Engaging the Explosive Play Using the CAP

Accelerator

Published on Sunday, 07 April 2013 15:07

By Dub Maddox

Offensive Coordinator at Jenks High School (OK)

and

Director of Product Development at the National Football Academy (NFA)

Editor's Note: Dub Maddox is the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for the 13 time

6-A State Champions Jenks Trojans in Oklahoma. In the off season he is the Director of Camp

operations for National Football Academies and travels across the country training athletes and

coaches. Under Maddox’s guidance the Trojan offense has generated the All-time Oklahoma 6A

scoring record of 53.4 points per game in 2010 as well as the All-time rushing record of 3884

total yards in 2011. Maddox has produced the school’s All-time leading passer (Sawyer

Kollmorgen) with 6,716 yards (73TDs) 2008-2010, along with the school’s All-time career TD

record holder (Mark Ginther) with 76 TD’s combined with a 70% career completion percentage-

2006-2007. In 2012, Maddox coordinated the Trojan offense to help win a State Championship

that outscored opponents 458-73 in the first half alone. His QB (Kyle Alexander) set the All-Time

best TD-Int ratio by throwing for 2034 yards with 27 TD’s and only 2 Int’s in 219 attempts. Dub

Maddox is the co-creator and author of the R4 system and book From Headset to Helmet.

An Explosive Play Defined

Maybe you’ve heard the coach’s dilemma: "You have to run the ball to win, but you have to

throw the ball to score."

Can you find the key relationship in this statement? Every successful football team has nailed it:

The best offenses are not one dimensional! To run the football effectively you must keep

defenders out of the run-box by threatening a pass; to pass effectively you must keep the box

defenders and secondary players at bay by threatening a run.

This double threat demands a specific type of run and pass. In fact, according to Mike Eayrs,

Head of Research and Development for the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, over the last 30+ years in

the NFL, the distance of 12 or more yards on runs and 16 or more yards for passes are the

minimum distance needed to trigger a dramatic increase in scoring probability. When these

distances are achieved on a run or a pass they are labeled Explosive Plays. As you’ll see, most

QB decision making structures on pass plays hinder explosive opportunities.

In that same timeframe, the NFL team with a positive turnover ratio and more explosive plays

(You get more than you give up) win 91% of the time! Lesson learned: We need more

explosive plays in our offense.

To rephrase the coaching dilemma, to increase probability of winning games I need more

explosive plays than my opponent. Yet to get explosive run plays (12+ yds) I need the threat of

throwing explosive passes (16+ yds). But how do I throw explosive passes without committing

the greatest indicator of wins and losses….turnovers?

Eliminating Archaic Trains of Thought

As the old saying goes: "Three things happen when you throw the ball and two of them are bad."

The two negative results of passing- incompletions and interceptions- haunt the hearts of

coaches. This fear drives coaches in their pursuit of what pass concepts to use and how to teach

their QBs to read them.

The most popular philosophies differ in coaching the modern passing game and explain why

QBs miss explosive play opportunities. Most coaching methods for reading pass concepts serve

the coach not the QB. Giving up control and trusting a QB to make the right read can be

extremely difficult.

Holding onto the reigns for your QB

The clever but ineffective coach controls his fear by attaching reins to the QB to "simplify" his

decision-making. They might say pick a route-side combo based on number of safeties or use

defender key quick-game and screens in order to provide high-percentage completion security

but fizzle the explosive play. Logic is replaced with a "take a shot" mentality instead of the

explosive pass play, often by "tagging" the deep route on a play or calling a "double" move route

when they "feel the force" and hope it will be there.

Another common method of reading pass concepts is taught through progressions. A coach gives

his QB a number of routes to scan through after the snap in a sequential 1, 2, 3 and up to 5 order.

The QB has greater freedom to view more of the field, but it requires keen mental discipline and

mature timing to look at the right place at the right time to make the right throw. That’s a lot to

put on a young QB. So to simplify it, coaches break up the read by removing the explosive, and

lucrative, deep routes from the post-snap decision-making process so he can focus on a defender

key stretch for an intermediate or flat throw, thus eliminating the explosive play! Common

coaching buzz-words such as "Alert" or "Peek Deep" are called pre-snap to remind the QB to

evaluate the availability of the explosive route if coach hopes it will be there.

The problem is that the "reins" fail to teach the QB to read what happens post-snap as the play is

developing. The Post-snap decision-making process is the highest need of the QB….Even more

so in today’s complex game. The advancements of pass defensive coverages in today’s game are

designed to short-circuit the QB’s pre-snap decision-making process. Defensive post-snap

pattern reading, post-snap rotation, and split field coverages create overwhelming mental chaos

in a QB. What you see pre-snap is no longer what you see post-snap.

