Urban Meyer’s

Utah Spread Offense

 Please Read
Each play in this presentation was taken from actual game footage
from the 2003 and 2004 seasons and recreated as diagramed
images. Each play is merely my interpretation of the actual play and
therefore the actual images contained in this presentation are not
stated to be actual plays from the Utah System. These plays are
consistent with plays ran from the tapes and all blocking
assignments and pass routes are accurate. The images contained in
this presentation have been submitted to the U.S. Copyright Office
as copyrighted visual arts documents. Any attempt to duplicate
these images will be in direct violation of U.S. Copyright protection
laws. ©
 Presentation Breakdown
1. System Explanation

3. Formations and Positions

5. Keys and Reads in the Passing Game

7. Basic Running Game

9. Pass Protection Schemes

11. Run Plays

13. Pass Plays

 Explanation of System

The verbiage used in this presentation has been created using some actual
terms and position symbols used in the Utah system. Other terms and/or
symbols are those which have been compiled by research of other high
school programs who run a spread oriented offense.

Information on the following pages will serve as a reference to better

understand the diagrams of this presentation.
Formations

Solo Solo

Trey Trio

Thunder Thunder

Trick Trigger
 Formations

Empty Bunch

Ace Doubles

Over Wing-Slot Wing-slot

Pro I Twins I
= Motion

= Pitch or Pass

= Set up to Throw after Fake or Boot

= Key or Read on Option, Pass, or Blocking Assignment

= Ball Carrier or Potential Carrier

= Drop Step for Option Relationship

 Player Personnel
X Z

E J

Utah’s Player Personnel Symbols R

X Y

H Z

Player Personnel Symbols with F

Regard to the Remainder of
Presentation
 Motion Types
• Across – motion from one side of the formation to the other

• Back – motion back into a running back or pitch position

• Test – motion across until the plane of the center is broken and then back again
to starting position, used to detect coverage

• Jet – motion across ¾ to full speed either directly in front of or behind QB

depending on whether in shotgun or under center, will either fake or take
handoff.

• Right/Left – motion for back to leave back field either right or left

• In – motion in towards formation without going across

Motion will be tagged at the end of the play preceded by the personnel symbol of the
player who will be going into motion. The player will maintain his route after motion.
(ex. Solo 9827 Z across)
 Route Determination
When calling routes for pass plays a number tree will be used. The number
tree consists of (10) different numbers which represent a given route. When a
pass play is called, it will be in a form of (3) to (5) numbers. All numbers will
be read from left to right and be designated to each eligible non-back field
receiver. If a route is desired for a back field receiver it will be tagged at the
end of the route sequence, which he will carryout to the side which he is
positioned. If back is not in the back field then he will receive a number in
sequence depending on his position in the formation.
(ex. Solo 6556 F Flare) ( ex. Empty R 92298)

Call routes will be used to place routes which are not included in the number
tree into a pass pattern. These routes will be tagged at the beginning of the
numbers sequence and the number sequence will contain (1) less number. If
two receivers are to run call routes then both tags will be called before the
numbers sequence. If two are to run the same route then the symbols of each
will be called together and then the route will be named.
(ex. Solo Z shallow 579)
(ex. Empty Z shallow H Choice 868)
(ex. Empty Z H Shallow 878)
 8 Fade/Go

9 Post
6 Post-Corner

7 Dig

4 Deep Out
5 Curl

2 Speed Out
3 Hitch

1 Slant 0 Oblique
 Examples of Call Routes
• Fade
• Zip
• Out and Up
• Stick
• China
• Bubble
• Shallow
• Come Back
• Wheel
• Pivot
 Keys and Reads in the Short and
Intermediate Passing Game

2. Front Identification and Significance

4. Coverage Identification and Significance

6. How to Beat What

Front Identification and Number of
Defensive Backs in Defense
B B B

E T T E E T T E

4-2 (5 DB’s) 4-1 (6 DB’s)

M
B B
B B
E T N T E E T E

5-1 (5 DB’s) 3-4 (4 DB’s)

