The “West Coast” passing attack utilizes all five skill positions as pass receivers in a variety of ways when attacking the defense. By using all skill positions as receivers, the offense can attack the whole field and reduce defensive coverage into one-on-one situations.
The nice thing about the offense however is that on any given pass play, a quarterback will have a variety of options, especially on the side of the field that the play is designed to go, and because of this, a receiver is usually open. For example, on a pass play to the strongside, the wide receiver may be called to run deep down the field, the tight end may be called to run an intermediate out route, and the fullback may be called to run a swing pass. If the flanker and tight end are covered, the quarterback should be able to dump the ball off to the back.
Remember, football is a game of field position. Positive yards are gained in the field position war (remember this is the same strategy a traditional running attack tries to accomplish). At best, the back breaks a tackle and picks up the first down. Don’t force the issue, don’t make mistakes. This is supposed to be a low risk offense. A complimentary benefit is that completions will raise a quarterback’s confidence level.
In conclusion, the “West Coast” offense in my opinion is the most productive offense that could be used in football. I say productive because this offense can be used with average players for maximum benefit. As defenses place more and more emphasis on speed pass rushers, disguised coverages, and attacking, pressure-based concepts, the need for the “West Coast” offense will continue to grow.
1. Building a Champion. Bill Walsh and Glenn Dickey. Sports Publishing Inc. Champaign, IL 1992
2. Football?s Quick Passing Game: Fundamentals and Techniques Vol. 1. Andrew Coverdale and Dan Robinson. Sagamore Publishing, Inc. 1998
3. Football?s Quick Passing Game: More Advanced Routes Vol. 2. Andrew Coverdale and Dan Robinson. Sagamore Publishing, Inc. 1998
4. Football?s Quick Passing Game: Implementing the Package Vol. 3. Andrew Coverdale and Dan Robinson. Sagamore Publishing, Inc. 1998
5. How to Coach Football?s Running Trap Game. Jerry H. Laycock. Parker Publishing Company, Inc. 1972.
6. Perfecting the Play Action Passing Game in Football. Mike Koehler. Parker Publishing Company, Inc. 1984.
7. Quarterbacking. Bart Starr and Mark Cox. Prentice Hall, Inc. 1967.
8. Rough Magic: Bill Walsh’s Return to Stanford Football. L. Cohn. Harper Collins Publishers, 1994.
9. Developing an Offensive Game Plan. Brian Billick. Sagamore Publishing, Inc., 1997.
10. Winning with the West Coast Offense. Mike Lowry. M-Low Enterprises, 1996