I want to thank the AFCASummer Manual
Committee for the opportunity to share
some of our ideas in this year’s manual! It
is my intention to provide the readers with
some basic ideas that have helped Winona
State University remain at the top of the
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
We have the philosophy that we need con-
stant change in only small parts of our
offense. We feel that the quality of our play-
ers and the system that we have in place is
a perfect fit!
We first installed the “Fly” offensive
scheme in the 1997 season. Former offen-
sive coordinator Myron Smith brought
together the Fly T series and today’s zone
concepts and developed the Winona
State’s version of the Fly that has been
very successful over a period of four years.
Now, as we continue to grow with these
schemes, we have found other concepts
and counters to how teams have schemed
to defend us. This article will give you
insight to how we have opened up the Fly
over the last two years.
Our first mission was to find out how
defenses were going to play against the
Fly. We have really found that most teams
have schemed against us in assignment or
option responsibility defenses. This has set
the parameters for us to grow. As you will
see, it was important for us to analyze
three areas of the defensive coverage:
1. How will the playside defensive end
play the Fly pitch?
2. Who will be responsible for coverage
on our pitch back?
3. How aggressive is the backside defen-
sive end or outside linebacker playing?
Each of these areas gave us the keys
needed for play selection.
If the playside defensive end is an up
field, contain end, we know that we would
like to run the cut (inside zone) or kick-out
Fly. If the playside defensive end is an
aggressive downhill attack defender we will
counter with the Fly or the Jet (Y). If the
playside defensive end is in a feather tech-
nique we feel we can still get the pitch out
to the Fly.
If the defense plays us in a base cover
two package we will attack them with the
Fly, Fly Y, Jet Y, or Fly Zone. Playing with
only seven in the box allows us to continue
to use our full run package! If the opponent
rolls into an eight-man front, we know that
we would like to lure them to the line of
scrimmage. This pressure by the defense
allows us to push our play-action game
down field with our Jet Y Pass, our halfback
pass, or our play-action routes off the Jet.
Our staff in the booth and through scout-
The Fly Offense
ing will determine how the backside support
will be playing. If the front is balanced and
the backside defensive end is in boot pro-
tection, we will counter him with the Jet (Y)
or play-action back to the weak side. And if
he is aggressive and downhill, we will set up
our boot and option game back to the weak
side. This again will allow us to balance our Tom Sawyer
attack to all parts of the field as well as to
the strong or weak side of the front. Head Coach
The following diagrams will show you
our basic assignments in the plays that we Winona State
counter with off our base Fly series. University
Although we do run some option, counter
zone, and power off the Fly, that would be Winona, Minn.
an area to cover at another time.
Diagram 1
The Fly Y is the base Fly with the PS Y
blocking the support (corner Cover 2)
instead of the playside tackle. This allows
us to interchange the blocking according to
the abilities of our tackles and tight ends.
Travis Walch
Diagram 1
Runningbacks
Coach
Fly Y
Quarterback: Open step, shuffle, Fly
pitch to ball carrier.
Ball Carrier: Receive pitch, Crossover,
depth step, look for ball, follow Y.
Playside Receiver: Block force defender.
Backside Receiver: Cut off block,
Attack near safety.
Playside Y: Arc release, downhill path
to corner or most dangerous defender.
Playside Tackle: “SLICE” release
through defensive end to deep third;
(Coaching Point: Must get piece of defen-
sive end in relation to release).
Five Tech: Through inside hip, Four
tech: Through inside hip, 4I tech: Through
outside hip.
Playside Guard: If covered: Punch
through defensive tackle on path to middle
linebacker, if uncovered: Read double
team w/center to backside linebacker
(Coaching Point: if playside linebacker is
within two yds, base).
• AFCA Summer Manual — 2001 •
 Three Tech: Through inside hip, Two
tech: Through inside hip, 2I tech: Through
outside hip.
Center: If covered: Read double team
w/playside guard to backside linebacker
(Coaching Point: Watch for playside line-
backer run through).
If Uncovered: Down block to prevent
penetration
Backside Guard: First step, pull flat to
protect pitch relationship, pick up any leak-
age, continue around end on path to play-
side linebacker or $.
Backside Tackle: Must protect B Gap,
punch through inside shoulder of defensive
end to weakside linebacker.
R: Fake Fly cut, block level 2/3 defend-
er, chop/attack/stalk.
Diagram 2
The Jet Y is also a play that allows us to
attack the weak side of the defense and to
get the ball out quicker. Note: The pitch is
much quicker and puts added pressure on
the coverage faster! This has been a great
addition to our Fly series.
Diagram 2
Jet Y
Quarterback: Open step, Jet pitch to
ball carrier.
Ball Carrier: Receive pitch, Open step
playside, look for ball, follow playside Y.
Playside Receiver: Crack first level,
Block either defensive end or Sam, whoev-
er shows first (most dangerous).
Backside Receiver: Cut off block,
Attack near safety.
Playside Y: Arc release, downhill path
to corner or most dangerous defender.
Playside Tackle: Slice technique
though hip of defensive end, expand to
third level.
Playside Guard: Punch through defen -
