BSR Grand Prix

The West Coast Offensive Playbook
(of the PS2)

Passing Phases:

The West Coast system varies in the amount of receivers released from the backfield, protection for the quarterback (QB), and in the scheme of attacking defenses.

Phase 1

What it is: In this phase the tight end (TE) and both backs will stay in to block.

What it does: Provides maximum protection when you are expecting a hard rush or when facing an eight man front that repeatedly sends 7 to 8 rushers, leaving man-to-man coverage in the secondary.

"Remember you can assign your receivers individually called routes HOT routes".

Phase 2

What it is: It consist of QUICK PASSES with the 3-step drop. The TE may stay at home or may be released out on a pass route.

What it does: It allows you to gain confidence by starting off with a short completion.

Phase 3

What it is: It has the possibility of all five receivers being out on pass routes. You will use either a five or seven step drop depending on the pass routes being run.

What it does: It isolates defenders by attacking the whole field.

Phase 4

What it is: You will attack off the weak side of your formation.

What it does: It is effective for attacking linebackers (LB), man coverage’s, and strong side (the side the TE lines up on) zone rotation. Check for plays that have the TE staying at home providing pass block protection. Having him stay in and block makes a very effective scheme against eight-man fronts.

Phase 5

What it is: You attack off the strong side of your formation.

What it does: The strong side back releases immediately out on a pass route.

Passing Strategies:

In executing an effective passing attack, you must study and understand how the West Coast offense can attack a defense. After you have studied and have an understanding of the scheme of things. You can formulate your own attack plan, attacking your opponent's defense in a wide variety of ways. Remember that a varied attack is the most difficult to defend and it utilizes your offensive personnel to the fullest.

Stretching the field:

Use your team's offensive formations to attack your opponent's defense by stretching the coverage alignments, isolating (keying) certain personnel, or rubbing a defender off a receiver (picking). Remember formations with spread receivers give those receivers room to operate and get open.

Horizontal Stretch:

What this means: "Horizontal stretch means attacking your opponents coverage widthwise". Your receivers routes must attack zones in their seems and dead spots. Against your opponent's man coverage, use your receivers to control his defenders, by creating one on one situation.

This scheme is best used against the standard three deep, four short zone coverage or man under coverage.

Vertical Stretch:

What this means: These are your all purpose passes that are able to attack zone or man coverage. The defensive strategy here is there are basically two layers of coverage (under coverage and deep coverage), and you must attack these two layers on three levels: short, intermediate, and long. Against man coverage, look for the receiver to break and run from his defender. Look for your speedy hands guy here and throw him the ball. Against zone, the receiver will push up the field and sit down in the "DEAD" area. Look for your possession receiver on this one.

Using Multiple Passing Routes:

By using multiple passing routes, you will keep your opponent off balance while attacking him from a wide range of offensive sets. Remember understanding the following pass routes is your key to establishing an effective pass scheme.

Delay Routes:

What they are: A receiver will clear out defenders from an area for another receiver coming underneath the coverage. These routes are effective against zone and deep dropping underneath coverage. Against man coverage, other receivers clear out defenders for the delay receiver coming underneath, where he has the chance to break away from the defender. When you call a play with a delay pattern in it , you must exercise extreme patience in allowing your receiver to come off the line of scrimmage. Allowing the under coverage to drop and also allowing your receiver time to break underneath the coverage to the open area. If the defense is using man coverage, allow the receiver time to gain separation from the defender.