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Bronco
07-17-2004, 09:20 PM
Guys, I found this article by Sid Gillman at another site, but it is great info, and most of it applies to NCAA, Madden...shucks, just football in general. Personally, I feel he is the single most influential coach in football with regard to the passing game. Moreover, I've read some other articles by him, and he is just priceless in the way he talks (i.e. "not knowing the defense will result in stupid interceptions") LOL! - he pulls no punches, tells it like it is.

You may not like or agree with him, but you can't deny he knows his stuff. I realize most of us know this stuff already, but everytime I read this summary, I always learn something new. Hope you find it as useful as I do.

- Bronco

Sid Gillman Passing Game Thoughts
TIMING OF PASS:
1. The timing of the delivery is essential. It is the single most important item to successful passing.
2. Each route has it’s own distinct timing. As routes and patterns are developed on the field, the exact point of delivery will be emphasized.
3. Take mental notes on the field on timing of the throw.
4. If you cannot co-ordinate eye and arm to get the ball at it’s intended spot properly and on time, you are not a passer.
5. Keeping the ball in both hands and chest high is part of the answer.
6. Generally speaking, the proper timing of any pass is putting the ball in the air before, or as the receiver goes into his final break.
7. If you wait until the receiver is well into his final move, you are too late.

ATTACKING DEFENSES:
1. You must know the theory of all coverages. Without this knowledge, you are dead.
2. You are either attacking man for man, or zone defense.
3. Vs. Man for Man Defense, you are beating the Man.
Vs. Zone Defense, you are attacking an Area.
4. Not knowing the difference will result in stupid interceptions.
5. Study your coverage sheets so that by merely glancing at a defense you know the total coverage design.
6. Man for Man Defenses
a. Hit the single coverage man. This will keep you in business for a long time.
b. Stay away from receivers who are doubled short and long.
c. Do not throw to post if weak safety is free unless you are controlling him with another receiver, and even then it can be dangerous.
d. Flare action is designed to hold backers. If backers are loose, HIT flare man.
e. The secret to attacking Man for Man is to attack the single coverage man who is on his own with no help short or to either side.
f. You must know the individual weaknesses of our opponents and attack them.
g. There are many methods of dropping off by deep secondary men. Each method provides a weakness – know them.
7. Zone Defenses
a. To successfully attack zone defense, concentrate on attacking the slots (X-Z Curl, Y Curl, Cross Routes).
b. Flare action is a must to hold the backers close to the line to help open up the zones behind them.
8. Exact knowledge of defensive coverage and the patterns to take advantage of these is a
must.

SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPLES SID GILLMAN LIVED BY:
1. Spread the field horizontally and vertically with all 5 receivers;
2. Pass to set up the run (NOT the other way around);
3. One-Back formations are a MUST!

hobbs2324
07-17-2004, 09:33 PM
I printed your post and I'm going to save it for a time when I can fully concentrate on it. Of coarse while I'm on the bowl :o , I do my best thinking and reading there.
Thanks for the info, can't wait to fully absorb it

phrozzy
07-17-2004, 10:01 PM
2. Pass to set up the run (NOT the other way around)

But I kinda like the other way and it's a hell of lot easier in this year's game to run first then pass and still be able to balance both.

The passing tips make sense though. It's always the timing that gets me.

mad_bomber
07-18-2004, 08:59 AM
The great Sid Gillman. I read that a few years ago and everything he states about offensive football is along my line of thinking.

GaryGuanine
07-19-2004, 08:33 PM
Bill Who? Who Walsh? Who Who?

Everyone talks about Walsh, but Gillman was the real source of the West Coast Offense.

Thanks for the post.

Gary

TheTdMaker
07-19-2004, 10:43 PM
Bronco...What site did you find the article on Sid Gillman?

mad_bomber
07-19-2004, 10:59 PM
Go to our coaching site links section at www.collegefootballtips.com and look for Chuck N Duck. That's a real coaching site dedicated to the passing game. Someone posted it there recently on the message forums. I post on that forum as well under a different name.

Liquid Bricks
07-23-2004, 12:25 PM
Great Help! Thanks