Little Veer Help Here Please...

[littlevikings]

We've been an option team the past 3 seasons and turned the team around. Triple, midline, lead, trap, sweep. I’m the OC for a New coach this season that played HS ball locally for the "King of the local sand pile". We're still running option but...he wants to incorporate split back veer later in the season. That's what the King did, that's what we'll do. I don't disagree with that as the King was very successful - 300+ victories, so who am I to argue.

Problem - I've got no experience running veer. We talked yesterday and agreed that I would investigate what it would take to do this. He knows it much better than I do so I need to climb up the learning curve as rapidly as possible.

The books I have include sections on the mechanics of the veer. That I can read and draw more circle and lines. I'm also just starting to read the veer posts on this site. But I don’t understand the “why” of the veer, what I’m trying to accomplish with the veer other than another variation of option.

Our only split-back formation is based on bone. TE left, SE out right. Take the FB and align/shift/move/motion him over to wing right 1x1 from the OT. That’s probably a standard formation, but hey, what do I know.

I'm not clear on the intent/purpose of the veer other than being an option play. Who is being attacked, and how are we stressing him?

Our QB has been running triple/midline for 2 years on Fr and JV. This will be first year at varsity. He's 6'0" and 200 lbs. Not fastest kid (4.9), but 2nd strongest and a gun arm. Smart and knows the game pretty well. We're half-way considering starting him at nose as well.

The coach says that his worry is that we won’t have the speed in the backs to run this. How is the speed of the veer different from speed in the midline and triple?

So, where do I go to try and meld this together? What do I need to know about this offense to even start asking basic questions?

Thanks

Casey
IHS Vikings

[coachveer]

Hey Coach,
Flexbone/spread and split back veer are not the same. Yes, both run option and PAP off of option but that is about all the share in common.

Flex is an offense that stresses the defense from a balanced formation. Then uses short quick motion to outnumber the balanced defense. Then attacks the defense based on how it adjust to the sudden unbalance of the offense.

Personnel-
Hammer FB or super quick FB
bunch of real quick slots.
TE..Don't need any..

Spit back veer is an unbalanced formation with no HB motion. It attacks defense on how it lines-up vs a base unbalanced dbl Tight formation.

Personal-Needs 2 above avg runners that can both be dive backs and pitchman on the option.
TE--Need 2 good ones.

Note...Both are great offenses. I have run them both in the past and currently lean towards the Flexbone style. However, OV from split-back veer maybe the toughest play to defend in football. Darn near unstoppable on goal line vs any 6 DL front.

You may want to sit down the your HC and pick one.

[littlevikings]

We're locked into the triple/flex/bone mode as that is what we are based on. Since I am not familiar with the veer I can't argue (yet) whether it should be the base offense or just an adjunct. From what I've seen so far the veer would appear to be an offensive scheme unto itself, not just another play like the sweep or trap. If that is the case then I need to restrain myself and the coach and stick to what we know – flexbone.

I found the article by Malcom and have read/am reading that. Very helpful. The basics are very close to what we do now, but the alignments and different mesh points and angles would concern me.

[veerman]

Your right the option is a system!! If you want to run the option then be ready to devote the majority of your practice time to it. The option philosophy is a system that takes smaller,less talented players,and puts them in a position to be successful. I have some Navy cutups if you would like to trade. They are the masters at the flexbone option. If it is the split back option you are looking for then I have a JT Curtis videos that is great. If you need any help just let us know. This is a great site full of great people that are willing to help.

[stallisstriker]

Coach,
I agree with Veerman. I'm an assistant offensive coach at a HS that has been running the SB Veer since 1992. The SB Veer is its own system. In my humble opinion, if you don't think you'll commit 100% to the offense, then don't run it. The SB Veer is an offense that requires a great deal of practice and repetition, like any triple option offense does. You're putting a lot of trust in your QB to make the correct reads. What I love about the SB Veer is that with both the inside and outside veer play (along with some others) you can leave defenders unblocked at the point of attack. It also forces the defense to be extremely disciplined in its option responsibilities. It likewise puts defenders who have both run and pass responsibilities (i.e. the free safety) in conflict. It's an offense that doesn't require big, huge offensive lineman either. The key to the offensive line play is that your O lineman fire off the ball quickly. And it's unique. Not many teams, at least in my experience, run the true SB Veer. It can cause head aches for the opposing DC.
I have seen the DVDs by JT Curtis, and they are very good. He runs his SB Veer slightly different than what we do where I coach, but it is a very good teaching tool.