger Waters from the front row, dead center! Met Dave Kilminster, lead guitarist, and what a classy and super nice man! The show was my 6th Wall show and it never gets old. Just mind blowing! I'll be posting again tomorrow. Right now I have a huge review to write for a Pink Floyd/Roger Waters site I am on and I am really tired. Lots of drinking, very little sleep and jet-lag!!!

[morsdraconis]

Am I reading it right that BYU ran the Air Raid system under LaVell Edwards in the 70s and 80s? That would be VERY interesting considering Steve Young came from that system (and would be the only QB to come from that system that has been successful in the NFL).

[JeffHCross]

It's hard to pin down exactly when the BYU Air Raid began, but it certainly started no earlier than when LaVell Edwards started at BYU in 1972. Norm Chow started calling plays in 1982. Doug Scovil was the OC before that, including with Jim McMahon.

It's also important to note that the line between the BYU Air Raid and the One-Back Spread is very, very blurry. There are several concepts that bounce back and forth between them, or are just flat used by both. And there are plenty of "successful" NFL quarterbacks (and teams) that use the One-back Spread concepts.

[gigemaggs99]

I think to be successful in the NFL you have to beyond awesome, I'm not sure how much it matters if they are system QB or not. There are really only 30+ starting QBs in the NFL and many play for multiple years (most extreme Favre), so it's not like the really good guys in college ever even get a chance.

That being said, it seems like the WCO works on short quick passing plays, basically taking what the defense gives you, then you slam in some runs up the gut. It seems like the Air Raid is very similar, quick passing game to supplement the run game, then nice runs up the gut when you numbers in your favor.

So if Steve Young could read the defense and operate the Air Raid at BYU then going to the 49ers and running the WCO would seem like a good fit if you ask me. Being left handed which gives the defense something else to look for helps too.

[JeffHCross]

Chris Brown (of the SmartFootball site linked above) also wrote this piece at Grantland, detailing Dana Holgorsen's version of the Airraid: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/...-west-virginia

[gigemaggs99]

I'm really liking the default Air Raid PB, it has the old ttu/Leach style w/ the Strong H Pro, then all the regulars (Mesh, Cross Flood, Shallow Cross Series, Smash, Switch).

I like to keep things simple, and it seems like running these plays out of multiple formations gives the "look" of a complex offense when really, it's only a handful of plays to learn inside and out then confuse the heck out of the defense with multiple looks.

I looked in my "bag of tricks" my external HD where I've saved all my older NCAA documents and I found a ttu callsheet from 2010. I have a few other callsheets from other years of ttu and EA/NCAA. They aren't mine, and I don't have the authors to site them but if ya'll are interested I can see if I can figure out how to attach/post them.

I guess now that we are in the SEC (and a RAID team) I can finally end a post with....


Guns UP!.......

GIG 'EM AGGIES!

[gigemaggs99]

I cannot take credit for these, all credit goes to the original authors....I just don't know who they were.... I just have them on my external...hopefully they all come through.

Happy RAIDIN'

[gigemaggs99]

Again,
These tips from years past that I saved into word b/c they helped me understand the Air Raid, hopefully someone can find some use with them.


Quick Passes: Based on getting the ball out of the QBs hands quickly (all Quick passes should have slants on the backside).


Stick - Playside Outside WR (PSOW) runs a Go. PSIW runs a 5 yard hitch (aka Stick). The back runs an "Arrow" to the flat. Both backside WRs run slants.

Progression is Pre-snap, Stick, Arrow - QB checks for pre-snap...can he hit the Go or backside slants? No, then think Stick to Arrow. If the hole player (usually OLB) widens with the back, throw the stick. If the hole player covers the stick, throw the arrow. Great play on 3rd and 4.

If you run "Stick" from trips, the progression is the same except the back is not involved in the route. Instead, the #2 WR runs an out route (attacking the flat like the back would) and the #3 WR still runs the Stick. EA also put Stick Switch in the game (which is a great play), where #2 runs the Stick, and #3 runs a bubble (again, attacking the flat).

