Air Raid
This is a work in progress list of popular Air Raid concepts that mainly come from WSU and their offense. This is not a full list of Air Raid concepts, tags and motions, but the most popular of the Air Raid concepts. This list will evolve. WSU and Mike Leach run a more "pure" form of the Air Raid.
Quick Passing
6
"6" is the base four verticals play in the Air Raid offense. This play is great because it can be adapted based on what the defense is giving you on the fly.
"6" considered a quick passing play because of the tags that can be called on any given play. Tags are something that individual coaches can mess around with and come up with ideas that work for them.
Mandatory Outside Release
All receivers have the same mandatory outside release rule. This means that all receivers must release on the outside of their defender to get them to flip their hips and turn their heads. This play is great against pressed corners and man to man.
Dropout Rules
Dropout rules are the rules all receivers use when running their routes. Essentially, if you are uncovered or "uncapped" you will continue your vertical route into the deep portion of the field. If the receiver is "capped", they will break off their route or "drop out" of their route. this happens at about 10 yards from the ball. If the receiver doesn't think he can beat his man vertical or "get over the top", he will break off his route. This looks like a 10-yard curl or stop. Inside receivers break in while outside receivers break out towards the sideline.
2x2 Rules
- Everything is determined by leverage
- Look for press corners first
- Read outside - inside - F
- If no corner is pressed, check to a tagged route on best match-up.
3x1 Rules
- Look for a pressed corner or a tagged route based on leverage
- Read Y - H - F
The QB MUST COMMIT to a side once he has made his decision. Be decisive, and confident!
F checks his release and settles in the middle of the field that the LB's have vacated. He can be put on either side of the QB depending on pass protection.
Ace 6
Motion can be added to this play and it has been effective for WSU in particular. The QB will now read the play inside out Y-H-F. If the F stays in for pass protection, Z becomes the checkdown.
Y can turn his route into a slant if the LB decides to blitz as a hot route.
F checks his release and works his way to the trips side looking for grass to sit in. He can continue his route towards the sideline if man.
Ace H Move 6
6 out of 3x1 formations follows the same rules as above except in this example, the F checks protection and runs a swing.
Early 6
Early 6
617 / 619
617 & 618 is one of WSU's most popular passing plays. It's a great play to run against man and single high coverages. This is a popular play in the redzone and has been effective for WSU.
Ace 617
X: Mandatory outside release on his defender. It is important for him to get his defender to turn his head and follow. If his defender is in a soft coverage, he can block him because the QB will be throwing the out.
H: 5 yard speed out. First three steps straight ahead, fourth step at a 45 degree angle towards the boundary, fifth step is is flat to the boundary. the H MUST SEPARATE from his defender. the H needs to get into his defenders near shoulder if he wants to get good separation from his defender. Be physical.
Y: 3 step slant. Make sure to not over run the ball. Sit over the center if not thrown too immediately.
Z: 3 step slant. Make sure to not over run the Y. Sit in open grass if not thrown too immediately.
F: Pass pro. Can move based on protection.
QB: Check the slant side first. The QB must commit to a side. They can throw either side of the formation based on leverage. Best to throw the slant against cover 1 and a true cover 2.
Ace 619
Early 619
617 / 619 isn't run that often by WSU anymore, but it can be good against the right look and field position. If the slant receiver is to the boundary, it can open up their route.
X: 3 step Slant. Will get thrown to if there is lots of grass.
H: Mandatory outside release on his defender. It is important for him to get his defender to turn his head and follow. If his defender is in a soft coverage, he can block.
Y: 5 yard speed out. First three steps straight ahead, fourth step at a 45 degree angle towards the boundary, fifth step is is flat to the boundary. the H MUST SEPARATE from his defender. the H needs to get into his defenders near shoulder if he wants to get good separation from his defender. Be physical.
Z: Mandatory outside release on his defender. It is important for him to get his defender to turn his head and follow. If his defender is in a soft coverage, he can block him because the QB will be throwing the out.
F: Pass pro. Can move based on protection.
QB: Check slant side first. Throw the slant if there is lots of grass. The QB must commit to a side. They can throw either side of the formation based on leverage. Best to throw the slant against cover 1 and a true cover 2.