A New QB Operating System- The R4 Approach

What if it was possible to engage an operating system that gives the QB and coach the ability to

anticipate where the highest probability of completion is no matter what the coverage? What if

we had the tools to accelerate QB decision-making both pre- and post-snap by allowing him to

read what is happening in real-time instead of what he thinks will happen? What if the coach and

the QB had a common language that increased explosive play opportunities by defining what

"Open" really means and looks like? What if they could control the Chaos?

These were the answers I was seeking when I started coaching QBs. How do I teach them to

decide when a WR is "Open" and what does "Open" mean? When I visited clinics or Division 1

programs, I asked these "questions" and common coaching answers were sweeping statements

such as "Throw to grass", "Throw them open" or "If they can’t do it, we find somebody who

can." I thought to myself, How much grass is needed to be considered open, when does my QB

throw it there, and what if I don’t have another guy? Each time I came away frustrated.

These questions led me and fellow colleague Darin Slack to explore a better way to teach and

accelerate the decision-making process for QBs. We developed a common language that built a

bridge between the Coach and the QB, allowing them to communicate the reality of what was

occurring post-snap of plays. We explored the "Why" behind decision-making and gave the QB

and Coach the ability to Self Correct their mistakes. We created a process that tied the rhythm of

QB footwork to the DNA of routes. We authored—and proved—an operating system that made

any offense run better…faster. We call it the R4 system.

Engaging Explosive Plays into Your Offense

A great passing game hinges on the QB’s ability to anticipate opposition moves and throw the

ball in rhythm to the WR breaking for open space. The offense consistently throwing explosive,

rhythmic pass plays forces the defense to respect immediate vertical threats on the field. Rhythm

passing also gets the ball out quickly before defensive pressure can battle to the QB.

Threatening a defense vertically with explosive plays eliminates pressure and neutralizes the

main non-negotiables of pass defense. Engaging the devastating explosive pass also opens the

advantage for the explosive run.

With so much going on in an average play, what’s the key to mastering explosive rhythm

passing? Our answer is the mental accelerators that equip the QB in consistently and accurately

anticipating the opening of a route before it happens.

NFL QBs process up to 20 decisions between plays!

Most QBs are bogged down with multiple pre-snap "if/then" statements that slow the mental

decision-making process for a play. The R4 system is designed to filter the myriad if-then

possibilities by teaching the QB the non-negotiables of pass defense and how to "flip the script"

on the defense by using their own strengths against them. We call these non-negotiables

accelerators.

The CAP Accelerator

The CAP is the first of the three main accelerators a QB uses to anticipate the availability of an

explosive play. The CAP is the dominant position a defender assumes to cover a particular

space. CAP stands for Coverage, Angle, and Personnel. These three components of CAP

reveal the intent of a defender and his ability to do so as a pass play develops.

The ultimate goal of a defender is to CAP (cover) the route-side space of a WR. Route-side

space is the area that a route is designed to attack. If that space is left UNCAPPED (or open), the

route can be executed. This means:

If a defender CAPs the route-side space, the route is covered and he will be in a position

to make a play on the ball.

If the defender’s body is over the route-side space with his "hips or hand" in front, he has

CAPPED the route.

If the WR is "hips or hand" in front, the route is UNCAPPED.

The diagram below shows different CAP scenarios that occur in the development of a fade route.

The WR is trying to UNCAP vertical route space and the DB is trying to CAP vertical route

space.

The QB reads the defender CAP to see if the WR can get his "hips or hand" beyond the DB to

UNCAP the route. The CAP concept allows the QB to operate faster by having a clear

understanding to what "Open" and "Covered" means.

PRE-SNAP CAP

The CAP concept uses both pre- and post-snap reads. Reading the pre-snap CAP allows the QB

and Coach to look deeper into the coverage they see. To better organize and process the 11

variable movements (which are the 11 players on defense that can move at any given time) of

defenders on the field we need to establish frames of reference that allow the QB to

compartmentalize information in the area of his vision so he can determine which space is

CAPPED or UNCAPPED.

5 Vertical Tubes

Divide the field of play into 5 vertical "tubes;" one tube for each of the 5 potential WRs that can

be distributed on any given play.

Below is an in-game picture of what these tubes look like pre-snap. Notice how the field is

divided into five tubes.

