September 16, 2009
Breaking Down The Veer Offense
Today we’re going to look at one of the most popular and long standing offenses in the game of the football. the veer offense is an offense of ball control, minimizing mismatches and forcing the defense to play their assignments. Let’s take a look at this offense:
Definition: a running offense that involves the option of a quarterback and two running backs. The Veer option is generally regarded as a “triple option“. It is designed as a Four back attack with one player taking a dive course, one taking a pitch course and another being a lead blocker on the perimeter of the offensive formation. The QB makes reads on defensive players and then distributes the ball according to the defensive reaction to the offense
History:Most authoritative sources credit Bill Yeoman with the invention of the Veer in 1964, and he ran that offense with the University of Houston Cougars for 25 years. He installed the offense, which led to multiple conference titles and unprecedented success.
Strengths: The Veer offense is effective because it seeks to isolate individual defenses players, forcing them to make a decision and reacting to that decision. It is also effective because it can be practicing and ran with precision by most teams. The veer forces defenses to play assignment football and capitalizes on their mistakes.
Weaknesses: The veer can break down if the offense players involved make poor decisions with the football. A pitch in football can create turnovers. Furthermore, the veer can be constricted to running to the ‘wide side of the field’, therefore making them predictable and easier to stop.
Personnel Needed For Success: The Veer must have offensive linemen who can create space by getting a good push off of the line, running backs who keep space between themselves and the quarterback and receivers who can block downfield.
What The Quarterback Must Do: The quarterback must be a run threat and make good decisions with the football. A qb in the veer offense needs to make appropriate reads and not be afraid to be hit by the defensive end while pitching the football to the running back.
Comments on Breaking Down The Veer Offense »
Don’t forget that the veer also is run from the I formation as well as from the ‘wishbone’. I would love to hear your take on the weaknesses and the possbilities of the passing game our of the veer.
what offense would you choose to run if you were an offensive coordinator and why?
we played a veer team in the semifinals of the state playoffs my senior year… we shut them down! no success at all!