| Norm Chow on 60 Series
and QB Reads Note: The following notes are from a clinic presentation that Norm Chow gave back around the 2001 to 2002 time frame. These notes related to the intermediate 5 step drop back passing game. The notes outline his recommended post snap reads and coaching points for quarterbacks. The notes are pulled from different web sites. I believe the notes were taken and posted by retired coach Bill Mountjoy. Apologies if I have not adequately given credit to the proper sources. NORM CHOW
POST SNAP READS - "60 SERIES" "60 Y
OPTION" - 5 step drop. Eye the Tight End
and
throw it to him unless taken away from the outside by the Strong Safety
(then hit Z),
OR
inside by ILB (then hit FB). Don't throw
option route vs. man until receiver makes eye contact with you. Vs. zone - can put it in seam.
Vs. zone - no hitch step. Vs.
man - MAY need hitch step. ![]() "62" - 5 step drop. Take a peek at F/S - if he's up hit Z on post. Otherwise watch X-Y mesh occur - somebody will pop open - let him have ball. Vs. zone - throw to Fullback ![]() More from
Coach Chow on 62: They use this (version of Kentucky Mesh) crossing route against man coverage: "We tell the TE he is responsible for the depth of the route. We tell the X-receiver that he is responsible for the mesh of the route. The X-receiver comes underneath the Y-end. If Y goes 6 yards deep, then X has to go 5 yards deep. They are going full speed. It is not a pick route. It is simply a crossing route. The quarterback watches the mesh occur with the crossing routes. The quarterback turns his shoulders to the receiver that comes open and throws the ball to him. "If we made a mistake and the defense is not running man coverage, and are playing zone and we are running crossing routes, we tell the QB to look at the back on the two receiver side (the TE side) and turn his shoulders and throw to the back in the flat. We want to throw it 3 yards and get 3 more on the run. We have to look at the crossing receivers and, if they are covered, throw to the backs." ![]() "64"
- 5 step drop. Key best located Safety
on 1st step. Vs. 3 deep look at F/S - if
he goes weak - go strong (Z = #1 to FB = #2 off S/S);
if he goes straight back or strong - go weak
(X = #1 to HB = #2 off Will LB). Vs. 5
under man - Y is your only choice. Vs. 5 under zone – X & Z will auto
convert the route to fade. ![]() “65” – 5 step drop and hitch. Read the S/S. Peek at Z #1; Y = #2; FB = #3. As you eyeball #2 & see color (F/S flash to Y) go to post to X. Vs. 2 deep zone go to Z = #1 to Y = #2 off S/S. ![]() More from Coach Chow about 65: " ..we send the Z on the go.
We tell the split end to go to the middle
deep area. The tight end goes to the
area where the deep and underneath areas meet. The
back checks the rush and runs an arrow. The
backside back runs a little check down. That
is how we try to design our passing
game. If the defense is running a 3-deep
with four men underneath, we feel we have a chance." He says most teams run this with a TE running an out, to get a 1,2,3 vertical look. They don’t because they want to get that triangle, which makes it tougher to cover. If the QB has an open window outside he throws it, if he has an open window inside to the TE, he throws it. He wants the TE to get into a position where he can shield the defender from the ball. After 5 steps he looks to Z, then to the TE, then to X down the middle if the FS jumps the TE. If the first 3 are covered they look to the frontside Halfback on a 5-6 yard Flat so he can get the ball on the run and run the ball downfield. If they take away the Flat, the QB goes to the backside check down. Also, they tag this with an Arrow by the Fullback looking to get him under the Sam who is jumping the TE. Against man they want the TE to push outside at the top of his route if the SS comes up to stop the inside route.
“66” – 5 step drop and hitch. On your first step read Mike LB (MLB or first LB inside Will in 3-4). If Mike goes straight back or strong – go weak (X = #1; HB = #2). If Mike goes weak – go strong (Y = #1; Z = #2; FB = #3). This is an inside-out progression. NOT GOOD vs. 2 deep 5 under. ![]() “67” – 5 step drop and hitch. Read receiver (WR) rather than defender (Corner). Vs. 2 deep go from Y = #1 to Z = #2. Vs. 3 deep read same as “64” pass (Will LB) for X = #1 or HB = #2. Equally good vs. Cover 2 regardless if man OR zone under. ![]() “68 SMASH” – 5 step drop and hitch. Vs. 2 deep look HB = #1; FB = #2 (shoot); Z = #3. Vs. 3 deep – stretch long to short to either side. Vs. man – go to WR’s on “returns”. ![]() “69 HB OPTION” – 5 step drop - hitch up only
if you need to.
Eye HB: HB = #1; Y = #2. QB & receiver MUST make eye contact vs.
man. Vs.
zone – receiver finds seam (takes it a little wider vs. 5 under). Only
time you
go to Y is if Will LB and Mike LB squeeze HB. If Will comes & F/S
moves
over on HB – HB is “HOT” and will turn flat quick and run away from
F/S.
Otherwise HB runs at his man to reinforce his position before making
his break. Note: I could not locate the graphic for
this play.
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