Late 617
618
618 might be one of the most popular plays in the Air Raid offense. WSU has used this as one of their go-to openers over the course of the last few seasons. This play is great because it has answers for most looks you'll see in a game.
Ace 618
X: 3 step slant. Make sure to not over run the Y. Sit in open grass if not thrown too immediately.
H: 3 step slant. Make sure to not over run the Y. Sit in open grass if not thrown too immediately.
Y: 5-6 yard stick route. Aim for the inside shoulder of the defender if hes head up. Turn inside and sit in grass. Y can whip out to the sideline if the defense is in man coverage. Must get separation and be Physical.
Z: Mandatory outside release. Get the defender to turn their head. Can block if there is soft coverage.
F: Shoot route. 45 degree angle towards the line of scrimmage and flat to the sideline after three steps.
QB: Check slant side first. The QB must commit to a side. They can throw either side of the formation based on leverage. Read the flat defender stick to shoot. Remember space and leverage. When in doubt, throw the shoot!
618 H is the same play but to the other side of the formation. The concept rules are the same just flipped to the other side of the formation. The H and X swap on the line of scrimmage because it helps the H's route. WR's can move on or off the LOS depending on their route to help themselves out. This isn't usually called from the sideline, they just have that freedom.
Ace 618 H
Motion can be added very simply to the concept. The H will run the shoot route from motion. This allows for 6 man protection. This sometimes triggers a blitz from the backside linebacker, opening up the slant route. Reads remain the same.
Ace H Move 618
You can also push the F out of the backfield and run a flare route to the flat. A nice little wrinkle that can open up the read for the QB.
Ace F Push 618
WSU will motion the H out of Early and Late to try and manipulate the outside LB. Its a good way to find space for the Y stick. The H moves and runs a slant. This can be a hard route for him to run so its not thrown to him often.
Early H Move 618
Late H Move 618
618 Post Wheel
One of my favorite ways that Mike Leach likes to throw 618 is from early and late. This is the only way WSU has ran 618 out of trips the last few years. This play is great against cover 1, 3 and 0.
Late 618 PST WHL
X: 3 step slant.Can run the route flat if cut off by the CB. Look for open grass.
Y: 5-6 yard stick route. Aim for the inside shoulder of the defender if hes head up. Turn inside and sit in grass. Y can whip out to the sideline if the defense is in man coverage. Must get separation and be Physical.
H: Wheel route. Get outside the numbers and fly up the field.
Z: Post switch route. 3 steps at 45 degree angle from LOS. Get vertical and break to the post at 12 yards. The route can become a dig route if the middle of the field defender bails deep.
F: Shoot route. 45 degree angle towards the line of scrimmage and flat to the sideline after three steps.
QB: Check slant side first. The QB must commit to a side. They can throw either side of the formation based on leverage. Read the flat defender stick to shoot. Remember space and leverage. Can throw the Post Vs. 2 high or throw the wheel vs 1 high.
8
This play is another great way to attack flat defenders, and a great way to exploit the deep sideline hole in cover two.
Ace 8
X: 3 step slant. Make sure to not over run the Y. Sit in open grass if not thrown too immediately.
H: 3 step slant. Make sure to not over run the Y. Sit in open grass if not thrown too immediately.
Y: 14-18 yard corner.
Z: 3 step slant and sit in open grass. Can continue the route if there is space.
F: Shoot route. 45 degree angle towards the line of scrimmage and flat to the sideline after three steps.
QB: Check slant side first. The QB must commit to a side. They can throw either side of the formation based on leverage. If the safety over the Y has inside leverage on them, read the corner Y-Z-F. If Safety is head up to outside of the Y, read OLB Z-F. Remember space and leverage. When in doubt, throw the shoot!
8 H is the same play but to the other side of the formation. The concept rules are the same just flipped to the other side of the formation. The H and X can swap on the line of scrimmage because it helps the H's route.
Ace 8 H
Just like 618, motion can be added very simply to the concept. The H will run the shoot route from motion. This allows for 6 man protection. This sometimes triggers a blitz from the backside linebacker, opening up the slant route. Reads remain the same.
Ace H Move 8
You can also push the F out of the backfield and run a flare route to the flat. A nice little wrinkle that can open up the read for the QB.
