Dave Martin’s Quick Passing Game

At the 2018 National Wing-T Clinic, Dave Martin (recently retired from Stewarts Creek HS) gave a helpful talk on how he runs a quick passing game with his Wing-T offense. You might also want to check out my article on how I’ve done a quick passing game.

Key Concepts

Here are some key elements of his passing attack:

  • You can run this from under center or shotgun.
  • He uses proper names to identify each route scheme, optionally with tags

Dan

Dan and Tan both use jet motion from the wing, threatening jet sweep (which is a big part of Dave’s run game), with the weak-side wing moved out to a slot back position. With the Dan route, the following routes are run:

  • TE runs a 5–7 yard drag route, looking for open space
  • Slot and X release straight down field, stepping in like they will slant but then running a hitch to the sideline. It can be tough to get the slot into open space with this loop out route, so you’ll have to teach him to find and sit in open space.
  • Jet motion back runs a deep sideline route
  • When running from shotgun there’s no drop - the QB should just plant, turn hips, and throw.

Tan

The idea with Tan is to look like Dan, with the slot and X running slants instead of the loop outs. The jet back will show the deep sideline route then hitch after he turns up field.

Train the X and Z to show exactly the same release look on both Dan and Tan.,

Jet Passing

Coach Martin also runs a “jet passing” series which is not strictly a quick passing game. It features the same motion and formation package but is a 5–7 step drop with the snap coming just as the jet back is immediately behind the quarterback (a bit later if under shotgun).

The slot has a choice route but should stay between the hashes, either digging in or out to find open space. The X runs a banana route toward sideline. The TE can either stay in to protect or run an out. Jet back runs upfield between the X and Z.

Protection

He keeps his protection scheme simple. Interior line (G / C) us a “gap, on, inside” rule and will combo with adjacent lineman to take LB when nobody fits that rule on the defensive line. For example, if the right guard has nobody in his inside gap or on him, he’ll look to the center who either has a nose on him or a shaded nose away. He’ll help there but be alert for an A gap linebacker blitz.

The tackles have a “gap, on, outside” rule.

The FB needs to step up to help with any LB blitz, but needs to move up quickly to avoid getting in the way of the QB.

Running jet and rocket sweep has taken away much of the blitzing he used to see.

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