With only a few weeks remaining in the college football
season, a few players have emerged as the best in the country. Sitting at the
top of that list (statistically, in regard to passing yards) is Patrick Mahomes,
quarterback at Texas Tech.
Mahomes is the latest in the long list of successful air
raid quarterbacks at Tech, with that list starting around the time his head
coach was playing. Kliff Kingsbury, the architect behind the latest version of
the air raid, has his quarterback playing at a high level. While Kingsbury’s
offense is part of the air raid tree, it definitely has its own branch.
One of the biggest differences between Kliff’s offense and
the traditional air raid is the use of the empty formation. Kliff will attack
defenses out of the empty formation by adapting traditional air raid concepts
to the formation.
With the quick game (with RPO’s and without) being the focal
point of the offense, the empty formation gives Tech an added element with
these plays. Here is one of the quick game concepts Kingsbury has used in 2016.
This play stretches the left side of the defense
horizontally and vertically with the
“Spade
Concept” . The post route on the right side is to occupy the left hashmark
if the safety leaves to cover the fade from the slot. The quarterback should
key the left corner and left safety presnap, and progress left to right. The 5
yard out cut from the inside receiver to the right will be the checkdown. The
video link below shows how quickly Mahomes gets the ball to the hitch route,
and how one missed tackle can lead to a big play.
The next play is very similar to the previous play, with
only one route changed. The left split end runs a drive route instead of a
hitch. This route is probably an option route, but it is hard to tell for
certain.
This time, Mahomes attacks the leverage of the middle
linebacker. The video link is below
A few core five step concepts round out a complete empty
package. Below is a version of the “Smash Split” Concept.
The air raid guys have a few main coaching points to this
concept.
1. The hitch routes are run at the line of scrimmage. This
is to maximize the spacing between the two outside routes. This technique
places the maximum amount of stress on the cornerback, as it becomes difficult
to be in position to play both routes. This route depth also gives the split
end plenty of space to make a move after the catch.
2. The corner routes take an inside release. This also adds
to the spacing, like the shortened hitch routes. It also creates a more
well-timed play. The quarterback will have a better chance of throwing this
route out of the break, as he will be able to read the depth of the corner
quicker. This technique also gives the receiver more space to make a move after
catching the ball, instead of catching the ball on the sideline.
The split route has an adjustment against a middle of the
field closed (MOFC) defender. The receiver will run a dig route, hitting the
window between the expanding hook defenders. If the hook defenders have their
eyes on the inside releases of the #2 receivers, this window will be large. In
the video below, Mahomes hits the dig route against cover 3.
One of the most iconic plays in the air raid offense is the “Y
Cross” concept. This play gives the quarterback a quick concept to the
frontside (flat-fade) and a longer developing backside concept. With hot
receivers to each side, this play is protected against a blitz.
The benefit of running Y Cross out of empty is the check
down receiver starts in a more aggressive position (at the line of scrimmage),
instead of the backfield in a 2x2 set (see below). This encourages the defense
to react to his route and open up the backside dig.
On a side note: If anybody knows how the air raid guys,
particularly Holgorsen, teaches the different route adjustments on the backside
dig, I would be very interested to learn the rules.
Kingsbury also runs “Mesh”, another air raid staple, out of
empty.
Although many of the concepts are the same, the empty
formation gives the offense advantages in certain situations, with certain
plays. Kingsbury has found a way to blend that together to give his quarterback
another way to attack the defense.
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