B M B B M B

E T T E E T E

4-3 (4 DB’s) 3-3 (5 DB’s)

B B B B

E T E E T E B

3-2 (6 DB’s) 3-3 Eagle(5 DB’s)

 Defensive Front Rules
• Less than 6 in box we run, unless 3rd and +5

• Must know who can come and pick them up

• Throw Hot

• Throw Uncovered
 Coverage Schemes and How to
Recognize them

Types of Coverage

•Cover 0 – 0 Deep with Man Under. Usually bringing other 6 defenders

• Cover 1 – 1 Deep with Man Under. Drop, bring, or spy with extra defender

• Cover 2 – 2 Deep with Man or Zone Under. Weak zone if bring more than 4

• Cover 3 – 3 Deep with Zone Under. Weak zone if bring more than 4

• Cover 4 – 4 Deep with Zone Under. Weak zone if bring more than 3
 Cover 0

B B
C S C
F
E T T E S
 Cover 1

B B
C S S C
E T T E
Cover 2 Man Under

F F

B
C S S C
E T T E
Cover 2 Zone Under

F F

B
C S S C
E T T E
 Cover 3

F
C C

B B
S S
E T T E
 Cover 4

F F

C C

B
S S
E T T E
How to Take Advantage of Different Coverages

1. Cov 0- Pick Routes, Slant and Wheel, Back out of Back Field

3. Cov 1- Pick Routes, Slant and Wheel, Play Action

5. Cov 2 Man - Draw, Screen, Shallow Crossing Routes

7. Cov 2 Zone - Post into 2 Deep void, 3 verticals, Uncovered

Receivers with 7 man front

9. Cov 3 - Curl/Flat, 4 verticals, Flood the underneath zones

11. Cov 4 – Attack Flats and Hook Zones, Screen, Draw

 The Utah Run Game

The running game is one of the strongest points of any Spread offense.
The principal behind the Spread is to spread the field both vertically and
horizontally. Buy doing this you force the defense to also spread out their
personnel which causes their players to have to defend more space.
Having to occupy and control added space helps to equalize talent levels.
Over the next few pages I will go over the basic run plays in the Utah
offense. I will break each play down and show blocking assignments
against basic fronts.
 Basic Running Plays
• Zone
• Zone Read (Option)
• F Trap
• QB Trap
• Counter
• Counter Read (Option)
• Shovel Option
• Speed Option
Zone / Zone Read

B B

E T T E

Make End Respect

the Keep. If he does
not then Keep. Can
have option call with
predetermined pitch
man.
 Zone vs Other Fronts

B M B
B
E T E E T T E

B B B B
B
E T E B E T E
 F Trap

B B

E T T E

Stick tight to down

blocks and look for
cut off backers.
 Q Trap

B B

E T T E

Stick tight to down

blocks and look for
cut off backers.
 Trap vs Other Fronts

B M B B

E T E E T T E
Counter / Counter Read

B B

E T T E

Make End Respect

the Keep. If he does
not then keep. Can
have option call with
predetermined pitch
man.
Counter vs Other Fronts

B M B B

E T E E T T E
Shovel (Crazy) Option

B B

E T T E

Read end, if he sits

run speed option, if
he chases shuffle
under him.
Speed Option

B B

E T T E

Zone hard playside,

do not let down
linemen cross your
face.
Utah Protection Schemes
 Types of Protection
• 5 Man (Empty Formations B.O.B.)
• 6 Man (Back or TE in Blocking Scheme)
• 7 Man (Back and TE in Blocking Scheme)
• Slide (Gap Protection, Inside/Right/Left)
• Roll (Spring or Roll Out Protection)
• Quick (Cut or Aggressive B.O.B.)
• Boot (Play Action Protection
 5 Man Protection

QB must make Hot B Center Must check for

Backer while giving A
Read off of outside
pressure. gap support

E T T E

Big On Big Cup Protection

6 Man Protection (No TE)
#1 #2

W B S

E T T E

Big On Big

Zone Side “One Man” Call

Center Must Help A gap
Inside to Out and
While Checking Will Backer
Check #1 to #2
 6 Man Protection (TE)
#2
#1