Ace F Push 8
WSU will motion the H out of Early and Late to try and manipulate the outside LB. Its a good way to find space for the slant on the concept side of the play. The H moves and runs a slant. This is WSU's favorite way of running 8 out of 3x1.
Early 8 H Move 8
Late 8 H Move 8
Scissors
Scissors is the only way WSU will run 8 out of straight 3x1. The concept is the same as 2x2 8 but the H runs a post route and the F will bubble. This is great against 2 high looks, especially cover 2. Against 1 high looks, read it slant to bubble and against 2 high read corner to post to slant. Bubble is check down.
Early Scissors
Late Scissors
66
66 is a simple hitch seam concept that has evolved into more of a slot fade. One advantage of this concept is that the QB should have a large window to throw the ball to one of the slots. Its a nice throw to the sideline. This play is great play against man free or blitz zero defenses. WSU seems to only run 66 out of ace, while other teams like Texas Tech will throw 66 out of 3x1.
Ace 66
X: 1 step stop.
H: Vertical route looking for grass to the sideline.
Y: Vertical route looking for grass to the sideline.
Z: 1 step stop.
F: Check pass protection. Release over the ball if no threat.
QB: Look for a slot with press coverage and picks the side with the best leverage. Against single high read seam-seam-over the ball. Against blitz zero pick the slot with the best leverage and throw and throw that route.
Dropback
91
91 or Shallow is one of the most recognizable plays in the Air Raid. This concept is a classic post over dig over shallow concept. WSU only runs this play out of Ace or 2x2. WSU also likes to run shallow to outside receivers the majority of the time. On occasion they will shallow an inside receiver, but its rare to see it happen more than a handful of times a year..
2x2 Rules
Tag a post if safety is jumping the dig route. (Cover 4, Cover 2)
- Only tag the post if you really want to throw it!
- Great on goal line
- Dig reads Mike for rules
- Shallow is run at the heels of the D-Line
- Look for grass on the shallow
- Can be Triangle read or Levels read depending on how you want to teach it
- Any receiver can be tagged on the shallow
- F is always lined up opposite of the shallow. Crosses QB’s face into the shallow
Ace 91 X
X: Narrows split to 2-3 yards from the H. Runs shallow at the heels of the D-Line. Must sprint to the opposite sideline!
H: Releases vertical. Route can turn into a skinny corner to open up the Dig window.
Y: Outside release 10 yard Dig route. Get defender to turn their head for the shallow. Continue dig route if Mike tries to wall off inside. If they straight drop, turn dig into a hunt route.
Z: Vertical release.
F: Release to the opposite flat across the QB's face. Make it look like pass pro.
QB: Read shallow-dig-F.
Ace 91 Z
Ace 91 H
X: Releases vertical. Mandatory outside release.
H: Run shallow at the heels of the D-Line. Must sprint to the opposite sideline!
Y: Outside release 10 yard Dig route. Get defender to turn their head for the shallow. Continue dig route if Mike tries to wall off inside. If they straight drop, turn dig into a hunt route.
Z: Vertical release.
F: Release to the opposite flat across the QB's face. Make it look like pass pro.
QB: Read shallow-dig-F.
Ace 91 Y
Ace 91 Z Post
This play is a great tag against cover 4 because the play side safety will usually trigger on the dig route, leaving that 1/4 of the field open to throw a post route behind them. This play is deadly on the goal line.
X: Narrows split to 2-3 yards from the H. Runs shallow at the heels of the D-Line. Must sprint to the opposite sideline!
H: Releases vertical. Route can turn into a skinny corner to open up the Dig window.
Y: Runs an outside release 10 yard Dig route. Get defender to turn their head for the shallow. Continue dig route if Mike tries to wall off inside. If they straight drop, turn dig into a hunt route.
Z: Post route.
F: Release to the opposite flat across the QB's face. Make it look like pass pro.
QB: Read post-dig shallow
92
92 or Mesh might be the most recognizable air raid concept in the sport. Teams from all levels of football run this play, and some coaches believe that it's the best play in football. This play has reached cult status among coaches. Mike Leach and WSU will run variations of mesh 5+ times in any given game. This play is very versatile and can attack any defense.
