Breaking Down The Spread Offense

Last Friday night I had an opportunity again to see the Gladstone Gladiators, a predominantly veer team, play a high school football game. It was interesting, however, as the game progressed, that their offense took on a new look, an evolved one, where the quarterback was in the shotgun and the running back was next to him. “Its the Spread offense!” I said to myself, “The Veer team is running the Spread!”

After the game one of the coaches assured me that the formation they were in that resembled the spread was definitely not anything close to the spread offense. So here’s a look at what the spread offense is and how it developed.

Definition: The spread offense begins with a no-huddle approach with the quarterback in the shotgun formation much of the time. The fundamental nature of the spread offense involves spreading the field horizontally using 3, 4, and even 5-receiver sets (some implementations of the spread also feature wide splits between the offensive linemen). The object of the spread offense is to open up multiple vertical seams for both the running and passing game to exploit, as the defense is forced to spread itself thin across the field (a “horizontal stretch”) to cover everyone.

History: The father of the spread offense is Rusty Russell, a graduate of Howard Payne University, in Brownwood, Texas, and coach of Fort Worth’s Masonic Home and School for orphaned boys. Russell began coaching Masonic Home in 1927, and due to the fact that his teams were often over matched physically by other schools, they were called the “Mighty Mites.” While there, he deployed the earliest form of a spread offense to great success. The Spread is not an offense used by teams at all levels of the game.

Strengths: The strength of the Spread offense is its ability to, as it implies, ‘Spread’ the defense and isolate defensive backs on receivers. Furthermore, it provides running options that give quarterbacks and running backs a chance to hit holes vertically and with vision. The Spread also can incorporate receivers into the running game by bringing them in motion as a part of sweep plays or triple options.

Weaknesses: The Spread can be unproductive if players do not take care of the football. Making smart passing decisions in the secondary and having effective hand offs are critical to the Spread’s success. Furthermore, if a center can’t snap the ball efficiently and with accuracy there can be problems with timing and ball handling.

Personnel Needed For Success: The Spread offense needs receivers who run disciplined routes with good spacing. Running backs must be able to hit wholes with confidence and be able to catch the ball on screens and quick swings. A line that can protect and give the quarterback time to throw down field is also important.

What The Quarterback Must Do: The QB MUST make good decisions with the football. The spread will not be successful is a QB is indecisive or throws into a crowd. The QB must also be willing to run the football downfield and pick up 3-4 yards when needed, keeping the defense honest and taking pressure off the running backs and receivers.

Stay tuned for tomorrow when I explain which offense I think is the better one and why…