Overall Concepts of the A-11 Offense

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Editors Note: Even Though the A-11 isn’t a single –wing offense, several SW coaches were interested in learning about it, learning what properties could be transferred to the single-wing, and comparing it a similar offense ran by Bruce Eien -- http://bruceeien.com/bcwarrior/Offense/byu/BYU.HTM

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Overall Concepts of the A-11 Offense

Basic Overall Concepts of the A-11 Offense
by Kurt Bryan on Nov 21, 2007, 2:45pm

Thanks for asking to post this, much appreciated:

1. The primary concept behind the A-11 is that the ball moves faster than the man, similar to rugby in that regard. For example in football, using quick screens, option, zone read, etc.

2. For the thousands of small schools like us at Piedmont, we had to develop a way to somewhat negate sheer overwhelming size and strength from the defensive side of the ball vs. our Offense.

3. We borrowed some of the basic concepts of the Spread, added elements of the Run-n-Shoot, Navy's Triple Option, some steps and sight adjustment reads of the West Coast and other offenses similar to it, then we morphed it into a complete package.

4. In terms of HOW we present our A-11 offensive sets to the Defense before each play (Huddle or Not), we line up NEAR but not on the L.O.S. each time. Then according to what particular formation and play we have called, we set accordingly and/or then motion, etc. By presenting it this way, it forces the defense to account for (All Eleven Potentially Eligible Players), although we do use OL numbered 50 - 79 along the interior too throughout various points in the game.

5. When the defense is very spread out and must account for each eligible player that can catch a legal forward pass downfield, and also catch a lateral or take a handoff behind the L.O.S., it puts tremendous stress on the D, thereby dividing the D up into 1/3 across the field, which creates more lanes to run and throw.

6. With the standard OL who do not get many reps in the A-11 or no reps at all, we move them over to the Defensive side of the football, which makes them happy because they are playing, and gives us a lot of larger and fresher bodies on the DL.

7. We also used 14 or 15 formations this year, really adding many dimensions to our route possibilities.




Re: Basic Overall Concepts of the A-11 Offense
Post by Kurt Bryan on Nov 21, 2007, 7:09pm

About our A-11 offense at Piedmont.

Here are some answers to your questions until I can get some images up for you to view. Video clips too, etc.

* We use many formations but everything starts with BASE.

In Base, we have 3 potential WR's outside the left hash to the top of the numbers, 3 OL/TE in the middle with Two Qb's and/or a RB in shotgun or staggered with nobody under Center (a legal scrimmage-kick formation), and then 3 potential WR's outside the right hash to the top of the numbers.

It is basically 3 x 5 x 3 spread in Base.

1. An ineligible (covered) player in the A-11 can catch a lateral behind the L.O.S., take a negative pitch (reverse) and/or a handoff if his back is turned away from the L.O.S. We did not bother with handoffs to ineligibles, but we did run reverses to those ineligibles several times. Per play only 4 guys and one of our QB's can do downfield to catch a pass.

2. On this site, the coach's post above mine linked a BYU spread set for us to view, BUT there is a major difference, just like with the PoleCat offense. Those systems have 5 Ineligible numbered (50 - 79) players on the field. They even reference having to make a GO call to release the OT downfield on a screen.

3. In our A-11 offense, the entire offensive team at the High School Level can be wearing number 1 - 49 or 80 -99, on any down because we meet the definition of aligning in a scrimmage-kick formation by having at least one potential recipient of the long snap 7 or more yards behind the L.O.S. with nobody under Center.

4. At the collegiate level, the A-11 can only be run on 3rd and very long, any 4th down, and any kicking situation where it is obvious a kick might occur.

5. When we face a 4-1 front vs. our 3 man OL, we bring an "Anchor" down on the backside to alleviate pressure, also when we roll out. To our surprise, after throwing 315 passes this season, we gave up less than 20 sacks on the year. Very happy with the result in our first year running it.

6. The first play we install and teach is Option both ways.



Re: Basic Overall Concepts of the A-11 Offense
Post by Kurt Bryan on Nov 21, 2007, 7:54pm

I want to share an excellent moving the pocket scheme we use in the A-11 Offense at Piedmont.

Review this image, then follow my lead on our basic rollout system:

18 Rollout Pass Pro in the A-11 (Rolling to the Right)

1. Figure we are in our Base set, with X, R, E, & Z on the L.O.S., and A & B off the L.O.S. On this play (X, Z, A, and B) are eligible for a downfield pass.

2. We have brought the R down tight in our last second shift to help protect the backside.

3. Say we Staggered or Crept the # 2 QB or RB towards the Y - our RG, and then we snapped the football when the # 2 is outside edge of the DE.

4. The E on the playside also "HUNTS" at the snap, looking to Crunch or Crack any leaks or double team the DE playside.

5. We reach/zone pass set towards the playside with all parties other than the crashing E player who delivers bone-crushing crack blocks behind the L.O.S. to free up the QB Rolling Out.

* We have had great success with this pass pro when rolling out

Re: Basic Overall Concepts of the A-11 Offense
Post by Kurt Bryan on Today at 2:18pm


Here at Piedmont, we appreciate your requests to have us to post video clips online for you to view. We are in the process of getting that done. Problem is, we're having a tussle getting the DVD info uploaded onto our site and linked, etc. It is forthcoming...in the Interim, here is a popular Prep Football Highlight Show in the Bay Area, and the video below is just one of the stories they did on our kids and program this season.




* You cannot see Wide Copy "Eye in the Sky" it is only ground level, as soon as we get good training tape clips posted from an over the top vantage point we will let you know.

Other Video:

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