Y-Corner - PSOW runs a 3 step slant. PSIW runs a 10 yard corner. Back runs a swing. Again, both backside WRs run slants.

Progression is Pre-snap, slant, corner, swing. QB checks for for the slants. No? Slant (check OLB) to corner (should be open vs man) to swing (will throw this if zone and corner sinks).



Drop Back Passes: More pass pro is involved. Will have to have blitz beaters because the routes take longer.

Shallow - There are A TON of variations of this play on the game. It's a concept. Any WR on one side will run a 'shallow' route (like a 1 yard crossing route). From the other side, a WR will run a Dig route (10 yard cross). The other two WRs (one on each side) will run some sort of clear routes (Post and Go). It's hard to be specific with what WRs is running what route because either WR can run the shallow from one side, and either WR can run the Dig from the other. The Back runs a "shoot" (basically a route to the flat to the side where the "shallow" came from).

The Progression for the QB is this: SAY IT OVER AND OVER:

Hot, Shallow, Dig, Shoot
Hot, Shallow, Dig, Shoot
Hot, Shallow, Dig, Shoot
Hot, Shallow, Dig, Shoot

First off, you have the two WRs running deep, which if you get press man-to-man, you could hit them deep. But this route is not meant to be thrown to them.

Hot - eyes on the WR running the dig. When the ball is snapped, if the OLB/defender covering him blitzes, THROW IT 'HOT' RIGHT NOW. If not.....

Shallow - your eyes should be right in place for the shallow. As your looking at the shallow, if that MLB drives on the shallow and covers it, just smile because....

Dig - it's wide open. Find the hole and fire the ball in there. However, the LBs might be dropping deep, and the dig is covered...

Shoot - find the back. He's on the side where the shallow came from. dump it off to him and let him run.


You can run the 'Shallow' concept out of Trips (with the Shallow and Dig coming from the same side).

Four Verticals - This play isn't a "Hail Mary" type play. It's actually (hopefully) more of a quick hitting type play. You've got four WRs runnings Go's and the back running a check down (I usually Hot Route the back to run an in or out route instead of a check down).

Progression: 2x2 - Pick a side. You are going to read the safeties.

If there are two high safeties (i.e, running cover 2) then you are going to read from Outside-In. You'll hit the outside WR if he's beaten the corner. If not, its the Inside WR. You'll have to lead him away from the safety and fire the ball into him. If their both covered, find the back.

The same holds true if it's man-to-man coverage. First off, it looks like two high safeties. Read outside-in. Outside WR covererd? The inside WR vs. man it actually better. I've found that many times the Inside WRs will "win inside" vs. man on go routes, so really lead him towards the middle of the field and fire that ball in there.

If there is one-high safety (i.e., they are rolling to cover 3). then you are going to hit one of the two inside WRs. I like to throw away from the safety that's rolling down, and you'll see that once that inside WR clears the open, he's wide open. You DON'T want to lead him to the middle of the field, because there's a safety patrolling that area. Four Verticals KILLS cover 3. If you are getting a lot of 3, you can get them out of it really fast.

In Trips, you basically going to have the same reads. Vs. Two high Safeties you'll read outside-in on the trips side (Vs man, #3 runs a bender across the field that's great vs. man - however, you have to fire it in there and watch out for that backside safety).

In trips, vs one high safety, you still read those two inside WRs. I really like #2 up the seam out of trips, but the bender (#3) is open also).

Smash - Great Cover 2 Beater, but will work vs. Cover 3. Also, the progression is simple. First off, you have mirrored routes on both sides. #1 WR runs a 5 yard hitch. #2 runs a 10 yard corner. The back runs a check down.