This is the base 92 play. There are many variations but this is the way its drawn up at WSU. The outside corner routes really turn into a flat climbing out rather than a true hard corner. The two inside receivers running the mesh can sit in space against zone coverage or continue their routs against man. It's important for the receivers to not slow down their routs when they get a man read.
Ace 92
X: 6 step corner. Outside release. Plant at 6 steps, climb at 7 steps and try to get flat to the sideline at 8 steps.
H: Runs under the Y's route. Runs at the toes of the LB's at 5 yards. Can sit in open grass vs. zone or continues to the flat vs. man coverage.
Y: Sets the depth of the mesh. Runs at the toes of the LB's at 5 yards. Can sit in open grass vs. zone or continues to the flat vs. man coverage.
Z: 6 step out. Outside release. Plant at 6 steps, climb at 7 steps and try to get flat to the sideline.
F: Swing route.
QB: Look for the softest corner and attacks that side. Work eyes from Z-H-F. The OLB to the playside will tell you what to do with the ball. If the OLB bails to the corner, throw the shallow or the swing. If the OLB sits, Throw the corner in rhythm or the swing. If the OLB flies to the swing, throw the corner in rhythm or the shallow.
Z post is the most common tag on 92. This is great tag to attack single high defenses. The Z will run a post that can flatten out if the middle field safety bails deep. The QB has his eyes on the Sam and will bang the post behind him if he flies to the flat or sits on the mesh.
Ace 92 Z Post
92 is a great concept out of 3x1 as well. This is especially true if the single receiver is to the boundary. When running 92 out of Early or Late, the single receiver will need to shorten their splits. This is a big tipoff that an outside receiver is running a shallow or mesh route.
Early 92
X: Runs under the Y's route. Runs at the toes of the LB's at 5 yards. Can sit in open grass vs. zone or continues to the flat vs. man coverage.
H: Post route. Look at the weak safety to adjust depth.
Y: Sets the depth of the mesh. Runs at the toes of the LB's at 5 yards. Can sit in open grass vs. zone or continues to the flat vs. man coverage.
Z: 6 step out. Outside release. Plant at 6 steps, climb at 7 steps and try to get flat to the sideline.
F: Swing route.
QB: Read the safety to throw the post or the out. if the safety has inside leverage on the H look to throw the out. If the Safety is head up to outside the H look to throw the post. Read Corner-Post-Shallow.
Snake is one of WSU's favorite ways of running 92 out of Early and Late. This is a good way to attack cover 3 with the post, but the majority of the time the backside mesh is thrown underneath the post.
Early Snake
Double Wheel is another interesting tag that WSU has put on 92 our of green and blue. This play is especially good on the goal line.
Green 92 DBL WHL
93
93 or H wheel is a play that isn't called as often as others, but it can be effective when the right look presents itself. This play can be difficult because it relies on the depth of the curl. The curl is run at no less than 15 yards. A shorter curl means that the throwing window for the QB is tight. Protection is paramount because of the time it takes for the QB to make his reads.
Ace 93
X: 15 yard curl route. This route must be 15 yards. Anything shorter will muddy the read. X can curl towards the middle of the field if there is open grass.
H: 5 yard out and up wheel route. this is a true 5 yard out and go route.
Y: Releases inside and sits over the ball at 5-6 yards.
Z: Post route.
F: Swing route.
QB: Read Post - Curl- Over the ball- Swing. The QB should try to bang the post in rhythm before looking to the curl. Throw the ball based on the reaction of the OLB under the post.
93 out of 3x1 might be the best way to run this play. Especially with the formation into the boundary because it shortens the throw for the QB and allows the backside post to find more grass.
Early 93
Early
X: Post route.
H: 5 yard out and up wheel route. this is a true 5 yard out and go route.
Y: Releases inside and sits over the ball at 5-6 yards.
Z: 15 yard curl route. This route must be 15 yards. Anything shorter will muddy the read. X can curl towards the middle of the field if there is open grass.
F: Swing route.
QB: Read Post - Curl- Over the ball- Swing. The QB should try to bang the post in rhythm before looking to the curl. Throw the ball based on the reaction of the OLB under the post.
94
94 is a solid concept in the Air Raid arsenal. This concept is often confused as a sail or flood concept, but in reality, this is a deep out concept with a vertical. One of the hallmarks of 94 is the corner dig route on the back of the play. This is a good concept to take advantage of medium space to the boundary.