sive tackle’s playside shoulder, release for
donut on defensive end if trailing back, else
turn up field for force player.
Center: First step, flat, then rip and
release down field.
Backside Guard: First step, flat, then
rip and release downfield
Backside Tackle: First step, flat, then
rip and release down field.
R: Fake Fly Trap, Open step, playside
hip of center, block backside linebacker to
level three.
Diagram 3
The Fly Zone is a great counter play to
teams who play us with assignment
schemes. We get the defense to run to the
pitch area and simply let the ball carriers
cut in our normal inside zone lanes. This
play is most successful after we have
established a solid Fly attack.
Diagram 3
Fly Zone:
Quarterback: Open step, jet fake to
inside zone steps, inside zone hand-off
point.
Ball Carrier: Turn step, inside zone
path off playside double team.
H: Fake fly pitch action.
Playside Y: Inside out kick out block on
end man on line of scrimmage.
Playside Tackle: Inside zone tech-
niques (Stretch double or stretch base).
Playside Guard: Inside zone tech-
niques (Stretch double or stretch base).
Center: Inside zone techniques (Stretch
double or stretch base).
Backside Guard: Inside zone tech-
niques (Stretch double or stretch base).
Backside Tackle: Inside zone tech-
niques (Stretch double or stretch base).
Playside Receiver: Attack near safety.
Backside Receiver: Attack near safety.
Diagram 4
The play-action off the Jet (Y) has been a
weapon that has really caused some problems
for some defenses. As the outside linebackers,
inside linebackers, and coverage all attack the
Fly pitch or cut, we take advantage by faking
the pitch and hitting the receiver in stride down
the seam. The more the opponent plays
aggressive the better we can hit the seam!
Jet Y Play Action Pass:
Quarterback: Fake Jet, sight flat
defender, throw ball to seam.
• AFCA Summer Manual — 2001 •
Diagram 4
H: Open step, put hands up for fake,
continue into swing.
R: Block backside in three-step protection.
Playside Receiver: Fake crack first
level, release up seam.
Backside Receiver: Backside seam.
Playside Y: Arc release, second option
in flat.
Playside Tackle: Three-step pass pro-
tection (out, protect).
Playside Guard: Three-step pass pro-
tection (out, protect).
Center: Three-step pass protection
(playside, protect).
Backside Guard: Three-step pass pro-
tection (In, protect).
Backside Tackle: Three-step pass pro-
tection (In, protect).
Diagram 5
This final diagram shows our halfback
pass off the Fly. We just need to get the
defense to commit to the pitch and simply
throw the ball over the top to the play-side
receiver. We have been very successful
with this play-action for many years.
Diagram 5
Jet Y Halfback Pass:
Quarterback: Open step, Jet pitch to
ballcarrier.
H: Open step playside, receive pitch,
follow playside Y, pass to releasing play-
side receiver
R: Open step in place, fake trap into line
Playside Receiver: Fake crack first
level , break to streak route.
Backside Receiver: Take two route.
Playside Y: Arc release, protect throw-
ing area for H.
Playside Tackle: Slice technique
through hip of defensive end , stay on line
of scrimmage.
Playside Guard: Punch through defen-
sive tackle’s playside shoulder, release for
donut if defensive end is trailing.
Center: First step flat, control line of
scrimmage.
Backside Guard: First step flat, control
line of scrimmage.
Backside Tackle: First step flat, control
line of scrimmage.
Our staff here at Winona State
University has worked extremely hard to
incorporate all these parts of the Fly to help
give our players a better chance to be suc-
cessful. Just like most of you, we have
intelligent players and a staff that believes
in this system and this gives us the founda-
tion to continue to build on the Fly Offense.
I want to thank you for the opportunity to
share with you some ideas that have helped
us grow. I hope that you can use some of the
information provided to help you reach your Winona State averaged 368 yards in total offense in 2000 as the Warriors won
goals as well. Good luck to all of you in your the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title and won the Mineral Water
upcoming season. May you all share with me Bowl, 43-41, in triple overtime to conclude the season.
the excitement of working with excellent stu-
dents in the greatest game there is!

Keep The Head Out Of Football

Excerpted from an article by Dick Schindler for the National Federation News
Coaches’ Checklist
1. Keep the head up. 13. Stress safety every day.
2. Discuss risk of injury. 14. Don’t glorify head hunters.
3. Keep the head out of contact. 15. Support officials who penalize
4. Explain how serious injuries for illegal helmet contact.
can occur. 16. Don’t praise or condone illegal
5. Involve parents in early season helmet contact.
meeting. 17. Provide conditioning to strengthen
6. Have a set plan for coaching neck muscles.
safety. 18. Entire staff must be “tuned in” to
7. Clearly explain and demonstrate safety program.
safe techniques. 19. Check helmet condition regularly.
8. Provide best medical care 20. Improper technique causes spinal
possible. cord injuries.
9. Monitor blocking and tackling 21. Helmet must fit properly.
techniques every day. 22. Be prepared for a catastrophic
10. Repeat drills which stress injury.
proper and safe techniques. 23. The game doesn’t need abusive
11. Admonish and/or discipline users contact.
of unsafe techniques. 24. Player safety is your responsibility.
12. Receive clearance by doctor 25. It’s a game — not a job — for the
for athlete to play following head players.
trauma.

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2001 •