Progression - Pick a side with the most grass (i.e. fewest defenders). Progression is High, Low, Check down. High - if the corner route open? Take a peak at the cornerback to see what he's doing. If he squats with #1 WR, it is open. You might have to lead the WR to the sideline and away from the safety. Low - if the cornerback sinks, it's some kind of cover 3, so the OLB/SS will be the flat player. You'll have to fire that ball in there so it doesn't get picked, but it's usually open. I've also Hot Routed the #1 WR's route to an out route, and I actually like it alot. But you only want to do that if you are going to throw to the wide side of the field. Into the boundary, the hitch is fine. Checkdown - If the high and low are covered, find the back. Again, you can hot route his route to an in or out if you don't like the way he runs a checkdown.

Trips - Progression is the same, but you'll only have one side to throw to - High, Low, Checkdown.

MESH - This is a staple of the Air Raid. Two WRs run "the mesh" - it's almost like a double shallow route - and will keep running vs. man, or settle vs. zone. EA did a great job with this. The #1 WR on the RB side will run a corner, and the back will run a swing. The backside WR should run an out route, but EA makes him run a GO (one of the few things they got wrong with the air raid).

Progression - Corner, Swing, Playside Mesh, Backside Mesh - it's one of those you'll have to memorize.

Corner - read is similar to the Smash, but don't stay on it very long. If it's not there, go to...

Swing - The back out of the backfield. You'll know if he's open RIGHT NOW. In man, he usually is. In zone, usually not. Don't be afraid to throw it to him... if he's covered,

Playside Mesh - The mesher coming to the backside side. Again, if he's covered man-to-man, he'll keep running. In zone, he'll settle....

Backside Mesh - Usually vs man, one of the two meshers is open - they basically set a pick for each other and create a natural rub.


These pass plays, in addition to the screens and run game, really make the Air Raid a great offense to run . One of the great things about it is that it's the same plays from different formations. Going AGGRESSIVE no huddle, staying in the same formation, and running down the list of plays. You can put a lot of points up quick.

[Jeremy]

I've always loved the Air Raid. I usually try and duplicate Leach's version in the game, mostly 2x2 or 3x1, no empty backfield, etc. I would like to incorporate some of Holgorsen's concepts but it's difficult in the game. For example, the diamond formation in NCAA 13 is Pistol Full House, but there are so few Air Raid principles in it it's almost pointless to put in the playbook. He also likes to motion a back out of the backfield when running Stick or Corner to get him into the flat quicker, and the QB usually whips it to him immediately. I play coach mode, and the QB never throws it to the back until he's standing at the sideline with a defender in his pocket.

The playbooks have gotten way better in the NCAA series, but I still want a play creator.

[gigemaggs99]

http://fastandfuriousfootball.com/wp...%20Shotgun.pdf

[gigemaggs99]

Here's my question so far. What is the benefit of the Pistol formation for running the AIR RAID? I'm wanting to run the Air Raid the way Mike Leach did at ttu, in the 2000's.

Early on they used strong I and some Ace formations but mainly they lined up in the SG, threw the ball ALL over the field and if they had numbers in the box they would audible to a Read Option, Draw, Gut, something up the middle, but they would make this change at the LOS. They usually had GREAT rushing stats as they would get big gains up the gut, mainly to keep the D honest and then go right back to working the flats (Wes Welker style).

I under stand the HB is lined up directly behind the QB in the base pistol but what really is the benefit of the pistol formation if you are a FLING it all over the field kinda offense? If you have success rushing out of the SG when numbers are in your favor, why do you even need the pistol formations?

Kevin Sumlin said at SEC media day that he's glad people "think" we are going to be pass happy offense, he said at Houston he was not this 70-30 pass-run offense, he says he was more 55-45....the problem I have w/ that is, I've watched Houston play and the defenses they played....well 1, they weren't SEC caliber and 2, they seemed to always come out to defend the pass. It seemed like the other Air Raid teams they would audible at the LOS to a run when they had numbers in their favor and then they also had A LOT of speed so they would get really good rushing yards.