Ace 94
X: 12 yard post dig route. Can tun into a curl if there is open grass.
H: Whip route. Sell the shallow and come back to the sideline.
Y: 6 step out. Outside release. Plant at 6 steps, climb at 7 steps and try to get flat to the sideline at 8 steps.
Z: Vertical route. Outside release.
F: Texas route. Sit over the ball.
QB: Read vertical-out-dig. Texas is the hot vs. blitz. The goal is to throw the out. Good throw when the OLB over the Y has inside leverage.
94 out of 3x1 are really good concepts to take advantage of the middle of the field with the H slant. Its also a good way to open up the corner dig on the back side of the play.
Early 94
X: 12 yard post dig route. Can tun into a curl if there is open grass.
H: 1 step slant. First step to the sideline and bang the slant to the middle to the field.
Y: 6 step out. Outside release. Plant at 6 steps, climb at 7 steps and try to get flat to the sideline at 8 steps. Really stick the steps and get separation vs. a head up or outside leverage safety.
Z: Vertical route. Outside release.
F: Swing route.
QB: Read vertical-out-dig. Texas is the hot vs. blitz. The goal is to throw the out. Good throw when the OLB over the Y has inside leverage. Be aware of the leverage of the playside safety. Bang the slant of the OLB widens to the flat.
95
95 or Y cross is one of the more reliable and hard to cover concepts in the Air Raid. This play is called in long down and distance situations or when the offense wants to gain a chuck of yardage. The deep cross from a backside receiver might be the most undefended route in the history of football.
Ace 95
X: Vertical route.
H: 6 step out. Outside release. Plant at 6 steps, climb at 7 steps and try to get flat to the sideline at 8 steps.
Y: Cross route. Under the OLB, over the Mike and get flat under the weak safety. Y can sit in space if lots of grass is available.
Z: 12 yard post dig route. Can tun into a curl if there is open grass.
F: Swing route
QB: Read vertical-out-Cross-dig.
95 out of 3x1 is a good switch up from 2x2. The corner dig route behind the cross is almost always open against 2 high defenses. The quick out to the play side can be a good look against man coverage.
Early 95
96 & Shakes
96 and Shakes are well known ways to attack cover 2 defenses and have been a staple of the air raid since the beginning. This play can be run against single high defenses, but its especially deadly against cover 2. Here is how 96 looks against a single high defense.
Ace 96
X: 15 yard curl
H: Bubble route.
Y: 8 yard curl over the ball.
Z: 15 yard curl
F: swing route.
QB: Pick the side with the softest coverage. Read curl-over the ball- swing.
Shakes is the audible for cover 2. The QB will know that he will check into this play any time 96 is called and the defense shows cover 2. The middle over the ball go route can be deadly if the QB is given the time to make the throw.
Ace Shakes
Shakes
X: Shake route. 3 step slant off the ball, climb vertical for 8 yards, break to the corner with eyes on 14 yards.
H: Bubble route.
Y: Over the ball and go route. Find the hole between the safeties.
Z: Shake route. 3 step slant off the ball, climb vertical for 8 yards, break to the corner with eyes on 14 yards.
F: swing route.
QB: Read the strong safety and throw the ball based on their reaction. If he widens to the corner, throw the middle go. If he sits, throw the corner.
98
98 is a double smash concept that is still an important part of the Air Raid. This play isn't called all that often anymore, but the tagged versions, like sluggo, are more popular at WSU. 98 is a simple smash concept that is a great way to attack cover 2 defenses.
Ace 98
X: 3 step stop.
H: Corner route.
Y: Corner route.
Z: 3 step stop.
F: Check pass protection. Release over the ball if no threat.
QB: Check for slot where the safety has inside leverage to throw the corner. Pick a side and stick with it. Read corner-stop-over the ball.
Ace 98 Z Sluggo
Sluggo is the most popular tag to 98 that WSU calls. Its essentially the same play except that one of the outside receivers will run a 3 step sluggo route. this play is a killer against cover two or middle of the field open defenses.
X: Shake route. 3 step slant off the ball, climb vertical for 8 yards, break to the corner with eyes on 14 yards.
H: Bubble route.