The Hard Deck

Establish a horizontal "hard deck line." The Hard Deck is a frame of reference used to divide the

vertical position of the defender(s) in a WR tube.

Below is an in-game picture of what the hard deck looks like.

The Hard Deck is a fighter-pilot term to alert aircraft of the minimum distance they can fly

without being in danger of getting shot down by anti-aircraft missiles. In football, a Hard Deck

alerts the QB that when defenders get below the Deck the defender is susceptible to getting beat

vertically by the WR. The Hard Deck line is adjusted each game based on the personnel of the

offense and defense. It’s important to note that the Hard Deck is set higher if the offensive

personnel are stronger than the defense, and lower if the reverse is true. The line is determined

by the coach and usually ranges from 7 to 10 yards.

Once the Hard Deck is established, the QB can read deeper into the intent of defensive coverage

by reading the pre-snap CAP. If a defender is even or above the Hard Deck, he has CAPPED

vertical space. If he is under the Hard Deck then he has UNCAPPED vertical space.

The diagram below displays how the Hard Deck can be used to read the CAP. In this pre-snap

scenario a QB can read the CAP to see three potential UNCAPPED tubes. This allows him to

rapidly anticipate the possibility of an explosive play opportunity.

Reading the pre-snap CAP allows the QB and coach to better decide where to attack by reading

what they are actually seeing as opposed to reading what Coverage they "think" they see. For

example, a defense may be playing Cover 3 but that does not guarantee the defenders will carry

out the intended coverage and may be in position to defend the 3 deep thirds of the field.

Take a look at the pictures below that show a pre-snap cap. You’ll notice that some receivers are

capped and some are not.

The diagram below displays the defense playing Cover 3, but reading the CAP reveals the DB

over the X receiver is NOT in a position to CAP vertical space.

If you slow down the still shot, you can see an example of a Cover 3 alignment based on the caps

of defenders

By using the Hard Deck to read the pre-snap CAP, a QB gains an explosive play advantage by

anticipating when the UNCAPPED opportunities present themselves while gaining another

critical advantage as well. It drastically reduces the number of pre-snap coverage recognition

steps most QBs take at the onset of a play. For example, here are the typical coverage decision

steps QBs grapple with on a pass play:

1. Locate the safeties to determine if it is a 1-high or 2-high safety look

2. Locate corners to check their depth, eyes and leverage

3. Locate linebackers to determine if it is man or zone coverage

4. Check for hot route or protection adjustment vs. blitz look

5. Locate a defender key

6. Locate primary route, route combination, or route progression

While this decision tree works well in a classroom environment it doesn’t hold up as well in a

pressure-packed, chaotic environment on the field. How do we gather key information when the

pieces are out of place, moving or disguised? The CAP provides the answer. With a quick scan

above the Hard Deck we can eliminate decision steps and answer the question that matters

most….Is there somebody in the way? It’s that simple. It’s the same thing you did playing

football in the sandlot and on your Madden video game. Read the CAP!

Just because a QB reads the pre- snap CAP and sees an opportunity for an UNCAPPED

explosive play doesn’t mean that it will be there post-snap. The CAP reveals much more

information than just alignment to cover vertical space. It also reads and anticipates actual

intent and ability of defenders in all of space. A closer look at the CAP will provide even more

information. Remember, CAP stands for Coverage, Angle, and Personnel.

In the video below, you will see how Coach Maddox uses the hard deck to influence his CAP

accelerator. It’s amazing to see the difference in production before and after the CAP accelerator

was installed.

Coverage

Coverage refers to both the vertical and horizontal position of the DB using the Hard Deck and

the route stem of the WR. This position defines the CAPPED area of the field.

The diagram below reveals the DB under the Hard Deck and inside of the WR. This alignment

places him in a position to defend inside-flat to intermediate route-space.

Angle

Angle defines the hip-angle alignment of the defender. The angle of a defender’s hips gives the

QB more information on the area of route-space he can cover. A defender’s hips cannot be in a

position to simultaneously defend both horizontal and vertical space. Therefore, be reading the

hip angle allows the QB even more information to better determine which space is CAPPED or

UNCAPPED. The diagram above shows the DB’s hip angle turned out, allowing him to be in a

position to CAP outside horizontal flat space as well.

Personnel

Personnel is the ultimate trump card of a CAPPED or UNCAPPED route. Personnel defines the

talent of the defender covering the route-side space of the WR. Opposing a defender with more

talent than a WR may override the QB decision to throw to him, even if route-space is

UNCAPPED. The same would go for the inverse, such as if a WR had more talent than a DB.

