Chip Long is installing a run-first, up-tempo, pro-style offense! Long’s offensive philosophies center around the unit being in the QB's hands to make the right choice.
“One of my favorite runs is the G-Scheme; it gives us the opportunity to [take advantage of the defense overplaying Naked Playactions]… [This] is probably our most explosive run play for the last 10 years… defenses don’t see this anymore” – Chip Long
Things to Know about Chip Long:
1.
“G-Scheme”, G-Scheme is an uncommon old school running play. The G-Scheme involves a “G-Block” which just refers to a trap of a defensive end/end-man-line-of-scrimmage by the play-side guard. Chip Long is reintroducing, or repackaging, depending on your point of view, a football play that is generally only living today in the Wing-T offense. The main difference between Old School G-scheme and Chip’s verision is that it is ran out of Pistol. Chip will sometimes attach one of his fast screens as a pre-snap check on the defense’s formation. It is a minor point that if he does attach a fast screen, the G-Scheme will be ran away from the screen, with the Adjuster being pre-snap read, as you kinda want your players actually blocking on the side of what is essentially a sweep play. Unlike the old school G-Scheme in the Wing-T Down play, the QB for the Jackets will just receive the snap and hand-off to the running back. The running back won’t do an option relationship, instead he will simply run at an aiming point outside of the Tight end. The Tight end is supposed to sell outside zone action, before releasing past the defensive end onto a linebacker. One variation that can be made is for the pulling guard to be given a “force call” which just means that he will not trap the DE, but instead destroy the player responsible for turning the offense away from the sideline.
This video is an example of a pistol G-Scheme run
https://youtu.be/lgN0EO-vo-c
This video is a nice example of an under center 2-TE formation
https://youtu.be/q4s3Gb9oydQ
This video is from the Pistol with two TE lined up at the same side.
https://youtu.be/vCUCvcwDLEc
2.
"Pin & Pull" , Coach Long will be using a gap/zone family offspring run called the Pin & Pull to threaten the edge. Pin & Pull is a “dynamic” run, in which virtually any linemen can be the puller or down-blocker depending on the defensive alignment. Pin & Pull is especially interesting because the linemen will be moving laterally which will allow more time to be given on RPO pass options before any technical football rules are violated. Basically the Frontside follows “zone rules” to determine blockers and pullers. That means that if you are covered you Down block, and if you are uncovered you pull. The Backside, similar to the G-scheme is sometimes blocked true zone, and sometimes follow frontside rules.
The first clip is Pin & Pull.
https://youtu.be/M1kw8w9HcS8
The second clip is a Pull read.
https://youtu.be/pO_JtTpLN1I
This is a Pin & Pull with the Frontside receiver setting up for a crack block
https://youtu.be/ki-B6N4Ke54
This Pin & Pull lineup has a backside bubble screen attached
https://youtu.be/q9EDiJkVv5I
3.
"RPOs and The Option", Chip Long describes himself as ‘Pro-Style’ (if you look at the linemen’s stance there is no doubt), however he does run some “Triple Option” in his offense. Please remeber that a “throw” on a RPO is considered a “run” and If you are not a fan of bubbles for some reason, you are (somewhat) in luck. Coach Long greatly prefers to run fast screens instead of bubbles, back on topic: understanding RPOs with three reads. First level read – Read of a defensive linemen (or sometimes end-man-line-of-scrimmage) to determine whether to give/keep the ball. Second level RPO – Read of a backer to determine whether to throw the ball. Third level RPO – Read of a defensive back (safety, cornerback, etc) to determine whether to throw the ball. Double Option – A Chip Long term for a play in which only the ‘Adjuster’ is in conflict with a front side screen. The quarterback options are to Mesh Throw or to Hand Off. Triple Option – A Chip Long term for a play where a first level defender is put in conflict and also the adjuster. The quarterback’s options are to Hand Off, Mesh Run, and Mesh Throw.
3A. General RPOs: These routes are based on the coverage that they will expect to see at that down or distance that week. For man-aligned outside-leverage, double slants are the obvious choice. For quarters, Long said he wanted either a curl or go by the outside receiver and a 5 yard speed out by the inner receiver. It is generally understood that quarters is a matchup zone, with heavy run responsibilities for corners and safeties.
A Double Slants clip
https://youtu.be/z2uAvU5noHw
A single slant clip
https://youtu.be/sFtnrCsseY0
Out/Go clip the QB hits the out
https://youtu.be/mjOp65Rp0Uw
Out/Go clip the QB is able to hit the Go
https://youtu.be/rIMcKtkwb7s
Chip Long can also threaten the same areas as the Out/Go using an inline TE or an H-back by the Arrow/Go. These plays are particularly important as they both force and punish the defense for loading the box
The first clip is an arrow by the inline TE
https://youtu.be/Y4jjBOWlZBQ
The second clip is essentially an arrow from an H
https://youtu.be/kvnr7MYtyNI
3B. Double Option is where only the Adjuster is in conflict. The most common Double Option Coach Long uses is called a Fire 4.
The following clip is a perfect example of a Fire 4 call with a Turn To
https://youtu.be/_0gUtOTCjW8
3C. Triple Option: There are generally two forms of TO in RPO; 2nd level TO and 3rd level TO. The TO combines a read of a 1st-level-defender (defensive linemen) with a 2nd-level-defender (backer) or a 3rd-level-defender (defensive back). The more common by far is the 2nd-level because it is more reliable, but a third-level has greater big play potential.
the defensive end sits, causing the QB to hand off
https://youtu.be/buv8Ww238pw
The defensive end crashes, but the Adjuster stays with the screen which causes the QB run
https://youtu.be/ULzq6M1b5x8
A good example third-level triple option RPO
https://youtu.be/SV6aLZ9jYeE
4.
"Playaction" Coach Long uses two different categories of playaction. The first is called “Naked” play action and it involves the QB running toward the perimeter without any protectors, often in the face of a defensive end. The second is what most think of “normal” playaction. Within standard playaction, Long used varying degrees of fakes , with some having the QB turn his back to the defenders and others just being a very light fake.
The first clip is an example of where the Flat route was thrown out of playaction
https://youtu.be/HxFp7DVAcXw
The second clip is an example of the Comeback route being thrown out of playaction
https://youtu.be/9kjFIQsKCYY
Taking shots down field coming from play-action, RPOs based off of game-planning what coverage they expect from their opponent from film, inside zone allowing running backs to hit the A backside to the B backside, an emphasis on a short passing game, tight ends in motion and an offensive line showcasing pulling guards, pin and pull and G-scheme are all examples of offensive philosophies and ideas that Long will bring to the FLATS. Tight ends are in motion a lot because defenses try to key on them for the run, but he uses them a lot for deception, as well. The alley defender determines a lot of the offense, as every play has more than one option. Whether that is the SAM, nickel corner or tight safety. A short passing game is to encourage the tempo of the offense. Condensed routes allow for receivers to get lined up fast whether they get the ball or not, and it also keeps defenses on their heels for double moves. He would run power every play if he has the line to do it — he loves physical football. Go Jackets!