Again, they didn't use the pistol so I'm not sure why it's necessary, is it just another look to give the defense to get them thinking? Kinda like how I'm wanting to combine the WCO and the Air Raid so I can keep the defense on it's toes?

EDIT: Leach and Holgerson on a radio show: http://smartfootball.com/offense/mik...-offense-maven

[gigemaggs99]

All I can say is COME ON AUGUST 30th! WSU vs BYU is going to be live on ESPN! I can't wait to see Leach's Air RAID return!

SWING THAT SWORD CAPT'N

EDIT: of course this will have to be recorded as my Aggies will be taking on La Tech at 6:30pm.

[gigemaggs99]

Here is a good link to the different passes for the different days of the 3-day Air Raid installation.

I.E. day 1 quick passes, hitch, slant Fade/out

http://bruceeien.com/offense/mumme/MUMME.HTM

[morsdraconis]

Here's my question so far. What is the benefit of the Pistol formation for running the AIR RAID? I'm wanting to run the Air Raid the way Mike Leach did at ttu, in the 2000's.

Early on they used strong I and some Ace formations but mainly they lined up in the SG, threw the ball ALL over the field and if they had numbers in the box they would audible to a Read Option, Draw, Gut, something up the middle, but they would make this change at the LOS. They usually had GREAT rushing stats as they would get big gains up the gut, mainly to keep the D honest and then go right back to working the flats (Wes Welker style).

I under stand the HB is lined up directly behind the QB in the base pistol but what really is the benefit of the pistol formation if you are a FLING it all over the field kinda offense? If you have success rushing out of the SG when numbers are in your favor, why do you even need the pistol formations?

Kevin Sumlin said at SEC media day that he's glad people "think" we are going to be pass happy offense, he said at Houston he was not this 70-30 pass-run offense, he says he was more 55-45....the problem I have w/ that is, I've watched Houston play and the defenses they played....well 1, they weren't SEC caliber and 2, they seemed to always come out to defend the pass. It seemed like the other Air Raid teams they would audible at the LOS to a run when they had numbers in their favor and then they also had A LOT of speed so they would get really good rushing yards.

Again, they didn't use the pistol so I'm not sure why it's necessary, is it just another look to give the defense to get them thinking? Kinda like how I'm wanting to combine the WCO and the Air Raid so I can keep the defense on it's toes?

EDIT: Leach and Holgerson on a radio show: http://smartfootball.com/offense/mik...-offense-maven

They say it in the video you linked, but the Pistol gives you the ability, like an ACE formation, to run the ball either direction without too much worry of one side being more effective than the other. Unlike Shotgun sets, with the HB directly behind the QB, the playaction can be used either direction to help attack whichever linebacker the offense wants to freeze so that they can work the inside with the receiver coming behind the linebacker.

It's definitely about giving them another look besides the same formation in the backfield (no matter where the WRs were lined up, the HB was always to the left of the QB in those sets) but also it's about attacking the same areas differently. Using the pistol allows for different angles while blocking on run plays (sometimes making it advantageous to attack outside compared to it being VERY DIFFICULT to attack outside in wide Shotgun sets) and different angles on the routes the receivers run, stretch the defense just a tad bit differently while running the same routes (especially with what the HB runs out of the backfield with the change of alignment).

The pistol, above all, allows for so many different things to happen from the same setup, without any movement needed (Stick, Cross, Wheel, etc) because of where the HB is located in the formation (allowing him to attack either direction in a timely fashion).

Above all else though, if you watch, they most likely used the pistol to run the ball out of more than their normal Shotgun sets. The downhill motion the HB is able to get from being directly behind the QB allows for the HB to hit the hole faster and see more of how the hole is going to develop because he'll have his hands on the ball longer compared to Shotgun formations.

[gigemaggs99]

Cool, makes sense. Thanks for the information.