Y: Over the ball and go route. Find the hole between the safeties.
Z: 3 step sluggo route. when you hit your third step, turn head and show hands. Sprint to the open grass between the two safeties.
F: Check pass protection. Release over the ball if no threat.
QB: Read corner-sluggo-over the ball. Sluggo should be open the majority of the time.
Screens
Screens are an important part of the Air Raid offense. Screens a re a great way to get the ball outside the numbers to an athlete in space, with blockers in front of them. Coaches have been known to hold on to screens until long down and distance situations, but I think that's a mistake. Screens should be run often, even if they don't work initially. Additionally, these screens are an easy way to get the ball to outside receivers if you are struggling to involve them in the offense.
Randy & Larry
Randy and Larry are quick wide receiver screens, usually the X and Z, but they can be run to any receiver. Randy and Larry are good ways to attack defenses in soft coverage. Its important to not over think the rules and techniques of the screen, especially with the offensive line. Getting blockers downfield to the play side is the most important rule.
Ace Randy
X: Block most dangerous 3rd level defender towards the play.
H: Block most dangerous 3rd level defender towards the play.
Y: Block the most dangerous defender starting at the second level. Work to the most dangerous 3rd level defender.
Z: Push up field 1 step and then retreat back behind the LOS. Catch the ball and make 5 yards up field. Find the alley inside or up the sideline.
F: Block the play side DE.
QB: 1 step hitch. Throw a sharp, quick ball to Z.
LT: Show pass and draw the DE up field.
LG: Quick one step pass set. Punch defender to get him off his track and release up field to the most dangerous 2nd level defender.
C: Quick one step pass set. Punch defender to get him off his track and release up field to the most dangerous 2nd level defender.
RG: Quick one step pass set. Punch defender to get him off his track and release up field to the most dangerous 2nd level defender.
RT: Quick one step pass set. Punch defender to get him off his track and release up field to the overhang 2nd level defender with eyes for the most dangerous 3rd level defender.
Ace Larry
Rita & Lisa
Rita and Lisa are the slow or "tunnel" wide receiver screens in the Air Raid offense. These screens are great if as team is bringing a heavy pressure or if they are dropping 8 defenders in coverage. This screen attacks the middle of the field with blockers down the field.
Ace Rita
X: Block most dangerous 3rd level defender towards the play.
H: Block most dangerous 3rd level defender towards the play.
Y: Block the defender over the Z.
Z: Sell a wide fade route for 3 steps. Retrace your steps and catch the ball behind the LOS. Cut the butt of the RG. Find a lane. When you get into heavy traffic, break hard inside or outside.
F: Flash fake to backside of the play.
QB: Flash fake and 1 step hitch. Throw the ball to Z. If you don’t have a lane initially, continue to drop.
LT: Show pass and draw the DE up field.
LG: Quick one step pass set. Punch defender to get him off his track and release up field to the most dangerous 2nd level defender.
C: Quick one step pass set. Punch defender to get him off his track and release up field to the most dangerous 2nd level defender.
RG: Quick one step pass set. Punch defender to get him off his track and release up field to the most dangerous 2nd level defender with eyes on the Sam LB.
RT: Show pass and draw the DE up field.
Ace Lisa
F-5
F-5 is a great way to attack defenses that are hard dropping 8 defenders into coverage. This play is unusual because it involves a shovel pass.
This play is relatively safe to execute because if the F drops the ball, it is an incomplete pass. To effectively run this play, a running back with great vision and quickness is helpful.
Ace F-5
X: Influence go route.
H: Block most dangerous 3rd level defender towards the play.
Y: Block most dangerous 3rd level defender towards the play.
Z: Influence go route.
F: Fake pass block and sit in space. Turn to the QB and receive the pass and work their way up the middle of the field.
QB: Regular pass drop with eyes down field. Turn to the F and shovel the ball to them.
Linemen have a covered or uncovered rule. If the linemen is covered, they will block the defender covering them, if they are uncovered, they will release to the second level.
LT: Covered. Pass block.
LG: Two step pass set. Release up field to the most dangerous 2nd level defender.
C: Covered. Pass block.
RG: Two step pass set. Release up field to the most dangerous 2nd level defender.
RT: Covered. Pass block.
Early F-5