W B S

Big On Big
E T T E

Zone Side “One Man” Call Uncovered Linemen must

Center Must Help A gap help Inside to Out and
While Checking Will Backer Check #1 to #2
7 Man Slide Protection

W B S

E T T E
Roll or Sprint Protection

W B S

E T T E
 Quick Protection

E T T E

Aim high thigh to Center Check for backer

get defender’s and help A gap
hands down
 Boot Protection

W B

E T T E
 Run Plays
From Various Formation
Solo Triple Option R (Zone L Read)

F Option Reads

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trey Triple Option R

F Option Reads

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Ace H Back Triple Option R

F Option Reads

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trio Triple Option R

F Option Reads

C C
S B B
S
E T T E
 Trio Triple Option R Z Back

F Option Reads

C C
B B
S
S
E T T E
 Over Wing-Slot H Back Triple
Option R
F Option Reads

C
S B B
S
C
E T T E
 Thunder Shovel Option Right
F Back
F

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Solo Z Right QB Gut

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trigger QB Trap R

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trio Blast Left Z Back

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trio Power Left Z Back

C C
B B
S
S
E T T E
 Trio Speed Option Rev Right
Z Back
F

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trio QB Counter R

C C
S B B
S
E T T E
Twins I Counter Right Z Across

C C
S B B
S
E T T E
 Bunch Toss Right

C S B B C
S
E T T E
 Bunch Counter Left

C S B B C
S
E T T E
 Thunder Speed Option Right
F Back
F

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
Thunder Speed Rev Left F Back

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
Twins I Power R QB R Motion

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Pass Plays
From Various Formation
 Thunder Z Shallow 9798

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Thunder Z Shallow 5665

C
C B B
S S
E T T E
 Solo 7565 F Release

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trey Roll Left 5554

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
Trips X Y Shallow 95 F Curl Left
Motion
F
C
C
S B B
S
E T T E
 Trick Y Shallow F Pivot 898

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Thunder 57555

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trio Split Screen F left Motion

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
Trio Tight X Shallow 595 F Curl Left
Motion
F

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Ace Zone Left 8588

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trio 9295 F Release

C C
S B B
S
E T T E
 Empty Z F Pivot 979

C C
B B
S
S
E T T E
 Thunder F Z Pivot 798

F
C
C
S B B
S
E T T E
 Thunder F Pivot 1598

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Solo 7565

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trey 8559

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trick 84555

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trick 85588

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trick F Bubble H Choice 558

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
Trick F Bubble H Shallow 578

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trio Zone L Fake 5827

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
Trio Zone L Fake Hitch Screen R

C C
S B B
S
E T T E
Bunch Toss R Fake Hitch Screen L

C S B B C
S
E T T E
Bunch Zone R Fake Y Hitch and
Go 562
F

C B B S C
S
E T T E
Trio Zone R Fake Hitch Screen Left
and Lateral H Back
F

C C
S B B
S
E T T E
 Trio 7255 H Test

C C
S B B
S
E T T E
 Trio 7255 F Flat H Test

C C
S B B
S
E T T E
Twins I Power Pass QB R Motion

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trey Y Shallow 597 F Curl
Right Motion
F
C
C
B B S
S
E T T E
 Trigger 55528

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trigger Y Choice 8588

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trio Zone L Fake Bubble R

C C
S B B
S
E T T E
 Solo Zone L Fake 8888

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Solo 8558

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Empty 95559

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trey X Choice 888 F Curl
Right Motion
F

C B B C

S S
E T T E
 Trigger 24598 F In

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
 Trigger F Shallow 7598 F In

C C
B B
S S
E T T E
Trips Hitch Screen QB Throw Back
Right F Left Motion
F

C C
B B S
S
E T T E
Doubles Sprint Rev Right Pass

C
C
S B B S

E T T E