The diagram above shows an UNCAPPED vertical-space scenario with a DB better than the

WR. In this case a QB may choose a better mismatch to attack on this play.

With a deeper understanding of the CAP, a coach can better game-plan and play-call what route

concepts he needs to attack UNCAPPED space. He can also make better in-game adjustments to

routes or plays based on the CAP of defenders. QBs make better pre-snap decisions by using the

CAP to choose the best primary explosive route that have the highest probability of becoming

open.

Reading the pre- snap CAP give the Coach and the QB the following benefits:

Anticipation of explosive play opportunities

Ability to evaluate Intent and Ability of defenders

Clearer definition of open space

Understanding of what routes to use to attack open space

Reduces number of thought-processes to get the most important info needed

In the video below, Coach Maddox talks about how he takes opponents personnel into account

when teaching the CAP accelerator.

Post-Snap Cap

While the pre-snap CAP gives the QB and Coach a competitive advantage, the highest need for a

QB and his coach is in post-snap decision-making. What a QB sees and anticipates pre-snap is

not always what will happen post-snap. In these 2-3 seconds of chaos, most QBs lock up and

have no context of how to identify if a route is going to be open or covered. The CAP

accelerator provides this context.

QBs must sync their footwork in rhythm with the route break to provide a timeline he can use to

maneuver through a progression of routes. The ability to stay mentally in sync or ahead of the

physical footwork of the timeline is accomplished by using the post-snap CAP. The post-snap

CAP is the final confirmation to the QB that the route will be Open or the route will be covered.

Just because we read a route as covered does not give the defense the advantage. In fact we

maintain the advantage by holding a defender in space with a natural "look off" and thus

maintain space elsewhere on the play. The QB has up to the last step of his drop to throw the

first route in his progression. We classify routes into families based on where they attack and

when they break open in the timeline. Routes that attack vertically, break in 1.8 seconds and

have 1 or no breaks are defined as Rhythm Routes. If the rhythm route is CAPPED, the QB

resets his feet and reads the CAP of the next route in the progression. All of these route

concepts will be explored in a subsequent report.

In the vide below watch how a structured four vertical concept can be more efficient using the

R4 CAP system.

Using the Post-Snap CAP to Win Route-Side Space Back

Reading the post-snap CAP also gives the WR the ability to win back route-side space if a DB is

CAPPING it on the QB’s drop. A defender’s hip angle can only be in a position to CAP vertical

space or horizontal space. He cannot have the best of both worlds. Therefore, if a defender’s hip

angle is open and CAPPING vertical route-side space, a WR can snap the route break flatter to

win horizontal space. The QB in this situation snaps the throw flatter to get the ball into open

horizontal space. Try this phrase to help the QB and WR remember this technique: "If they

CAP it, we SNAP it."

In the diagram below, the left scenario shows that to win vertical route-side space on a Post

Route, a WR has to break the CAP to win the space. If the position of the DB is over the top and

outside of the route space on the break with his hips in a position to defend horizontal space, he

cannot defend vertical post space. "If he breaks it, we take it."

In the video below, Coach Maddox shows how receiver are able to win back route side space

based on the defenders post-snap reaction

In the scenario on the right if the DB CAPS the vertical route-side space of the post, he will not

be in a position to CAP horizontal space. We can win horizontal space by snapping the route

break off flat into a speed dig cut. "If he CAPS it, we SNAP it." By reading the post-snap

CAP, the QB can throw and a WR can own route-side space no matter what the defender’s

position.

Reading the post-snap CAP gives the Coach and the QB the following benefits:

Confirmation that a route will be "open" or "covered"

Ability to read multiple routes across the field

Insight in winning back route space on a throw

Accelerates decision-making by reducing if/then statements (diagram 15)

Provides structure for better game-plan and in-game adjustments

Conclusion

Understanding the pre- and post-snap CAP provides a common language that builds a bridge

between the Coach, QBs and WRs. Coaches can give their QBs more freedom to read the field

because they are on the same page of what "Open" and "Covered" means. QBs can make better,

faster decisions because they can reduce the number of thought-processes needed to get the

information that matters most on a play. WRs will run better routes at full speed because they

understand the QB has the ability to read the full field and they know what he is looking for to

consider a route open. Mastering and incorporating the ability to anticipate opening routes into

the rhythm of QB and WR footwork under pressure is the missing ingredient to getting the

explosive play into the offense. Most coaches try to control when the QB can do it; with the

understanding of the CAP a coach can now trust a QB to see when there is an opportunity—

advantage: Offense.